Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

Rededication ceremony in a Lodge is a fortunate event of the Lodge concerned. Dedication implies sincere and attentive devotion or offering oneself to a particular matter or pursuit quite loyally. Ordinarily Rededication Ceremony is held by the members after the completion of a long period of existence of the Lodge, say 25 years, 50 years, 60 years, 100 years and so on. Rededication clearly points out to two salient features. First the Lodge has been successful in its working and efforts and secondly, the fruits of the labour of the Lodge members must be increased in quantity and quality. Thus the members get confidence for past works on the one hand and on the other, they become determined to devote themselves more actively in the masonic works.

Freemasonry is a natural institution grown out of normal and naive instinct and requirement of a class of human beings for self preservation, cultural and moral improvement and social wellbeing. Generally Freemasonry rests mainly on three principles viz. Brotherly love, Relief and Truth. it is moral institution or society no doubt but it is above all religions. Freemasonry values all virtues common to all the religions of the world and as such men of different religions will not reasonably find any ground to raise any objection to freemasonry, Of course, the first condition for getting membership is that the candidate must believe in God, the Almighty and Most High.

Characteristic virtues of Freemasonry are not only common to all other religions but we also find traces of procedures followed in different religions and sects as also several marks, geometrical or otherwise, appearing in different religious practices. There is the practice in Bengal among the Hindus that at the time of "Diksha', that is, initiation, the disciple is blindfolded in a closed room where there will be none but the "Guru", the preceptor. Guru will communicate the 'Beej Mantra' of the deity in a whisper and will warn the disciple that the Mantra shall not be communicated to any one else. Naturally the disciple agrees and other procedure is gone into. Similarly in Pujas and religious ceremonies of the Hindus, Swastika marks, marks of triangle, double triangle, square, figures having eight right angles, cross and several other signs are displayed. In ancient times knocks were given on the door in Egypt while secret congregation was held in some particular sect to indicate the approach of a foe or a friend. In our masonic temple we give knocks while the Lodge is in session. We cannot say that all these things in religious practices have been taken by way of imitation or borrowing. I have no doubt that these similarities are purely accidental and independent due to common and natural thinking and instinct of different people at different places in different times.

We should always remember that mere parrot like memorising of the rituals does not make a member of the Lodge a very good Freemason. The distinguishing feature of a Freemason is his broad and large heart. Brotherly love, Relief and Truth are the words of motto of Freemasonry. Connected with them are Justice, Sympathy, Charity, Humility, Discipline and many other virtues advocated by Freemasonry. Activities of a Freemason shall not be restricted within the Lodge or among Freemasons but they should go out to the society at large. We should extend our helping hand to our neighbours and all those who are needy and helpless. We should do social work. We must act and behave with dignity and in such a way that the people of the world may know that Freemasonry is an institution which anybody may boast of and take shelter in the company of Freemasons in case of distress and sorrow for getting comfort and solace and peace.

In order to achieve that real masonic purpose, the Lodge must be carefully masoned. Before admission candidates for membership must be very carefully chosen. It has got to be seen whether the candidate has masonic temperament. There is generally a tendency to increase the number of members without examination of the candidate about his fitness. This is very dangerous. Sometimes undesirable members put the Lodge in jeopardy. Masonic spirit must be instilled into the mind of the members. Discipline must be strictly adhered to and masonic manners and courtesy must be followed both in the Lodge room and at the festive board. Freemason should act silently without blowing his own trumpet, no matter whether he gets any reward or honour.

Senior members of the Lodge have special responsibility. Officers of the Lodge and the members with high masonic honours should mix with the junior members very freely so that all the members may feel that they are on the level.

I want to mention one important matter. Generally female members of our family take little interest in Freemasonry and mostly they plead ignorance about the nature of Freemasonry. Sometimes a wife of a Freemason may not like that her husband goes to attend Lodges. The best thing would be to create interest in the wife about the institution. For this purpose one thing can be done. At least once a year 'Ladies Night' should be held while the members attend the Lodge meeting in the Temple, wives of the brethren will have their own meeting and at the festive board, they will join the members of the Lodge. Before the meeting or after, the ladies, if they so desire, can see for themselves the place of meeting, I mean the Temple, to satisfy their curiosity and ultimately they will know that the activities of Freemasonry are laudable.

Gorakhpur Lodge has reached the 25th year of its existence. The Lodge is having its Silver Jubilee Celebration. It was consecrated in Varanasi in the year 1963. Then it has been shifted to the present site. At the instance of lucky 13 founder members this Lodge was brought into existence. Of them only six members are on the existing roll. They are R.W. Bro Paresh Dutta, W. Bro. G. S. Sukla, Ch. Ram Lakhan Chandra, Dr. G. P. Srivastava, B. M. Sahai, and Dr. S. P. Agrawal. It is a great pleasure to note that six founder brethren are taking active interest in the Lodge affairs. Founder Master of the Lodge W. Bro. B.M. Sahai is now occupying the Eastern Chair in this year of Silver Jubilee. Time has come when young masons should take over the reins of Government of the Lodge with redoubled energy. Gorakhpur Lodge has well stood the test of time. It has so many experienced and efficient members including the founders to guide its activities and to attract the people of the region for its beneficial effect.

May the Most High God bless the brethren of this Lodge on this day of Rededication to continue their mission for ever and ever and never to stop in the masonic path of Virtue and Truth.