|
Rededication ceremony in a Lodge is
a fortunate event of the Lodge concerned. Dedication
implies sincere and attentive devotion or offering oneself
to a particular matter or pursuit quite loyally. Ordinarily
Rededication Ceremony is held by the members after the
completion of a long period of existence of the Lodge,
say 25 years, 50 years, 60 years, 100 years and so on.
Rededication clearly points out to two salient features.
First the Lodge has been successful in its working and
efforts and secondly, the fruits of the labour of the
Lodge members must be increased in quantity and quality.
Thus the members get confidence for past works on the
one hand and on the other, they become determined to
devote themselves more actively in the masonic works.
Freemasonry is a natural institution
grown out of normal and naive instinct and requirement
of a class of human beings for self preservation, cultural
and moral improvement and social wellbeing. Generally
Freemasonry rests mainly on three principles viz. Brotherly
love, Relief and Truth. it is moral institution or society
no doubt but it is above all religions. Free masonry
values all virtues comon to all the religions of the
world and as such men of different religions will not
ressonably find any ground to raise any objection to
freemassonry, Of course, the first condition for getting
membership is that the candidate must believe in God,
the Almighty and Most High.
Characteristic virtues of Freemasonry
are not only common to all other religions but we also
find traces of procedures followed in different religions
and sects as also several marks, geomatrical or otherwise,
appearing in different religious practices. There is
the practice in Bengal among the Hindus that at the
time of "Dkhsha', that is, initiation, the disciple
is blindfolded in a closed room where there will be
none but the "Guru", the preceptor. Guru will
communicate the 'Bij Mantra' of the deity in a whisper
and will warn the disciple that the Mantra shall not
be communicated to any one else. Naturally the disciple
agrees and other procedure is gone into. Similarly in
Pujas and religious ceremonies of the Hindus, Swastika
marks, marks of triangle, double triangle, square, figures
having eight right angles, cross and several other signs
are displayed. In ancient times knocks were given on
the door in Egypt while secret congregation was held
in some particular sect to indicate the approach of
a foe or a friend. In our masonic temple we give knocks
while the Lodge is in session. We cannot say that all
these things in religious practices have been taken
by way of imitation or borrowing. I have no doubt that
these similarities are purely accidental and independent
due to common and natural thinking and instinct of different
people at different places in different times.
We should always remember that mere
parrot like memorising of the rituals does not make
a member of the Lodge a very good Freemason. The distinguishing
feature of a Freemason is his broad and large heart.
Brotherly love, Relief and Truth are the words of motto
of Freemasonry. Connected with them are Justice, Sympathy,
Charity, Humility, Discipline and many other virtues
advocated by Freemasonry. Activities of a Freemason
shall not be restricted within the Lodge or among Freemasons
but they should go out to the society at large. We should
extend our helping hand to our neighbours and all those
who are needy and helpless. We should do social work.
We must act and behave with dignity and in such a way
that the people of the world may know that Freemasonry
is an institution which anybody may boast of and take
shelter in the company of Freemasons in case of distress
and sorrow for getting comfort and solace and peace.
In order to achieve that real masonic
purpose, the Lodge must be carefully masoned. Before
admission candidates for membership must be very carefully
chosen. It has got to be seen whether the candidate
has masonic temperament. There is generally a tendency
to increase the number of members without examination
of the candidate about his fitness. This is very dangerous.
Sometimes undesirable members put the Lodge in jeopardy.
Masonic spirit must be instilled into the mind of the
members. Discipline must be strictly adhered to and
masonic manners and courtesy must be followed both in
the Lodge room and at the festive board. Freemason should
act silently without blowing his own trumpet, no matter
whether he gets any reward or honour.
Senior members of the Lodge have special
responsibility. Officers of the Lodge and the members
with high masonic honours should mix with the junior
members very freely so that all the members may feel
that they are on the level.
I want to mention one important matter.
Generally female members of our family take little interest
in Freemasonry and mostly they plead ignorance about
the nature of Freemasonry. Sometimes a wife of a Freemason
may not like that her husband goes to attend Lodges.
The best thing would be to create interest in the wife
about the institution. For this purpose one thing can
be done. At least once a year 'Ladies Night' should
be held while the members attend the Lodge meeting in
the Temple, wives of the brethren will have their own
meeting and at the festive board, they will join the
members of the Lodge. Before the meeting or after, the
ladies, if they so desire, can see for themselves the
place of meeting, I mean the Temple, to satisfy their
curiosity and ultimately they will know that the activities
of Freemasonry are laudable.
Gorakhpur Lodge has reached the 25th
year of its existence. The Lodge is having its Silver
Jubilee Celebration. It was consecrated in Varanasi
in the year 1963. Then it has been shifted to the present
site. At the instance of lucky 13 founder members this
Lodge was brought into existence. Of them only six members
are on the existing roll. They are R.W. Bro Paresh Dutta,
W. Bro. G. S. Sukla, Ch. Ram Lakhan Chandra, Dr. G.
P. Srivastava, B. M. Sahai, and Dr. S. P. Agrawal. It
is a great pleasure to note that six founder brethren
are taking active interest in the Lodge affairs. Founder
Master of the Lodge W. Bro. B.M. Sahai is now occupying
the Eastern Chair in this year of Silver Jubilee. Time
has come when young masons should take over the reins
of Government of the Lodge with redoubled energy. Gorakhpur
Lodge has well stood the test of time. It has so many
experienced and efficient members including the founders
to guide its activities and to attract the people of
the region for its beneficial effect.
May the Most High God bless the brethren of this Lodge
on this day of Rededication to continue their mission
for ever and ever and never to stop in the masonic path
of Virtue and Truth.
|
