My Lodge Membership Card - Author Unknown
I hold in my hand a little scrap of paper 2 and one-half by 3 and three-fourths inches in size. It is of no intrinsic worth, not a bond, not a check or receipt for values, yet it is my most priceless possession. It is my membership card in a lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. It tells me that I have entered into a spiritual and material kinship with my fellow masons, to practice charity in word and deed, to forgive and forget the faults of my brethren, to hush the tongues of scandal and innuendo, to care for the crippled, the hungry and sick and be just to all mankind. It tells me that no matter where I may travel in the World, I am welcome to visit a place where fellowship prevails among the brothers and friends. It tells me that my loved ones, my home and my household are under their protection of every member of this great Fraternity, who have sworn to protect mine as I have sworn to protect and defend theirs. It tells me that should I ever be overtaken by adversity or misfortune, 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, my brethren, that when my final exit from the stage of life has been made, there will be gathered in my lodge room, friends and brothers who will recall to mind my virtues, though they may be few and will forgive and forget my faults, though they may be many. It tells me all this and a great deal more, this little scrap of paper 2 and one-half by 3 and three-fourths inches in size.