Thursday, September 6, 2018

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!

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