THE ACACIA

The Acacia belongs to a large family of plants. These plants are found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. They provide gum, timber and cabinet woods. One of the most noted comes from Hawaii, the koa wood. Some of the plants have feathery leaves and sweet scented flowers. The Acacia we know in masonry grows, still, in Palestine.To the Jewish people it is a sacred wood.

The Ark Of The Covenant was made of Acacia, so also was the table for the Shewbread. In addition much of the furniture which adorned the Temples was made of Acacia. Masons have appropriated the Acacia as a symbol to teach divine truth to all ages to follow.The Acacia is a symbol of the immortality of the soul.

The Hebrew people planted a sprig of Acacia at the head of the grave of a departed friend. The ancient Greeks bedecked tombs with sweet scented flowers and herbs. But many ancient peoples substituted the Acacia for all other plants. They believed it to be incorruptible and not liable to injury or attack of animals or insects, implying the incorruptible nature of the soul of man.

The sprig of Acacia to the mason is meant to remind him by its' ever green and unchanging nature, of that better and spiritual part within us, which is an emanation from the G.A.O.T.U. and can never die.Secondly, the Acacia is a symbol of innocence.

The Greek word Acacia has two distinct meanings. It signifies the plant and the moral qualities of innocence and purity of life. In this sense, the Acacia refers to him over whose solitary grave the Acacia was planted and whose virtuous conduct and whose integrity of life and fidelity to his trust has been presented as a pattern to the craft. This interpretation then suggests that all masons are invited to emulate the example of such a brother. Few masons indeed are permitted to wear this symbol on their regalia.Thirdly and lastly the Acacia is a symbol of initiation. This interpretation is most interesting and perhaps the original meaning.

In all ancient initiations and religious mysteries there was always some plant peculiar to each which was consecrated and occupied an important place in the celebration of the rite. Later the very plant, from constant and prominent use, came to be adopted as the symbol of the initiation. The Lettuce was the sacred plant of the Greeks, the Lotus flower was that of the Brahman rites of India. The Egyptians revered the Heath plant. We all know that the Mistletoe was mystical to the Druids. Later the Greeks used the Myrtle. Apart from any mystical or allegorical teaching we are quite familiar with the Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland, the Leek of Wales, the Shamrock of Ireland, and even the Trillium of Ontario.

Returning to the Acacia adopted by masons, we find it the symbol of immortality of innocence and of initiation. All these significations are very closely knit in this one symbol. We are taught that innocence must lie in the grave to be called by the G.A.O.T.U. to a blissful immortality. In this little, and apparently insignificant symbol, we have the suggestions of all the mysteries of life and death, of time and eternity, of the present and the future. Such are some of the thoughts that come to mind as one looks at Acacia leaves.

I See You've Traveled Some
Author Unknown 

Wherever you may chance to be -- 
Wherever you may roam 
Far away In foreign lands, 
Or just at home, sweet home; 
It always give you pleasure, 
It makes your heart strings hum 
Just to hear the words of cheer--
"I see you've traveled some" 

When you get the brothers greeting, 
As he takes you by the hand, 
It thrills you with a feeling
That you cannot understand. 
You feel that bond of brotherhood
That tie that's sure to come 
When you hear him say in a friendly way,
"I see you've traveled some" 

And if you are a stranger 
In strange lands all alone
If fate has left you stranded--
Dead broke and far from home, 
Oh, it's a grand and glorious feeling
It thrills you--makes you dumb,
When he says, with a grip of Fellowship---
"I see you've traveled some"

And when your final summons comes,
To take a last long trip 
Adorned with Lambskin Apron White
And gems of fellowship, 
The tyler at the Golden Gate,
With square and rule and plumb 
Will size up your pin, and say
"Walk in--I see you've traveled some"

On Yonder Book, an Oath I Took  
In Masons Lodge with darkened eyes,
And cable tow about you,
You swore to Hele all mysteries,
That Masons keep and Masons prize,
The Brothers secrets whispered low,
The words they speak, the things they do,
In mystic manner taught you.

On yonder book, that oath you took, and you should break it never. But
stand by this, and this , and this, forever and forever.


You swore to answer and Obey,
The Summons sent you duly,
My Brothers hand or Lodge array,
You swore that you would never stray
From laws and rules that bound,
Freemasons in the days renowned,
But would observe them truly.

On yonder book that oath you took, and you should break it never, But
stand by this, and this, and this, forever and forever,


You swore in charity to care
For all with sorrow smitten,
The Brother on the darkened square,
The Widow, full of grief and care,
The sorrowing orphan doomed to stray
On life's cold path and cheerless way
While tears gush forth unbidden.

On yonder book that oath you took, and you should break it never, But
stand by this, and this , and this, forever and forever


You swore to deal in honesty
With each true heart around you
That honour bright should ever be
The unbroken bond , twixt him and thee'
Nor wrong, nor guile, nor cruel fraud
Should ever break or loose that holy chord
With which these vows have bound you

You swore the chastity to shield
Of women true and tender
A brothers wife, A brothers child
His Mother, Sister, Undefiled
Those , pure of heart, whose love
Makes Masons' homes like heaven above
You are their sworn defender

On yonder book, three oaths you took and you should break them never
But stand by this, and this, and this, forever and forever.
 
These are our vows, be these our care,
And may such light be given
In answer to our earnest prayer
That we may ever do or dare.
All that Gods gracious laws enjoin
That , so ,when shades of night decline.
We may be found in heaven.

On this fair book these vows we all took and we should break them
never But stand by this, and this, and this, forever and forever.



Any Mason may use the contents for any valid Masonic purpose, permission may be granted to others upon request.