The Master Stood and Looked at His Lodge

The Master stood and looked at his Lodge,
The same old few were there,
The ones he knew he could depend upon
The work of the Lodge to share.
But where are the many we've raised these years,
Who craved to be Masons true?
To whom we've given so much of our time
In degree work, guiding them through.
The Master stood and looked at his Lodge
And silently he thought:
Where have we failed that they're not here
In spite of the truth we taught?
Did they really want friendship and brotherly love
As they claimed when they knocked at our door?
Or did they just join, our symbol to wear,
And so won't come out any more?
The Master stood and looked at his Lodge
And said to the same old few:
"Come, Brothers, let's get them back-- Come,
we have work to do!
And they went to work on the stay-at-homes,
And their efforts began to tell;
Old faces and new came out again,
And attendance started to swell.
The Master stood and looked at his Lodge,
No longer worried and blue;
His sheep were back in the fold again,
Sharing in the work ...we all must do.

This poem was found in some old documents at Harmony Lodge No. 3, Marianna, Florida .

A TRUE MASON

“We shall pass this way but once” said the poet of old, and his words call this thought to mind: If we can show some kindness to one in need, or comfort a fellow human being, let us do it now, that he may have the opportunity of enjoying the roses that may be scattered in the pathway of his life. By so doing we will experience the happiness and satisfaction which proceed from deeds of kindness unselfishly performed. If we do this, we may indeed be worthy to wear the white lambskin apron and stand before the world as upright Masons.