Page 30 - MML - Journal - Centenary Edition - Vol. 01 / 2023

Now, my Brethren, there is a whole lot of other excellences of character which a Mason is expected and bound to practice. I shall mention only two, namely, benevolence and
kind of Charity without fanfare.
also an adherence to and practice of certain protocols, decorum, demeanour, and compliance with set procedures which ,by nature, is a part of the system. For instance, if you receive the Summons from your Lodge, you are bound to attend the meeting or afford a plausible apology for absence. Believe me, I still respond to the hundreds of Summons which, hitherto, I have been receiving! It requires but an attitude to be nice to someone who has bothered to address you. It is like responding to a missed call, on your phone. Don't you think you are obliged
to do that?!?
There is one other kind of sterling quality demanded of a Freemason when he is initiated. It is when he is adorned with that badge of innocence and friendship, the Entered apprentice’s apron, the Worshipful Master exhorts him never to put on that badge should there be a difference of opinion with a brother in that congregation and should do so only after settling amicably your differences. This, one should always remember throughout one’s Masonic career, because this forms the very basis of
cementing our Brotherhood.
My Brethren, I have dwelt at length the qualities that Freemason should inculcate which are but the duties that he is bound to perform throughout his Masonic career. Brethren, it is an extraordinarily arduous task which one has to be vigilant all the time to adhere to and not at all easy. There are pitfalls all along in one’s life when one tends to stray from the path of righteousness. Can anyone touch his heart and say he has been fair all the time to his Brethren, family, neighbour or the community. No. I myself cannot vouch for that. We are all human. We are but imperfect creatures drawn by various circumstances in life to veer from the right path. But I am certain that our upbringing in the Fraternity will correct our course and lead us back to the right track. In the Lodge it is the Worshipful Master, by his Wisdom and Masonic expertise who can ensure that his Brethren will always practice out of the Lodge, those duties thar they have bee taught in it. That is why we elect as Worshipful Master one who from amongst us will, by his virtuous, amiable, and discreet conduct will lead us to prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of our ancient Institution, so that each one of us will be a Role Model in the Society. Remember, my Brethren , the Society and the Fraternity have a lot of expectation from you. God Bless and
Jai Hind.
Charity.
There are hundreds of social service organisations which do mind boggling amount of charity and provide aid to the needy. We are not one among them. For us, Benevolence and Charity are ingrained in us. Can anyone forget that incidence of being made to stand in the North East corner, reduced to a state of abject poverty, figuratively and asked to donate for charity? How small each one felt at that moment, and did we not wish that Mother earth should split and swallow us than being in that hapless state of penury? That is the moment that a Freemason decides that his charity shall have no bounds save that of Prudence. This quality has been amply exemplified by each one of us rising to the occasion when needed. You Brethren of this Lodge exhibited it promptly when you had a calamity struck your town recently and every Freemason has proved it at this time of Pandemic, providing relief and succour to the needy who have been deprived of their
basic means of Livelihood.
One of your own illustrious Brethren has gone to the extent of building a house and donating it to a needy family. That is our
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A Publication of Madras Masters Lodge No. 103, GLI
Madras Masonic Journal Vol. 01 / 2023 - Centenary Year Edition