Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

Very often a question is asked, what is Freemasonry and why is it shrouded in a veil of mystery or secrecy? What is the Secret about it? Sometimes misunderstandings arise and Non-Masons, get suspicious about us. Governments are not unknown, who have gone to the length of banning this Organisation and confiscating its properly. Our lodges carry the nickname of "JADU GHAR" of "BHOOT GHAR". Even some masons themselves have been found to be unable to give satisfactory explanation of this peculiarity of our institution. In this article, my attempt is to explain Masonry and the "Secrecy" about it and the reason for it, as I understand it.

To begin with it is necessary to understand what Freemasonry is? The very word "Freemasonry" brings to one's mind, the ideas of a 'structure' of "building". From the very day of birth, Man is engaged in building his habits, his character, his personality, his outlook on life. Everyday we get opportunities to do things which will make us better individuals. We can and do neglect these opportunities. But there are other opportunities which are not so neglected Every such opportunity that is grasped, enables us to prepare figuratively a stone, which we lay on the superstructure of our character which we are constantly building. There can be bad stones, which make the superstructure look ugly. But there can be prepared good looking and polished stones which make the building shine and attractive.

Our institution lends us helping hand to prepare many such stones of superb craftsmanship. Each and every such stone represents figuratively one or the other excellence of character to which our attention is drawn inside the temple in a peculiar manner. The institution thus aims at building man's personality his character and developing in the brethren an outlook on life which may enable them to be regarded, trustworthy, useful and adorable ornaments is Society.

God fearing, as we are the opening of the V of S.Ls and placing there before the Worshipful Master at the head of our assemblies, when the business of the lodge is in progress is thus, as invocation to the Almighty, b looking up to Him for support and comfort in our meetings. The repetitively recitation of our rituals, whenever we meet, like the daily recitation of the holy mantras, which is recognised method of assimilating their true meaning to howsoever little or more extent it may be, is again intended to instill in our minds a sense of morality, social virtue and good behaviour, the practice of which is enjoined in the tenets of our craft Strict observance of our Constitution and prompt attention to signs and summonses and a correct demeanour in the lodge will teach us Fidelity and discipline. A ready acquiescence to all resolutions duly passed by a majority of the brethren and a submission to the W. M. and the Wardens while acting in the discharge of their respective duties, inculcates obedience. The solemnity of our ceremonies develops a serious deportment. We are taught to render to our fellow beings all Co-operation and assistance in all their lawful undertakings; and to do to others, as in similar circumstances, we would wish they should do to us. The very idea of brotherhood tends to engender courtesy and affability to equals Brotherly love, relief and truth are the main foundation stones on which our institution rests. Prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice, and above all benevolence and charity are the true masonic ornaments. Freemasonry, thus, is not a mere social institution or a club it is ments. Freemasonry, thus, is not a mere social institution or a club. It is a way of life. The institution aims at developing the correct personality of the brethren.

In our attempt to keep the above ideals always in mind, we adopt the method of reciting them through various addresses, and observing a correct behaviour in assemblies, so that the brethren can develop a moral and virtuous outlook and thereby conform to and put to practice the aforesaid principles and become useful members of society.

"Security" also is regarded by us another good trait of human character. It does not mean that ours is a secret society. This is clear enough from the very location of our temples in prominent places. We prominently display our sign boards showing the building as "Masonic Lodge" or "Masonic Temple". We do not hide our existence as a secret society would do. The various traits of human character that we are trying to inculcate are universal in nature. There can be nothing secret about them. But the capacity to keep a secret and to make this a habit is another thing and is recognised by us to be one of the good points of human behaviour. Whenever a brother's secret is conveyed to us in confidence, we should be able to keep it to ourselves. This habit of maintaining a secret is intended to be developed by a strict adherence to our obligation of keeping masonic activities in the temple a secret. Thus we aim in this manner to develop amongst the brethren the habit of preserving as secret, confidential matters that may be entrusted to their care, and avoiding an unnecessary communicative nature of futile rumour mongering and gossiping. This also helps to avoid all unnecessary controversies and uncalled for criticism from those who may not agree with our methods.

These are out peculiar means by which we try to build certain habits and an outlook on life which is intended to make us better men. And the trait of 'Secrecy' considered by us to be one of the important traits of human character, is likewise aimed to be inculcated by the peculiar method of inviolable adherence to our obligation of not disclosing whatever we learn or do inside our temple.

Such appears to me, to be the basis idea, which underlies our activities both inside and outside the temple.