Page 57 - MML - Journal - Centenary Edition - Vol. 01 / 2023

The Nature and Purpose of Freemasonry
Golden Jubilee Oration at the Madras Masters Lodge
By R W Bro. N. N. Mahadevan, OSM, P.DY.G.M., P.DY.R.G.M.
This unique Lodge was consecrated on 24th March 1923 by R.W. Bro. A. Y. G. Campbell. There were 88 petitioners, 40 of whom were Indians. I refer to this as a unique Lodge because of the concept of having a Lodge for Installed Masters only. The composition of membership must strike one as a guarantee for efficiency and excellence. It is also unique that there has never been any initiation or regular ritual for masonic advancement. It is again unique because it undertook the colossal task of editing the Madras Masonic Journal which, over a period of years, has served Masons all over India and with special reference to the Southern Region. Very eminent luminaries of Masonry have been members of this Lodge and have given of their best for the successful working of this Lodge. In a way, it is considered as a group of installed Masters who are not only vigilant about improving the standard of working in other daughter Lodges but are also inclined to do some group study in enriching and enlightening the minds of those who do not ordinarily give any special thought to the deep significance of masonic work. Eminent Masons like R.W. Bro. Campbell, V.W. Bro. Sivagnanam Mudaliar, R.W. Bro. Boag, W. Bro. Sir T. Desikachary, R.W. Bro. T.V. Muthukrishna lyer and now amongst the surviving Brethren R. W. Bro. Jambu Ramaswami Iyer, who held the office of the Secretary for 17 years, all have contributed towards its present high position in the masonic family. R.W. Bro. R. Krishnasamy’s efforts in the furtherance of the objectives of this Lodge and in editing the Madras Masonic Lodge with great perspective and accuracy are things about which we are justly proud, So, at this celebration of the Golden Jubilee, we have every reason to feel proud of those who are responsible for the consecration of this Lodge for its sustenance and progress and for its
great contribution to masonic knowledge. The best way to celebrate such an occasion is to rededicate ourselves to bring it to greater form and usefulness so that it may leave an indelible imprint and act as a catalyst organisation to the other daughter Lodges in India. So, let us so rededicate ourselves with humility and prayer to make it the fountain of research and disseminate in simple language masonic knowledge to the large number of Masons scattered all over the country.
My special purpose this evening is to consider some ethical and psychological aspects of Freemasonry. While we cherish the definition of Freemasonry as a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols, to me it seems that this system of morality is not an entity which will be a special quality of Freemasonry alone. Freemasonry has never propounded its own ethical code; it has never claimed that their Lodges are schools of ethical culture and seldom gives any lectures on ethical matters. Conversely, it demands that righteousness shall be the attribute of its initiates. It specifically requires that the tongue of good report should be heard before a man joins its ranks and once, he has joined it, requires him to uphold the attributes to be expected in a man of honour. It exhorts a man to do his duty to God, to his neighbour and to himself. But, throughout, it demands no more than that allegiance to the attributes common to all men. Throughout, in short, it propounds no masonic code of ethics, nor does it propound its own ‘system of morality’. While we may not refute that there is a speciality of masonic ethics, I do nevertheless think that the science of ethics has a peculiar and important place in Freemasonry that when in any field of worthwhile endeavour men associate closely, their needs require that
Madras Masonic Journal Vol. 01 / 2023 - Centenary Year Edition
A Publication of Madras Masters Lodge No. 103, GLI
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