Hey all you lovely ATS members out there! Please lend me a hand!

Can anyone help me to identify this, please?







The pictures are of a lightweight metallic cross. It is seamless. One side is rounded off while all others come to sharp corners--a trait that I heard was a sign of Freemasonry. The letters are etched into the cross, which has sheen but is a matte finish. The letters also are of a tone that contrasts with the back. The front side reads: (horizontal) HAVE FAITH /(vertical) MOVE FORWARD. The back side reads: (horizontal) WE HAVE THINGS /(vertical) FOR YOU TO DO.

A man who is a member at a racquet club where my fiance is a server/bartender hands these out at times. We've had it for about a year or so. It was a rather unique token to receive, so I'm still curious as to what type of group is behind the making of this. Seemed like it would be pretty expensive to mass-produce given the edges.

Anyway, I appreciate your time and effort and will answer any other questions you might have. Sorry about the bad photo quality--took it with photobooth. Touched up the edge-shot on iphoto and de-noised it a lot to show the curve of that one edge versus the sharp edges.

My guess would be Jehovah witness....but I'm sure that's probably not correct, just a guess.

a reply to: Meldionne1

that was my initial thought until I remembered that they are usually the pamphlet-giving type from my experience as a server. the club is also a member-only club that is member owned. it isn't outrageously-priced but is still more than the average joe would be able to afford. A few thousand or something a year, I believe. So the clientele (besides the posers of course) is fairly exclusive.

The edges and engraving of the letters were of interest to me and made me wonder if it might be freemasonry--especially with the line 'move forward'. Which is also our state motto, coincidentally. We have a lot of lodges around here and I suspect it is likely to do with that. But it could definitely be something else. Would be the fanciest religious thingy I've ever seen passed out if that is the case. Also the message on it sounded rather group-like but idk. When I looked up the phrase on google along with the term freemason, I got: "we have to move forward in unanimity -- as individual Masons, as unified" " ... to whatever type of relationship I can reforge moving forward. ... Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be." ... "You have faith and I have works Sermon of the Dean of St Paul's ... the values by which we live: all these things are called in question at a ... and move and have our being is the One in whom alone we can find ... May God enrich and renew you as you go forward in the work to which you have put your hand."

Any idea why this guy is handing them out?
How did you got it? Did he randomly gave it to you or your fiance?

Nice thread, I'm eager to hear what more knowledgeable ATS members have to say about it.

a reply to: rukia

Is this metal, plastic or wood? Any of those materials would be easy to mass produce. What significance do you think it holds?

Personally, it seems to be just another typical Christian icon. The words don't really seem all to out of the ordinary for Christians either.

Did you bother to ask the person who handed this item out what the deal with it was?

a reply to: payta

a reply to: Sparkymedic

It is metal, but I am not sure what kind. It is lightweight--perhaps hollow in the center.

He got it from a man while serving his table. Apparently the man passes them out to all of the servers/staff. The reason is unknown. It was given along with the tip/receipt and was retrieved with the bill from the table after the man had left/was leaving already. He received it around Christmas of last year.

I've already told my fiance to ask the guy next he saw him but he hasn't served his table again since the guy doesn't come in much already. Perhaps there will be an opportunity in the future to ask but no promises. Unfortunately my fiance can be rather forgetful of silly things like that at times haha I'll write him a little note or something.


And as for significance? I have no idea at all. It just seemed like a really weird thing to pass out. Kinda seemed strange/off when my fiance showed me after work last winter. I've just never seen anything like it before, and I've eaten out a fair bit in my life. Lived in 3 states, as well. My uncle is also a christian pastor (non denominational) of a huge congregation in P.A.--never seen him with this kinda thing. Not that I can really ask him about this though, he has a tendency to act pretty arrogant and is the sort of guy who didn't let his 7-10+ year old children watch Rugrats because Angelica was too mean or something lol --woohoo for diverse families

a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe
Gotcha--np. Apologies about the bkground image thing! Just changed it.

Interesting token.


It's been a while since I've been in the market for custom engraved pocket items....but it's quite common for individuals and groups to buy small items (crosses, coins, etc...) with a personalized engraved message on them in bulk to hand out for a variety of reasons.

For a while, I was interested in having some custom brass coins made for friends and family, but I never got around to it due to minor financial constraints.

I've checked to see if this particular cross is a common, mass produced item - and haven't been able to find anything.

I'd have to say your best bet for unraveling this mystery is inquiring with the gentleman who gave the gift in the first place as to it's affiliation/meaning....it might be nothing more than a small keepsake he made out of goodwill, or it might be part of a larger collective organization.

Either way, it's an uncommon cross and probably vintage.

You'll probably never know the "real story" until you ask the original benefactor.

Let us know how it turns out!

a reply to: GENERAL EYES

That's interesting! It could definitely be a personal motto of some sort.

And absolutely--I will post here the second I get any more info on this.
My fiance works tonight, so I think I'll badger him to ask around with the other servers/chefs to see if they know anything about the back-story on the guy or why he gives these things out. Unfortunately, as I said, I don't think that the man is a regular around the club--more of an infrequent visitor.

a reply to: rukia

They are the phamplet givers, your right on that!... But I was thinking a member with money may have stepped it up? Lol...I'm sorry I can't be of more help, I will be watching this thread to see what comes of it. I know there are several very religious members here who could definately help....but, if you don't attract them, you may want to think about adding/change your thread title to include " cross" in it...or something religious.....that'll get their attention...just a thought.....good luck, and if I come across anything will let you know! ( stars and flag for you)

a reply to: rukia

We have Masonic members...go back over some threads where the repliers said they are Masons...send a private u2u to them...hope this helps a bit in searching for an answer!

I can only speak for myself as a Mason in general and not the Craft, but I have never seen something like this in a Blue/Craft Lodge in the time I have been a member.

Maybe the Templar's, but I'm only guessing here.

a reply to: Sauron

It's not Templar's either... ;-)

One things for certain, its designed to prick peoples curiosity. There has to be some kind of underlying group behind it. But who?

hey guys, I have some good news! the dude in question is going to be at the club this Friday! And I got my fiance to agree to ask him what up with the cross. So, I shall be posting the results of this direct confrontation--as my fiance so dramatically puts it --this Friday evening. Till then! And thank you all very very very much for helping me brainstorm

originally posted by: Meldionne1
My guess would be Jehovah witness....but I'm sure that's probably not correct, just a guess.

It's definitely not Jehovah's Witnesses. They don't use the cross, nor do they believe Jesus died on a cross. They consider the cross pagan.

Nice find! I have found little comic books about j/c in the bathroom before, weird. Maybe look for that on ebay or Amazon it may have info about it.

I wonder, does a magnet stick to it?

a reply to: rukia

Well as I am in the military I found myself in Afghanistan not long ago and received a cross very similar to your pictures and description from the Chaplin. Where he received them I am not sure. I just found it, no engravings nor bronze or gold coloring's but aluminium with the same rounded corners or close. Due to circumstances beyond my control at the moment I do not have a camera available but will try to post one later.

It may not necessarily be an organized group that handed out this little cross. It might just be one person who has decided to make the cross with this little message of faith and hope to hand out. Maybe they are doing it out of the goodness and love in their heart. Maybe it is their little gift to the world.

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves." Amelia Earhart

leolady