{"id":2570,"date":"2016-01-09T10:54:49","date_gmt":"2016-01-09T18:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theeduca.mywhc.ca\/?p=2570"},"modified":"2016-01-09T10:54:49","modified_gmt":"2016-01-09T18:54:49","slug":"take-my-hand-and-follow-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ashlarcollege.ca\/ashlar-archived\/take-my-hand-and-follow-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Take my Hand and Follow me."},"content":{"rendered":"

Take My Hand; Follow Me<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe secrets of Masonry I wanted to know.
\nOf a Mason I asked what those secrets might be.
\nHe replied, “First we talk, then we will see.”
\nA petition he granted and ordered it filled
\nTo be read at a meeting and a judgment be willed.
\nThen questions I answered about God and home;
\nOf habits and friends; a wife or alone.
\nIn time I was summoned, a date to appear
\nBefore an assembly of men gathered near.<\/p>\n

I entered the building and looked up the stair;
\nDoes pleasure or pain await me up there?
\nA hazing by paddle; a taunting by joke?
\nMy petition granted, or maybe revoked.
\nIntroductions or handshakes greeted me there
\nAnd lessons symbolic, an aid to prepare
\nFor a journey in darkness, a pre-destined plight
\nTo a Holy of Holies, the source of all Light.
\nHow well I remember what I heard someone say:
\n“To enter God’s Kingdom there is but one way.
\nBe ye naked and blind; penniless and poor.
\nThis you must suffer ‘fore entering that door.
\nThe journey ahead is not yours to know.
\nBut trust in your God wherever you go.”
\nThen assurance from the darkness, whispered tenderly,
\n“My friend , be not afraid. Take my hand; follow me.”<\/p>\n

With nervous attention a path I then trod;
\nA pathway in darkness to the altar of God.
\nWith cable-tow and hood-wink on bare bended knee,
\nA covenant was made there between God and me.
\nCharges and promises were made there that night
\nDispelling the darkness and bringing me Light
\nMid lightning and thunder and brethren on row.
\nCast off the darkness! And cast off the tow!<\/p>\n

In the company of men a man you must be.
\nMoral in character, the whole world to see.
\nTrust in your God; promise daily anew
\nTo be honest and upright in all things you do.
\nEach man is a brother in charity to share;
\nWith those suffering hunger, pain or despair.
\nThe widow and orphan and brother in pain.
\nDepend on your mercy their welfare to gain.
\nThe secrets of brethren keep only in mind.
\nTo the ladies of brethren be noble and kind.
\nGo now, my brother, your journey’s begun.
\nYour wages await you when your journey is done.<\/p>\n

That journey I started, oh, so long ago
\nAnd I’ve learned of those things I wanted to know.
\nI’ve learned of the secrets, not secret at all,
\nBut hidden in knowledge within Masons’ hall.
\nChildhood yields to manhood; manhood yields to age,
\nIgnorance yields to knowledge, knowledge yields to sage.
\nI’ve lived all my life the best that I could
\nKnowing full well how a good Mason should.
\nI know of those times when I slipped and then fell.
\nWhat’s right and what’s wrong were not easy to tell.
\nBut a trust in my God and a true brother’s hand
\nHelped raise me up and allowed me to stand.
\nI’ve strode down the old path, Masonically worn
\nBy all Masons raised for the Masons unborn.<\/p>\n

But this tired old body, once young and so bold,
\nNow suffers the afflictions of having grown old.
\nThe almond tree’s flourished; the grinders are few.
\nThe housekeepers tremble; desires fail too.
\nThe locusts are a burden; fears are in the way;
\nThe golden bowl is breaking, a little each day.
\nMine eyes again are darkened;
\nMy sight again to fail.
\nI sense the Master’s presence
\nMid my family’s silent wail.
\nI’ve laid aside my working tools;
\nMy day is nearly done.
\nFor long I’ve played the game of life;
\nThe game’s no longer fun.
\nLife’s pathway ends before me;
\nI see what’s meant for me.
\nAn acacia plant is growing
\nWhere a beehive used to be.
\nThe Ethereal Lodge has summoned
\nFrom beyond the wailing wall
\nAnd I vowed that I must answer
\nWhen summoned by a call.<\/p>\n

Again I stand bewildered at the bottom of the stair
\nIn nervous apprehension of what awaits me there.
\nOnce again, this time alone. I stand without the door.
\nWith trembling hand I slowly knock
\nAs once I did before.
\nI pray again to hear those words,
\nWhispered tenderly:
\n“My son, be not afraid. Take my hand; follow me.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\nA member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him.
\nIt was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
\nThe Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
\nHis host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.
\nNot a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
\nAs the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons,
\nmy brother. I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting.”
\nAuthor unknown.<\/p>\n

Comment<\/span><\/strong>
\nThis poem & story were shared with me by a Brother who passed to the GLA in 2015, both bring to my mind\u00a0 beautiful memories of friendship & brotherly love.
\nMax was a good man and a wonderful friend & brother.
\nI do appreciate, you the reader, will gain some benefit from this sharing.<\/p>\n

Have a wonderful Day & God Bless
\nNorm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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