Page 10 - ASHLAR - July-Sept 2020

O I N A L G R
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XVI Issue II
It would be pertinent to note at this juncture that for the transcendent of human experience and
freemasonry teaches the great truth and belief to rise above. In the closing hymn we
secrets and try to make a person perfect by pray for “God of light, whose love unceasing
providing an effective tool for improvement. Grateful for thine aid Divineand Everlasting
The Masonic activities, teachings and over all power and glory”This illuminates the power of
Masonic light improve the man from a state of thinking and leads us to divine spark to
darkness to the light, step by step to that state generate ultimate cosmic power. The path of
and realm of perfection by truth, love and light is also disclosed in the Chaplain's prayer,
brotherhood by the lesson of faith, hope and who invokes the assistance of the Great
charity, through virtue, honor and mercy. It is Architect of the Universe in all our undertaking.
written in the booklet named “ Freemasonry After the assistance bestowed the Chaplain
“,that “ what we have realized is that a divine prays in the opening of the lodge in the second
spark exists in all of us, which may be lying degree that “the rays of heaven may shed their
dormant, what it needs is a little influence to enlighten us in the paths of virtue
encouragement, which can be infused by the and science.” Finally in the closing of the
combined efforts of all like minded persons. second degree it is advised that the eyes of
This will enable that divine spark, to shine forth God observes us in all places and work we do
like a blazing star and shall continue to give and he is with us, which reminds us to
emanate to the world.“I would like to quote discharge our duty to him with fervency and
R.W.Bro. Maj. Dr. D. Raja, while delivering zeal. In the opening of third degree we pray to
customary oration at the consecration of lodge repair our loss and pray for the aid of Heaven in
Vivekananda No. 367 and repeat his speech our united and earnest aim and effort, to reach
that “The concept and principles of all glory to the most High. This glory is none
freemasonry are the essence of all wise other but the brightness, effulgence, splendor
teachings of different paths and beliefs. We are and blessing of the Almighty God.
fortunate to have all those teachings.” The journey of this joyful bliss to enter in the
The freemasonry teaches the Masonic light is very interesting and it proceeds further
concepts through the rituals. The source, in the ceremony of Initiation, passing and
origin and the root of these rituals, are based raising. Step by step as well, and the teaching,
upon the very sincere efforts and teachings of advice, guidelines, instruction and
the sacred books. These sacred books are our demonstration therein are very beneficial,
Volumes of the Sacred Law, and the sacred effective, valuable and useful to the candidate,
writings are to rule and govern our faith, and are who become an entered apprentice, first and
derived from God to man. We keep the five then fellow craft freemason and finally a Master
volumes of the sacred law on the Altar, which Mason, the paragon of virtue.
are “The Bible “, “Gita“ 'Koran“ “Granth“ and Before taking birth, the child lies in the mother's
“Zend Avesta “. Special officers are appointed womb, which is full of darkness and the
as the caretakers of the Volumes of the Sacred moment child is born he sees the light of this
Law. We may undoubtedly claim to be an world, the universe, and the journey for light
ethical institution and therefore, where masons begins. Likewise, when a candidate joins
meet in a room, is known as temple, wherein freemasonry, it is a strange journey for him-
wecreate an Aura, an atmosphere for ethical from darkness to light.
advancement. This is the way to provide path At the initial stage, that is before entering the
from the darkness to the light. In the opening temple the candidate is prepared by the Tyler
Hymn we pray for the blessings, which is used and is hood winked to keep him in'darkness'.
by poet as “Ever blest with order be“.And When the candidate wants admission, it is said
invoke holy God to favour us and to bring by the Tyler that “a poor candidate in a state of
happiness. After the prayer the lodge proceeds darkness and is humbly soliciting to be

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