The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

676
Chapter 8 - Categorization of Rituals
the priest and the Levite have passed by the wounded traveler, the Samaritan
proves his friend by saving him. The fifth stanza of the poem thus ends with
"You are greatly encouraged, a friend you have found," and continues in the last
two stanzas by making the B.A.C. a synonym of the good Samaritan:
And now my dear brother, as you are
passing to Jericho,
Just halt long enough and hear what
you ought to know,
For one dollar per month, or only three cents per day,
We protect you and yours as you
pass down the way.
The Brotherhood of Boston, is your
friend indeed,
Because when you are helpless it
comes to your need,
Then apply for a policy, for you
cannot but see
You are unprotected, without insur-
ance in the B. A. C.
In our chapter "Commercialization and Marketing Strategies" we have hinted
at the disgust of Masons and Odd Fellows alike for traders who misused their
sacred symbols for advertising. The Grand Lodge of the I.O.O.F. even
sanctioned the speculation with its symbols and tried to punish this abuse.
However, it is not difficult to believe that such forms of advertisement were
rather successful, because they talked directly to the consumer, mentioning his
own experiences in the fraternity, and doing this with humor. The initiate has just
learned in the Degree of Brotherly Love how important it is to have friends in his
life, and now there is an insurance company that offers to be his friend. Why
should he say no? The loud color and layout of this little brochure, depicting
Papa riding the goat, is a further bait to open it, read it, and maybe purchase a
policy. However, the climax is the third poem, which due to its black humor
appears very macabre, not to say tasteless. In any case, it is an eye-catcher:
The "Brotherhood" Pays the Bills
Yes I lost my leg by trolley, By a premature explosion,
And a hand and arm eloped When I happened to be nigh,
In a head-to-head collision, I was shot across some houses,
When the trains were telescoped. And came down without an eye.
In a hotel conflagration Rendered somewhat slow of motion
All my hair was burned away, By these accidents, I failed
And they found me 'mid the ruins To escape an automobile,
Bald as on my natal day. And my left toes were de-nailed.