You wear the square, but do you have
that thing the square denotes?
Is there within your inmost soul
that principle which should control
all deeds, and words, and thoughts?
The square of virtue...is it there,
Oh! You that wear the mason's square?
You wear the compass; do you keep
within that circle due,
That's circumscribed by law divine,
Excluding hatred, envy, sin.
Including all that's true?
The compass...does it trace that curve?
Inside of which no passions swerve?
You wear the type of Deity;
Oh! Brother, have a care;
He whose all-seeing eye surveys.
Your inmost thoughts wide open gaze,
He knows what thoughts are in there!
Oh! send no light, irreverent word.
From sinful man to sinless God.
You wear the trowel; do you have
that mortar old and pure
made on the recipe of God,
recorded in his ancient word
indissoluble, sure?
And do you have spread with Master's care
the precious mixture here and there?
You wear the Cross; it signifies
the burden Jesus bore...
Who staggering fell, and bleeding rose
and bore on Calvary the woes
of all who'd gone before.
The Cross! oh, let it say "forgive,
Father, forgive, to all that live!"
My brothers, if you will display
these emblems of our art,
let the great moral that they teach
be engraved, each for each,
upon your honest heart!
So they will tell to God and man
Our ancient holy, perfect plan.
---Anonymous
