Volunteer chaplain led prayer, wrote inspirational columns

“I wanted to be a Mason ever since I was young,” said Art Adams, independent living resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor. His father and brothers were both members of the order, as well as many other people he knew.

Art has been a longstanding member of the Masonic chapter in Marysville, Kan. He received his 70-year pin about three years ago.

Over the years, Art served as a chaplain for his chapter as well as for the Isis Shriners. In that capacity, he led prayers during meetings and before meals. He also wrote chaplain columns for the Shrine newsletter. Art recently shared some of his writing with Presbyterian Manor. One of his columns is below:

Just up the road is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you get a closer look you will notice something quite interesting. One horse is blind. His owner has chosen not to put him down, but has made him a safe and comfortable barn to live in. This alone is pretty amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop occasionally to look back, making sure the blind friend isn't too far behind.

Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. God watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. At other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

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