Consecration Of The Acacia Lodge, No. 2321, At Bradford.

In ancient times the colour white was the symbol of the Earth ; blue , as the colour of the sky , was a symbol of the Air ; the purple , of the Sea' ; and scarlet , the symbol of Fire . Purple , to the Freemasons , is the emblem of Union , because it is produced by the combination of blue and scarlet , the symbolical colours of the Royal Arch Degree . To you then , brethren , members of the Acacia Lodge , there is much mystical significance attached to the symbolism of this tree or plant so

dear to Freemasons , which you have chosen as the name by which you are to be known to your brethren throughout the world , " by night as well as by day . " The acacia is said to grow very abundantly near Jerusalem . It is there an evergreen , and is often placed on Jewish graves . It is the Acacia vera of Tournefort . All Masonic writers have liked to discover much figurative teaching from the evergreen character of the acacia , and to deduce therefrom a mystical representation of the

immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body . It is remarked b y Quantin , a French writer , that almost all the Antient Mysteries had their sacred plants for badges , as examples : the Palm by the Egyptians ; the Laurels b y the Romans ; the Myrtle by the Greeks ; the Mistletoe by the Druids ; the " Order of the Mustard-seed , " instituted in Germany in 1739 ; '' The Knights and Nymphs of the Rose , " invented at Paris towards the close of

the eighteenth century , where the Knights wore a crown of myrtle , and the Nymphs a crown of roses ; and there are many others too numerous to elucidate in this address . Nations and countries too , have chosen shrubs and flowers as badges and symbols of loyalty , unity , or patriotism . There was the Rose of Jericho , a cruciferous plant . In the Song of Solomon what exquisite imagery is conveyed of the profession of the faith and hope of the church , in the language " I am the Rose of

Sharon and the Lily of the Valley . " The " Rose of Sharon" is the figurative appellation of the Son of Righteousness . The rose has been a favourite flower from antiquity for symbolism and emblem . It was consecrated to Harpocrates , the God of Silence , and in the mysteries the hierophant wore a crown of roses as emblems of silence and secrecy . The rose is a symbol of secrecy—sub rasa—under the rose , which signifies something

to be said or done that forbids disclosure ; and in the " Rose Croix " Degree the " cross and the rose " signify the secret of immortality . In politics , are not the white rose and the red rose symbolical of the Royal Houses of York and Lancaster ? Would West Yorkshire part with its symbol of the Wiite rose , or Lancashire the red rose ? On Ihe historical union of the two houses the two roses were united into one , and the rose has thus become the symbol of unity and patriotism , and the

Royal badge of Engl . ind . Take the th ' s . le—is it not the national emblem of Scotland , and the Scottish Order of Knighthood ? Is not the national motto and the Order of the Thistle the same for both—Nemo me impunc lacessit— "No one provokes me with impunity ? " Are not Scotchmen proud of their carline thistle—the blessed thistle—Centaurea benedicta—as they call it ? Is not the " shamrock " the name given to the national emblem of Ireland ? What Irishman would give up

the symbolism of the plant called white clover—TrifoUum repens—with its threefold leaf , said to have been used by St . Patrick to illustrate the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity—tria in it 110 . ' And is not the leek the national emblem of Wales ? Again what would become of parties or principles in the State or in society without their flowers and colours for their badges of organisation ? The yellow primrose , the scarlet poppy , the lily of the valley ? These and others convey a meaning and a

symbolism more significant than the mere power of language , because they have made history ; because the nations of the earth have made themselves or lost themselves renown under the spell of their mystic significance , and because these flowers and shrubs and colours appeal to our hearts and minds , each in its own loveliness of heroism and of charity , and affection of ideas , and are watchwords as precious to us as are friends and relations , or even life itself . It is delightful to

find that there is still a health y ferment of mind for hero-worshi p and badge-worship ; that these symbols have not yet passed out of our public and private life ; that the heart of man still beats young and fresh towards them ; that the old imagery conveyed by means of colours , and flowers and shrubs , the mistletoe , the palm , the myrtle , the acacia , and the old tales of Solomon , Hiram and Ab Hurani , Damon , Pythias , Socrates , and Alcibiades , Shakespeare , and his nameless friend of

love , passingtheloveof woman , ennobled byits own humility , deeper than death and mightier than the grave , can still blossom out , if it be but in one heart here and there , to show man still how , sooner or later , " he that loveth knoweth God , for God is Love . " The Mason , then , is attached to , and has affection for , his emblem , the '' acacia ; " it is the symbol of untainted purity of heart and life , and the badge of innocence . It is exquisitel y interwoven with the beautiful legend of Solomon ' s Great Tyrian

Architect , twice styled in Chronicles " Ab Huram . " He is said to have been murdered through the jealousy of some Israelites , who also held a high position as members of the same profession with Huram , and who , like him , were employed b y Royal Solomon in producing his famous architectural works . Huram lost his life rather than betray the sacred trust reposed in him . When his body was found b y those sent in search of it , the " sprig of acacia" was struck at the head of his

grave , to show where his body was interred . Ever since , the custom of planting an acacia , or sprig of that shrub , on a grave , amongst the Hebrews , arose from this circumstance . This custom explains the adoption by the Freemasons of the plant ; and one of the characteristics of the genus is the sensibility of its leaves to the touch of human hands . The word signifying " innocence , " or being free from sin , implies , says Bro . Hutchinson , " that the sins and corruptions of the old Law

, and devotees of the Jewish altar , had hid Reli g ion from those who sought her , and she was only to be found where innocence survived , and under the banner of the Divine Lamb . " It is only , as it were , yesterday we have had to place the sprig of acacia over the grave of one of the most learned of Freemasons—our dear Bro . Judge Mclntyre , Past Grand Registrar of England , and the County Court Judge at Mirfield , & c . He was brave as a lion—a learned man , and a master of all

knowledge relating to Masonic jurisprudence . His was a life of usefulness , of patriotism , loyalty , and charity . Truly , we may mourn his loss , and , like the Masons of Ab Huram ' s time , smite our foreheads in sympathy of this bereavement to the Craft and his friends . And so , brethren , Masonry , by this symbol of acacia , bids you in the full significance of its meaning , " with untainted purity of heart and life , and unimpaired integrity , " advance in the paths of Truth ; be divested of every degree of arrogance ; and each of you members of No . 2321 come as true

Acacians , with steps of innocence , humility , and virtue , to challenge the ensigns of an Order whose Institutions arise on the most solemn and sacred princi ples of religion . Take , then , your acacia , and ever wear it as " the badge of innocence and the bond of friendshi p ; ' and let Horace ' s language be your motto and your guide in Bradford" True , conscious honour is to feel no sin ; He ' s armed without that ' s innocent within , Be this thy screen , and this thy wall of brass . "—So mote it be .

After the consecration ceremony , the lodge was opened in the two first Degrees by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Henry Smith , and the Installing Master , Bro . J . Ramsden Riley , P . M . 387 , P . P . G . D . C , at once proceeded with his duties , and , most ably assisted by Bro . S . A . Bailey , P . M . 16 48 , who presented the W . M . designate for that purpose , duly installed Bro . Alfred Stephenson , P . M . 1648 , P . P . G . D . C , in the Worshipful Master ' s chair . The latter brother invested his

officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . J . Ramsden Riley , P . M ., as l . P . M . S . A . Auty , P . M ., S . W . ; Joseph Wilson , P . M ., J . W . ; John Haigh , P . M ., Chap . ' E . P . Peterson , Treas . ; John T . Last , Sec . ; Thos . Jowett , S . D . ; John Niven , J . D . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., D . C . and Charity Stwd . ; Samuel Robinson , S . of W . ; T . W . Holmes , P . M ., Org . ; John Thornton , I . G . ; Wm . Parkinson , Arthur Holmes , and Herbert W . White , Stewards ; and Alfred Boyle , Tyler . The musical part of the day ' s programme , under the skilful direction of the Provincial G . Org . ( Bro . J . P . Priestly ) , was most efficiently carried out . The

Consecration Of The Acacia Lodge, No. 2321, At Bradford.

very line consecration music b y Bro . F . C . Atkinson , Mus . Bac . Cantab ., P . M . 164 S , P . Prov . G . Org . West Yorks , lent a most effective and beautiful solemnit y to the whole of the proceedings , whilst Bros . Blagbro , Atherton , Priestly , and Kingdon did full justice to their several vocal parts , to the evident appreciation of

all present . We are rather surprised that Bro . Atkinson ' s consecration service is not more frequently heard , as it certainly ought to possess many advantages over the musical selection usually made on such occasions , besides being arranged in Masonic order , and in a convenient form , containing all that is required . However , we presume the want of voices is too often the chief difficulty .

I he lodge having been closed , the brethren , to the number of about 80 , adjourned to the banquet hall , where tea and coffee , with substantial accompaniment in the shape of '' fish , flesh , and fowl , " & c , rewarded the long patience of the brethren .

The W . M ., Bro . Alfred Stephenson , presided , and was supported by the D . P . G . M ., the W . M . ' s of Bradford and other lodges , and other distinguished visitors . As is too often the case , the toast list had to be somewhat hurriedly disposed of , owing to the never-to-be-calculated length of time the two ceremonies absorbed . It was , however , agreeably varied with songs by the musical brethren , and this portion of the day ' s proceedings passed off harmoniously and satisfactorily , until closed b y the Tyler ' s toast and the singing of the National Anthem .

A brief account of the origin of this new lodge may not be out of place . It was talked of as early as 1883 , but at that time great objections were expressed against the formation of lodges under what is known as temperance princi ples . This widely prevailing feeling had its influence , and caused more secrecy to be observed than probabl y need have been even at that time . The four P . M . ' s then

interested being joined by the late Bro . F . Smart , P . M ., about September , 1884 , it was decided to hold weekly meetings at the Imperial Hotel , where the numbers gradually increased , but not to such an extent as to warrant the application for a warrant . Then the Prudence Lodge at Leeds ( on the same lines ) was strongly criticised , both before and at its consecration , in such manner as to have its effect with the promoters of a Bradford lodge .

It was , nevertheless , decided that the little rushli ght which burned so brilliantly on Saturday last should be kept burning , but , until a more satisfactory prospect of success should arrive , the meetings should cease . This was at the end of October , 1884 , when the present W . M ., Bro . Alfred Stephenson , had joined , and the total strength did not exceed nine . As time passed , outside brethren somehow heard of the first attempt , and from time to time expressed a wish to join such a lodge until early this year it became necessary to call the ori ginators together again in order to ascertain how far progress had been made .

Alter one or two meetings it was confidently decided that the time had arrived when something could be done ; and by the unwearied zeal of the Secretary , Bro . Last , each subsequent meeting confirmed that opinion by a steady increase of promoters . When the list of the latter reached 20 , an application was made to the Lodge of Hope , No . 302 , for its recommendation , which , though delayed by an

objectionable '' ' clause in the application , was subsequentl y most generously given , and the application to the M . W . G . M . was forwarded under that endorsement . The other Bradford lodges subsequently gave their countenance to the formation of the new lodge , with good wishes for its success . The warrant is signed by H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., and dated 23 rd July , 1889 .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of North Wales.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH WALES .

A Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of North Wales was held at Carnarvon Castle on the 25 th ult ., when Colonel Hunter , Provincial Grand Master , presided , supported by his Deputy , Bro . Col . Gordon Warren . There was a good attendance of brethren from the northern part of the principality , among whom were Bros . Rev . Hugh Thomas , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap . ; Rev . LI . Nicholas , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap . ; N . Bunnell , l . P . M . 321 , P . G . M . O . ; Major Owen Thomas , P . P . S . G . W ., Past G . S . B . of England ; Robert Owen , P . P . I . G . W ., Past G . Stwd . of

England ; C Davies , P . P . S . G . W ., Past G . Stwd . of England ; G . L . Woodley , I P . P . S . G . W ., P . P . G . Sec , Past G . Stwd . of England ; R . H . Chamberlain , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Treas . ; W . D . Henderson , Prov . G . Sec . ; A . M . Dunlop , Prov . G . D . of C . ; Rev . Thomas Edwars , Prov . G . Chaplain ; H . Lloyd , John Pritchard , J . P . Evans , C . H . Rees , J . Hughes , J . L .

Bankes , H . A . Steen , P . J . G . W . ; Edward Roberts , P . G . R . of M . ; Henry Hardman , P . S . G . D . ; George Challinor , P . G . I , of W . ; Stephen Hargreaves , P . G . D . of England ; and J . H . Ellis , P . G . I . G . The Past Provincial Grand Officers present included Bros . Thomas Coxhead , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Hugh Thomas , P . P . G . C . ; Robert Owen , P . P . G . I . of W , P . G . Stwd . of England ; D . Wynne Williams , P . P . G . D . of C . ; and K . M'Ewen , P . P . G . I . G ., P . G . S . of England .

The Elffin Mark Lodge was opened , when Bro . Hardman was installed W . M . for the coming year . The P . G . M . and his P . G . Officers were then received . Bro . Colonel HUNTER , after going through the matter of business of Prov . G . Lodge , alluded in feeling terms to the great loss the province had sustained in the death of their much valued friend and brother , Dr . T . C . Roden , M . D ., who was formerl y Deputy P . G . M ., but who resigned on account of declining health .

A vote ot thanks was passed by the Prov . G . Lodge to Bro . G . L . Woodley , P . P . G . Sec , for his unremitting attention to the duties of the office , which he held for so many years . The officers for the Provincial Grand Lodge were appointed as follows :

Bro . Col . Gordon Warren ... ... ... Prov . D . G . M . „ H . Hardman , 321 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ D . Wynn Williams , 3 8 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ N . Bunnell , 321 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ R . H . Pritchard ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ J . W . Poole , 321 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ,, Rev . Hugh Thomas , M . A . ... ... ... " 1 ,, „ „ , , ; LI . Nicholas , M . A ., 324 j Prov . G . Chaps . ,, R . S . Chamberlain ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . Challinor , 321 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . ,, W . D . Henderson , 321 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, S . Hargreaves ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . ,, Owen Evans , 321 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . D . C . „ T . T . Sarson , 3 8 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Owen Thomas , 606 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . M . Dunlop , 259 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ H . Evans , 259 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ A . L . Cleur , 324 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . Williams ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . A . Nott , 324 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . " W- IWn . 321 ] . Prov . G . Stwds . „ Allan Sunner ... ... ... ... j „ Vincent ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The banquet was served at the Royal Hotel , the P . G . M ., Bro . Col . Hunter presiding , Bro . Hardman , W . M . 321 , being the Vice-President . A sp lendid carle was provided by Bro . E . Humphreys .