Table of Contents

One candidate enters by the door,

To circle 'round the mosaic floor.

Two Wardens pass to the oriental chair,

To escort the Master waiting there.

Three silent candles dispel the gloom,

And light the faces that line the room.

Four cardinal virtues are passed along,

To remind us all to keep our character strong.

And two million Masons are pledged forevermore,

To be Brothers to the one that entered by the door.

Many a Mason can turn a verse
And isn't that divine
For what is more important
Than leaving our message behind.
So come my brothers… put pen to page
And join the ranks of rhyme
For poetry lives on, though the poets be gone
To enlighten all future time.
Yes come my brothers… put pen to page
Share all the Craft should learn
And proudly know it's remembered
Because of verses you did turn.

Dec. 6, 1998

In lodge hall the brothers gather,
Now that supper's put away,
And there's a special reason,
They've assembled here today.

In the South, brother Junior Warden,
Is wearing his best gray,
So escort him to the East,
He going to work his first E.A.

The Master hands to him the gavel,
And says, "It's time to get under way,
Because there's a candidate in waiting,
Who's come to hear what you will say.

And I thought that I should tell you,
That your words can have great sway;
If you speak them from your heart,
Great dividends they'll pay.

For this man they make a brother,
Will a brother always stay,
And that's a special bond,
That none can take away.

So I wish to you good luck;
May your ritual never stray,
Till I join you in the East,
To welcome our newest E.A."

12/21/98

Last night my feet tread a well worn path
Around a checkered floor
And they traced a mystic circle
Where many had passed before.

Each step seemed to bring me closer
To an ever brightening light
Cast by some unseen resplendence
Beckoning those with yet dimmed sight.

And as I came within its aura
I knelt and shared a prayer
And vowed to be a brother
To all who gathered there.

Then quick as a clap of thunder
My vision it helped restore
And I gazed about in wonder
At all I heard and saw.

For as my eyes became accustomed
To Masonry's ever brightening light
I realized this great beacon of knowledge
Had bestowed on me new sight.

And I arose from my place of kneeling
Assisted by another's hand
Another I now saw to be a brother
Who before I saw just as a man.

And I came away with a different perspective
To a world bathed in ever brightening light
Grateful to my newfound brothers
For the gift I received last night.

For last night my feet tread a well worn path
Around a checkered floor
And today I am a Mason
And I'll be one forevermore.

Christmas day, 1998

It was his dream to become a Mason,
Though he wasn't sure quite why.
So he made an application,
Then waited months for a reply.

No committee came to pay a call,
To meet him and his wife,
No invitation to Mason's hall;
Nor offer of advice.

Finally a postcard in the mail,
Said, "come Monday night at six,
And bring us twenty dollars,
If you want to see our tricks."

He made that solitary journey,
And entered by the door,
But not one hand was offered,
As he slowly crossed the floor.

They fed him beans and hot dogs,
And a piece of apple pie,
Then lead him to a little room,
With no explanation why.

The work was done with care and skill,
No one could argue that.
But, the candidate was forgotten,
As they patted themselves on the back.

He came to the lodge hall two more times,
And was raised to the third degree.
That was the last time they saw him.
What could the trouble be?

They scratched their heads and wondered,
As again they cried and moaned,
"Our time has all been wasted!"
"We should have stayed at home."

It seems to me that they've missed the point,
But they need to understand.
It's not just how well you do the work,
It's how you treat the man.

Because you can only be a Mason,
When you're a Mason in your heart;
And along with his jacket seams,
They had burst his dream apart.

So, if you get an application,
Please, call on that man at once.
Invite him and his family,
To tour your hall and share some lunch.

Answer all his questions,
Let him share your pride.
A Mason's work, is honest work;
That's not a secret to hide.

And when it's time to present him,
With the gift of a degree,
Remember, genuine friendship is,
The true gift of masonry.

Pick him up and take him home.
Isn't he worth the trip?
No candidate should come alone.
Please, don't ignore this tip.

All should rush to greet him,
As he enters by your door.
Extend your hand in friendship,
That's what a Mason's grip is for.

And remember your obligation,
As you lead him to the gate.
It's up to you to guide him through,
Not to hurt or humiliate.

Now armed with proper instruction,
Masonry's door will open wide,
Thanks to you, his best example,
Of what a Mason should be inside.

And… thank him sincerely for coming.
Invite him back to his new home.
For a brother will not be a brother,
If he feels unwelcome and alone.

Oct. 21, 1995

Heavenly Father up above
Grace us with thy eternal love.
May we practice what we preach and pray
By living our Masonry everyday.
And bless this food to our earthly use
That we might serve thee without excuse.
For all the things we ask of thee
Thank you Father... So Mote It Be!

December 1998

Right Worshipful Alan R. Heath

Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine.