Lodge Good Fellowship, City Diary - Communities - Kolkata Mirror,Kolkata Mirror

By Ambarish Singh Roy

Posted On Friday, December 07, 2007 at 02:51:44 PM

History and evolution

Freemasonry is a term that conjures images of secret societies veiled in secrecy to the layman. However, nothing could be further from the truth, at least since the early 20^th Century. Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest fraternal organisations. The lessons Freemasonry teaches in its ceremonies are to do with moral values. A Freemason is basically encouraged to do his duty to his God, his family and those who depend on him. He is encouraged to help his community through charity and service. None of these ideas are exclusive to Freemasonry, but are universally acceptable and Freemasons are expected to follow them.

The term Freemasonry traces its origins to the legendary King Solomon was used to refer to the very talented Stone/wood/metal/fabric artisans and craftsmen who created King Solomon's Temple. King Solomon was so impressed with their labours that he hailed them as “ Wonderful masons " and then created them " freemen" to practice their crafts wherever their work would take them and not bound to anyone as say " bonded labour ". Thus was created ' Freemasonry ‘, but till around the 17th century was mainly restricted to operative masons, that is, men (only) who were actually skilled workers. However, the modern form of Freemasonry evolved in the British Isles (Scotland, England and Wales) in the 17^th Century, culminating into the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1717. There are approximately six million Freemasons today in all corners of the known world who contribute approximately $ two million towards charitable causes every day.

Indian roots

Although, there are reports of unrecognised Lodges meeting in and about Chennai in the mid-1600’s, the honour of officially receiving Freemasonry in India goes to Kolkata which has records of Masonic meetings being held as early as 1728. Apart from Kings and Noblemen, which even include contemporary figures like Madhav Rao Scindia, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and civil aviation minister Prafful Patel, many eminent Indians like W C Bonnerjee, Swami Vivekananda, President Dr Rajendra Prasad, President Dr S Radhakrishnan, Deshbandhu C R Das, Sir Rashbehari Ghose have been Freemasons. A peek into history books would reveal that early Freemasons in Kolkata were instrumental in laying the foundation of this great city and of many of it’s superb monuments and edifices.

Lodge Good Fellowship

Lodge Good Fellowship, one of the most dynamic Freemasons’ Lodges in Kolkata, was founded in the year 1908 (Under the

United Grand Lodge of England and later joined the Grand Lodge of India) by the united effort of a group of eminent citizens of Calcutta, holding high Masonic ranks who created Calcutta Club, and for necessarily the same reason, that is, to provide a common meeting Ground for Freemason's off all races. The Lodge adopted as its motto – Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.The list of founder members of this Lodge contains names of several luminaries of that day and age like - Nripendra Narayan Bhup (H H The Maharajah of Cooch Behar, G C I E), The Hon Sir Andrew Henderson Leith Fraser, K C S I (Governor of Bengal), Priya Nath Ghosh, The Ven'ble William Arthur Grant Luckman (Archdeacon of Calcutta), Sir William Arthur Dring, Rustomjee Dhunjeebhoy Mehta, C I E , The Hon'ble Sir Charles George Hillersden Allen, Kt., Satyendra Prasanna Sinha (Lord Sinha of Raipur), Sir D'Arcy Lindsay, Sir Rajendra Nath Mookerjee, K C I E , K C V O. , George Huddleston, C I E, I C S, Rai Bahadur Lalit Mohun Singh Roy, C I E, JP, Raj Chandra Chunder amongst others.

Activities

Lodge Good Fellowship, as it exists today has a lively atmosphere, a growing line of eminent personages and dedicated Masons, enthused by the elixir of Brotherly Love. Lodge Good Fellowship, as it exists today

has a lively atmosphere, a growing line of eminent personages and dedicated Masons, enthused by the elixir of Brotherly Love. The Lodge regularly undertakes Charity Projects and has been especially involved in providing much needed relief and succor to the victims of Tsunami in Southern India by adopting a village near Chennai, in association with the members of Lodge Millennium. The Lodge sponsors a mobile medical unit in Nabadwip Town, Nadia district. The Lodge also supports a Masonic Poly Clinic run for the general public within Freemasons’ Hall, Kolkata.

Recently, on 19^th November, 2007 Rt. Hon. Spencer Douglas David Compton, 7th Marquess of Northampton, who is also the Pro-Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, visited Freemason’ Hall, Kolkata to inaugurate a new banquet hall. He was received by the District Grand Master of Bengal R.W. Bro. Iqbal Ahmed and a selective delegation from the Freemasons in Kolkata, including Right Worshipful Brother Sisir Kr Ghosh, the Regional Grand Master – Designate of the Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India.

How to become a member

Any male, who is over 21-years-old and believes in God, is not bonded to anyone, and can pay the joining fees, is eligible provided he has some one to propose and to second him. He cannot apply as such, and the Lodge does not solicit any membership fee.

Contact

The Lodge has a very informative website at www.goodfellowship.8m.com which has received many accolades internationally including the Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry – Educational Masonic Site Award, 2005 and the George Washington Past Master’s Award, 2007. The Lodge meets on the second Wednesday of every month at Freemasons’ Hall, 19 Park Street, Kolkata.