Are You A Mason Poem

This poem was written by Bro. Reverend Dr. Magill, Rector of St. Paul'sChurch in Peru, Illinois. It reportedly was written shortly after a lady askedhim "Are You a Mason?" It is thought to have been written in the mid tolate 1800's."Are You a Mason?"I am one of a band,Who will faithfully stand,In the bonds of affection and love;I have knocked at the door,once wretched and poor,And there for admission I stood.By the help of a friend,Who assistance did lend,I succeeded an entrance to gain;Was received in the West,By command from the East,But not without feeling some pain.Here my conscience was taught,With a moral quite fraught,With sentiments hold and true;The onward I traveled,To have it unraveled,What Hiram intended to do.Very soon to the East,I made my request,And "light" by command did attend;When lo! I perceived,In due form revealed,A Master, and Brother, and Friend.For the widow distressed,There's a cord in my breast,For the helpless and orphan I feel:And my sword I could draw,To maintain the pure law,Which the duties of a Mason reveal.Thus have I revealed,(Yet wisely concealed),What the "free and accepted" will know.I am one of a band,Who will faithfully stand,As a Brother, wherever I go.