Lodge By-Laws and Copa

When is a man a Mason

When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon
with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things,
and yet have faith, hope, and courage-which is the root of every virtue.

When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile,
as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and
seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellowman.

When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even
in their sins knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds.

When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them, and above all
how to keep friends with himself.

When he loves flowers, can hunt birds without a gun, and feels
the thrill of an old forgotten, joy when he hears the laugh of a little child.

When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain,
and no hand seeks his aid without response.

When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold
of divine things and sees majestic meanings
in life, whatever the name of that faith may be.

When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something
beyond mud, and into the face of the most
forlorn mortal and see something beyond sin.

When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope.

When he has kept faith with himself, with his
fellowman, and with his God; in his hands a sword for evil,
in his heart a bit of a song-glad to live, but not afraid to die!