Lodge Burroughs Strange No. 87
Vijayawada, India

The idea of this essay came out of a discussion Mrs. Krishnasami and I had about one of the fundamental laws in Physics: Action and reaction are equal and opposite.

We arrived at a conclusion that the ultimate cause should be energy or power or some force whose laws are unchanging and are consistent not only on this earth but also throughout the universe and which has orderliness, beauty and majesty.

Then the question arose as to whether there is any place in such a wonderful nature of things or creation for a person behind it or as the author of it, or was it all mere mute force accidentally getting formulated into immutable and wonderful laws.

This thought led to the reasoning that as man was at the peak as the crown of creation and as he held dear a most precious attribute called personality, which has also the property of individuality, the originator, or the author or the creator or the one who was responsible for nature and man's coming into being must also have a personality with a distinct individuality, for nothing can come out of nothing. And not only that but also that person should be perfect in all his parts, in all his aspect for nothing less than the best can apply to such a person.

Also that person should in the nature of things be the summum bonum or the ideal of all that is best, perfect, just, holy and loving besides being endowed with Truth, Goodness and Beauty. For these are the ideals of civilized man and each of which he aims to achieve.

In such a short space we seem to have traversed vast grounds of thought without realising it. We had been led to think of a Great Architect of the Universe who had planned the laws by which the whole nature is governed and a Grand Geometrician of the Universe who has laid schemes and drawn designs and is carrying them out. We have also had a glimpse of the Most High as a Person with an individuality. What connection can all this have with the Grand principles on which Freemasonry is founded, viz, Brotherly Love, Relief and truth?

When we say Brotherly Love it presumes that we believe that we are all children of one father, God. The best definition of Brotherly Love that comes to my mind is from St. John the Apostle, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ, who said: "He who says that he is in the light, and has hate in his heart for his brother, is still in the dark. He who has love for his brother is in the light, and there is no cause of error in him." (1 John 2:9-10)

"No man has ever seen God: if we have love for one another, God is in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:12)

Having come in our thoughts when dealing with Brotherly Love, to God dealing with Brotherly Love, to God Himself, I do not think that I should say any more about it.

But what about Relief?

Regarding this also certain verses from the Volume of the Sacred Law come to my mind: St. James writes in his Epistle as follows:-

"If a brother or a sister is without clothing and in need of food, And one of you says to there, Go in peace, be warm and full of food; but you do not give them the things of which their bodies have need, what profit is there in this?" (James 2:15-16)

Also in 1 John, it is said: "But if a man has this world's goods, and sees that his brother is in need, and keeps his heart shut against his brother, how is it possible for the love of God to be in him?" (1 John 3:17)

Thus in essence Relief boils down to this, that we share what we have got with those who do not have but need them so that there is fellow-feeling and cheer and contentment all around. Happy have we met; happy have we been!

And now we come to the chief Cornerstone of the three grand principles of Freemasonry: Truth.

What is Truth? Truth is a fact; Truth is one which is everlasting; Truth does not change: Truth is at all times; Truth is at all places; Truth is everywhere at one and the same time; Truth is at all places; Truth is everywhere at one and the same time; Truth is true not only on this earth but throughout nature and creation; truth is apprehended by all irrespective of the clime or colour or creed or race to which one belongs but even by those which are in an animate and inanimate states. While others are transitory and pass away, Truth stays everlasting and unchanging, the Alpha and Omega of the universe and of all creation and indeed the source of all life and of our very existence.

Various religions have various ways of expressing this. In the Hindu religion the Ultimate is called "Sat Chit Ananda." At another time and on another occasion perhaps we can discuss the second two aspects of Godhood as mentioned above but on this occasion let me concern myself only with emphasising the first part of this three-fold nature of the Creator viz., "Sat": Truth. He alone is Truth.

As one of the grand principles of Freemasonry is Truth it means that each one of us who are freemasons, in our daily advancement of Masonic knowledge, should also seek to know more about Truth. We should strain our efforts to achieve this, the chiefest of the grand principles of Masonry, which when successful lead us to the very throne of the Almighty and if found in favour to reach the feet of the Most High Himself.

Freemasonry does not claim to be a religion. Yet, viewed in the manner in which it is dealt with in this easy, in its very base is the grandest principle of all religions, viz., Truth. The daily advancement in Masonic knowledge which a Mason is presumed to make means that all his actions and thoughts must be so shaped and directed as to the ultimate discovery of Truth.

What is Truth? asked Pilate of Jesus Christ; but before he could receive an answer he went out in a hurry anxious to proclaim the innocence of Jesus to the clamoring crowd outside. The spirit and the circumstances in which the question was asked was poignant indeed.

And yet the very person to whom the question was put had said: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice" (John 18:37)

He had also said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)

These are very weighty words and I must close this short essay with those words.