For long there has been a keen desire among several brethren in the Masonic District of Madras to bring together such of those Freemasons whose thoughts are not circumscribed by the mere physical aspects of their respective lodges and who are endowed with a natural spirit of inquiry into the more concealed significations of our rites, ceremonies, allegories and symbols, and their relationships, historical and otherwise, to the mysteries of preceding ages.
It is accepted that present day Freemasonry has evolved out of mediaeval builders’ guilds and journeymen's craft grades, and it is also generally believed that these guilds had, in remote antiquity, some interconnection with the various emblematical schools then existent. lt is only natural therefore, that there must have occurred some sort of ideological osmosis or mutual influence occasioned by their contacts and many of their principles, precepts and preachings are, part expressed and part implied in our own rites and mysteries.
Throughout the ages no religious doctrine or dogma was considered complete unless supplemented and supported by allegories and parables and illustrated by symbols, and these allegories were variously defined, and the same symbols differently interpreted, each to suit the intelligence of those to whom they were destined, and the most profound and the inmost hidden meanings were preserved exclusively for the elite and the adepts. This is clearly manifest and plainly perceived in our Masonic grades and hierarchy.
The Rites and Ceremonies as at present in practice amongst us have come down to us from days before the reach of human memory, and in many details bear close resemblance and relationships to the initiatory rites of the ancient Egyptians and Eleusian schools and the Druids, and are rich in spiritual and moral content. No doubt our rituals in their present form have acquired through the passage of time, many incongruous accretions, thanks to the prancing fancy of a few ill - advised, though otherwise zealous, members of the fraternity. Symbols and ceremonies are inter-dependent and it is not possible to tamper with one without offending the other. Added to this it would now-appear that Lodges, barring a few noble exceptions, have in the efflux of time, lost their raison d’etre, and are surviving purely for social reasons.
If we seek, as most of us do, only social enjoyment and mundane ambitions from Masonry, it will most certainly yield these in abundance, but on the other hand, if we enlarge the outlook and extend our search for things higher and nobler, of which Masonry is one of the great repositories, then the rewards are infinitely greater.

Greater emphasis on social aspects of the institution today, most unfortunately, has not in any manner diminished the profundity of the substance and value of esoteric Masonry.
Just over a century ago, to be precise, in the year 1873, the idea of organized masonic research occurred to Sir Charles Warren and Sir Walter Besant, resulting in the formation of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No.2076, in London, which may well be considered the world's premier lodge devoted entirely to Masonic research and studies. Subsequently, there have come up around the world several Masonic research institutions. Notable among these are Lodge of Research, Leicester, Manchester Association of Masonic Research, Donner Masonic Study Circle, and Lodge of Living Stones. The energies expended and efforts exerted by the numerous eminent Masonic literati who have been members of these and similar research institutions have vouchsafed to us a vast mass of Masonic literature, for a complete study of which a lifetime would not suffice.
Freemasonry entered the Indian sub-continent about two and a half centuries ago and this country has produced many brethren with deep insight into the mysteries of Freemasonry. But there has not been much effort towards organized and group studies, where the findings and conclusions of one student are subjected to the judgment and criticism of others which would enable the author’s thesis approach the truth as nearly as possible.
These are some of the thoughts that have prompted the brethren here to congregate and and constitute themselves into a regular Masonic research body under the name ACACIA-the Madras Masonic Study Circle, to make a joint endeavor to understand the true meanings of our several symbols, the import of various allegories and the rationale of many rites and ceremonies handed down to us over the generations.
In these efforts, we the members of ACACIA have kept in our hearts the important admonition given by the illustrious Masonic scholar, Rev. Archibald Sayce: “We must beware of discovering allegories and symbols where they do not exist; we must equally beware of overlooking them where they are actually to be found”.
Brethren, we have made a beginning this day, the day pious to the memory of St. John the Evangelist to whom our order is dedicated, and it is our earnest prayer to GAOTU to grant us a portion of His Divine wisdom, and while seeking light for ourselves may we also be enabled to spread the true light of Masonry through this institution till time with us shall be no more.
- W Bro. I.H.M Krishna Rav (December 27, 1978)