The Old Master’s Wages I met a dear old man today, Who wore a Masonic pin, It was old and faded like the man, It's edges were worn quite thin.
The wages of a Mason, are never paid in gold, but the gain comes from contentment, when you're weak and growing old.
I approached the park bench where he sat, To give the old brother his due, I said, "I see you've traveled east," He said, "I have, have you."
You see, I've carried my obligations, For almost fifty years, It has helped me through the hardships and the failures full of tears.
I said, "I have, and in my day Before the all seeing sun, I played in the rubble, with Jubala Jubalo and Jubalum."
Now I'm losing my mind and body, Death is near but I don't despair, I've lived my life upon the level, And I'm dying upon the square.
He shouted, "don't laugh at the work my son, It's good and sweet and true, And if you've traveled as you said, You should give these things their due."
Sometimes the greatest lessons Are those that are learned anew, And the old man in the park today has changed my point of view.
The word, the sign the token, The sweet Masonic prayer, The vow that all have taken, Who've climbed the inner
To all Masonic brothers, The only secret is to care, May you live your life upon the level, May you part upon the square.
Irregular Masonry We have all heard about regular meetings and regular lodges, but what is irregular? There are many forms of non-recognised Grand Lodges, Grand Orients, etc and the best thing to do is check with your lodge secretary or Grand Lodge itself either through the website or GL Year Book. The simplest way to describe it is that there is something that GL feels does not keep within our system of beliefs. It may be that no VSL is used, women are permitted to join, someone falls out and opens his own grand lodge or political views are common practice in lodges, but there is something that is not acceptable. The pictures show the crst for the irregular council in Serbia which has 3 lodges in total and the Job GL in New Jersey for coloured people. The closest irregular body to us is the Regular Grand Lodge of England rather than The United Grand Lodge of England. Of course, they may use the same ritual and regalia, and practice charity, but care must be taken of visiting abroad and this is why contact should be made through Grand Secretary first.
Cross Keys Sept.. 2011