Classic Poem

Make thou the record duly , —
Our Mason life is there;
Make thou the record truly ,
With close and anxious care.
The labors on the busy stage, —
At every step, — from age to age!

Make thou the record plainly , —
How oft does error lurk!
Herein our children mainly
Will read their fathers' work.
Herein will trace with joy or gloom
Our pathway to the closing tomb.

Make thou the record kindly , —
Omit the cruel words;
The Mason spirit blindly
A gentle shroud affords.
Oh, let thy record grandly prove
Freemasonry's a thing of love.

Make thou the record swiftly , —
Time's scythe is sweeping fast;
Our life, dissolving deftly,
Will soon, ah, soon, be past.
And may a Generous Eye o'erlook
Our record in the Heavenly Book!