I Sat In Lodge With You

By Wilbur D. Nesbit

There is a saying filled with cheer, 

Which calls a man to fellowship. 

It means as much for him to hear 

As lies within the brother grip. 

Nay, more! It opens wide the way 

To friendliness sincere and true 

There are no strangers when you say 

To me: I sat in lodge with you. 

When that is said, then I am known 

There is no questioning nor doubt 

I need not walk my path alone 

Nor from my fellows be shut out. 

Those words hold all of brotherhood 

And help me face the world anew 

There's something deep and rich and good 

In this: I sat in lodge with you. 

Though in far lands one needs must roam 

By sea and shore and hill and plain, 

Those words bring him a touch of home 

And lighten tasks that seem in vain. 

Men's faces are no longer strange 

But seem as those he always knew 

When some one brings the joyous change 

With this: I sat in lodge with you. 

So you, my brother, now and then 

Have often put me in your debt 

By showing forth to other men 

That you your friends do not forget. 

When all the world seems gray and cold 

And I am weary, worn and blue 

Then comes this golden thought I hold 

You said: I sat in lodge with you. 

When to the last great Lodge you fare 

My prayer is that I may be 

One of your friends who wait you there 

Intent your smiling face to see. 

We, with the warden at the gate, 

Will have a pleasant task to do 

We'll call, though you come soon or late: 

Come in! We sat in lodge with you!