When is a man a Mason?
When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the
far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness
in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope
and courage--which is the root of every virtue. When he
knows that down in his heart every man is as noble as
himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his
fellowmen.
When he knows how
to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even in
their sins--knowing that each man fights a hard fight
against many odds. When he has learned how to make
friends and to keep them, and above all how to keep
friends with himself. When he loves flowers, can hunt
the birds without a gun, and feels the thrill of an old
forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child.
When he can be
happy and high minded amid the meaner drudgeries of
life. When star-crowned trees, and the glint of sunlight
on flowing waters, subdue him like the thought of one
much loved and long dead. When no voice of distress
reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid
without response. When he finds good in every faith that
helps any man to lay hold of divine things and sees
majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that
faith may be.
When he can look
into a wayside puddle and see something beyond sin. When
he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope. When he
has kept faith with himself, with his fellowman, with
his God; in his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a
bit of song--glad to live, but not afraid to die! Such a
man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the
one which it is trying to give all the world.
----Joseph Fort Newton---
Worshipful Master
Senior Warden
Junior Warden
Treasure
Secretary
Senior Deacon
Senior Steward
Junior Steward
Tyler
