Page 59 - MML - Journal - Centenary Edition - Vol. 01 / 2023

Freemasonry may be roughly divided into three groups. The first group is the largest; it consists of men who find an appeal in the teaching of the Craft and that all are equal and meet on the same social level. A man who in the world at large is not possessed of great attainments and is destined to lead an ordinary or perhaps dull existence with no hope of honour and distinction, can as a Freemason and often does attain a high position in the Order which is a world in itself. To others, there is a lure of distinctive regalia of great or little importance according to the individual himself.
Within the same group are others who find satisfaction in the Craft’s moral attributes of character; they are able to subscribe to the moral tenets of honour, virtue, prudence, temperance, justice, benevolence, and charity without meditating on the spiritual relationship between them and God. All worthy enough as far as it goes and demonstrative of the psychological wisdom of our Craft.
Again, within the group are many for whom the aesthetics have an appeal, beauty, serenity of the Temple or the Lodge Room, the peace and orderliness of the proceedings, unquestioned authority, and freedom from the bickerings and arrogances of domestic or social life, all have a vast appeal to different men in this group and so contribute to their constancy. Finally, there are men in this group who are kept from forsaking their Masonry by the convivial element--the pleasures of the re- factory. I confidently suggest that an honest appraisal will reveal that these facets of Freemasonry quite deliberately designed, hold vast majority of our Brethren within the Craft’s ranks, and thereby make its aim possible.
The second group is much smaller. It consists of men who would either not be Freemasons or not remain Freemasons without some intellectual incentives, I do not wish to suggest
that there are not men of high intellectual attainment in the first group. But only that this particular group seeks some intellectual exercise and Freemasonry provides just that by leading them to devote themselves to antiquarian research into the origin, history, and development of Freemasonry; a study of its signs and symbols, the collection and interpretation of old manuscripts, aprons and other emblems and physical attributes of the Craft connected with its past. The fact that Freemasonry can offer this exercise of such importance to these men, is, I suggest another manifestation of these mental processes by which it plans to lead men to its grand principles.
My third group comprises all too few. It is made up of those of an aesthetic temperament who devote serious masonic labour to seeking ‘for that which was lost.’ In this connection, Brother W.L. Wilmhurst says ‘Masonry describes it variously as a vital and immortal principle, as Adoniram, as the Blazing Star of Glory at our Centre, as a light of a Master Mason which never goes out even when all other lights or faculties fail, because it is eternal or immortal whilst our faculties or temples are perishable.’
I have particularly chosen to speak on the above subject with the hope that in the process of our rededication for improving the good and effective work done by the Madras Masters Lodge, we might consider the psychological and ethical aspects of Masonry in the broader perspective and that the Madras Masonic Journal will publish some of these studies in simple language which would encourage Masons all over our country to imbibe the high ethical principles and tenets of our institution. Let us therefore pray to the Great Architect of the Universe to give strength and courage to those who are devoting their time and substance for the furtherance of this institution so that we can put more Masonry into Masons and also by radiation, more men into Masonry.
Madras Masonic Journal Vol. 01 / 2023 - Centenary Year Edition
A Publication of Madras Masters Lodge No. 103, GLI
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