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Before we embark upon the main topic
of discussion let us first try to understand, define
the basic concept or the philosophy of Freemasonary
and observe in what peculiar ways it has relevance to
the modern times and Modern man not only in our times
but in the past as well. The very fact that the concept
of Freemasonryhas existed and not only existed but has
been accepted by the mankind during the last hundreds
of years in the recorded history is itself a great proof
that the concept of Freemasonry had always something
to give to the contemporary man.
From the most ancient times or rather
since the time man has become civilized and has started
living in Society, there, has always been the strands
of good, and Bad, Moral and Immoral, Piety and Evil
and the civilized man has always striven to tread on
the Paths of virtue as detailed and described by the
Wise men and Sages of their own times. Free-masonry
from the times immemorial has taught us to be kind at
Home, Honest in Business, courteous in Society, Fair
in work and extending relief and concern towards the
less fortunate. The Freemasonry teaches us to pay due
to obedience to the laws and regulations of the state
to which one belongs, by never contenancing any act
which may have the tendency to subvert the peace and
good order of Society. Free-masonry also teaches us
to be obedient to the Almight God, helpful to the neighbour
and strict in self disclipine.
In the present strife Torn, Turbulent
and law less world the relevance of such Organizations
/ Societies is more important as they teach us to preserve
to be prudent and well disciplined. The Freemasonry
not only teaches but expands these principals by various
rituals and charges which try to make an indelible impression
upon one's heart. The first encounter of an Individual
with the Freemasonry starts with sincere promises from
him that he is prompted to solicit the previlages of
Freemasony by a favourable opinion pre-conceived of
the institution, a genuine desire for knowledge and
sincere wish to render himself more extensively serviceable
to the humanity at large. He is exhorted to dedicate
himself to such pursuits in life that may at once enable
him to be respectable in life, useful to mankind and
an asset to the institute of Freemasony itself. His
attention is diverted to certain excellence of character
and certain inherent duties which are obligatory on
the part of every right thinking individual. He is directed
to pay due obedience to the laws and requlation of the
State and to be an ideal Citizen.
The progress of an individual is monitored
and he is guided to further excellance of character
and the knowledge. He is told to contemplate the inevitable
destiny of all mankind die and mingle with the dust
from where he arose. He is charged to perform all his
allotted tasks and to fulfill his and this mortal earth
while time to do. It is useless the when the time shall
be no.
Although various Texts and in the saying
and Teachers the same to be found from time to time
due to fast movement and nization of the present time
types of teachings are lost of the persons may be the
in built resistance with bane of our times to any religious
sermons. In this the relevance of Freemas comes a reality
where natural tendency it conc make a man aware of it
he owes towards is cre Society in general and to self
in particular. In the of the present day world require
to pause for a sec Commune with our inners reasons of
our being, what has created us and for why fic reasons.
Freemasonry persons to find this ownse in the closing
hour of that we start a retrospect own existance on
this then we regret not to his lots of those good thing
should have been done when there was time, From Teaches
us to complete it tasks while it is yet day continue
to listen to the nature which has embrimortal soul in
this of able frame.
The apprentice to become a skilled
workman. It was also provided that an additional period
of seven years elapse before he could be come a Fellowcraft.
Presumably during the second seven-year period he was
lassified as an entered apprentice, but this is not
clear. Under the Schaw Statutes it was contemplated
that a 'booking' of the apprentice be made in the Burgh
Records at the beginning of the relationship and that
the matter then be reported to the Wardens of the lodge.
But while the Burgh Records still in existence show
the bookings, the records of Mary's Chapel lodge for
the same period show no such records having been made.
The records of this lodge indicate some sort of ceremony
was engaged in about two or three years after the apprentice
was indentured, But this was not the practice in other
places.
Under this procedure there existed
two classes of apprentices. The first was the indentured
work-man, and later-if he proved worthy and developed
the necessary take part in a ceremony in which he became
and Entered Apprentice.
Once acquiring this status after the
passage of time and further improvement in his skills
he could be advanced to become a Fellow-craft seven
years after he became an Entered Apprentice. All this
was taking place in Scotland.
In England there was no comparable
background and the Scottish system was brought to England
at a later date. The term Apprentice is not found in
use in England until the 1720s.
THE NORTHERN LIGHT
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