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Article FREEMASONRY AS IT IS. ← Page 2 of 3 Article FREEMASONRY AS IT IS. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry As It Is.
brethren . There is no inconsistency between this fundamental principle and the existence of esoterics and esoterics The distinction is founded , not upon the principle which regulates caste—an inherent radical genitive difference of
kind—but upon that which governs the family circle . The youngest son , from the moment of his birth , is as nmch entitled to the rights , privileges and honours of the family
to which he belongs as the mature elder brother , but no man in his senses would for a moment tolerate the idea of practically carrying out the principle of equality irrespective of all considerations of age , capacity and training . No family
could exist without such considerations . Such is the case
with us . Even as every soldier during the first French Republic carried the baton of a Field Marshal in his knapsack , so do you in the ceremony of your initiation acquire the right to all the offices and to the understanding of all
the mysteries of our Craft . They are not forbidden , but only taught when you are by proper training experience and earnest desire qualified to make good use of them . It is to be hoped that a time will come when we shall rise
above the necessity for secrets , symbols and mysteries ; but we have yet to wait for its advent . Masonry is a progressive science , and we must be content , so far as we are individually concerned , to work on steadily , and wait
patiently for its further and progressive development in future ages . While on this subject I may advert to another objection which has been raised against the fundamental principles of our Craft .
Freemasonry has had its assailants in past times : it has its assailants to-day , and there are many who openly object both to its actual position and its avowed principles . There are those , for instance , who think that Freemasonry should
discard wholly the religious element , and confine itself to philosophical teachings . There are others who complain that Freemasonry is not religious enough , and that by its professed universality it is a negation of a higher creed .
But all those who speak thus of our Order seem to forget that Freemasonry is not a religion , though it does claim to be a world-wide philanthropic sociality , based on the one
great principle which pervades the divinest of all prayers the recognition of the One Great Universal Father , Rulei and Architect of the Universe .
To turn , however , from general principles to practical details . What has been the stereotyped argument against societies like ours ? It is said , why should a society which contains so much that is good , pure and noble be a
secret society ? Why should this knowledge and power be so exclusive aud jealously guarded from the eyes and knowledge of men ? Some people often say that if the store of knowledge which our documents claim to be within
the charmed circle , be really so great , why should they not be laid out to the greatest advantage ? Secrecy and darkness are always suggestive of something sinister , something unfit to bear the light of broad day . Why , by resorting to secrecy , give rise to this untoward , suggestion ?
The answer to all this ia very simple . It is essential now to the well-being of our cause , and it was imperative in former times for the safety of our predecessors . One
may laugh at our secret words and pass-grips , but even in the present day would any army , even the most powerful , the best armed and disciplined , be safe for a single week
without the protection of pass-words ? We are in the
same position . The world has not yet been converted into one brotherhood . We have powerful enemies around us , and numerically we are still very weak , although our predecessors were weaker . Mighty systems of religion were at
one time arrayed against our predecessors . In some places the choice lay between the stake and secrecy , and would it be fair , reasonable or just to charge us as criminals for the innocent secrecy we are obliged to maintain in certain matters ? The objection which has been urged against
Freemasonry , on the ground of its secret character , proceeds
only from ignorance of the nature of onr secrets , and its force is immediately destroyed when we reflect that to no worthy man need our mysteries be for one moment covered with the veil of concealment , for to all the deserving are our
portals open . But the traditions and esoteric doctrines of our Order are too valuable and too sacred to be permitted to become the topic of idle conversation and discussion . They require much previous study and preparation to prethe critic for ri
pare a pe and equitable judgment . Hence are they preserved , like the rich jewel in its casket , in the secret recesses of our Lodges , to be brought forth only when the ceremonies with which their exhibition is accompanied have inspired that solemnity of feeling with which alone
Freemasonry As It Is.
they should be approached . And now for a few words with reference to our Lodges in India . I have visited several lodges working under the English Constituti on and I have found that the brethren in some of them are
somewhat behind others in many respects . I refer speciall y to those which consist principally of Aryan brethren , and the matters to which I refer are chiefly matters which , if
attended to , would tend to render the meetings of those Lodges more pleasant , more harmonious and agreeable , as Masonic meetings should ever be . I hope , therefore , that
in making these remarks I shall not give offence to any
one , and that my own countrymen and brethren , to whom they are principally addressed , will give me full credit in these frank criticisms for the motive which animates me , to improve and to harmonise the meetings of our Lodges ,
and render Freemasonry as popular and highly esteemed as it ought to be in this country . I desire my fellow-country , men fully to exemplify the precepts and principles of
tf reemasonry before our European brethren , to show that we are not wanting in the essential qualifications of Masons , and prove ourselves also worthy of all the Masonio honours .
It may be as well to mention here that the doors of
Masonry were at one time closed against us , and our worthy Brother P . C . Dutt had to struggle for nine long years in order to get admittance into the Order . He followed the teaching of the Book— " Knock , and it will be
opened unto you . " He knocked , and knocked , and knocked persistently and determinedly , and the door was thrown open to him , and when he obtained admission he paved the way for other Hindu brethren to follow him . Now you
find him at the top of almost all the different degrees he has taken , and now that we have entered the porchway , we should try and climb the topmost rungs of the ladder . We should prove ourselves worthy of our position , and justify
by our deeds our high Masonic aspirations . I do not know all the arguments at first put forward by the brethren of the Order for denying ns admission . It was perhaps thought that we were not sufficiently advanced
m civilisation or education to participate in the mysteries which Masonry seeks to unfold . It -was perhaps not understood that pure Hinduism has nothing in it opposed to Masonic doctrines . No doubt
there existed then grave misapprehensions which happily have been long since removed , and the results of our admission have proved the wisdom of the step , indicating as it did , at the same time , our right and the right of every good man and true to admission into the ranks of
Freemasonry . ^ If England , with its political constitution , social institutions and religious establishments , failed within the space of nearly one hundred years to recognize native society
and raise its status on a par with that of England , it was undoubtedly a misfortune , but , brethren , England ' s mission has been fulfilled at last . The alumni of our educational institutions have proved beyond doubt that they are
capable of competing with the students of any English College or University in point of sagacity and acuteness or other qualifications which can distinguish a scholar . Having
thus established our fitness and aptitude for positions of trust and responsibility , it remains for us to prove by our efforts that we are not behindhand in point of civilisation and progress . The word civilisation is a relative
expression ; it is susceptible of various interpretations . Enlight
enment and progress from an English point of view may be somewhat different when looked at from a Hindu point of view ; and therefore it is that tho two races cannot always be expected to stand in this respect on the same
platform , and however strongly Masonry may advocate the abolition of all distinction of colour , caste and creed , and profess unity and fraternity , love and affection , still we may well ask ourselves whether in practice the results are
consistent with these professions and principles , and whether there is not even among Masons a trace of those prejudices so rife in the world outside of Masonry—of those obstacles which are there put to stand in the way of all
schemes of advancement and equalisation , and whether we work with all the energy and earnestness with which Masons should work in securing the solution of that great social problem—the real and cordial union of all races of
men on the continent of India . One word more on another point , and I have done . Ton are no doubt aware that there is now an impression abroad that Freemasonry is an association of men for mere conviviality , and that its chief object is eating and drinking ,
It is high time therefore that we should , by our acts and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry As It Is.
brethren . There is no inconsistency between this fundamental principle and the existence of esoterics and esoterics The distinction is founded , not upon the principle which regulates caste—an inherent radical genitive difference of
kind—but upon that which governs the family circle . The youngest son , from the moment of his birth , is as nmch entitled to the rights , privileges and honours of the family
to which he belongs as the mature elder brother , but no man in his senses would for a moment tolerate the idea of practically carrying out the principle of equality irrespective of all considerations of age , capacity and training . No family
could exist without such considerations . Such is the case
with us . Even as every soldier during the first French Republic carried the baton of a Field Marshal in his knapsack , so do you in the ceremony of your initiation acquire the right to all the offices and to the understanding of all
the mysteries of our Craft . They are not forbidden , but only taught when you are by proper training experience and earnest desire qualified to make good use of them . It is to be hoped that a time will come when we shall rise
above the necessity for secrets , symbols and mysteries ; but we have yet to wait for its advent . Masonry is a progressive science , and we must be content , so far as we are individually concerned , to work on steadily , and wait
patiently for its further and progressive development in future ages . While on this subject I may advert to another objection which has been raised against the fundamental principles of our Craft .
Freemasonry has had its assailants in past times : it has its assailants to-day , and there are many who openly object both to its actual position and its avowed principles . There are those , for instance , who think that Freemasonry should
discard wholly the religious element , and confine itself to philosophical teachings . There are others who complain that Freemasonry is not religious enough , and that by its professed universality it is a negation of a higher creed .
But all those who speak thus of our Order seem to forget that Freemasonry is not a religion , though it does claim to be a world-wide philanthropic sociality , based on the one
great principle which pervades the divinest of all prayers the recognition of the One Great Universal Father , Rulei and Architect of the Universe .
To turn , however , from general principles to practical details . What has been the stereotyped argument against societies like ours ? It is said , why should a society which contains so much that is good , pure and noble be a
secret society ? Why should this knowledge and power be so exclusive aud jealously guarded from the eyes and knowledge of men ? Some people often say that if the store of knowledge which our documents claim to be within
the charmed circle , be really so great , why should they not be laid out to the greatest advantage ? Secrecy and darkness are always suggestive of something sinister , something unfit to bear the light of broad day . Why , by resorting to secrecy , give rise to this untoward , suggestion ?
The answer to all this ia very simple . It is essential now to the well-being of our cause , and it was imperative in former times for the safety of our predecessors . One
may laugh at our secret words and pass-grips , but even in the present day would any army , even the most powerful , the best armed and disciplined , be safe for a single week
without the protection of pass-words ? We are in the
same position . The world has not yet been converted into one brotherhood . We have powerful enemies around us , and numerically we are still very weak , although our predecessors were weaker . Mighty systems of religion were at
one time arrayed against our predecessors . In some places the choice lay between the stake and secrecy , and would it be fair , reasonable or just to charge us as criminals for the innocent secrecy we are obliged to maintain in certain matters ? The objection which has been urged against
Freemasonry , on the ground of its secret character , proceeds
only from ignorance of the nature of onr secrets , and its force is immediately destroyed when we reflect that to no worthy man need our mysteries be for one moment covered with the veil of concealment , for to all the deserving are our
portals open . But the traditions and esoteric doctrines of our Order are too valuable and too sacred to be permitted to become the topic of idle conversation and discussion . They require much previous study and preparation to prethe critic for ri
pare a pe and equitable judgment . Hence are they preserved , like the rich jewel in its casket , in the secret recesses of our Lodges , to be brought forth only when the ceremonies with which their exhibition is accompanied have inspired that solemnity of feeling with which alone
Freemasonry As It Is.
they should be approached . And now for a few words with reference to our Lodges in India . I have visited several lodges working under the English Constituti on and I have found that the brethren in some of them are
somewhat behind others in many respects . I refer speciall y to those which consist principally of Aryan brethren , and the matters to which I refer are chiefly matters which , if
attended to , would tend to render the meetings of those Lodges more pleasant , more harmonious and agreeable , as Masonic meetings should ever be . I hope , therefore , that
in making these remarks I shall not give offence to any
one , and that my own countrymen and brethren , to whom they are principally addressed , will give me full credit in these frank criticisms for the motive which animates me , to improve and to harmonise the meetings of our Lodges ,
and render Freemasonry as popular and highly esteemed as it ought to be in this country . I desire my fellow-country , men fully to exemplify the precepts and principles of
tf reemasonry before our European brethren , to show that we are not wanting in the essential qualifications of Masons , and prove ourselves also worthy of all the Masonio honours .
It may be as well to mention here that the doors of
Masonry were at one time closed against us , and our worthy Brother P . C . Dutt had to struggle for nine long years in order to get admittance into the Order . He followed the teaching of the Book— " Knock , and it will be
opened unto you . " He knocked , and knocked , and knocked persistently and determinedly , and the door was thrown open to him , and when he obtained admission he paved the way for other Hindu brethren to follow him . Now you
find him at the top of almost all the different degrees he has taken , and now that we have entered the porchway , we should try and climb the topmost rungs of the ladder . We should prove ourselves worthy of our position , and justify
by our deeds our high Masonic aspirations . I do not know all the arguments at first put forward by the brethren of the Order for denying ns admission . It was perhaps thought that we were not sufficiently advanced
m civilisation or education to participate in the mysteries which Masonry seeks to unfold . It -was perhaps not understood that pure Hinduism has nothing in it opposed to Masonic doctrines . No doubt
there existed then grave misapprehensions which happily have been long since removed , and the results of our admission have proved the wisdom of the step , indicating as it did , at the same time , our right and the right of every good man and true to admission into the ranks of
Freemasonry . ^ If England , with its political constitution , social institutions and religious establishments , failed within the space of nearly one hundred years to recognize native society
and raise its status on a par with that of England , it was undoubtedly a misfortune , but , brethren , England ' s mission has been fulfilled at last . The alumni of our educational institutions have proved beyond doubt that they are
capable of competing with the students of any English College or University in point of sagacity and acuteness or other qualifications which can distinguish a scholar . Having
thus established our fitness and aptitude for positions of trust and responsibility , it remains for us to prove by our efforts that we are not behindhand in point of civilisation and progress . The word civilisation is a relative
expression ; it is susceptible of various interpretations . Enlight
enment and progress from an English point of view may be somewhat different when looked at from a Hindu point of view ; and therefore it is that tho two races cannot always be expected to stand in this respect on the same
platform , and however strongly Masonry may advocate the abolition of all distinction of colour , caste and creed , and profess unity and fraternity , love and affection , still we may well ask ourselves whether in practice the results are
consistent with these professions and principles , and whether there is not even among Masons a trace of those prejudices so rife in the world outside of Masonry—of those obstacles which are there put to stand in the way of all
schemes of advancement and equalisation , and whether we work with all the energy and earnestness with which Masons should work in securing the solution of that great social problem—the real and cordial union of all races of
men on the continent of India . One word more on another point , and I have done . Ton are no doubt aware that there is now an impression abroad that Freemasonry is an association of men for mere conviviality , and that its chief object is eating and drinking ,
It is high time therefore that we should , by our acts and