|
 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 vile, as
divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to
forgive, and to love his fellowman.
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 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 ear in vain, and no hand seeks 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 mud, and into
the face of the most forlorn fellow mortal 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, and with his God; in
his hand a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a 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 to all the world.
by Reverend Joseph Fort
Newton,
Grand Chaplin
Grand Lodge of Iowa, 1911-1913
|
