Page 28 - MML - Journal - Centenary Edition - Vol. 01 / 2023

Are We Practicising Those Duties ?
By M W Bro. Capt. Dr. B. Biswakumar, OSM, P.G.M., P.R.G.M.
After his installation In the Eastern Chair, every Master is exhorted to charge his Brethren to practice OUT of the Lodge, those duties that have been taught in it. Year after year and in every Lodge, we hear this exhortation. But how many of us pay due
attention to this important statement?
Coming back to the Charges, these are short lectures which dwell upon the various attributes which make a Freemason a better individual by such exhortations that he would be called upon to observe or practice in his day-to-day life for his own well-being and progress and that of the others in the Fraternity that he is now a part of. On the very first day of his entry into our fold he is given many lessons but three are important. I shall , first, dwell on the longer one of them, namely, The Charge after Initiation in which the Initiate is led through a series of qualities which characterise a Freemason and which the initiate is expected to acquire if not already conversant with and exhorted to practice in his daily life. Although a little elaborate, it spells our various duties expected of him to be performed. These can be broadly classified into four categories, viz., Spiritual, Social, Individual and
Masonic.
In the early days of Freemasonry, as we Know from the ‘Exposures’ which constitute the main source of information about what transpired in the Lodges in those days, the Ritual working consisted of a method of Catechism. This was mainly in the form of questions put by the Master and answers given by the candidates. In the eighteenth century, instructions to the candidates
started to be given in the form of Charges.
Today’s form of Freemasonry carries much of what has been practiced in the former
times.
But now, it aims to introduce the candidate to a new world, a new environment, a new concept of life, a new commitment, a new awakening. It aims to expose his eyes to a different kind of light which would alter the course of his life opening up a new vista which would in due course of time, steadily but surely produce a transformation in him. This transformation may not be felt by the Mason himself but will be perceived by those around him, be it his family or his colleagues or by the community around him. For such a change to happen, the original mettle must be malleable and ductile That is why we always mention that we bring in good men and make them better men. It is not you, me or any single person makes him a better person but the very system conduces to make those so who are obedient to its
precepts.
Spiritual, every Freemason is expected to believe in the existence of a Supreme Being and consider Him to be the Great Architect of The Universe. As such, he Is expected to pay reverence to Him in the way that he has taught to do in his Faith, look up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support and to implore His aid in all laudable undertakings. He should remember that His God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient and the His All-Seeing Eye always observes him. While encouraging every individual to keep his faith and practice it the way he should, it is mandatory thar he never imposes his faith on others who may harbour a different faith This is one essential rule that keeps us together and should never be transgressed. While not being a religious organisation, we always remain faithful to our God, each one, in his
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A Publication of Madras Masters Lodge No. 103, GLI
Madras Masonic Journal Vol. 01 / 2023 - Centenary Year Edition