» MOUNTIDINGS

January 2005

Thought for the Month

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.

ARISTOTLE

Self Conquest is the Greatest of all Victories.

PLATO

I am writing to you for the first time this New Year and let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

This New Year has begun with a BANG for the Masonic Community of Southern India. I refer to the Annual Investiture meet held at Chennai on 8th and 9th of this month, wherein all the Lodges in the Region were represented, when the Mantle was passed on to R.W.Bro. G.K. Selvarajan in an Elegant and Impressive Ceremony conducted by our M.W.The Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Arun Chintopanth. The outgoing RGM R.W.Bro. Dr. Balaram Biswakumar, who had travelled to every nook and corner of the Area under his control, made a moving speech thanking the brethren for pouring their love and affection wherever he went and how he had become richer by this experience.

The incoming Regional Grand Master in his speech laid special emphasis on Charity and Service, which were amply illustrated after the meeting (many Lodges and brethren announced liberal contributions to Tsunami Relief Fund).

Thereafter, to the great expectations, as usual, of the brethren, the Grand Master gave an exhilarating speech on the qualities of a “leader “ and exhorted the brethren to develop self-belief which will enable oneself to stand firm for ever. The festive board after the meeting with a rich flavour of Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian cuisine and other arrangements made were well spoken of by the record number of Masons and their families, who attended this meeting.

With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu

A GOOD MAN AND TRUE

Masonry does not consist of words alone. To be able to pronounce a few set phrases and always in precisely the same language, does not make a Mason. A bright Mason is not one who has learned the ritual by rote and is at a loss if a syllable or word is forgotten and knows no more of Masonry. The bright Mason, if I understand the term, is one who is familiar with the ritual, who understands the nature and origin of our symbols, who has studied the meaning of our ceremonies and who appreciates and practises the teachings of our mysteries, one who is a good man and true.

Source - “Acasia”

After our Installation Meeting on 02.11.2004, we have had two meetings so far. One on 8th Dec 2004 being PAST MASTERS’ NIGHT.

W. Bro. G Sivaramakrishnan occupied the Eastern Chair. Thereafter he requested W.Bro L. Ramani to occupy the Eastern Chair and conduct the Proceedings. Bro. Karuna Sagar was passed during this meeting.

S E charge was rendered by W.Bro G. Madan Raj, Working Tools was explained by W.Bro. R. Venkatsh, the charge after Passing delivered by W.Bro. Mahendera Shah and the Tracing Board was explained by W.Bro. L. Ramani.

Second Meeting on Jan 03.01.2005. Eastesrn Chair occupied by W.Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram, Master for the year 2004 - 2005, for the first time and conducted II degree working. Bro. Narayana Harihara Subramanian and V.S.Ramakrishnan were passed. S.E.Charge was given by Bro. Ramani Sundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. Kalidasan Gopalakrishnan, Charge after Passing delivered by Bro. Kasthuri and Tracing Board explained by Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy.

Our W.M. had written to the Grand Master appealing for contribution to Bro. Kasturi’s daughter’s medical relief fund and in response towards the same a sum of Rs. 25,000/- was received and handed over to Bro. K. Kasturi. In response to appeals sent earlier by the Secretary ad W. M. individually, brethren are sending in their contributions and the same will be handed to Bro. Kasturi shortly and we pray to the Great Architect of the Universe to set right the ailment and bring her back to normalcy.

L A U R E L S:

We are happy to announce that St. John’s Chapter R. A. No. 2 has bagged the Best Chapter award in the Southern Region, which is under the stewardship of our W.Bro. K. S. Sreekanth. Congratulations to you and your team.

Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy lifted the Pitt McDonald Rolling Golf Trophy for the year 2004 – 2005, by defeating W.Bro. S.S, Parasad, who was last year’s Holder.

PLAIN FACT:

As members of Lodge Mount No. 14, which is the oldest lodge in the City, under the Indian Constitution, we must be proud of our Membership and do our every bit to keep the flag of the Lodge Flying High. This will not be possible without the active participation of Brethren in Large Numbers. It will be our pleasure to welcome the Brethren who have not been attending the Lodge Meetings [First Saturday of every month] regularly to comply to this request.

MOUNTIDINGS -February 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram

Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

In matters of style swim with the current; In matters of principle stand like a rock.

Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself.

Thomas Jefferson

We had an Initiation Ceremony in our regular meeting held on 05.02.2005, wherein Vandipalayam Palanivel Ghanesh, a Chartered Accountant was made an Entered Apprentice Freemason. Since our Master did not attend the meeting due to ill-health, W.Bro. K. S. Sreekanth occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted the ceremony. North East Charge was delilvered by Bro. R. Ramanisundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. Kalidasan Gopala Krishnan, Charge After Initiation rendered by W. Bro. S. S. Prasad and Tracing Board explained by Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy. Bro. V. P.Ghanesh welcome to The Mount Lodge.

We had two visitors from France, viz. Bro. Aymeric Brun and Jean Pierre Chevalier from Lodge Chemins De Lumiere No. 1014 and Lodge Les Francs Bahsseus No. 1138 of Grande Lodge Nationale Francaiss. The Former was an Entered Apprentice Freemason and the Latter a Master Mason. They were impressed with the ceremony and were presented our last year’s Annual Report for them to know about our Lodge.

The attendance was high and we request the Brethren to make it a habit to attend the Lodge in large numbers, in order to make it more vibrant.

This year also, we are playing the Srinivasa Gopala Cricket Tournament along with Lodge Ramaprasad No. 228. We have already played two matches, one against Lodge Engineers and another against Lodge Asoka. We have won both the matches and entered the Finals, and we are meeting Lodge Veerasami No. 200, which is scheduled to take place on the 6th of March at the SPIC YMCA Ground, Nandanam. Our Lodge is represented by Bro. K.L. Balaji, Bro. Lokesh Ramani, Bro. Rangarajan and W. Bro. L. Ramani. You may be aware that we were the winners last time and hope to repeat it this year also.

F I L L E R S :

When Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi looked ahead, a Mahatma Gandhi happened. When Narendra looked ahead, a Swami Vivekananda happened. Your future is not equivalent to your past. Look ahead; you never know what you may become; Believe that your best is yet to be.

SO LET US ALSO LOOK AHEAD AS MASONS

Quality the presence of which will never be noticed, but the absence of which is ever noticed.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILILTY

A little boy named Ramu, wanted to be a sailor. He imagined himself in the spotless white uniform of the Navy going here and there with busy “air” on the deck.

One day, he did join the Navy and the very next week, his mother received a letter which read as follows: “Dear Mum, I joined the Navy because, I liked the way the ships were kept so clean and tidy.

Poor Ramu had assumed that the ship was kept tidy and clean by a group of servants. Never did he realize, that it was a naval rating, like him, who had to do the mop onboard the ship-keeping the boat spick and span. Luckily, he is none the worse for this late realization, for he proved to be a good and steady sailor.

Masonry is very much alike the ship. It is durable, clean, active, attractive, and divine and it is kept so, by us Masons, by our conscious activities.

The responsibility of implementing the great objects of Freemasonry is the privilege of each one of us and Masonry derives its strength from the personal dedication of each individual member in active and healthy participation.

Source - Square and Compasses

REMEMBER THE “THANK YOU’S”

It is so easy to say “Thank you”. It doesn’t cost us anything, and yet, how reluctant some people are to extend this small courtesy!

The Sales girl who attends to us when we go shopping, the servant who attends to our needs from morning to night.

How often do we remember to thank them? Of course, these people are paid to work for us, and this often makes us think that we don’t really have to thank them. But we should, you know.

For working people are human, just like us, and their feelings are just as sensitive as our own. They worry, like we do, and perhaps on some days, they might not even be feeling well enough to work; and yet they have to.

A little “thank you”, sincerely meant, can do much to brighten up their day.

Courtesy is a sign that we do not take things for granted – it is good a sign. It shows that we are well – bred, and well-mannered.

With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary

MOUNTIDINGS

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram March 2005
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

To light a candle, you need a burning candle. Even so, an illumined soul alone can enlighten another soul.

Unless knowledge alters one’s life, it is useless.

Swami Sivananda

Our last regular meeting took place on the 5th of March, wherein an initiation ceremony was conducted. Bro. M. Subramaniam Pichaiah, an engineer by profession, entered the portals of The Mount Lodge. N.E. Charge was delivered by Bro. Kalidasan Gopalakrishnan, Working Tools explained by Bro. Harihara Subramaniam and Charge after Initiation was rendered by our Secretary Bro. R. Pari Arasu, delectably. Tracing Board was explained by Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy. It was discernable to see youngsters taking active part in the ritual. We look forward for many more in the future, so that we can make the ceremonies more interesting by having more variety.

Kudos to Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram, who has been awarded Justice T. S. Krishnamoorthy Iyer trophy for the most dedicated mason, among the city Lodges, by Lodge Harmony No. 218 during their installation meeting, under the august presence of our Regional Grand Master R.W.Bro. G. K. Selvarajan. A citation was presented and as far as the Mount Lodge is concerned, it was a repeat, because, last year the award went to our own W. Bro. R. Dwarakanath.

Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram and Bro. K. R. Giridharan were invested as the Senior and Junior Wardens in Lodge Mahamaham No. 341 on the 27th of February at Kumbakonam. We extend our congratulations to both of them.

Lodge Ramaprasad and Mount Lodge combined 11 were runners-up in the Srinivasa Gopala Masonic Cricket tourney for the year 2005. We lost the final against Lodge Veerasami No. 200.

Last meeting, the attendance was high and we request the Brethren to make a repeat in the next meeting.

Perfect Ashlar

Some believe the perfect ashlar is the most important emblem we have, as every aspect of Freemasonry is incorporated in this ashlar.

By practising out of the Lodge those duties they have been taught in it, we as Masons may emulate the perfect ashlar.

It starts as the rough ashlar, yet none of the surplus stone is to be found in the lodgeroom. In like manner those surplus and unwanted imperfections in our character should be discarded and lost.

As it cannot be made from a defective stone, we have to be careful in our selection of our candidate. Brethren be careful in proposing candidates.

A SENSE OF A GOOSE

Next fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in “V”formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 per cent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone – and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.

Geese hank from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

What messages do we give when we hank from behind?

Finally – and this is important – when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

Let us stand like the Geese, helping each other in conducting the labour of our Lodge.

Mistakes

When a plumber makes a mistake, he charges twice for it,
When a lawyer makes a mistake, he has a chance to ask for adjournment,
When a doctor makes a mistake, he buries it,
When a judge makes a mistake, it becomes the law of the land,

When a D of C makes a mistake, it is the tradition of the Lodge,

When a Deacon makes a mistake, the whole Lodge is at his neck,

When the Secretary makes a mistake nobody knows.

With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary

MOUNTIDINGS -April 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas
Won’t get you anywhere.

-- Lee Iacocca --

You can communicate best when you first listen.
-- Catherine Pulsifer --

Our regular meeting took place on Saturday, the 2nd of April and two Degrees were worked.

Bro. Pukhraj Anil Khicha, a practising Chartered Accountant was initiated. N.E. Charge was rendered by Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. N. Harihara Subramanian, Charge after initiation delivered by Bro. R. Pari Arasu and Tracing Board explained by Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy. Thereafter W. Bro. R. Dwarakanath occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted the Third Degree Ceremony. Bro. V. S. Ramakrishnan and Bro. N. Harihara Subramanian were raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason. Traditional History Part II was rendered by Bro. Lt. Col. C. Venkatraman, Tracing Board explained by W. Bro. K. S. Sreekanth, Further entrustment given by Bro. K. Kasthuri, Working Tools explained by Bro R. Ramani Sundaram and Final Charge delivered by W. Bro. N.Meenakshi Sundaram our Master in his emphatic style.

W. Bro. R. Dwarakanath felicitated the W. Master of our Lodge crossing 1800 meetings since consecration and presented him with a quarter anna minted in the year 1862, which eventually is the consecration year of our Lodge. He further requested that this memento be passed on to every incoming Master of the Mount Lodge, just like the Foundation Lodge Jewel.

We conducted an eye-camp for the children on Saturday, the 23rd April in association with Rajan Eye Care for 115 School Children from the Ahobila Mutt School. R.W. Bro. G.K. Selvarajan, our Regional Grand Master inaugurated the camp and addressed the gathering and requested the Brethren to conduct many more such camps, which will benefit the needy children.

Filler:

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of these things.

Ancient Mysteries, from which Masonry might have descended.

The Mysteries of Osiris [Egypt]; Mithras [Persia]; Adonis [Syria]; Dionysus, Bacchic and Eleuis [Greece]; Druids [Gaul and Britain]

Negative People

An eagle’s egg was placed in the nest of a prairie chicken. The egg hatched and the little eagle grew up thinking it was a prairie chicken. The eagle did what the prairie chickens did. It scratched in the dirt for seeds. It clucked and cackled. It never flew more than a few feet because that is what the prairie Chickens did. One day he saw an eagle flying gracefully and majestically in the open sky. He asked the prairie Chickens: “What is that beautiful bird?” The chickens replied, “That is an eagle. He is an outstanding bird, but you can’t fly like him because you are just a prairie chicken.” So the eagle never gave it a second thought, believing that to be the truth. He lived the life of and died a prairie chicken, depriving himself of his heritage because of his lack of vision. What a waste! He was born to win, but was conditioned to lose.

The same thing is true of most people. The unfortunate part of life is as Oliver Wendall Holmes said, “Most people go their graves, with music still in them.” We don’t achieve excellence because of our own lack of vision.

If you want to soar like an eagle, you have to learn the ways of an eagle. If you associate with achievers, you will become one. If you associate with givers, you will become one. If you associate with Complainers, you will become one.

Keep it Simple

A young cub reporter, who had just been hired straight out of journalism school, asked Adolph S. Ochs for some instructions. “Young fellow,” said the famous publisher of The New York Times,” all I have to say is this: In promulgating your esoteric cogitations and articulating superficial, sentimental and psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your extemporaneous decantations and unpremeditated explanations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity without rhodomontade and thransonical bombast, Sedulously avoid all pollysyllabic profoundity, pusillanimous vacuity, pestiferous profanity and similar transgressions.

“Or to put it a bit differently,” he concluded, “talk simply, naturally, and above all, don’t use big words!.”

Faith is what makes you feel the comfort of the hearth while you are chopping wood.

Marriage is like a violin; when the music is over the strings are still attached.

Two men look out through the same bars; One sees the mud, and one the stars.

With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani

MOUNTIDINGS -May 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

If we want to be compassionate, we must be conscious of the words we use. We must both speak and listen from the heart.
Marshall B. Rosenberg

Our regular meeting for this month took place on the 7th of May and a Second Degree ceremony was performed. Our immediate Past Master W. Bro. V. Subbiah occupied the Eastern Chair and completed the ceremony. Bro. Shunmuga Rajasekaran was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Freemason. South East Charge was rendered by Bro. V.S.Ramakrishnan, Working Tools explained by Bro. Gopalakrishnan Suresh, Charge after passing delivered by Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram and Tracing Board explained by Bro. K. Kasthuri.

Our Grand Daughter Lodge Mahamaham at Kumbakonam held its meeting on the 8th of May 2005. Our Worshipful Master W.Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram visited the Lodge, occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted the First Degree ceremony.

Our Lodge is scheduled to take part in the Ritual Working Competition on Saturday, the 16th of July 2005 and it will be an emergency meeting. First Degree working is slated for the First Stage. Our Lodge has successively crossed the First Stage for the past 4 years and it should be our endeavour to repeat the feat once again. Two rehearsals have been programmed for which the individual communication has been sent to all the officers of the Lodge. We request all the officers to attend the rehearsals so that we can come out in flying colours, during the competition.

Filler:

THE UNSEEN FORCE

The world is not made with random bricks of chance

A blind God is not destiny’s architect

A conscious power has drawn the plan of life

There is meaning in every curve and line

The conscious doll is pushed a thousand ways

And feels the push but not the hand that drives

Aurobindo

THE PENCIL

 The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.
 "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."
 "One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
 "Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."
 "Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."
 "Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
 "And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."
 The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box With purpose in its heart.
 Now replace the place of the pencil with You.
 Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
 One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
 Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
 Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
 Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
 And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.
 Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfil the purpose to which you were born to accomplish.
Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change.

The TROWEL

The Trowel was a recognized implement among Masons following the Revival in 1717. In the U S A, and at Bristol, it is still a “Working Tool”. Among the Operative Masons a small “pointing trowel” was used to fill up interstices, and in early Speculative Masonry, this was called the “Jewel of an Entered Apprentice”. The Junior Entered Apprentice at one time discharged the duties of the Inner Guard. [Presented the sharp end of the Trowel to the n.l.b. of the Can. This ancient practice throws light on the statement “ … exchange the sceptre for a the Trowel.”

With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani

MOUNTIDINGS -June 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is progress
Working together is success

Henry Ford

We had our regular meeting on the 4th of June, when Palamadai Ramaswamy Venkat Subramanian of India Cements was initiated in our Lodge. North East Charge was rendered by Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. Kalidasan Gopalakrishnan, Charge after initiation delivered by Bro. R. Pari Arasu and Tracing Board was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. Venkatraman. Bro. Venkat Subramanian, welcome to Freemasonry.

The following Brethren were awarded Certificates of Merit for the Ritual Working Competition 2004. First Stage. W.Bro. V. Subbiah as Worshipful Master Bro.R. Ramani Sundaram for rendering South East Charge and Bro. K. Kasthuri for explaining the Tracing Board. In the Second Stage, W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram as Junior Warden and Bro. K. Rangarajan as Chaplin were awarded the certificates. Congratulations Brethren and keep it up!

Our ritual working competition for this year is slated on the 16th of July in an emergency meeting. We request the brethren to come on time and also follow the Dress Code. Ensure that the masonic etiquette is followed fully.

The annual essay competition for this year, conducted under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of India, has been announced and the Caption for the Essay is “How Freemasonry has made a difference in my Life”. The last date for submitting the entries is 31.08.2005. All master masons are eligible to participate and the length of the essay should not be more than 3000 words. The Essay has to be sent to the Grand Secretary, GLI. For further details, please contact Secretary of the Lodge.

The Grammar of Right Living

Get your grammar right! Live in the active voice rather than the passive, thinking more about what you do than what happens to you. Live in the indicative mood rather than in the subjunctive, concerned with things as they are, rather than as they might be. Live in the present tense, facing the duty at hand, without regret for the past or worry about the future. Live in the first person, criticizing yourself, rather than finding fault with others. Live in the singular number, caring more for the approval of your own conscience than for the applause of the crowd. If you want a verb to conjugate, you cannot do better than to take the verb to love.

William De Witt Hyde

JUDGE KINDLY

Don’t expect perfection in a man just because he is a Freemason. If you do, you will be disappointed. Freemasonry makes a man better: but no human agency makes him perfect. If he is a Freemason you have a right to presume he is a fairly good man, but do not condemn Freemasonry even if a few Freemasons turn out bad. The air and purpose of Freemasonry is to receive none but good men, keep them good and make them better. Judge the institution not by a few failures, but by the average of its successes. That average is high and it consequently gives standing to its members: but it cannot be an infalliable guide.

The fraternity may decide to do something which you, as an individual member, may oppose. But do not feel that you must condemn the action on that account. You may be right but do not pull away. Even you are not infalliable, and remember, the institution has stood for so many years, you may feel assured that its average performance will be good.

Source- Lodge Pandyan Library

Recipe for a Happy Life

Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.

Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.

Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

Enjoy the simple things.

Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

Be Alive while you are alive.

Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, and hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

And Always Remember

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani

MOUNTIDINGS -July 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

Have Money in your Pocket
Relationship in your Heart
Sense in your Head
Ravishankar

We had two meetings in July, one Regular and the other Emergency on the 2nd and 16th respectively. Since we did not have any candidates, the Lodge was opened in all the degrees and a First Degree Ceremony was conducted with a dummy candidate.

In the Emergency Meeting, which happened to be the Ritual Working Competition - first stage - First Degree ceremony was conducted and Bro. Sanju Joseph, senior personal banker, ABN Amro Bank was initiated. N.E. charge was rendered by Bro. R. Ramanisundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. Kalidasan Gopalakrishnan, Charge after initiation delivered by Bro. R. Pari Arasu and Tracing Board explained by Bro. Lt. Col. C. Venkataraman. Bro Sanju Joseph, we welcome you into The Mount Lodge family.

Annual Essay Competition for the brethren of Mount Lodge instituted in the name of Late Bro. K. S. Sudharshan, beloved father of W.Bro. K. S. Sreekanth falls due in the month of September 2005 and the topic for this year is “Is Freemasonry, an Art of Living or a Science of Life”. The Essay should not be more than 3,000 words and should be submitted in triplicate to the Secretary of the Lodge. All Master Masons of Lodge Mount are eligible to participate except the Past Masters.

Internal Ritual Working Competition for the brethren of the Lodge will be held in our regular September meeting and the portions are “Further entrustment and Tracing Board III Degree”. All Master Masons are eligible to participate. Please register your name with the Secretary of the Lodge well in advance.

We repeat once again that the Annual Essay Competition of the Grand Lodge of India falls due on 31.08.2005. The Topic for the Essay is “How Freemasonry has made a difference in my life”. All Master Masons can participate. The Essay should not be more than 3000 words. For further information, please contact the Secretary or RGL office.

“This too, shall pass away”

Art thou in misery, brother? Then I pray
Be comforted. Thy grief shall pass away
Art thou elated? Ah, Be not too gay
Temper thy joy: this too shall pass away
Art thou in danger? Still let reason sway
And cling to hope; this too shall pass away
Tempted art thou? In all thy anguish lay
One truth to heart; this too, shall pass away
Do rays of loftier glory round thee play?
King like art though? This too shall pass away
Whatever thou art, wherever thy foot steps stray
Heed these wise words: This too shall pass away

--- Paul Hamilton Hayne ---


A TYLER’S WISDOM

The Lodge was opened for its regular meeting will all its officers in their stations and places. Presently a visiting Freemason arrived seeking admission into the Lodge., The Tyler announced his request to the Master who appointed a committee to examine the visitor Brother.

After the examination, while they were waiting for the visiting Brother to gain admission to the Lodge, the Brother asked the Tyler,… “What kind of Masons dwell here?” The Tyler replied “What kind of Masons dwelt in the Lodge from whence you came?”

“Oh, they were a bad lot. Mostly trouble makers concerned only with their selfish interest. I was glad to leave”.

“You will find the Masons to be the same here”, replied the Tyler.

Presently another visitor arrived and the same procedure was followed. Again, as they waited for the Brother to gain admission to the Lodge, the question was asked of the Tyler, “what kind of Masons dwell here?”

The Tyler also asked him, “What kind of Masons dwelt in the Lodge from whence you came?”

“They were a fine lot” said the Brother, “honest, truthful and friendly, I hated to leave them”.

“You will find the same here,” advised the Tyler.

A fellow officer, who had been on both examining committees and heard both conversations, spoke up. “How could you give each of those Brothers a different answer when they both asked the same question?”

“Because,” said the Tyler, “each carried in his heart the answer to his quest and each will find that which he seeks. The one seeking the meaner qualities of men surely will find them; the other seeking the nobler qualities will find them and be rewarded by his finding. “seek and ye shall find – within yourself.”

Source --- GLIN

Masonic Gesture by a Brother – Sir C. P. Ramaswamy

Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer, as a new comer to the legal profession, got an engagement in Vellore Court and sought a paid accommodation in the Travelers Bungalow. Since the Collector [an Englishman] was staying there, Sir C.P. was refused entry.

Later Sir C.P. became a member of the Viceroy’s Council and the said Collector was the Secretary. The latter shuddered to see Sir C.P. thinking he would wreak vengeance. But Sir C.P. called him to his room and said “that incident would not stand in the way of our relationship now.”

With warm and fraternal greetings

MOUNTIDINGS -Aug 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

It is the function of a teacher not to give the pupils what they want.
But to make them want what he gives them.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

Our regular meeting for the month of August was conducted on 6th [Sat] 2005. Two degrees were worked viz, Ceremonies of passing and raising. W.Bro. V. Subbiah occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted the passing ceremony. Bro. V P Ganesh was made a Fellow Craft. S E Charge was rendered by Bro. V Ramakrishnan, Working Tools was explained by Bro. R. Pariarasu, Charging after passing was delivered by W.Bro. K. S. Sreekanth and the Tracing Board was explained by W.Bro. S. S. Prasad. Subsequently W.Bro. L. Ramani occupied the Eastern Chair and did the raising ceremony. Brethren Karunasagar and R. S. Rajasekaran were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Traditional History Part II was rendered by W. Bro. K. S. Sreekanth, Tracing Board was explained by Bro, Kasthuri, Further entrustment was given by W. Bro. N Meenakshi Sundaram, Working Tools was explained by Bro. K. Rangarajan and the Final Charge was delivered by Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram.

Incidentally Bro. Karunasagar has been promoted to the post of DIG, Madurai range. Congratulations brother and all the best in your new assignment.

The last day for submitting the Essay conducted by GLI is 31st Aug 2005. We once again remind you that the caption for internal essay competition for Bro. K. Sudarshan Trophy is “Is Freemasonry an art of living or a science of life”. The last day for this is 30th September. All Master Masons of the Lodge are eligible to participate.

The internal Ritual Working Competition of the Lodge is slated for the month of October and the portions are Further entrustment and Tracing Board III Degree. We request the brethren to participate in large numbers. Register your name with the Secretary, for drawing out the schedule.

Our Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy has taken a new assignment as the Senior Vice President, Administration of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. Congratulations and we wish you all the best.

September 05, being the Teachers’ Day, we bring about a piece from Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the former President on the Spirit of lndia.

“ ON THE SPIRIT OF INDIA”

The culture which we have inherited is an ancient one and it has faced many waves of invasion of yuvanas, sakas, hunas, pathans and mangols, among others and is still enduring. It is not only the quality of antiquity, but also of enduring vitality – which has enabled it to last all these centuries. The secret of this staying power is the quality of tolerance and understanding. The saints and sages have been the great integrators of our society. They humanize the universe by humanizing man. We are going through a period of doubt and uncertainty but such periods often occurred in the past history. We require a good deal of patience and wisdom to make effective contribution to our age. We have to chart our course by the distant stars and not by the dim street lights.

Of course, Freemasonry humanizes the humans.

S P A C E

Space is a phenomenon still man has not fathomed. What is space? Is it a place, ether, or emptiness that surrounds you? It is but everything you name it. An expanse where there is continuous movement of particles. Can we say it’s a wilderness, where all the cosmic bodies are suspended; Yes, it is an unimaginable infinite wilderness and all the heavenly bodies are only products of cosmic dust.

A great scientist submitted three papers hundred years ago and bridged the connectivity between Space and Time and adorned a distinct place in a galaxy of effervescent scientists. When he came to India glancing the idol of Nataraja that is the cosmic dance of Shiva, he remarked “from this, I am able to know a lot about movement of particles.” This is constantly happening in space, which is not visible to the naked eye.

Shiva a great god of the Hindus, whom, if you worship, will only give wisdom, which ultimately what is required by a man, is represented as the five elements viz., earth, water, space air and fire, and the temple, which represents space is located at Chidambaram in South India connotating the spatial importance in this universe. There is a separate place in this temple which is promulgated as Chidambara Ragasiyam to devotees meaning the secret of life where Shiva is depicted formless signifying the formless space.

Matter is created by five elements and it disintegrates into this five and remade again and again. It is a cyclical process which goes on and on without any stoppage. But the base for this is space. Ultimately, it is vacuum and nothingness. From nothingness, everything comes. That is space and what a marvelous wonder, still not fully understood and an enigma.

Dedicated to Einstein since it is the centenary year of He submitting the papers on “Theory of relativity.”
“by L. Ramani”
With warm and fraternal greetings

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani

MOUNTIDINGS- Sept 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month

To think is easy.
To act is hard.
But the hardest thing in the world
Is to act in accordance with your thinking.

--- Goethe ----

We had our regular meeting on Saturday the 3rd of September, wherein Bro. Mohan Rangan Kamala Babu Easwarra Shankar was initiated. We had invited brethren from Lodge Accountants 194 and 29 of their members attended the meeting. Since the candidate was a friend of W.Bro. S. Thirugnanamurthy, N.E. Charge was given by him, in an exemplary manner. Working Tools was explained by Bro. Pradeep Bhandari, Charge after Initiation delivered by Bro. R. Pari Arasu and Tracing Board was explained by Bro. K Kasthuri.

W.Bro. Gopalakrishna Madanraj was presented with 25 years LTS Jewel at the Andhra Area Meet held at Rajahmundry on 17.09.2005, in his Mother Lodge, Lodge University 142 of Visakhpatnam, by R.W.Bro. G K Selvarajan, R.W. The Regional Grand Master of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India. Congratulations W.Bro. Madran Raj and we wish you many more years of Service to Freemasonry.

Our Grand Daughter Lodge, Lodge Mahamaham 341 completed the construction of its own Masonic Temple and Banquet Hall. The initial Ganapathy Homam, Vasthu Homam and Pooja was done on the 17th [Saturday] of this month. In the evening, two candidates were initiated and the first Master of the Lodge, viz. R.W.Bro. Dr. Balram Biswakumar gave the first knock, opened the Lodge and conducted the initiation ceremony. Our W.Bro. Dwarakanath occupied the S.W’s. Chair and the first charge, i.e. the N.E. Charge was given by our Bro. Ramani Sundaram. We congratulate the brethren of Lodge Mahamaham for completing this great task and we wish them, “All the Best”.

Anirudh Kasthuri Son of our S.W. K. Kasthuri has found a place in the City 11 under the age group “below 15” in Cricket. He is likely to find a place in the State 11 also and we congratulate you on achieving this feat. May the Great Architect of the Universe be with you and bring you success in all your future endeavours.

The last date [30.09.2005] for sending the entry to the Internal Masonic Essay Competition is fast approaching and we request the brethren to give as many entries as possible. We once again remind you the title which is “Is Freemasonry an art of living or a science of life”.

A L L E G O R Y

Allegory always strives to combine entertainment with instruction. As a teaching method, it is sanctioned by long usage. The older and briefer specimens are known by other names. Aesop’s Fables, with their moral lessons, are nothing but allegories. The greatest Teacher of all time taught by allegories, but He called them parables.

In Masonry, the sequence of the three degrees is itself allegorical, and represents the course of human existence. In like manner, the building of the Temple prefigures the erection of our moral edifice. Of cardinal importance is the Traditional History of the Third Degree. Because it is an allegory, its truth does not reside in its factual narrative.

The literal minded can always find flaws in it. For example, how came “those secrets” to be lost at the death of our Grand Master? There were, after all, two other Grand Masters who presumably know them. The truth of the story is rather to be sought in the moral lesson it intends to teach.

The words “veiled in allegory” imply that some of the truths of Masonry are concealed from the uninitiated, but that they can be discovered by one who is privileged to join. It takes practice to learn how to recognize and appreciate symbol and allegory. Only through sincere, intelligent, and sustained effort, reinforced by imaginative and emotional sensitivity, can the reward be reaped.

Source – G L Canada

To mark Oct 02, Gandhiji’s Birthday

Assessment of Gandhiji by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

“At the time when the world is groping in the dark, he gives us faith. When we are surrounded by disillusionment, he imparts hope, when we are lost in resentment and misunderstanding he calls us back to the path of love and truth. A living symbol of nonviolence, incapable of the least ungenerous thought, with a heart so large as to encompass the whole of humanity, he is truly a man of peace and therefore the most powerful adversary to the present passion–torn, war-shattered world.”

That’s why, he was called the Father of the Nation, and of course to the entire humanity.

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani

MOUNTIDINGS - Oct 2005

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram
Worshipful Master

Thought for the Month INSTALLATION BUMPER ISSUE

Proficiency in any walk of life is not reached by one single step
But by a constant travelling on an endless path -- anonymous

Final Message from the outgoing Master:

I was installed last year as the 144th Master of this ancient and glorious Lodge and I should say that I was privileged to occupy the Eastern Chair.

Brethren, as you are aware, the Eastern Chair is the highest honour any member of a Lodge can be bestowed upon and am really proud that this honour was given to me by the Brethren of this Lodge and I should say that I have been able to steer the ship of State fairly well and it has given me a rich experience. It is not the seat that matters, but it is only how you discharge the duties of a seat. The Master’s Chair is a bit tough because a Master’s mind will always be meandering over several matters. But you see sweet are the uses of adversity and it really moulds you to handle any situation in life.

Initially, I was a bit nervous and diffident, but as days passed by I gained more confidence notwithstanding the help I got from my Officers, Past Masters and the Brethren of the Lodge. I am proud to say that for the last five years we have been successful in ritual working competition stage I and the II stage is going to take place next month.

It is indeed a good achievement and am sure the incoming Master will make a repeat of what has happened previously and much more. A Lodge is like a banyan tree and it has got so many supporting roots, fixed firmly on the ground. Even though the Master can be equated as the Main Trunk root, it cannot stand without the other supporting roots. If all the Masters follow this dictum the affairs of the Lodge can be run smoothly and this is what I learnt during my stay as the Worshipful Master.

I take this opportunity to thank all the Brethren for the support and guidance given to me during my tenure of office. I wish you a very happy Deepavali and Good Luck for the incoming Master and his team of Officers. I also pledge that my support will always be there for the new team.

W. Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram

Filler:
Never let success go to your head

No matter what we achieve, it is important to remember that we owe this success to many factors and people outside us. This will not only help us in keeping our sense of modesty and humility intact but also help us retain our sense of proportion and balance. The moment we allow success to build a feeling of arrogance, we become vulnerable to making bad judgements.

Source: Shri Aziz Premji’s address to the class of
2001, IIT, Chennai

Lodge News:

We celebrated the Brethren night of the lodge during our regular meeting held on Saturday the 1st of Oct 2005, wherein a passing ceremony was conducted. Worshipful Master requested the IPM W.Bro. Subbiah to occupy the Eastern Chair and conduct the ceremony. Bro. P R Venkat Subramanian and Bro. S. Pichaiah were passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Freemason. SE Charge was delivered by Bro. V. S. Ramakrishnan, Working Tools explained by Bro. K Rangarajan, Charge after passing was delivered by W.Bro. A. Surya Narayana Rao of Lodge Om Vigneshwara, who also occupied the Junior Warden’s Chair and the Tracing Board was explained by Bro. K Kasthuri. W.Bro. Uday Shankar of Lodge Ramaprasad attended the meeting.

Incidentally, it was also the election meeting and Bro. K Kasthuri was elected as the Master for the year 2005–2006 unanimously. W. Bro. P Madusudhan was elected for the 15th year in succession as the Treasurer of the Lodge. V. W.Bro. N Pandurangan was chosen as the Tyler.

Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical
And self centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you
Of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway

If you are successful you win false
Friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway

The good you do today will be
Forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you
Vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

People favour underdogs but follow only
Top dogs. Fight for some underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may
Be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack
You if you help them. Help people anyway

Give the world the best you have
And you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got.

Anyway

LIBERTY

In the summer of 1865 a group of Frenchmen were gathered together one evening in a village near Paris, France. Among those present were Oscar and Edmond de Lafayette grandsons of Marquis d’ Lafayette, Masonic Brother of George Washington; Henri Martin, a noted historian and French Mason. Also a young artist, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.

One of the group suggested it would be nice to present a fitting memorial to America to acknowledge their friendship. Eventually in 1871 Bro. Bartholdi sailed for America, and while standing on the deck of the ship, as it entered New York Bay, he visualized the State of Liberty as it appears today. The model for the face of the “Goddess of Liberty” was his mother Charlotte Beysser Bartholdi.

The statue was finished in Paris on 21st May 1884 and Bro. Bartholdi, a member of Lodge Alsace-Lorraine in Paris invited his brethren to view his masterpiece prior to its leaving for America.

On 5th August 1884 approximately 100 members of the Grand Lodge of New York and visiting Grand Officers and civil officials assembled on Bedloe’s Island, now called Liberty Island where the Grand Master laid the cornerstone of the base with traditional Masonic ceremonial. During his speech the Grand Master posed a question “Why call upon the Masonic fraternity to lay the cornerstone of such a structure as is here to be erected?” His answer was “No institution has done more to promote Liberty and to free men from the trammels and chains of ignorance and tyranny than as Freemasonry.”

The statue was dismantled in Paris and transported to America where it took 15 months to reassemble the 223 tons of pure copper, steel and iron.

Dedication day, 28 October 1886 was declared a holiday in New York City. Brother Henry C Potter, Episcopal Bishop gave the Invocation and Comte Ferdinand de Lesseps presented the Statue to Chairman Evarts of the American Committee in the name of the French people: then the statue and the pedestal were formally presented to President Cleveland who received the monument with thanks in the name of the United States.

Source – New South Wales Freemason

CHARITY

How often it is difficult to be wisely
Charitable – to do good without
Multiplying the sources of evil. To
Give alms is nothing unless you give
Thought also. It is written, not
“blessed is he that feedeth the
poor”, but “blessed is he that
considereth the poor.” A little thought
and a little kindness are often worth
more than a great deal of money.
-- RUSKIN

The Book – [Free Verse]

Book thy name is knowledge,
You are inanimate by Nature,
But animate through your readers,
By gyrating the minds and hearts.

Into the heaven you take,
Those who tread your pages.
But for caxton you are not there
And thanks a million to your Creator.

If not touched you gather dust,
When visit to your shelf is scarcely done.
It’s like a treasure-chest underneath the Sea.
Brings no use in vainly presence.

You came in handy,
To erase the solitude.
Surpassing the mixture of the best company
And without squabbles in deep silence.

Volumes and volumes difficult to count,
Covering subjects innumerable in nature.
Writers and readers stride your way,
But only a few remain for eternity.

Under the tree was Buddha enlightened,
Such a transgression bereft of ordinary.
Can try that lighthouse,
By embracing thy volumes.

The soul’s aura is derived by conservation,
The mind’s aura is expanded by reading.
Reading alone do not take you to wholesome,
Unless practised what is read.

W.Bro. L Ramani

So let us, as Freemasons read and practise the ritual book

The Willow Game [Cricket]

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man in the side that’s in goes out and when he’s out, he comes in and the next man goes out until he’s out.

When they’re all out, the side that’s out comes in and the side that’s been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. Sometimes you get a man still in and not out.

When both sides have been in and out, including the not out’s that’s the end of the game.

Bro. R. Pari Arasu
Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani