Thought for the Month

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity

The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty

----- Winston Churchill ------

We had our regular meeting held on Saturday 7th Jan 2006, in which a passing ceremony was worked out. Bro. Mohan rangan Kamala Babu Easwara Shankar was passed to the degree of a fellow craft. South East Charge was rendered by Bro. K Rangarajan, Working Tools explained by W. Bro. L. Ramani, Charge after passing delivered by Bro. R.Ramani Sundaram and the Tracing Board of the Degree was portrayed by Bro. Lt. Col. C. Venkataraman.

Bro. Natesan Ramaswamy who was not invested during the Installation Night was invested as the Organist of the Lodge by the W.Master. R.W.Bro. K.V. Raghavan presented the installed Master Certificate to the Ruling Master. Grand Lodge Certificate was presented to Subramanian Pitchiah, by W. Bro. V. Subbaiah.

W. Bro. Y. Sathyamurthy of Lodge Accountants 194 and W.Bro. A.Suryanarayana Rao of Lodge Om Vigneswara No. 218 visited our Lodge.

R.W.Bro. V. Rajendran OSM our honorary member went on record that he is an honorary member in many Lodges, but he used to receive our summons and tidings on time and commended the excellent work done by our Secretaries. He also remarked that he was able to recapture the verses written by the poet of our Lodge viz. W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath, about him. He wrote that it was a pleasant experience, to recall the past.

LET US MAKE OUR WORK PLAY

Activity without a purpose is a drain of life energy. Activity with a purpose is fulfillment. Activity without a direction is change. Activity with a direction is progress. When activity is performed because it should be done even play becomes work. When activity is performed because you want to do it, even work becomes play.

The true masonic brotherhood of a great mason namely Gen. George Washington The first President of the United States of America:

He took his soldiers as they were and transformed them into a conquering army. The called him the “necessary man”. As time went on, he became to them more precious than their very lives. Again and again they begged him not to expose himself to the bullets of the enemy.

But he laughed off their fears. Their danger he said, was his danger and their suffering, his suffering. He insisted upon sharing their risks just as he insisted upon their sharing his triumphs.

T h e T R E E

By W. Bro. L Ramani

Tree is a pure evolution of organic matter on the earth. Variety is there in every aspect of life on this planet and tree is one example. You have the big ones and the small ones; you have the useful ones and the useless ones; You have the ones which spread across like the forest fire and also the ones which takes many years to do the same. But it stay-puts where it is created and cannot move around like the other creatures even though it has a life of its own.

But superior to the creatures which are at a higher level in the evolutionary process in many respects. It receives everybody irrespective of its species and gender to give shelter underneath its shade; gives its fruits without taking attendance of whether they have watered it or not; exhibits its beautiful flowers and create a feast to the eyes of the beholder; gives oxygen to the mother earth by its photosynthetic effect; gives its body as wood for fuel and furniture to human beings ; acts as nestlings to many ornithological plumages; gives food in the form of leaves and fruits. Even its berry is consumed; gives medicine in the form of herbs to alleviate the sufferings from many diseases; also generates oil that can be applied as a balm to painful wounds. Its utility is boundless and unparalleled. But keeps mum and does not tom-tom.

The paper that it has given spreads knowledge and information. Imagine the plight of mankind if it was not there. Ignorance would have built many temples and non-sense would have walked on stilts. Contrary to this, there is a saying in Tamil “why are you standing like a tree” to denote inaction, failing to note that “by merely standing it has spread many useful messages.”

Now we know you are a paradigm of virtue, utility, candidness and anti quid pro quo. Surely you are a precursor to man by evolution as well as by behaviour.

Leave aside the Upas, because there are non-poisonous ones in humans who can also emit poison by way of their words, deeds and actions, despite having the power of reasoning in their fold.

Tree you are an amazing boon given by providence to the planet of earth and we will nurture you.

So let’s as Freemasons, emulate the Tree.

A Reminder

Brethren, felicitation to V.W.Bro. Pandurangan the Tyler of our Lodge on having completed 25 years of service to our Lodge is fast approaching and Worshipful Master requests Brethren who have so far not contributed to the purse intended for the above purpose, to contribute liberally to create a substantial amount to the deserving Brother.

Thought for the Month

Trust Men and they will be true to you;

Treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.

Grand Lodge Certificates were presented to the following Brethren by the Worshipful Master.

Bro R Shanmuga Rajasekaran
Bro V P Ghanesh
Bro P R Venkat Subramaniam

Significance of Lodge Banner

The banner is a part of the very ethos of a Masonic Lodge. It symbolises the culture the aspirations and the ideals of a Lodge and its members. It is in fact the very symbol of a Lodge.

In the course of the ceremony of a banner dedication it is said that the banner is a rallying point for the members of a Lodge and that it symbolises loyalty, fidelity and unity. I must say that a banner or a dwaja is also a symbol of Victory and Prosperity.

Who are the enemies of our Lodges that the banner reflect victory over? One can visualize an enemy for a State or king. But who are the enemies of the Lodges over which the Banner symbolizes Victory?

The Banner of our Lodges depict the Victory in the spiritual path – a Victory of Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya. These are our enemies our innermost enemies and our banner depicts a Victory over these enemies.

Freemasonry teaches us the path of Victory against these enemies.

Freemasonry provides us with the weapons to fight this war. And what are these weapons? Not the principles and tenets of Freemasonry, but the practice of the principles and tenets of Freemasonry.

May the Banner of Freemasonry ever fly high with its lofty ideals.

The colour of the banner ash grey – is unassuming and symbolically teaches that the members of the lodge should be unassuming at all times.

The masonic emblelms …. Square and Compasses occupy a very prominent place symbolize the lessons taught by their employment in speculative masonry.

The colour of square and compasses Gold is symbolic of pure wisdom to be obtained by the incessant use of those lessons.

The two five pointed stars refer to the five elements and five senses whose perfect blend is a prerequisite for obtaining pure wisdom and yet remain unassuming.

The motto of the lodge MONTES UNDE AUXILIUM is depicted on the banner.

Thought for the Month

Knowledge comes by taking things apart, analysis.

But Wisdom comes by putting Things together

John A Morrison

Our regular meeting was held on Saturday, the 4th March at 5 pm. Two degrees were worked. At first a passing ceremony was conducted and Bro.Puvvada A Srinivas was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft. S. E. Charge was delivered by Bro. K Rangarajan, Working Tools explained by Bro. N Harihara Subramanian, Charge after passing rendered by W.Bro. N Meenakshisundaram and Tracing Board explained by Bro. Lt. Col [retd] C Venkataraman.

Later on Bro. Natesan Subramanian was initiated into freemasonry. N. E. Charge was delivered by Bro R Ramani Sundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. V S Ramakrishnan, Charge after initiation delivered by Bro. R Pari Arasu and the Tracing Board was explained by Lt. Col. [retd] C Venkataraman. Bro. Natesan Subramanian, we welcome you into the portals of The Mount Lodge.

V. W.Bro. N Pandurangan was felicitated for his service to the Lodge for the past 25 years, as the Tyler. The felicitation was done by W.Bro. R Dwarakanath, who recollected the past memories with him. It was equally responded well by V.W.Bro. N Pandurangan, who reeled out the names of a galaxy of masons of this great Lodge with whom he had the opportunity to move. It was a great moment to see a Bro. completing 25 years of service as the Tyler of the Lodge and it was unique to see such a felicitation.

Our Bro. B Rajagopal had made the largest single contribution of Rs. 5 Lakhs during the time of the renovation of the Freemasons Hall at Madras. In recognition of this great gesture, the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India had presented a citation to him on 23.08.2003, during the RGL Half-Yearly Meet at Vijayawada. Since he was not able to attend that meeting, it was handed over to our Lodge. Because of his business commitments, he was not able to come to the Lodge and the same citation was now presented to him during this meeting, by W. Bro. T K Ramachandran, for which Bro. B Rajagopal suitably responded.

Our Lodge and Lodge Ramaprasad combined XI Cricket Team have reached the Finals of the Masonic Cricket Tournament for the Lodge Srinivasagopala Rolling Trophy by beating Lodge Accountants convincingly. Thanks to a brilliant century scored in 17 overs by our Bro. P R Venkata Subramanian, who also shone with the ball by taking 4 wickets, which enabled the team to score an easy victory. The Finals is slated against Lodge Veerasami.

We request the Brethren who have not paid the subscription till now to pay it at the earliest.

THE SECRETS OF MASONRY

Freemasons keep secret only certain signs of identifications and rituals by means of which the unity of the members of association scattered over all parts of the earth is made possible. In this way, they guard against the possibility of people, who do not belong to the Masonic Community forcing themselves into the confidence and into the ceremonies which build up their inner life, and thus interfering with the efficiency of the brotherhood. Masonic Lodges do not pursue any secret hidden purpose. The direction is prescribed by certain fundamental ideas which are openly confessed in Masonic Writings everywhere. There is a common belief that the Masonic craft is a secret society and this notion is based on the secret signs and grips by which its members recognize one another. Thus it has come to pass that the main aims of Freemasonry are assumed to be a secret policy, but in fact there is no secrecy about them. The secrecy of Masonic grips is a mere externality and is as unessential to Freemasonry as are the secrets of students fraternities, whose members are not allowed to betray the hidden meaning of the Greek Letters by which they are called.

Source – South African Masonic Journal -

ARABIAN PROVERB

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a Fool. Shun him.

He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is Simple, Teach him.

He who knows, and knows not that he knows is Asleep. Wake him.

He who knows, and knows that he knows is Wise. Follow him.

Men used to fear the lightning; but one man faced that age-old fear and found out how to make lightning save him and others.

Men feared the uncharted spaces of the seas, until one brave soul set out to face that fear and found a new world. The oceans that kept continents apart have become lanes of intercourse.

Men feared the skies. They pictured witches on broom sticks, hobgoblins, demons in the air. Intrepid fliers faced the fear and banished the fearful fancies.

Wise men of today face the future unafraid.

Thought for the Month

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

Henry Ford

Our regular meeting was held on Saturday, 1st April and an initiation ceremony was conducted. Bro. Swaminathan Eisenhower and Bro. Devella Ramprasad were made Entered Apprentice Freemasons. N. E. Charge was delivered by Bro. Ashok Sarangan in an exemplary manner. Working Tools explained by Bro. R. S. Rajasekaran, Charge after initiation delivered by Bro. R Pari Arasu in his usual style and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro.Sambasiva Ganapathy. Bro. Eisenhower and Bro. Ramprasad, we extend you a hearty welcome into the fold of freemasonry.

We had conducted an Eye Camp on the 26th of January for the inmates of Sai Charan run by Samaya Sweekrute Trust, 4/1 Third Main Road, Shantiniketan Colony, Madambakkam, Chennai 600 073, in association with Rajan Eye Care Hospital. The work was assisted by W.Bro. K Kasthuri, W.M., W.Bro. V. S. Kylas, W. Bro. R. Ramani Sundaram and Bro. R. Pari Arasu.

“Lead Kindly Light” is an often-quoted adage deeply etched in our minds and this was put into action for the second year by the brethren of Mount Lodge in conducting the eye camp at the above mentioned old age Home. Of the total 60 inmates screened by a team of Ophthalmologists from Dr. Rajans’ Eye Clinic, 14 have been asked to report for further tests at the clinic for conducting free eye surgery. Medicines/eye drops given free of cost to the patients [approx 25] with eye irritations. Lunch was arranged by the Lodge for all the inmates and the joy writ on their faces so overwhelmed us that it also whetted our appetites but left a poignant memory of the plight of the disadvantaged and the home-less. The brethren of the lodge also donated 2 bags of rice [40 kgs], 2 kilos of Dhal and 2 Kilos of Jaggery under the Dhanya Dhan Scheme.

This project was stewarded by W.Bro. V. S. Kylas for the second year in a row in an impressive manner.

Anirudh Kasthuri, son of our W.M. has been selected for the under-15 years age Tamilnadu Cricket Association Academy’s special coaching during summer. Congratulations and we are sure that this camp will sharpen your skills to achieve more in the field of cricket.

The sun is a full-time giver. The sun is the ultimate source of energy. The sun is a source-less source. Everything gains in its interaction with the sun. It receives from Nothing and gives itself to everything. Its very presence makes possible a celestial game of planetary objects. In many sports like Tennis, Badminton and Volley Ball, the service begins with “Love All”! Let’s add to that – “Love all; need none”. It isn’t with a touch of arrogance …… after all, nobody makes it alone. It is about committing to live a life such that you are all the time looking at being of use to the world, rather than using the world. It is about a life of giving, rather than receiving. The sun is constantly teaching us – “go into any relationship looking at what you can give, and not what you can receive”.

T T Rangarajan

On the 8th of April, Brethren of Mount Lodge and Lodge Accountants along with ARGM W.Bro. T. S. Muralidharan conducted a collective Pooja and Prayer at the Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane and we have been doing this continuously every year and even this year, it was organized under the able assistance of W.Bro. V.S.Kylas. Prasadams were distributed to the Brethren present. W.M. was present on the occasion.

I am happy to announce that Mount Lodge and Lodge Ramaprasad combined XI lifted the Lodge Srinivasagopala rolling trophy for cricket beating Lodge Veerasami convincingly, at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk. Our Lodge was represented by Brethren K.L. Balaji, Lokesh Ramani, K Rangarajan, P R Venkatsubramanian and Puvvada Srinivas. The highlight of the match was that of a scintillating century by Bro. V V Sankupani of Lodge Ramaprasad, who scored 108. Brethren P R Venkatsubramanian scored 25, whereas K Rangarajan and A V Krishnan scored 20 and 63 runs respectively and our total score was 249 for 3 wickets in 25 overs. Lodge Veerasami was bundled out for 38 runs for the loss of 8 wickets and two players went hurt-retired. Bro Venkatsubramanian and Sankupani captured 3 wickets for 12 runs and 5 wickets for 15 runs respectively. In the evening, a felicitation party took place at the TNCA club, where Bro. Lokesh Ramani spoke on behalf of our Lodge.

T R U T H

When Mahatma Gandhi appeared for the London Matriculation Examination, the paper on general knowledge contained the following question:

What is more precious than gold?

Gandhiji wrote in reply : “Truth”

W. Bro. G. Madana Raj
S e c r e t a r y

Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani

Thought for the Month

The Illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write,
But those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.
ALVIN TOFFLER

Our Regular Meeting was held on 6th May 2006 at 6.30 pm and an initiation ceremony was conducted. Bro. Dharmapuri Ramachandran Chandramouli was made an entered apprentice freemason. North East Charge was rendered by W.Bro. N Meenakshisundaram, Working Tools explained by Bro. R. S. Rajasekaran, Charge after initiation was delivered by Bro. S. Nandakumar and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Sambasiva Ganapathy. Bro. Chandramouli, welcome to The Mount Lodge.

In the same evening Bro. Sedarpalayam Sengottuvel Karikalan, member of good standing of Lodge Montfort No. 249, Yercaud, was balloted favourably and admitted into our Lodge as a Joining Member. Bro. Karikalan, we look forward for more masonry in your association with our Lodge.

The following Brethren were presented the Regional Grand Lodge Past Rank Certificates by W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath.

W. Bro. P Madhusudan Past Deputy Regional Grand Master

W. Bro. G. Madanaraj Past Senior Regional Grand Warden

W. Bro. G. Sivaramakrishnan Past Junior Regional Grand Warden

W. Bro. S. S. Prasad Past Junior Regional Grand Warden

W. Bro. V. S. Kylas Past Asst. Regional Grand Secretary

W. Bro. V. Subbaiah Past Regional Grand Steward

Our Lodge was visited by W.Bro. A Surya Narayana Rao, Past Master of Lodge Om Vigneshwara No. 218, W. Bro. V. Vishwanath, Regional Grand Director of Ceremonies of the RGL and Past Master of Lodge Srinivasa Gopala No. 190, and Bro. Vijay Anand of Lodge Shanthi No. 146.

Sowbagyavathi Preetha, Daughter of our Past Master W. Bro. K.S. Sankaran got married to Chiranjeevi Sanjay on 18th May 2006, at Chennai. Most of our Brethren marked their presence on this happy occasion and were able to see a magic programme conducted by W.Bro. K. S. Sankaran during the Reception. We wish the couple a long happy married life with health, wealth and prosperity.

Our next regular meeting which falls on 3rd of June, [Saturday] is scheduled to take place at Yercaud and Brethren who wish to come for the meeting may contact the Secretary for the last minute arrangements.

We know no thought of vengeance within these temple walls
Where love leads back to duty whoever from duty falls
By Friendship’s kindly hand held fast
He finds the land of light at last
Where every wrong finds pardon, no traitor is ever found
Those whom this bond cannot unite
All are unworthy of the Light.

- Bro. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -

The silver lining shows itself on the horizon and the sanguinity appears on the sky, another dawn comes into being. The rays of the reservoir of energy starts penetrating the earth. It takes the heat on and on everyday and stores it in its nucleus deep underneath, but it keeps its surface cool and calm for creatures to live peacefully.

The raucous caws of the crow and the chirping of the birds are heard scuttling the silence of the expiring tip of the night. The morning walkers start jogging and walking, trying to be fitness freaks. The Newsboy flings the paper in the households and the milkman delivers the sachets. Steaming coffee is ready and the head of the household sips it scanning the head-lines in the paper. Slowly one by one is off the bed, finishing the morning ablutions and are ready to the start of the day.

The housewife is busy waking the toddlers as the school starts early in the morning. It’s a marathon exercise for her to bathe, feed, dress and put them on time on the waiting bus. The race for the time starts. People try to squeeze the maximum and operate on a wafer thin span to commute to respective destinations. Everything is mechanized, synthesized food put on microwaves, and readymade items only. The running starts to catch the bus and trains which are swarmed like the bee-hives. Its only providence which protects them without accidents and the cell-phones tinkle in the middle to distract. Too many automatic signals and the smoke engulfs the stagnating places, polluting the air around, people inhaling the toxic excretions of the traffic. This is the result of urbanization.

By the time people reach their destinations, they are half-tired, which dampens their energy levels. But one has to keep going. Children and students are overburdened with books, gadgets and extra curricular and in the bargain become victims of parental and school ambitions. The office-goers return with a fatigued face thinking about the next day official afflictions. The pigeon-hole theory is not Only in torts, but also in housing and everybody returns to their condominiums to revive back to normalcy by distancing from the maddening crowd of the metropolis.

There is no escape, as the dusk falls, to get prepared for the next onslaught. It goes on and on only to find different actors on the stage at different times. Alas! The Morning Rush will always be there “till there are sun rises.”

W. Bro. L. Ramani

But, if we plan our activities a little ahead, the Rush can be Avoided.

Thought for the Month

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships

Our regular meeting for the month of June was an outstation meeting and the meeting was held at Yercaud with the assistance of Lodge Montfort No. 249. Seventeen of our brethren along with families and children visited Yercaud with ten other brethren of our daughter Lodge, Lodge Mount Charity No. 232.

Three of our brethren were passed by obtaining dispensation, viz. Bro. P. Anil Kichcha, Bro D. Ramaprasad and Bro. D. R. Chandramouli. South East Charge was delivered by Bro. V.S. Ramakrishnan, Charge after Passing rendered by Bro. Pari Arasu and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Sankaran Balaji.

W. Bro. V. Raju and W. Bro. A. V. Jayaveeran of Lodge Montfort No. 249 and W. Bro. Swaminathan of Lodge Ramaprasad No. 228 attended the meeting. W. Bro. Swaminathan acted as the immediate Past Master.

In the evening, there was a gala banquet and all the brethren attended and it was a glorious moment. Audio System was provided for people to sing and many of the brethren and their spouses sang merrily some lilting tunes from Tamil and Hindi films, which are still reverberating in our hearts. The stay was arranged in a bungalow with surrounding gardens, which provided a great ambience for the above setting. Later there was bonfire and children danced around it, to their hearts’ content. It was a great evening and the brethren and their families were totally out of the clutches of their mundane routine and had a tremendous feeling of rejuvenation. The fellowship was sponsored by W.Bro. N. Meenakshisundaram.

The next day morning people, went for site seeing and boating and placed themselves amidst the flora of Yercaud.

There was a small ground inside the bungalow where the children and elders played cricket and foot ball together, which enlivened the spirits of the elders and some of the brethren were reminded of their school days.

Our special thanks goes to the Master and Bro. Pari Arasu who have meticulously planned and executed the project - outstation meeting. Of course, a guiding hand coming from W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath. Master thanked W.Bro. V. Raju, Past Master of Lodge Montfort 249 without whose helping hand it would not have been possible to conduct the trip. Mementos were given to the spouses and children and also to W. Bro. V. Raju. The brethren were thrilled and announced that they are looking forward for many more such outstation meetings.

By the way, our Bro. Sankaran Balaji has finished his MBA from Wharton School of Management, University of Pennsylvania and has got a placement as a Consultant in McKenzie & Co and we pass on our Hearty Congratulations to him. He is taking up the assignment at New York on the 15th of August 2006.


Successful Leadership - Shiv Khera

Leadership is action, not position.
The prime function of a leader is to keep hope alive.
The executive’s chief business is to – Organize, Deputize and Supervise.
The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in other men the conviction and will to carry on.
No person can be a great leader unless he takes genuine joy in the successes of those under him.
Leadership is the ability to put the right people in the right job and then sit on the side lines and be a rousing good cheerleader.

Rice-Free Verse

Rice you are the energy raiser.
Say they you are carbohydrates,
But white as snow unlike carbon,
As light to darkness you to body.

Taskmaster to the grower,
Showering attention nook and corner,
Up he brings you like a maiden,
Attired in apparel green in colour.

Twins are tough for mother to feed.
Tougher are you for the farmer to raise,
Always in water otherwise perish,
And unless weeded growth is stunted.

Housed by the husk,
Musky in colour
And even in the cover
You create a power.

Your marriage date is the harvest date
And the spring of hope dawns your raiser.
Counts he specie and sends you to the grocer,
To vacate the hunger of many a eater.

You are staple and we grapple,
Mashed in plumpy and edible recipes,
Flavoured in sweet and hot and bland,
Metaphorising life is an admixture of them.

Useful thou art even after death,
Remnants of your body called as hay,
In a barn stacked in heap,
To fill the chambers of the chattel.

Famous are you in the Asiatic,
Where man can live without anything.
But not sans you dancing his canal,
Safely to be absorbed by the villi.

Slotted in sacred sustained disposition,
Smeared in handful spillages by hand,
In mirthful functions showering blessings,
Indeed you are almighty himself. W. Bro. L.RAMANI

Is this the Reason you are there from the Beginning to End and called as Annalakshmi
And duly kept high in the Dhanyadhan Scheme of Freemasons.

Thought for the Month

Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work

Our Regular meeting for the month of July was held on the Saturday 1st July. An initiation ceremony took place and Bro. Kshitesh Koorapaty was made an Entered Apprentice Freemason. North East Charge was delivered by Bro. N. Hariharasubraniam, Working Tools was explained by Bro. Lokesh Ramani, Charge After Initiation was rendered by Bro. Pari Arasu and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Sankaran Balaji. Bro. Koorapaty, we extend you an hearty welcome. A paper was studied titled “Reflection on Brotherly Love”, as a part of Masonic Education, sent by the GLI.

On the same evening, we celebrated our ladies nite which was attended by the spouses and family of our members. We engaged them with games and tambola and they were delighted. Bro. Sankaran Balaji took up this responsibility when the other members were inside the Temple to complete the labour of the day. After the official obligatory toast, the families joined together for music and dinner. Many of the brethren and their spouses and children joined in the singing edification and it was more participative in nature. It evoked a sense of bonhomie and togetherness and everybody felt happy. They were also taken inside the Temple and were given a cursory talk on what is freemasonry. The dinner was hosted by Bro. Sankaran Balaji and some few of the other brethren.

We had an Emergency Meeting on the 24th of July and completed our Ritural Working Competition First Stage. Bro. Narayanan Srinivasan was initiated, who is a senior executive in the Essar Group. North East Charge was delivered by Bro. N. Hariharasubraniam, Working Tools was explained by Bro. Lokesh Ramani, Charge After Initiation was rendered by Bro. Pari Arasu and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Sankaran Balaji. The Lodge had performed well and we expect good results. Bro. Narayanan Srinivasan, we welcome you to the Masonic family.

The Seed – Against all Odds:

It is in its ability to deal with the pressure exerted by earth against it that the seed actually gains its identity. Mother Earth is never benevolent to any seed. She actually acts against the Seed. This very pressure helps the seed to break open and sprout. So it is the case with the legends. They turn the very challenges of life into the cause for their emergence. It was the British for Gandhi, Apartheid for Mandela and Slavery for Lincoln. The very odds they wrestled caused their emergence. Life is not “because of” but it is “in spite of”.

So let us as Freemasons experience the pressure to excell.

T T Rangarajan

Now you have just recently become the Immediate Past Master of your Lodge. What now ? Do you regard this release from duty as the signal for rest, leisure and refreshment, or a Masonic retirement? For long years you have rarely missed a communication of the Lodge. You have been present at many ceremonies. You have been to the Lodge on innumerable rehearsal and other meetings. You spent untold hours in learning your work as you progressed through the chairs. You have been most conscientious about your duty to the Lodge and to your station; you did the best you could when you were in the East. Now you feel a vast ‘sense of relief that the strain is gone; no man can go through the chairs of his Lodge, if he be conscientious, without a sense of strain. Did you relinquish the Gavel with pangs of regret, that you did not accomplish nearly all the things you were ambitious for a year ago, when you assumed that implement of authority?

You did not honour the Lodge when you became the Worshipful Master; the Lodge Honoured You by choosing you to rule and govern its affairs for the ensuing year. The Lodge manifested its high regard for you then, by electing you to the highest office within its power to bestow. You are now under the deepest obligation of your Masonic career to the Craft in general and to your Lodge in particular. Your term of office is now over and your authority in the Lodge is no more., You no longer rule the Brethren or your successor, nor do you desire to.

No Brother in the Lodge is more aware of the problems which exist than is the Immediate Past Master. You are now in a position to be of great service to your Brethren, to your successor and to Freemasonry in general. Now that you are freed from the mundane responsibilities of governing the Lodge, your opportunities for greater service are limited only by your energy and imagination. You will find that the new Worshipful Master will eagerly accept your suggestions and counsel in the affairs of the Lodge. Now is the time when, by discreet and fraternal suggestions you may help to bring some of otherwise events to pass in your Lodge which you never could get done when you ruled.

Remember, your presence at the regular communication of your Lodge is important now as before. You can be of inestimable value to the Lodge; you can help arrange programmes for the Lodge and take this work off the shoulders of the present Master. You can offer to help on the all-important Investigation Committee. Ladies Night celebrations, in degree work, to occupy stations which might be empty on a particular night. Why Not take up the assignment of teaching your Master Masons. There is no limit.

You are now the Immediate Past Master of your Lodge.

What are your plans ?

Source --- The New Mexico Freemasons ---

Thought for the Month

The More Things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is.

Our regular meeting for the month of September took place on the 2nd at 5 pm. During that evening, two degrees were worked. W.Bro. N Meenakshi Sundaram, our IPM occupied the eastern chair and an initiation ceremony was conducted. Mr. Kumar Viswanath, Adviser, Corporate Affairs, M/s. Celebrity Films Pvt Ltd and Mr. Rangachari Madhavan, Chartered Accountant were made Entered Apprentice Freemasons. NE Charge was rendered by Bro. N Harihara Subramanian, Working Tools explained by Bro. V S Ramakrishan, Charge after Initiation delivered by Bro. S Nandakumar and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. [retd] Venkataraman.

Thereafter the Ruling Master occupied the Eastern Chair and raised Bro. Pukhraj Anil Kchicha and Bro. Devalla Ramprasad to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The key stone of the ceremony was that the Master himself completed the ceremony without any assistance, in rendering portions.

As a part of Masonic Education, a circular from the GLI titled “Importance of Charity in Freemasonry” was read by our Senior Warden Bro. S Nandakumar.

Apart from this, we had a joint meeting by dispensation along with Lodge Mount Charity No. 232 and Lodge Mahamaham No. 341 on 11th of September 2006 at 6.30 pm in the Freemasons Hall at Madras, to present 40 years Long Term Service Jewel to our beloved W. Bro. R. Dwarakanath, who is a member of all the Three Lodges.

The Eastern Chair was occupied by R.W.Bro. Dr. Balram Biswakumar IPRGM, while Senior Warden’s and Junior Warden’s Chairs were occupied by W. Bro. Mahesh Kumar Pillai Ruling Master of Lodge Mount Charity and W. Bro. S. Sharath Babu Past Master of Lodge Mount Charity and Founder Member of Lodge Mahamaham respectively. Our Master occupied the Chaplain’s Chair. Our RGM R.W.Bro. Gutha Krishnan Selvarajan accompanied by his officers of the Regional Grand Lodge of India graced the occasion and presented the 40 years Long Term Jewel to the recipient on behalf of the GLI.

W.Bro. R Dwarakanath was felicitated by R.W.Bro. R Krishnamurthy, of Lodge Justitia, W. Bro. R. Kalidasan of The Mount Lodge, W. Bro. C K Prabakaran of the District Grand Lodge and R. W. Bro. Dr. Balram Biswakumar, Founder Master of Lodge Mahamaham. W. Bro. Dwarakanath responded to the felicitations. On this happy occasion, a commemorative book-let was brought forth and it was released by our Regional Grand Master. Our RGM delivered a sweet speech recollecting his memories in Freemasonry with the recipient of the Jewel and also commended the services rendered by the Brother to Freemasonry.

The meeting was attended by a large number of Brethren from the city, Ruling Masters as well as Brethren from places like Kumbakonam, Trichy and Pondicherry. Mementoes were given to all the Brethren. The meeting ended with a Gala banquet hosted by the recipient of the Jewel.

The Initiate

Nobody gets an opportunity just like that to become a freemason unless it is destined. Just like music does not come to all but only to a few who are blessed. The institutional rigmaroles you have crossed I am sure you will remember.

First of all one has to evince interest in joining, secondly he has to be vouched by the proposer as regards his character conduct, education, experience and social standing and passed by the past masters of the enquiry committee and thirdly he has to be regularly proposed and approved in open lodge. Then only the ceremony of initiation takes place. This also depends on the labour and agenda of a lodge and sometimes it may take even months after all these proceedings.

So remember you have passed so many steps in becoming a mason. Whatever said and done the initiation ceremony to anybody goes as a flash and it is difficult to remember all that happened to you during that process. But definitely you can recollect a gist of it. So how would you try to know more about it. It’s just simple. Keep attending to your lodge regularly whether you are in the agenda of a ceremony or not because a lodge has got an inside and outside. If there is no business for you inside you can always create a business for you outside. I mean the banquet, relief projects and so on.

To understand the mysteries and privileges of freemasonry and to amplify it takes time. So don’t be playful. You require a lot of patience, industry and application. For this you need to take the guidance of past masters whom if you approach will not shirk away their responsibility. The past masters are the pillars of the lodge who can sustain the interest of any initiate. Try to approach them as a student and you will get the knowledge in its entirety from the teacher. First make your presence felt inside the lodge. Let us hear you inside the lodge then probably outside. This is merely an input – output analysis. Only when there is an input there can be an output. Do not try to be cheeky for if you do you cannot assimilate. Always keep your eyes and ears open, for it is the way that takes you to perfection which is absolutely needed in masonry. Do not slight the rituals as a routine repetition; please understand that repetition is the mother of skills. The repeated mantras of the great sages it is believed produce charges in the space to generate well-being. Likewise the repeated charges delivered penetrates the human personality to evolve as a better person and to be useful to all.

Every lodge has an history. Try to know it in full; then you will know how the seniors have worked and struggled to put your lodge upwards. Try to extend help to all the brethren unasked for , for if you wait and do when asked it is not help. It is only an obligation which has a legal meaning. Get involved in all the activities of the lodge voluntarily. Please do not look forward for invitations. It is your lodge, your home and one day you have to occupy the Master’s chair and deliberate the proceedings. Why not equip yourself now itself. Always respect your seniors and you will definitely surpass.

Thought for the Month Installation Bumper Issue

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly,
our whole life would change.

Buddha

Our regular meeting for the month of October took place on the 7th at 5 pm in the Freemasons’ Hall, Madras. It was a Brethren Nite and two degrees were worked out. Initially W.Bro. V Subbiah our D of C occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted a Second Degree Ceremony. Bro. Rajan Raghuram was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Freemason. S.E.Charge and the Working Tools were delivered and explained by Bro. V. S. Ramakrishnan. The Charge after Passing was rendered by Bro. R. Pariarasu, while the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. (retd.) C. Venkataraman.

Then the Ruling Master occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted a Third Degree Ceremony. Bro Swaminthan Eisenhower and Bro. D. R. Chandramouli were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. All the portions except the further entrustment were delivered by our Master. The further entrustment was done by W.Bro. Ramanathan of Lodge Shanti No. 148, who visited our Lodge. The meeting was also attended by Brethren from City Lodges and Pondicherry. On the same day the internal ritual working competition was held and the portion selected for the above purpose was Second Degree Tracing Board and Bro. Lt. Col. (retd.) C Venkataraman was declared as the Winner.

A paper was read which was sent by the GLI, titled “From Darkness into the Light” by our Secretary W.Bro. G. Madana Raj, covering Masonic Education. Since it was also the Election Meeting of the Lodge, Brethren selected their Master, Treasurer and the Tyler. Bro. S. Nandakumar was elected as the Master for the ensuing year and W.Bro. P Madhusudhan was elected Treasurer of the Lodge. V. W.Bro. N Pandurangan was elected Tyler of the Lodge. The Master-elect thanked the Brethren for having reposed confidence in him for executing the High Office and also assured that he will endeavour to do his Best.

FREEDOM

There is an intellectual fallacy that freedom and compulsion are opposites. In essence freedom and compulsion are one. Let me give you a simple illustration. Traffic Lights restrain your freedom to cross a street whenever you wish. But this restraint gives you the freedom from being run over by a truck. If you were assigned to a job and prohibited from leaving it, it would restrain the freedom of your career. But it would give you freedom from the fear of unemployment. Whenever a new compulsion is imposed on us, we automatically gain a new freedom. The two are inseparable. Only by accepting total compulsion can we achieve total freedom.
----- Ayn Rand -----

That is why, the Freemasons are taught “First to Obey”.

Thought for the Month Installation Bumper Issue

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly,
our whole life would change.

Buddha

Our regular meeting for the month of October took place on the 7th at 5 pm in the Freemasons’ Hall, Madras. It was a Brethren Nite and two degrees were worked out. Initially W.Bro. V Subbiah our D of C occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted a Second Degree Ceremony. Bro. Rajan Raghuram was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Freemason. S.E.Charge and the Working Tools were delivered and explained by Bro. V. S. Ramakrishnan. The Charge after Passing was rendered by Bro. R. Pariarasu, while the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. (retd.) C. Venkataraman.

Then the Ruling Master occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted a Third Degree Ceremony. Bro Swaminthan Eisenhower and Bro. D. R. Chandramouli were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. All the portions except the further entrustment were delivered by our Master. The further entrustment was done by W.Bro. Ramanathan of Lodge Shanti No. 148, who visited our Lodge. The meeting was also attended by Brethren from City Lodges and Pondicherry. On the same day the internal ritual working competition was held and the portion selected for the above purpose was Second Degree Tracing Board and Bro. Lt. Col. (retd.) C Venkataraman was declared as the Winner.

A paper was read which was sent by the GLI, titled “From Darkness into the Light” by our Secretary W.Bro. G. Madana Raj, covering Masonic Education. Since it was also the Election Meeting of the Lodge, Brethren selected their Master, Treasurer and the Tyler. Bro. S. Nandakumar was elected as the Master for the ensuing year and W.Bro. P Madhusudhan was elected Treasurer of the Lodge. V. W.Bro. N Pandurangan was elected Tyler of the Lodge. The Master-elect thanked the Brethren for having reposed confidence in him for executing the High Office and also assured that he will endeavour to do his Best.

FREEDOM

There is an intellectual fallacy that freedom and compulsion are opposites. In essence freedom and compulsion are one. Let me give you a simple illustration. Traffic Lights restrain your freedom to cross a street whenever you wish. But this restraint gives you the freedom from being run over by a truck. If you were assigned to a job and prohibited from leaving it, it would restrain the freedom of your career. But it would give you freedom from the fear of unemployment. Whenever a new compulsion is imposed on us, we automatically gain a new freedom. The two are inseparable. Only by accepting total compulsion can we achieve total freedom.
----- Ayn Rand -----

Thought for the Month Installation Bumper Issue

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly,
our whole life would change.

Buddha

Message from the Outgoing Master

Very soon, (4th Nov, 2006) I will be handing over the Mastership of this Great Lodge to our Worthy Brother and Master-elect, Bro. S Nandakumar.

I take this opportunity to thank all the Brethren for the support and co-operation extended to me.

I had set out with three clear objectives to work on.

1. To have a growth in members (10% as per R.W.The R.G.M’s guideline) and collect all arrears in terms of subscription and dues.

2. To achieve sustained performance in rituals and cross the first stage of R.W.C. as all the previous five masters of the Lodge had done.

3. To organize for the outstation trip with family members (June 2006) and family nite programme (Sept 2006).

I could reach the above goals and thanks to the

a. Support from all the Brethren, particularly my team of officers and committee members.

b. Guidance from all Past Masters in abundance particularly W.Bro. R. Dwarakanath and W. Bro. L Ramani.

c. Additional help, support and co-operation extended by W. Bro. N Meenakshisundaram, W. Bro. V Subbiah, W.Bro. G Madanaraj, Bro. R Pariarasu, Bro. K Rangarajan, Bro. V S Ramakrishnan and Bro. Sankaran Balaji.

Brethren, I hand over the baton with full confidence to do well in the second stage of R.W.C. (4th Dec 2006), I somehow feel our Lodge could have done much more in the Charity Work.

I thank you all once again and look forward to meeting you on 4th Nov 2006 when I will be installing the Master-elect as the W.M. of this Great and Antient Lodge.

I am sure every one of us will give our best to Bro. S. Nandakumar in taking our Lodge to still greater heights in the ensuing Masonic Year.

Good Luck and Warmest Regards and Fraternal Greetings!

W. Bro. K Kasthuri

Lodge News:

Our regular meeting for the month of October took place on the 7th at 5 pm in the Freemasons’ Hall, Madras. It was a Brethren Nite and two degrees were worked out. Initially W.Bro. V Subbiah our D of C occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted a Second Degree Ceremony. Bro. Rajan Raghuram was passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Freemason. S.E.Charge and the Working Tools were delivered and explained by Bro. V. S. Ramakrishnan. The Charge after Passing was rendered by Bro. R. Pariarasu, while the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. (retd.) C. Venkataraman.

Then the Ruling Master occupied the Eastern Chair and conducted a Third Degree Ceremony. Bro Swaminthan Eisenhower and Bro. D. R. Chandramouli were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. All the portions except the further entrustment were delivered by our Master. The further entrustment was done by W.Bro. Ramanathan of Lodge Shanti No. 148, who visited our Lodge. The meeting was also attended by Brethren from City Lodges and Pondicherry. On the same day the internal ritual working competition was held and the portion selected for the above purpose was Second Degree Tracing Board and Bro. Lt. Col. (retd.) C Venkataraman was declared as the Winner.

A paper was read which was sent by the GLI, titled “From Darkness into the Light” by our Secretary W.Bro. G. Madana Raj, covering Masonic Education. Since it was also the Election Meeting of the Lodge, Brethren selected their Master, Treasurer and the Tyler. Bro. S. Nandakumar was elected as the Master for the ensuing year and W.Bro. P Madhusudhan was elected Treasurer of the Lodge. V. W.Bro. N Pandurangan was elected Tyler of the Lodge. The Master-elect thanked the Brethren for having reposed confidence in him for executing the High Office and also assured that he will endeavour to do his Best.

FREEDOM

There is an intellectual fallacy that freedom and compulsion are opposites. In essence freedom and compulsion are one. Let me give you a simple illustration. Traffic Lights restrain your freedom to cross a street whenever you wish. But this restraint gives you the freedom from being run over by a truck. If you were assigned to a job and prohibited from leaving it, it would restrain the freedom of your career. But it would give you freedom from the fear of unemployment. Whenever a new compulsion is imposed on us, we automatically gain a new freedom. The two are inseparable. Only by accepting total compulsion can we achieve total freedom.
----- Ayn Rand -----

Freemasonry as we all know has a regal splendour. Its regalia itself displays a sense of royalty. This is exemplified by the fact of the pageantry that goes in an installation ceremony. It is always enthralling and bewitching to watch a new master taking over the reins. Such is the significance of this chair, which is likened to the chair of king Solomon who was a Grand Master. So the royal influence is always there in the institution.

It is definitely the highest honour bestowed upon any member of a lodge. A ruler has to administer his kingdom with ability, courage, resourcefulness, kindness, justice and a concern for all. Only then he earns a name among his subjects and he goes down in the history creating a special place for him. This is precisely what is required from a brother who occupies the eastern chair. The responsibility that has to be shouldered is heavy and one has to necessarily equip himself to fulfill the requirements and needs of the office.

The ritual being an integral part of masonry just as relief, has to be thoroughly absorbed. Because this creates the first impact on our newcomers. It is the master who sets the pace for it and unless one has deeply read this, the impact will not be strong. The essence of masonry is passed on to all masons only by the ritual book. It opens up many vistas of thinking and knowledge for us to retain, munch and infer. This can be easily done since the master has a retinue of officers who support him to excel. Remember it’s like a cricket team and the master shines by example to create the thrust in others for their performance, just as the captain in a team. People used to say when you are a student you start learning but when you become a teacher you tend to know more and you endeavour to become complete. This is what happens when you ascend the eastern chair. Every time you do the ritual you get new dimensions and interpretations because it kindles you to think and the thinking process has no limits. There is no end to it.

The system created by the institution is irreplaceable because it takes care automatically just a nature, which acts unilaterally to amend the shortages and excesses in the global system. Follow it and one is sure to succeed.

Always do something extra because, that extra will always be recognized. Remember you are the polestar to which all the other stars look forward for direction continue to direct them. But the highest seat of any office is time-bound as we have to train new leaders. To conclude the chair is the touchstone and whetstone of the intellect so indulge in it to experience the same. Oliver Goldsmith said “Aromatic Plants bestow no spicy fragrance while they grow; But crushed or trodden to the ground diffuse their balmy sweets around.” So the strain of the Chair will bring out your Best.

UNIVERSAL LOVE

I do not believe in a God or religion which cannot wipe the widow’s tears or bring a piece of bread to the orphan’s mouth. However, sublime be the theories, however well-spun may be the philosophy – I do not call it a religion so long as it is confined to books and dogmas. The eye is in forehead and not in the back. Move onward and carry it into practice that which you are very proud to call your religion, and God bless you.

Love never fails my son: Today or Tomorrow or ages after truth will conquer. Love shall win the victory. Do you love your fellowmen? Where should you go to seek for God – are not all the poor, the miserable and the weak, Gods? Why not worship them first? Have you love – you are omnipotent. Are you perfectly unselfish – you are irresistible. It is character that pays everywhere.

The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

--- Martin Luther King Jr ---

During that evening, two degrees were worked. W.Bro. N Meenakshi Sundaram, our IPM occupied the eastern chair and an initiation ceremony was conducted. Mr. Kumar Viswanath, Adviser, Corporate Affairs, M/s. Celebrity Films Pvt Ltd and Mr. Rangachari Madhavan, Chartered Accountant were made Entered Apprentice Freemasons. NE Charge was rendered by Bro. N Harihara Subramanian, Working Tools explained by Bro. V S Ramakrishan, Charge after Initiation delivered by Bro. S Nandakumar and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. [retd] Venkataraman.

Thereafter the Ruling Master occupied the Eastern Chair and raised Bro. Pukhraj Anil Kchicha and Bro. Devalla Ramprasad to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The key stone of the ceremony was that the Master himself completed the ceremony without any assistance, in rendering portions.

As a part of Masonic Education, a circular from the GLI titled “Importance of Charity in Freemasonry” was read by our Senior Warden Bro. S Nandakumar.

Apart from this, we had a joint meeting by dispensation along with Lodge Mount Charity No. 232 and Lodge Mahamaham No. 341 on 11th of September 2006 at 6.30 pm in the Freemasons Hall at Madras, to present 40 years Long Term Service Jewel to our beloved W. Bro. R. Dwarakanath, who is a member of all the Three Lodges.

The Eastern Chair was occupied by R.W.Bro. Dr. Balram Biswakumar IPRGM, while Senior Warden’s and Junior Warden’s Chairs were occupied by W. Bro. Mahesh Kumar Pillai Ruling Master of Lodge Mount Charity and W. Bro. S. Sharath Babu Past Master of Lodge Mount Charity and Founder Member of Lodge Mahamaham respectively. Our Master occupied the Chaplain’s Chair. Our RGM R.W.Bro. Gutha Krishnan Selvarajan accompanied by his officers of the Regional Grand Lodge of India graced the occasion and presented the 40 years Long Term Jewel to the recipient on behalf of the GLI.

W.Bro. R Dwarakanath was felicitated by R.W.Bro. R Krishnamurthy, of Lodge Justitia, W. Bro. R. Kalidasan of The Mount Lodge, W. Bro. C K Prabakaran of the District Grand Lodge and R. W. Bro. Dr. Balram Biswakumar, Founder Master of Lodge Mahamaham. W. Bro. Dwarakanath responded to the felicitations. On this happy occasion, a commemorative book-let was brought forth and it was released by our Regional Grand Master. Our RGM delivered a sweet speech recollecting his memories in Freemasonry with the recipient of the Jewel and also commended the services rendered by the Brother to Freemasonry.

The meeting was attended by a large number of Brethren from the city, Ruling Masters as well as Brethren from places like Kumbakonam, Trichy and Pondicherry. Mementoes were given to all the Brethren. The meeting ended with a Gala banquet hosted by the recipient of the Jewel.