St. John's Day 1811

On December 27, Freemasonry worldwide celebrates St. John the Evangelist Day.  On that day in 1811, a Friday, our Brothers at St. Louis Lodge 111 gathered for a feast and, as a part of the proceedings, sang a tribute to celebrate the life of St. John.  Especially for that occasion, Lieutenant Joseph Cross of the US Artillery wrote the lyrics to the tune of Lochabor No More, a folk tune claimed by both Scotland and Ireland.

Frederic L. Billon, a former Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, recorded the words of the song in his extensive Masonic Journal, even though the event took place when he was only ten years old.

Brother Billon's dedication to history allows us the opportunity to celebrate this year's St. John's Day across time, spoken perhaps for the first time since that celebration long ago, with our Brothers from A.L. 5811.  You will pardon me for not singing, as the tune plays in the background.

It was simply titled, A Masonic Song:

O look at Creation! With a Mason's bright eye,
The Grand Architect's temple, resplendent in light,
Its wisdom, its strength, and its beauty outvie
The conception of Mortals — o'erpowers their sight —

The circle, whose radiance all space cannot bind
For its centre is Love — almighty in mind;
Our vision is darkened — then bend low the knee,
And in Faith, Hope & Charity ever agree —

Let the cadence of joy, steal soft in the ear,
While mystical love rises warm in each heart;
The bright jewels of virtue we'll ever revere,
And nine times united, enshrine our grand art:

The Evangelist's birth let our honors proclaim
In fraternity echo St. John's brilliant name,
And remember our Brother who justly defined
The chant of affection — a Free Mason's mind —

Yes, remember our Brother whose birth we now sing,
And remember the axioms he gave to our art;
Tho a Brother in darkness let love still upspring,
Oh! enlighten his soul — and pour oil in his heart —

Tha' a Brother may err still our Father doth love
And his son will induct to the Grand Lodge above;
As Masons we're bound to toil with each other,
"Then never forsake an unfortunate Brother."

As spotless as White is the innocent mind,
As constant as Blue is the soul to the Light,
Whose effulgence ennobles the Free Mason's mind
When the Red beams of love enrapture the sight

Then think of the angle, whose square is so true.
And the compass which guards and encircles us too;
Let not _____ vice our attraction e'er draw
Subjecting our passions to a Mason's wise law —

Think not dearest sister, that pride can conspire,
To exclude your loved sex from the Lodges on earth,
We fear the bright charms — which are love's holy fire
Would mingle our duties — to dissention give birth;

The blush of aurora enkindles the earth
E're the radiant God sheds His light in the west;
Your virtues and charms in our hearts are a feast
And Masons are born that the fair may be blest,

Our sparkling goblets, let Temperance fill
With the juice of the grape to all Masons who are Free.
Their acceptance we drink with fraternal good will.
And in brotherly love may we ever agree —

May their bosoms be bright, their daughters be fair,
Their passions well governed, their hearts free from care
Their corn, wine and oil in plenty abound,
And their happiness last while the globe shall go round—