The Master Builder
In Memory of W.H. Roddam
Published in the Texas Mason Quarterly, Spring 1998
Friend to friend and heart to heart,
He taught the builders trade.
The Master Builder showed the way,
Of how great men are made.
The master of an ancient craft,
Whose ways are known by few,
Took me to the builders room,
To teach me what was true.
A true believer in his work,
A friend to one an all,
A servant of his brethren,
He knew that was his call.
This gifted teacher used his time,
To pass along his treasure,
He minded not his sacrifice,
It was his one true pleasure.
He led me to a doorway,
And held it open wide,
And took me by my left arm,
Then led me side by side.
He led me near the center,
And pointed to a book,
Said, "Here's your one foundation,"
And bade me take a look.
"This Bible is the rule and guide,
To everything we do,
This ancient blueprint shows us how,
To make our world brand new.
Between the leather covers,
There shines a golden light,
The rays of truth will turn around,
What's wrong to make it right."
"Make good your obligations,
And use your working tools,
Labor for our King above,
And turn away from fools.
Measure out the work you do,
With a true and honest gauge,
And divide your time the way you should,
To earn your daily wage."
"The rough and jagged edges,
In life that you may find,
Use your gavel, break them off,
And toss them from your mind.
Square your work, and walk upright,
Maintain an even keel,
And walk upon that level plane,
And speak what's true and real."
This gifted Master Builder,
With wisdom in his heart,
Taught to me the builders trade,
And showed me where to start,
He helped me lay my cornerstone,
His work he did with love...
He left our world, and now resides,
In that eternal house above.
