I HOLD IN MY HAND A LITTLE SCRAP OF PAPER

2 ½ X 31/2 INCHES IN SIZE

IT IS OF NO INTRINSIC WORTH

NOT A BOND, NOT A CHECK OR RECEIPT FOR VALUABLES,

YET IT IS MY MOST PRICELESS PRSSESSION

IT IS MY MEMBERSHIP CARD IN A MASONIC LODGE.

IT TELLS ME THAT I HAVE ENTERED

INTO A SPIRITUAL KINSHIP WITH MY FELLOW MASONS

TO PRACTICE CHARITY IN WORD AND DEED

TO FORGIVE AND FORGET THE FAULTS OF MY BROTHREN

TO HUSH THE TONGUES OF SCANDAL AND INNUENDO

TO CARE FOR THE CRIPPLED, THE HUNGRY AND SICK, AND TO BE FAIR AND

JUST TO ALL MANKIND

IT TEIIS ME THAT NO MATTER WHERE

I MAY TRAVEL IN THE WORLD,

I AM WELCOME TO VISIT A PLACE

WHERE GOOD FELLOWSHIP PREVAILS

AMONG BROTHERS AND FRINDS

IT TELLS ME THAT MY LOVED ONES, MY HOME,

AND MY HOUSEHOLD ARE UNDER THR PROTECTION

OF EVERY MEMBER OF THIS GREAT FRATERNITY,

WHOHAVE SWORE TO DEFEND AND PORTECT MINE

AS I HAVE SWORN TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THEIRS

IT TELLS ME THAT SHOULD I EVER BE OVERTAKEN

BY ADVERSITY OR MISFORTUNE

THROUGHNO FAULT OF MY OWN

THE HANDS OF EVERY MASON ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH

WILL BE STRETCHED FORTH TO ASSIST ME IN MY NECESSITIES

AND FINALLY, IT TELLS ME

THAT WHEN MY FINAL EXIT FROM THE STAGE OF LIFE HAS BEEN MADE

THERE WILL BE GATHERED AROUND MY LIFELESS BODY

FRIENDS AND BROTHERS WHO WILL RECALL TO MIND MY VIRTUES,

THOUGH THEY MAY BE FEW

AND WILL FORGET MY FAULTS,

THOUGH THEY MAY BE MANY

IT TELLS ME THAT, AND A GREAT DEAL MORE,

THIS LITTLE CARD,

AND MAKEES ME PROUD YET HUMBLE,

THAT I CAN POSSESS THIS PASSPORT

INTO A SOCIETY OF FRIENDS AND BROTHERS

THAT ARE NUMBERED IN THE MILLIONS.