THE PRECEPTORS

When the ceremony’s over,and the lodge is duly closed,

And we’re seated all around the Festive Board,

After dining ,comes the time for Toasts tp be proposed,

And the labours of the brethren to applaud:

So,congratulate the Master,and the wardens and the Team-

All those who did a good job,however small-

But don’t forget the brothers who worked behind the scene

To Co-ordinate the efforts of them all !

Yes ,think of the Preceptors,that happy band of brothers

Who give so gladly of their precious time,

To lend a helping hand with the ritual of others

And make each ceremony so sublime.

They encourage younger brethren with little word of praise,

They see that every brothers words are right,

And comfort the afflicted with that oft-repeated phrase,

“Its sure to be alright upon the night!”

They have their lesser moments,when things don’t go too well,

When the work in hand just simply wont come right-

But they always rise above it,like a boxer at the bell,

And come out from their corners full of fight !

So,they take the Ashlars rough and proceed to make them smooth.

And guide them on towards the Masters chair.

And sometimes they can say to themselves,with perfect truth,”I know its with my help hes sitting there !”

The most eminent among us can perhaps recall the day,

When they started on the road towards that chair

And have reason to be grateful for that guidance on the way,

Given with the preceptors loving care !

So now its all been said,theres no more to say about them

When,later,in the bar we’re gently tippling,

Except,perhaps to sa,”What would we do wiyhout them ?”

Or end up with a quote from brother Kipling :

“Let us now praise famous men-

Men of little showing-

For their work continueth

And their work continueth

Broad and deep continueth

Greater than their knowing !

from The Brighthelmstone Deacon September 1974 

W.Bro Ken Brown PPrGreg   Brighthelmstone 8042