The Mason Lodge – by Wolfgang Goethe

Our Brother Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born in Frankfurt-on-Maine, Germany, on August 29, 1749. He joined Amalia Lodge in March of 1780.  Goethe is considered to be the greatest of German poets.  Here is his beautiful poem about the Mason‘s immortality, his journey through life and his freedom to choose a good life.

The Mason’s ways are

A type of Existance
And his persistance

Is as the days are
Of men in this world.

The future hides in it

Gladness and sorrow,
We press still thorow,

Naught that abides in it
Daunting us-onward.

And solemn before us

Veiled, the dark Portal,
Goal of all mortal;

Stars silent o’er us,
Graves under us silent.

While earnest thou gazest
Comes boding of terror,
Comes phantasm and error

Perplexes the bravest
With doubt and misgiving.

But heard are the Voices-
Heard are the Sages,
The Worlds and the Ages;

“Choose well; your choice is
“Brief and yet endless;

“Here eyes do regard you
“In Eternity’s stillness;
“Here is all fullness,

“Ye have, to reward you.
“Work, and dispair not.”