Page 15 - Ashlar October - December 2024

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue III
Significance of Fellowship in Freemasonry
Brethren bonding through breaking bread together
by W.Bro. Ujjwal Dey

If you have been a regular Freemason, irrespective of whether you hold an office or
attending to your Lodge’s activities when so not. When the lodge meeting has ended, all
Summoned, then you are aware of the brethren meet on the level and have an
fellowship that follows the end of labours at opportunity to refresh themselves to celebrate
evening of the meeting. Many regular the successful participation in temple rituals. It
Freemasons may also note irregular is at such leisure that your fellows can truly
attendance at this dinner table. In large cities, form a fellowship—i.e. a brotherhood.
t h e l i f e s t y l e i n v o l v e s t o o m a n y The literal definition of the word “fellowship” is
responsibilities. Apologies turn into excuses “a feeling of friendship between people who
and often, we never realize that the only thing share an interest”. Thus, in a fraternity of
some may know about Freemasonry is a Freemasons, sharing will lead to caring.
bunch of keywords and its related gestures. What does the various points of fellowship in
However, forget not that your responsibility your promise as a Master Mason ultimately
also lies with your Lodge. It does not end at require? They demand unique human
entering the Temple and mechanical efforts capacity for empathy, compassion,
during rituals. Do you recall your obligations understanding, to be demonstrated through
as a Master Mason? action. These are not forthcoming if you
All Master Masons have promised to solemnly depart as soon as the Lodge closes. In all
engage in maintaining and upholding various cultures across the continents, we see
points of fellowship in both acts and words. festivities bringing people together and their
These were elaborated in the entrustment celebration remains incomplete if they are not
given unto you. Yet, there is more to these in company of family and friends during these
than made obvious to you. special days of the year.
I hope to illustrate that to honour the promise Similarly, a Masonic year has special
of the points of fellowship, one needs to days—the days of regular meetings of your
cultivate brotherly temperament, and the Lodge and even other annual meeting/s of the
festive board is definitely a cordial setting to Region/s and Grand Lodge of India.Your
generate bonhomie and fraternal feelings. attendance at these assures your progress in
Without knowing, understanding and Masonry and presence at the fellowship
accepting your fellow brethren, to be able to assures your progress in the Fraternity. One
supportthem would require you to have the without the other is as if a flower without its
disposition of a saint. How would you ever aroma, a fruit without its flavour and a tree
readily greet the fellow brother, or support his without its roots.
endeavours, or recall his needs, know his Fellowship is the demonstration that you are
heart’s feelings or his mind’s concepts, or truly a Master Mason!
vouch for him to a fellow brother or any Only by being at such a common refreshment
layman? table will you get to know the fellow brethren
Alas, the only way to know a fellow traveller on and start to feel as a brother feels toward his
this path is by being with him at rest as during siblings. Such is the scope and need of the act
labour. Your road does not start and end by of breaking bread together, so as to never be
simply being at your seat at the temple. Such at want of assistance, guidance, solace or
a journey alienates you from your company. At festive banquet, brethren can
brotherhood. At the temple, you are an worry not about their ranks and roles at the
important participant of the Lodge, Lodge and instead converse freely to know

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