My Ballot
by Thomas Q. Ellis, Grand Master of Masons for Mississippi, 1925
I stand at the same altar where,
Prompted by brotherly love,
I vowed solemn vows without falter,
Witnessed by him above.
As once I knelt there in reverence
I now stand reverently there
My thoughts have suffered no severance as I vowed,
So I'll vote upon the square.
If through friendship I favor the seeker
But think him unworthy at heart;
Less my lodge by my ballot grow weaker
Such favor from justice must part.
At the altar where light flooded over me,
I'll betray not the trust that I bear,
I'll shame not the emblems before me
So I'll cast my vote on the square.
Or should he not be to my liking,
But merit by action the trust,
My soul I'll not perjure by striking a blow
When such a blow be unjust.
I'll welcome his steps across the border,
I'll honor the trust that I bear.
I'll vote for the good of the order,
By casting my vote on the square.
Time flies and before long my petition
Will be filed in the grand lodge above.
I'll be glad then I tempered such mission
With justice and brotherly love.
"With the measure you meet has spoken'
By the worshipful master up there,
No promises were made has he broken
And he'll handle my case on the square.
[Thomas Q. Ellis, Grand Master of Masons for Mississippi, 1925]
Remember, my brothers; white balls elect, black cubes reject. Look well to your ballot.
Ballot for the good of the order!
Fraternally,
Norm Leeper, PM, HA
Secretary, SCRL
