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Whoops! My bad... Congratulations on your raising to MM! Below is a poem that neatly sums up your duties and responsibilities as a Mason. I'm proud to say that I've memorized this poem in its entirety (except for the preamble) and is my gift to you from one Brother to another.

THE MASON'S TIES AND DUTIES

M.W. Benjamin Hadley, PGM of the Grand Lodge of Maine wrote this poem. Some Masonic jurisdictions use this same poem at the end of the MM degree with only minor variations. This is the version used in Oklahoma. The optional preamble below is recited before the poem in Maine.

It must indeed be gratifying to know that you are at last a Master Mason, and once you have affixed your signature to the Bylaws of this lodge, you will have sealed your allegiance to the oldest and greatest fraternity in existence, one that encircles the globe and whose influence for good is never ending.

Only yourself know the particular reason that you chose to become a member of this grand and noble order. It might have been the prompting of idle curiosity. That being true, you should now be well satisfied. It might have been for financial reasons. That being true be at once undeceived, for Freemasonry offers no financial benefits to any of its members. It might have been for social aspirations. That being true, you are now afforded the opportunity to acquaint yourself with many interesting and intelligent gentlemen. It might have been because a relative or close friend (can also name the relative such as father, brother, etc. as appropriate) is a Mason and expressed a desire that you should become one also and follow in their footsteps. That being true, it is not only an honor to you, but to the fraternity as well.

But, be the reason that it may, there are two great questions that still confront you. Will you be worth anything or nothing to Freemasonry and, will Freemasonry be worth anything or nothing to you? The answers lie within you yourself, for if you will apply to your own life the lessons that you have received in the three degrees, it will make you a better citizen, a better father, a better son and a fonder husband… for:


In Mason’s Lodge, with darkened eyes,
And cabletow about me
I swore to hele (pronounced: hail) all mysteries
That Masons keep, that Masons prize;
All Brothers’ secrets whispered low,
All words they speak, all things they do
In mystic manner taught me.

CHORUS

On yonder book, that oath I took
And will I break it? NEVER!
But stand by this (1), and this (2), and this (3),
Forever and forever.

I swore to answer and obey,
All summons sent me duly.
By Brother’s hand or Lodge array;
I swore that I would never stray.
From ancient laws and rules that bound
Freemasons in the days renowned,
But would observe them truly.

REPEAT CHORUS (4), (5), (6).

I swore to help with generous care,
All those in sorrow hidden;
The Brother on the darkened square,
The mourner with disheveled hair,
The orphan doomed, alas, to stray
Upon a cold and wintry day
While tears gush forth unbidden.

REPEAT CHORUS (7), (8), (9).

I swore to deal in honesty
With each true heart around me;
That honor bright should ever be
Unbroken bond ‘twixt you and me;
No wrong, no guile or cruel fraud
Should ever loose the noble cord
By which my vows have bound me.

REPEAT CHORUS (10), (11), (12).

I swore to guard the portals close
Of the Masonic Temple;
And purge the quarries of their dross,
And build the mystic walls of those
Of bodies perfect, honest hearts,
Of minds matured in moral arts,
By precept and example.

REPEAT CHORUS (13), (14), (15).

I swore the chastity to shield
Of woman true and tender;
Of Mason’s widow, wife and child,
His mother, sister undefiled;
Each pure and innocent whose love
Makes Mason’s homes like that above,
I am their sworn defender.

REPEAT CHORUS (16).

Brethren:
These are your vows, be they your cares;
And may such aid be given
In answer to your honest prayers,
That you may ever do and dare
All God’s gracious laws enjoin,
So when life’s evening shade declines,
Your life may be found in Heaven.

FINAL CHORUS

On yonder book, that oath WE took
And will WE break it? NEVER!
But stand by this (1-3), and this (4-6), and this (7-9), and this (16),
Forever and forever.

NOTE: The numbers in parentheses cover Masonic esoteric work and, for obvious reasons, cannot be published openly here. Master Masons will know what these mean.