Brother Bagley is a fairly new Master Mason and a member of my own lodge. He currently is one of the junior officers and is one of the "young ones" that we all look for. He has mastered those parts of the ritual that he has attempted and will be ready for the Oriental Chair in his turn. Shortly after he became a Master Mason, his father petitioned the lodge for membership; but before that journey could be completed had passed from our mortal sight. In these times of hand wringing and "what shall we do", this piece is a wonderful reminder of what we are all about!
gsl.

The Mason That Almost Was

A Petition our lodge received,
by a Man whom I loved and respected.
His petition accepted, I was relieved,
He knew what was expected.

He was ready to be raised to that sublime degree,
And was ready to become a brother,
(His father was one, and I his son)
to be a Mason and love one another,

I remember well that fateful day,
When I got the call he was gone.
So many dreams unfinished it seems,
A Mason he would not become.

Then I thought, who's to say,
what really makes a Mason?
Morality, Brotherly Love, and Charity,
He practiced these everyday,

So from here on out with love and affection,
I bring my story to a close.
I will forever and a day declare him to be,
The Mason That Almost Was!