The Clarion Call of Freemasonry

By W.Bro. P. R. SUBRAMANIAN, P.G.Tyier, P.R.G.I.G.

The advent of Freemasonry on the soil of the land of the ancient Rishis of India augurs well for the future of our country and the world at large. It may well prove to be the beacon light to revive our ancient learning and culture that brought to ancient India, its name and fame from all over the world. The power generated then it is still with us and visible in many forms though we forgot our heritage and turned to the west for a better and happier life. All is not lost. It still runs through the veins of our youths who caught with the spirit of the Age, flock to Freemasonry. They have only to approach Freemasonry in the right way and with the right spirit to give expression to this power that is already within and working in them. It is the same power that actuates our Swamijis to go out of the country to preach our philosophy and teach our ancient wisdom and sow the seeds of Joy. Even today many from all over the globe seek refuge in our philosophy and find solace and peace within. Some do come to enjoy the austerity and hospitality forgetting the many luxuries they enjoy at home just to find Peace within. While the missionaries of the west with a philosophy wedded to the material prosperity of man unsuccesfully labour to build and give strength to the forces of the good, our Swamijis are laying the foundations to create a world of Joy and Progress.
We look to Freemasonry as an instrument of Power to radiate Peace and Prosperity in a world fraught with distrust, dishonesty and dissensions, threatening us with a nuclear war that could put an end to all lives and creation. Freemasonry can help only those who take to it with Faith in its teachings and are willing to follow them in actual life Freemasonry is not a club or an association for recreation or even to diffuse humanitarian services like the many that have sprung up in the world in the name of welfare of mankind" Not is it an organisation that teaches man to attain Wisdom, Strength and Beauty through the united aid of the Fraternity. Wisdom lies in the realisation of the Values of life that Freemasonry enables us to acquire through practices and in it lies Strength and Beauty.
The world can progress only when the individuals in it are happy and thriving. The recorded history of the world is the story of man struggling to lead a peaceful and happy life. it is a sordid tale of Hope, Fear and Frustration through intolerance and lust for power to dominate and an ignorance of life and its ambitions. History repeats itself. But man fails to learn its lessons.
Two thousand years ago, in the beginning of the rise of Christianity, man was caught with a hope that spread like wild fire throughout the length and breadth of the then known world, only to find himself caught with a fear from a kind of hierarchy that, in the name of a God of Love, preached crusades, ruined civilizations and created suffering and misery untold. But this was not all. Political authority needs for sustenance liberal doses of palliative like the enforcement of miserable conditions as a necessary virtue and a firm handling of rebellion against social inequities with fire and sword for they are labelled as mortal sins. Man's hopes were thus shattered beyond expression.
But still, the beginning of the 19th century gave rise to a new kind of hope evolved by the economists and politicians of the day. Liberty, Equality adn Fraternity became a slogan that gave hope to many, for, it assured freedom from the fetters of a tyrannous hierarchy and permitted the freedom of life to work, earn, possess and enjoy life decently Additionally man himself was to rule by himself through his chosen representatives whose actions would be guided and controlled by the Fundamental Rights of Man. Every governing authority gave its solemn assurance by engraving the fundamental rights of man in its constitution. Man, surcharged with hope, survived. Progress in the sciences and material prosperity was rapid and extensive and it continues to be so even today. But as man entered the 20th century he soon found that without unity and right conduct between man and man and right relationship between nations and nations, the scope for peace in the world is remote. Again man finds his hope tottering.
Is man then condemned to perpetual slavery and misery leading to his downfall and destruction ? No, says Freemasonry. When he realises his faults and mistakes and takes to the right paths of life, all his problems vanish into thin air. The recorded history shows how man with lust, fear, hate, envy, dishonesty, falsehood never prospers These are his own faults within that he can overcome by cultivating Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. In fact, these are they very ideals he is seeking in life. He seeks it through establishing relationship in his family circle, in his business circle and in the many fields of life to which his aptitudes and attitudes direct him. He wants Love that is pure and un-adulterated. Love in its abstract sense is a potent antidote that destroys hate, fear, envy, lust, anger, frustration, pride and the many kinds of anxieties and worries which man is a victim. It is only Love can create tolerance and harmony within, man of love sees the hand of God in every kind of adverse situation, so much so, that never experiences the chilling hand of fear.
Relief is Charity in its larger sense. It compassion which is not to be measured terms of material benefits rendered. It lies the kind of solace given to the burdened hears and distressed souls. To give a patient hearing or a cheery smile is giving tons of gold the sick and distressed, The truth of this statement has to be experienced and realised through practices that Freemasonry enjoins us to do 'Knowing by Doing' is the best kind of education.
Truth is a word that we commonly seems understand as opposed to falsehood. But sage say that it is something exprienced within and related to the realities of life in general. What ever it is, one thing must be apparent to all. To be true to oneself is a virtue. A Mason cut be true to himself only when he faithfully for lows the principles and tenets of Freemasonry in his thoughts, words and deeds. It is a power that defies death even. Socrates living in Truth defied death for death had no torrors for him. In fact he elecated death to a higher and noble state of life and walked into it with storm courage.
With these there virtues alone in life man acquires power to do good to the world and to himself. There are other kinds of excellence taught by Freemasonry to help a man lead respectable life, be useful to mankind and an ornament to the society to which he belong. Many are its great and invaluable privileges fased on the scientific of life. The way to right thinking and right action, to enjoy life and radiate peace to a troubled world lies to nursing and cultivating Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. S.M.I.B.