Page 27 - Ashlar June - September 2024

N A L G R
I O
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue II
no 2 is the oldest chapter in the world. In earlier The upanishad says " The mind alone is the
years only Past masters in the craft could cause of man's bondage: the mind is also, the
become chapter members, Now MM are instrument of mans liberation"It is silence that
eligible to become chapter members. Now with can still the mind, it is silence that will awaken
the new rule unless you are a member in the the supreme with in you. In silence you can
side or higher degree you cannot occupy the meditate, in silence you can go near to GOD.
eastern chair in craft. Companions we are not This is the ultimate evolution HRA teaches. All
only brothers, but have a common pursuit as at once there was a GLOW and a melodious,
well. Like craft masonry, the origin of RA sweet voice said "I AM THAT I AM I am the
Masonry is also somewhat uncertain. However LORD whom you are seeking, the individual
the various texts referred indicates the year seeker merges with the Most High, the true and
1740 as the probable year. The HRA was living God most high
severed from the craft is probably to the Companions the three lesser lights, the three
advantage of the companions. The royal arch greater lights, the triple TOW, the key
begins where the craft ends. The craft is the stone,,the chapter approaching the Catenarian
foundation and super structure the Royal Arch arch, where the original sacred word is
is the cope stone. deposited-all these proves that chapter is the
The craft teaches duty to man, where as the true higher degree. when the secrets of our
chapter teaches duty to GOD. The craft ends master mason was lost and nearly after 500
with loss and substitutions, the Royal Arch the years they were regained-the humility and
gain and discovery. The craft ends with the docility are sure indications of the purity of heart
withdrawal of the word, the Royal Arch and rectitude of conduct must actuate all
consummates its providential remanifestation. companions at all times.
W Bro. WL. WILMSHURST says in his book Before i conclude I would like to quote from the
The Meaning of masonry -the higher degrees book called " PRAYER" written by Alexi carol
indeed illustrate truth of much interest and often the Nobel Prize Winner " More powerful than
set forth with impressive colourful ceremonial all the combined Nuclear & atomic energy the
beauty. The appreciation of which will be the world will ever put together is that-most
greater after and not before the meaning of the powerful originates from the Human spirit of
preliminary ones have been throughly prayer to GOD the ominipotent, omnicient 7
absorbed, while the pursuit of secrets worth the Omnipresent.
name. Finally companions let us make Chapter
The Royal Arch embraces the divinity are Sayahdri No strong and to last for hundreds of
Human affairs are interwoven through all the year.let us labour for the development of this
ceremonies. It Leads towards a greater chapter to provide salvation from generation to
knowledge and understanding of the nature generation.
and the glory of the almighty, it truly represents Once again thanking ME Comp.A.K.Sharma
the beginning and the end. In the craft we are ME the First Gr. Pr. for giving me this
concerned about our progress, of our body oppertunity, I thank all me beloved & respectful
mind and intellect. In HRA we go to higher companions for the patient hearing. Thank You.
frequency, a frequency that will transmit us to a
greater secret, a greater mystery a profound
understanding with realms of higher spirituality-
a higher level of existence, with only a singular
quest -the quest for the lost secret, between the
perishable & the imperishable -in short the
Quest for GOD. HRA goes through a process of
evolution, which can be collective or individual.

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