Table of Contents
This is the type of piece that sings to the heart of our Masonic Fraternity and for our new
Brother to take the time to share this moment with the rest of us is exactly what this web site was
developed for.
jsl.
They All Came Just For Me
For the Brothers of Cass Lodge #412; Griswold, Iowa.
Something big is going on here…
Or so I thought that night,
As the Masons came to gather round
the Great and lesser lights.
One from here and one from there
From places far and wide,
They came to do, I knew not what,
As they gathered there inside.
But from each man I was greeted
With a smile and voice of cheer.
One said, “so you’re the candidate…
The reason that we’re here.”
I scarcely knew just what he meant,
For this was my “first degree.”
There must be much for them to do
Before they got to me.
Surely these guys would not travel
For the sake of just one man.
Yes, there must be much for them to do,
Before my part began.
The “Brother Tiler” was my company
As I waited at the door
To step into this brand new realm
I had not known before.
They shared with me the three Great Lights
And some tools of the trade,
That I might learn a thing or two
Of how a man be better made.
When at last I had been seated
In this brotherhood of men
The Master then began to bring
The meeting to an end.
And with all things then completed,
They stayed a little more,
To eat and drink and share a laugh
Before heading toward the door.
But as we left I understood
And then began to see.
That they all came for one reason…
They all came… just for me.
Dear brothers I pray every lodge
Will make new ones like me,
Feel as welcome as these brothers did,
When they held my First Degree.
Thank you, Brothers!
Entered Apprentice, July 19, 2000
Brother Jenkins writes: "I began thinking about what Masonry teaches about home and
family as I read a book about our symbolism. It occured to me that without fidelity to the family and the
support of them our fraternity would be nothing more than a social organization. If seen aright, I have
come to believe that it is much more, but we must remain diligent in our duty to God and family first and
then fix the rest of our priorities accordingly."
What Is Your Duty There?
Tell me, “What is your duty there?”
I ask you, brother of the square.
At home where wife and family wait
For you to come in, soon or late.
Tell me, brother of the square,
Tell me, “What’s your duty there?”
Are you like the Master, a rising light,
Bringing peace and comfort in the night?
Are you a Warden of your home,
For none can be, but you alone?
Tell me, brother of the square,
Tell me, “What’s your duty there?”
And is your home “duly tiled” then
Against all things that would slip in,
Without permission, thus to come
And throw your family out of plumb?
Tell me, brother of the square,
Tell me, what’s your duty there?
You see, the strength of our fraternity
Begins in one’s own family.
For as we seek to grow as men,
We must ask ourselves again:
“Tell me, brother of the square,
Tell me, what’s your duty there?”
Richard L. Jenkins
Cass Lodge #412
Griswold, Iowa.