Brethren,
In our 20th District, we recently had 4 Master Mason degrees in as any weeks. With all those newly raised brethren, I found this poem very fitting:
LAST NIGHT I KNELT WHERE HIRAM KNELT
Last night I knelt where Hiram knelt and took
an obligation. Today I am closer to God and I
am a Master Mason. Tho’ heretofore my fellow
men seemed each one like the other, today I
search each one apart; I am looking for my
Brother. And as I feel his friendly grip it fills
my heart with pride, I know that while I am on
the square that he is on my side, his footsteps
on my errand go if I should require, his prayers
will plead on my behalf if I should desire. My
words are safe within his breast as though my
own, his hand forever at my back to help me
safely home. Good council whispers in my ear
and warns me of any danger, by square and
compass Brother now who calls me stranger.
I might have have lived a moral life and risen
to distinctions without my brothers helping
hands and fellow Masons, but God who knows
how hard it is to resist life’s temptations knows
why I knelt where Hiram knelt and took the
Obligation.
Brethren, with the holidays approaching, I would ask everyone to consider helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Mariners Lodge is continuing our food drive to support the Barnegat Food Pantry, as well as our yearly toy drive.
Fraternally,
Gregory J. Stevens, WM 2016