Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 11:40:41 -0700 (PDT)
>From: rlaflame@earthlink.net
>Reply-To: rlaflame@earthlink.net
>To: freemasonry-list@masonic.org
>Subject: A thought
>CC: oes@insync.net
>
>I have been watching a couple of threads on what is happening to and going
>on with-in our Gentle Craft, and it put me in mind of the following:
>
>"THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND"
>
>‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
>Thought it scarcely worth his while
>To waste much time on the old violin,
>But held it up with a smile.
>
>"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
>"Who’ll start the bidding for me?"
>"A dollar, a dollar," then , two! Only two?
>Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
>"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice,
>Going for three…"But no,
>From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
>Came forward and picked up the bow;
>Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
>And tightening the loose strings,
>He played a melody pure and sweet
>As a caroling angel sings.
>
>The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
>With a voice that was quiet and low,
>Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
>And he held it up with the bow.
>"A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it three?
>Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
>And going and gone," said he.
>
>The people cheered, but some of them cried,
>"We do not quite understand
>What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
>"The touch of a master’s hand."
>
>And many a man with life out of tune,
>And battered and scarred with sin,
>Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
>Much like the old violin.
>A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine;
>A game – and he travels on.
>He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
>He’s "going" and almost "gone."
>But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
>Never can quite understand
>The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought
>By the touch of the Master’s hand.
>
>(by: Myra B. Welch)
>
>My Brothers & Sisters: Is this the way of our craft? >
>
>S&F
>
>Rev. Richard F. La Flame, W.M.
>Grizzly Lodge # 601 F. & A. M. - Portola, California
>Worthy Patron - Mt. View Chapter # 552 O.E.S. - Janesville, California
>
>Living in Sparks, Nevada