I stand at the same sacred altar
Where, prompted by brotherly love,
 I vowed solemn vows without falter
 Witnessed by Him from Above.     

 As once I knelt there in re'rence
 I stand re'rently there —-
 My thoughts have suffered no sev'rence,
 As I vowed —-so I'll vote —- on the square.

 If through friendship I favor the seeker
 But think him unworthy at heart —-
 Lest my Lodge by my ballot grow weaker,
 Such favor from justice must part.

 At the altar where light flooded o'er me,
 I'll not betray not the trust that I bear,
 I'll shame not the emblems before me,
 But I'll cast my vote on the square.

 Or should he be not 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 —-

 But I'll welcome his step 'cross 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 ere 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 ye mete" has been spoken
 By the Worshipful Master up there —-
 No promise e're made has He broken
 And He'll handle my case on the square.

Thomas Q. Ellis, Grand Master, Mississippi 1925