The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge

The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge. [No. 27]

Our ancient Brothers, Operative true,
Learnt well the use of the numeric Gauge
Of Four-and-Twenty Inches. Every page
Of History—all Temples which we view
Raised by their skilful fingers—prove they knew 5
Full well the use of all Masonic Tools:
Our admiration of them never cools,
But still keeps warm and constant: but in lieu
Of literal Measures, Speculative we
Apply them to our Morals. This one may 10
Remind us how to use the Hours each Day
To bless us here and through eternity.
Labour, Rest, Prayer, Help to some poor Brother,
All, each and every Day, should follow one another.

by George Markham Tweddell  1st published 1887