Middletown transcript., 1868-01-25
ylasQaiG N(ylepartment.
4 yTAf essss L.sht q. lsl.sslls. n %

L elfrfJ ftfqsttt-ssn - =, 'rr--r-ssrrH.t II VI
| How far it can be proven, that the Aca-
cia-(or. as the old Masonic writers spell
it. Cassia, has Mosaic application, will
not be attempted in the present article
The writer has doubts whether the word
Acaciq in the Masonic Lectures is not used
merely as "a general name for evergreen,
but for the present will mot intrude this.
theory upon the readers of the National
Freemason. The term Aeacia is not found
in the Holy Scriptures; its synonym being
= the Shittah-tree : z iShittim-wood." Sew
eral species Of acacia occur in the Bible
lands, among which may be specified a.
Segdl, A. Nslotica, A. Arabica, Il. Tor
titi& etess OF these tlles first Is mest prabl
ably the kind SO extensively used in the
construction of the tabemacle4- ark .of'
the covenant and the slaves for carrying it
l--the table Of shewbread and its staves-
\ the altar of burnt offerings with its slaves,
and the altarof incense with its stavesk all
being made Of it. The Egyptian name of
the Acacia tree is ,Sont, SAINT and Stinth.
On Mount Sinai it grows to the size Of q
Mulberry treeS 0 1t is abundant throughout
the peninsula of Sinai, and was doubtless
the Burning Bush nf Moses. 1t yields
the well known substance called Gum Ara
4 bic . 9WA&lN NY-h A9k@Rt
In the Holy Land it is not so common,
although the traveller need snot search in
vain for it, "A valley on the west side of the
Dead Sea, about 80 miles southeast of Je-
rusalem, is sosnoted for the abundance of
this plant as to derive its name Hddy Sc
gal Acacia Y alley, from the circumstance.
The student OF Ffsehasonfy must not con-
found this tree with the well known North
4 American plant denominated Acacia, y
which belongs to an entirely different ge-
nus and sub-order, and properly named
Robinid pseudo-acacia. The true dcocias
are mostly tropical plants POSSESSING hard
and durable wood their botanical order is
Latgtn,taose, sub-order Niaose.
i Plants of the order, Ls.gumsa saesOe abound
in all situations in Palestine, especially the
general iridium, Trigonella, Medicasso,
Lotus, ViciG OrQbus in the, richer soils,
and Asiragaiis in enormous profusion in
the drier and more barren districts. Of
the shrubby plants of this order there are
a few species Of Geasstd, CytisNsj Ononis,
: Retamd, Anagyrus, Calycotaine, Coronil-
Ia and -4cacia. In the valley of the Jordan
Aeadia Tasaesiaaa Isl very abundant. and
celebrated for the delicious fragrance of its
yellow flowers. 1t is chiefly upon it that
the usperb mistletoe, Loranthus Acacioe,
grows, whose scarlet flowers are brilliant
ornaments to the desert during Winter,
giving the appearance of fame to the bush
|, es. On the banks oflthe Jordan itself the
arboreous and shrubbery vegetation in
I cludes the Acacia TeraS Near the. SOUTH
|, east corner Of the Dead Sea, Lynch records
; the presence of "groves of acacia" Ex-
) pedition, p. 311. - -
II "The' Uassia was anciehtly 4 symbol Of
honor, triumph, life and resurrection accord
ing to Pierius, who published his Hyero-
: gtphica in 1675."-Natsondl Freendsons.
: I. .2XHGw 1T1FTrFMs 4 4 nj T52HIHI
y Morality Of Masonry.
The .Prineipies1on which GMasonry sests
are as immutable as the Bible, because
| they are drawn from that holy Book,
! Protesting to be an humble hand-maid 81
> the Glorious Gospel, ,Sthe ,life and light Of
benlghted world she would that her
: workmen Should have no lower standard
} no lower aim, thanlthatithe gospel fixes
she prays that their minds may be, illumi-
mated through the intercession Of the Son
Of Righteousness; that faith, hope, and
charity, may daily increase, but more, es-
d pecially that charity which is the bond Of
: peace and the perfection of every virtue
that they may, practice tho preeepts al
; Gods holy Word, SO that Though the
merits of the Redeeiner they may finally
, obtain the promises, and find abundant
entrance through the gates into the city
and temple of our God
i Thus does she. close her teachings to hcl
workmen thus would she have, them to
live thus would she have them to- pass
their probationary state here below; that
, when the time shall be no more---when the
earth, and all things therein, shall be de-
stroyed, and the heavens pass away with
a great noise, they may be found with the
password which shall admit them into the
presence, of the Grand Master of, the Uni
! verse, and remain forever members Of d
Lodge which shall lnever iba. closed, and
fitted for happiness which shall never end.
E. b. Wiasloios4 .':saig11 aaidtdl -v=.
, ~ .sala sILnuiss8g. 81
"A The GREATEsT.-There one offense
against M asoDRu (which Cf,Svf N a ~ latss,s