Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lines Written On Hearing Of Some Recent Transactions.
LINES WRITTEN ON HEARING OF SOME RECENT TRANSACTIONS .
W HEN the clouds that just now for a moment deface The bright disk of Masonry , all pass away ; When we shall have left our Lewisian race , Thank God . ' but the memory of feucls of to-day ; Let us hope that the essence , the soul of our Craft , AVill emerge from th * eclipse more bright and more pure , Like those who , though deluged in Moses ' s raft , Found existence , for peril gone through , more secure .
When those lords of a moment , whom we have ordain'd To the places , alas ! which they only disgrace ; Shall have pass'd like a spot that an instant has stain'd The sun of our creed , from the day-orb's bright face . Like tbe martyrs of old , * be it our sole delight , Whatever the world may say of us now , To know that we worshipped our creed's holy light , And that martyrdom ' s wreath has adorned our brow .
I would rather be one of the honest , though few , Who prefer , to the badge of the slave , the pure thought Which they who submit to a tyrant ne ' er knew , And which ever rewardeth the good , as it ought . When we who submit , and when they who would chain , Are all alike dust , ' twill be glory to know That hearts like our own , will be ready again , For the truth , all we suffered to re-undergo . VIGIL .
They may talk of our motives—bid each search his heart , Ancl try if he finds in that temple a share Of the pure deep devotion , the essential part Of the spirit that kindles our communings there . Oh , no ! such conviction ' s for those who alone , Unheeding the frown or the smile of to-day , Can proudly proclaim that the feelings they own Are the one light that hallows the soul on its way .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lines Written On Hearing Of Some Recent Transactions.
LINES WRITTEN ON HEARING OF SOME RECENT TRANSACTIONS .
W HEN the clouds that just now for a moment deface The bright disk of Masonry , all pass away ; When we shall have left our Lewisian race , Thank God . ' but the memory of feucls of to-day ; Let us hope that the essence , the soul of our Craft , AVill emerge from th * eclipse more bright and more pure , Like those who , though deluged in Moses ' s raft , Found existence , for peril gone through , more secure .
When those lords of a moment , whom we have ordain'd To the places , alas ! which they only disgrace ; Shall have pass'd like a spot that an instant has stain'd The sun of our creed , from the day-orb's bright face . Like tbe martyrs of old , * be it our sole delight , Whatever the world may say of us now , To know that we worshipped our creed's holy light , And that martyrdom ' s wreath has adorned our brow .
I would rather be one of the honest , though few , Who prefer , to the badge of the slave , the pure thought Which they who submit to a tyrant ne ' er knew , And which ever rewardeth the good , as it ought . When we who submit , and when they who would chain , Are all alike dust , ' twill be glory to know That hearts like our own , will be ready again , For the truth , all we suffered to re-undergo . VIGIL .
They may talk of our motives—bid each search his heart , Ancl try if he finds in that temple a share Of the pure deep devotion , the essential part Of the spirit that kindles our communings there . Oh , no ! such conviction ' s for those who alone , Unheeding the frown or the smile of to-day , Can proudly proclaim that the feelings they own Are the one light that hallows the soul on its way .