Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason's Farewell To The By-Gone Year.
For shelter and instruction given , In holy incense , rise to Heaven . Be thou their friend—thy name their guard ; Their gratitude thy just reward . Such deeds as these shall gild thy name More than a victor ' s blood-stained fame ;
A holier wreath adom thy brow Than laureled war can e ' er bestow ; A wreath , whose amaranthine flowers Shall bloom through time ' s eternal bowers . The By-gone year ! Brothers , one word , Let in my strain its voice be heard ;
Hath it brought sorrow ?—Humbly bend , Religion is the mourner ' s friend . Hath it brought joy ?—Be not elate , Lest this should leave thee desolate : But of thy good dispense a part ; Let pity open wide thy heart ,
That should misfortune sternly lower , Clouding the sunshine of life ' s hour , Or send thee forth in want to roam , A wanderer from thy happy home , Thy deeds of charity may be A pilgrim ' s leaning-staff to thee .
The By-gone year—though swiftly flown , Unmarked by monumental stone , Hath left one trace , one record given , Pronounced of earth , inscribed in Heaven . * Brothers , your aid , before your eyes . The Masons' shelter soon shall rise ,
A ray of light in sorrow ' s gloom , To cheer his pathway to the tomb ; A shield against life ' s bitter care , His ark of refuge from despair . Soon shall its inmates' grateful voice AVithin its humble walls rejoice . And , safe from poverty ' s sad fear , Bless in their prayer the By-GONE YEAB !
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason's Farewell To The By-Gone Year.
For shelter and instruction given , In holy incense , rise to Heaven . Be thou their friend—thy name their guard ; Their gratitude thy just reward . Such deeds as these shall gild thy name More than a victor ' s blood-stained fame ;
A holier wreath adom thy brow Than laureled war can e ' er bestow ; A wreath , whose amaranthine flowers Shall bloom through time ' s eternal bowers . The By-gone year ! Brothers , one word , Let in my strain its voice be heard ;
Hath it brought sorrow ?—Humbly bend , Religion is the mourner ' s friend . Hath it brought joy ?—Be not elate , Lest this should leave thee desolate : But of thy good dispense a part ; Let pity open wide thy heart ,
That should misfortune sternly lower , Clouding the sunshine of life ' s hour , Or send thee forth in want to roam , A wanderer from thy happy home , Thy deeds of charity may be A pilgrim ' s leaning-staff to thee .
The By-gone year—though swiftly flown , Unmarked by monumental stone , Hath left one trace , one record given , Pronounced of earth , inscribed in Heaven . * Brothers , your aid , before your eyes . The Masons' shelter soon shall rise ,
A ray of light in sorrow ' s gloom , To cheer his pathway to the tomb ; A shield against life ' s bitter care , His ark of refuge from despair . Soon shall its inmates' grateful voice AVithin its humble walls rejoice . And , safe from poverty ' s sad fear , Bless in their prayer the By-GONE YEAB !