I am Freemasonry

I was born of antiquity, in the ancient days when man first dreamed

of God.  I have been tried through the ages, and found true.  The

crossroads of the world bear the imprint of my feet, and the cathredrals

of all nations mark the skills of my hands.  I strive for beauty and symmetry.

In my heart is wisdom and strength and courage for those who ask.

Upon my altar is the Book of Holy Writ and my prayers are to the

One Omnipotent God, and my sons work and play together, without rank or

discord, in the public mart and in the inner chamber.  By signs and

symbols, I teach the lessons of life and of death and the relationship of

man with God and of man with man.  My arms are widespread to recieve

those of lawful age and good report who seek me of their own free will.

I accept them and teach them to use my tools in the building of men,

and thereafter, find directions in their own quest for perfection so much

desired and so difficult to attain.

I lift up the fallen and shelter the sick.  I hark to the orpan's cry, the

widow's tears, the pain of the old and destitute.  I am not church, nor

party, nor school, yet my sons bear a full share of responsibility to God,

to country, to neighbor and themselves.  They are freemen, tenacious of

their liberties, and alert to lurking danger.  At the end I commit them as

each one undertakes the journey beyond the vale into the glory of

everlasting life.  I ponder the sand within the glass and think how small

is a single life in the eternal universe.  Always have I taught immortality,

and even as I raise men from darkness to light, I am a way of life.

I am Freemasonry