Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

I was initiated into Freemasonry by my father Wor. Bro. M. C. Cunnan. I was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. But during all these degrees I understood nothing. I was dazed and could neither follow the ritual nor understand what was told by he Brethren who gave me the several Charges. I was like a child who sees light but could not focus or record or understand what it is.

In the following year I was appointed and invested as one of the Stewards of the Lodge. This appointment gave me the opportunity to know the other brethren of the Lodge by name and move with them freely. In a meeting in that year Bro. Jr. Deacon was absent. Bro. D. of C asked me to act as Jr. Deacon of the Lodge. I had to tell him that I was not prepared for the post. He gave me the advice that as a Steward my job was not only at the festive board but also in the Lodge, that I should come prepared to serve in as many offices as possible, such that I will not fail in the confidence the Lodge had placed in me. This gave me very great encouragement. From that day I took to Freemasonry more seriously and religiously. For every meeting I used to go to the Lodge well prepared to be IG or Jn or Sr. Deacon. In many meetings I acted either as IG, JD or SD. I felt very happy when senior brethren congratulated me on my readiness. This was the first and best experience and the first lesson I learnt in Freemasonry, "Be Prepared". It taught me to give support to brethren in the Lodge when some officer was absent. From that date to this day I take every opportunity to be the Steward of a Lodge where you really serve the brethren and increase fellowship. In my opinion the Steward are "Blessed Brethren" who have all the opportunity to serve both in the temple and outside.

When I was appointed as J. D. and I conducted the candidates, the D of C trained me to move and conduct in straight lines and turn by correct squaring, keeping steps with the candidate. This regularly done, it has become a habit with me to move only in straight lines and walk erect. In this office I learnt the full significance of entering the temple for initiation, in the manner prescribed, poor and penniless and blind. This made me understand how we enter this world full of hazards and with nothing you can claim as your own at your birth into this world. Your mother accepted you with love and affection and brought you up. Similarly Freemasonry receives used and brings us up.

I was appointed Senior Deacon of the Lodge. I conducted the candidates in Passing and raising. They have seen the light of freemasonry to a certain extent. In this period I was given the opportunity to explain the working tools of I. Only when I was learning this portion of the ritual I began to understand the true meaning of masonry. In this passage we are advised how to utilise the 24 hours of the day to the best result. Even now whenever and wherever I see a 24" gauge I remember the symbolic application of it to our morals. The application of the common gavel (force of conscience ) is so aptly explained. I am sure no brother who has understood the lectures of freemasonry properly can act in a manner other than the correct. The chisel points out the advantages of education. This alludes to the rigid treatment you undergo in academic education and worldly experience, the result being, you get transformed from an ordinary rough irregular shaped stone to a perfect ashlar which alone can be useful in a sound and stable building i.e. 'Society'.

Only when I was a Deacon I could understand the meaning of the Charge after initiation. The importance of V.S.L. is explained. I feel that Freemasonry is the most practical and useful training a man can get, to become a fit member of society. It taught me to believe in God, do justice and be truthful. It teaches us that Secrecy, Fidelity and Obedience ware essentials of human existence and practical way of life.

When I was explaining the Tracing Board I felt that our Lodge is a world which is unique with all the good qualities necessary for a perfect existence. I felt that if we practice in the outside world the morals that are taught in the Temple every mason will be a strong pillar of support to the society in general.

The Second degree working tools explain the importance of morality, equality, justness and uprightness of our life and actions. Many times when I was alone I used to recite the passages of working tools and tracing board of the II degree and think over it. It made me repent for my irregularities in my past and gave me the moral strength to assure myself not to do it in the future. Above all things Freemasonry has taught me patience for, until after about three or four years of my initiation I could not get the meaning of Freemasonry. Only when I was given the opportunity to study the precious addresses to the candidates that the true into my mind.

In the Third the passage are of very high philosophy dealing with morality and teaches us not to fear for it is inevitable, and to face it with courage, and also informs us that our actions in this world are always recorded by the Almighty God. We may escape punishment in this world for our misdeeds but we are not spared in the Grand Lodge above. In this sense I could say that Freemasonry explains the essence of all religions in a very concise palatable and easily understandable way provided we have the ear to hear the eye to see, the heart to understand, the mind to record and the hand to execute.

When the Lodge is closed we meet on the level. This is not a farce. To a great extent, a majority of Masons follow this. It needs courage to meet others on the level because of one's personal position in the outer world and worldly possessions. But a true mason must practice this virtue without hesitation or regret.

In Freemasonry many moral virtues are mentioned for us to practice. Faith, hope, charity, temperance, fortitude, prudence, justice, virtue, honour and mercy. A true mason must have faith in masonry and endeavour to build his morality with a charitable mind. He should practice temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice. All these virtues will bring Honour and God's mercy will be showered on a Freemason when he proves himself a true Freemason.

Freemasonry to me is a great science and religion which cannot be practiced all at a time ; nor can it change one into a perfect Freemason overnight. Hence we have many regular steps in the rituals which inform us that perfection could be reached only step by step when continuously pursued. Masonry teachers us that keen observation and regular practice alone helps one to achieve perfection. In the short period of my masonic career these are the few points I could learn and remember to express.