“Oriental Lodge”

by William Hazelet Harney

(To the present Master, Past Masters, and my brethren, these lines are respectfully dedicated.)

Hail to thee, Oriental Lodge! in thy great career;
Thou hast been a success for many a decade;
Many scenes within thy halls are to memory dear,
And the recollection of them will never fade.

Within thy history great events have taken place;
The scene of one conflict was within our own land,
While the other was to give freedom to the Cuban race,
And many of our brothers joined the patriot band.

Many men of note have within thy halls received our sacred rite.
And have made their mark on the rolls of fame,
Whose record would take many pages to recite,
While yet fond memories of old Oriental still remain.

Long may Oriental’s members take supreme delight,
While conferring the sublime degrees within its portals
Upon worthy men, while Father Time continues on his flight;
And may all true Masons meet with the blest immortals.

Chicago, September 24, 1904