Poetry of Fitz Gerald Tisdall

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The true mason

Fitz Gerald Tisdall (1812-1878)

No Mason is he who is dead to the wailings
Of those whom misfortune has placed under ban
Who is harsh, unforgiving toward other men’s failings,
Or does any act that debases the man.

He may seem a good brother in sight of his fellow,
Be high in his order and learn'd in its code;
But still his pretentions are truthless and shallow,
And he is no Mason in sight of his GOD.

But he’s a true Mason whose soul ever rises
Above the small honors and glories of earth;
Who all the poor glitter of tinsel despises,
And loves to be measured alone by his worth.

With the Square and the Plumb-lead as emblems to guide him
From the line of strict duty he scorns to depart
With the Rule and the Compass both ready before him,
He rears a true Temple of GOD in his heart.

His thoughts are as the snow when it falleth;
His zeal if enlisted on rectitude’s side;
No fear of men’s scoffing, his courage appalleth,
As he stands the oppressed and the friendless beside.

At the cry of misfortune his love is awakened;
Large minded, he succors with naught of display;
The widow, the orphan, the hungry and naked,
From his portals are never sent hungry away.

In precept though firm, he is soft as a mother,
Who seeks in affection her offspring to mold;
More apt by example to win a lost brother,
And waverers keep in the GOOD SHEPHERD’s FOLD.

Unsullied by contact with lusts that surround him,
Large hearted, he loves with God like regard;
He lives a rich blessing to all who are round him
And dies to receive the true Mason’s reward.

Fitz Gerald Tisdall was born in Cork, Ireland. Moving to America, he married Elizabeth Anne Clute (1821 - 1858) in 1837. Married New York 1837 Elizabeth Anne Clute (1821 - 1858). Tisdall was Master of St John’s Lodge No.1, GLNY 1848, 1849, 1850 and again in 1857. A highly regarded masonic writer in his day and editor of the Masonic Column of Pomeroy’s Democrat, published in New York, he also received the 33° of the Scottish Rite and was Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Canada. He died in New York, NY in 1878.

© 1871-2023 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon A.F. & A.M. Updated: 2003/12/30
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