Classic Poem

Joyful task it is, dear Brothers
Thus to take upon the lip
With full heart, and fitting gesture,
All our points of fellowship.
Foot and knee, breast, hand and cheek
Each a measured part shall speak:
Speak of answering mercy's call;
Speak of prayer for Masons all;
Speak of keeping secrets duty;
Speak of stretching strong hand truly;
Speak of whispering the unruly.

Foot TO FOOT : 'tis Mercy's mandate,
When is heard the plaintive sigh,
Hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked,
On the wings of aid to fly;
Hasten, mitigate the grief, —
Hasten, bear him quick relief!
Quick with bread to teed the hungry;
Quick with raiment for the naked;
Quick with shelter for the homeless;
Quick with heart's deep sympathy.

K NEE TO KNEE . in silence praying,
L ORD , give listening ear that day!
Every earthly stain confessing,
For all tempted Masons pray!
Perish envy, perish hate,
For all Masons supplicate.
Bless them, Lord, upon the ocean;
Bless them perishing in the desert;
Bless them falling 'neath temptation:
Bless them when about to die!

B REAST TO BREAST : in holy casket
At life's center strongly hele,
Every sacred thing intrusted,
Sealed by faith's unbroken seal;
What you promised God to shield
Suffer, die, but never yield.
Never yield whate'er the trial;
Never yield whate'er the number;
Never yield though foully threatened,
Even at the stroke of death.

H AND TO BACK : A Brother falling, —
His misfortune is too great,
Stretch the generous hand, sustain him,
Quick, before it is too late.
Like a strong, unfaltering prop,
Hold the faltering Brother up.
Hold him up; stand like a column;
Hold him up; there's good stuff in him;
Hold him with his head toward Heaven;
Hold him with the lion's grip.

C HEEK TO CHEEK : O, when the tempter
Comes, a Brother's soul to win,
With a timely whisper warn him
Of the dark and deadly sin.
Extricate him from the snare,
Save him with fraternal care.
Save him, — heavenly powers invoke you, —
Save him, — man is worth the saving, —
Save him, — breathe your spirit in him
As you'd have your God save you.

This completes the obligation;
Brothers, lest you let it slip,
Fasten on tenacious memory
All our points of Fellowship;
Foot and knee, breast, hand and cheek, —
Foot and knee, breast, hand and cheek.