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The ACACIA - FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY - PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only - HALL LODGE MESSAGE CENTER

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Posted: Mon May 5th, 2008 12:50 PM

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S.S.Keefer
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THE ACACIA
By Rev. Sidney E. Harris, M.P.S. Aurora, Oregon

What a stimulating flood of memories and emotions this topic brings forth,
though to too many it does not suggest any very definite ideas.

What is the Acacia? What is its symbolic significance? In answer to the
second question I would say that it gives life perspective, a vision of life
that embodies the solution of so many of our present problems. What is the
Acacia? It is an evergreen shrub or tree found in Africa (140 species),
Arabia, the East Indies, and Australia (280 species). The shape of the
leaves is modified by the climate, which is especially true of Australia.
Some varieties are cultivated for their fruit and others for their beautiful
flowers. The wood of the Arabian variety is called shittim; from it were
made the Ark of the Covenant for the Tabernacle and Temple, and the
furniture of the Holy of Holies. The wood is dark yellow in color,
crossgrained, very hard, and contains a great deal of tanic acid. It is
considered a sacred wood, and belongs to the balsam family. >From its gum was
produced myrrh, used as a drug to deaden pain. Myrrh was one of the gifts
the Wise Men brought to Jesus.

The jews often planted an Acacia on a newlymade grave, to grow from the body
buried in it. Many are found in the neighborhood of the Calvary.

The Acacia is a symbol of immortality. The Third Degree teaches us that Life
is immortal and that Death but interrupts our work without ending it. Our
greatest need is a vision of life in the perspective of eternity.

The Acacia is a symbol of innocence: of pure heart and pure hands. Myrrh
made from its gum was one of the ingredients of the purifying oil with which
the priests anointed themselves before the act of sacrifice.

At the Passover an innocent, unblemished lamb was Sacrificed for the
nation's ills. It was the symbol of a greater sacrifice.
Masonically, Jesus was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; but he was also the
Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world and purifies minds,
hearts and purposes.

The Acacia is also the symbol of initiation. In all the mystery religions
some plant was the symbol of initiation. The cross of Jesus was, perhaps,
made of the wood of the Acacia tree which was readily available as it grows
plentifully around Golgotha.
The Acacia - symbol of Immortality, Innocence, and Initiation.

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HALL LODGE MESSAGE CENTER > PUBLIC - Access To This Area For All Members, New Posts for Hall Lodge Members Only > FOR THE GOOD OF MASONRY > The ACACIA