National Republican., 1878-04-19
The Masonry Of Flowers,


have ventured upon very bold stsp,
know, in intruding my feminine remarks. If.
ter knowing the strict rules for excluding
every vcStige of tho "petticoat In the mys-
tcrious Masonic fraternity hut like q darins
soldier, having cssayed the first step, l fiua
away all means Of retreat, and rush boldly TO
the attack.
And this do the more confidently that they
have trenched upon our perogatives, when
the introduced flowers aud foliage as means
of decoration among their Masonic parapher-
nalia-excuse the word-but my Ignorance Of
their proper specific term must plead my ex-
cuse.
Now, think may with the utmost Justice
assert that flowers are and always have been
under exclusive female jurisdiction, ruled, as
they are, by Flora herself; and in taking
them the Masons have put themselves under
her blooming sceptrs for the moment and
may therefore bear little lecture from one Of
her votaries. l will consequently found nv
charge on the ground that at some various
times sundry Of their craft have taken adysn-
tage Of them for Embellishments at some Of
their secret proceedings Not being one Of tho
initiated, cannot of course prove this; but
they Will, dare say, plead guilty. Now do
not blame them at all for doing so, for think
they are quite right, literally and fgurativeiy.
For, as the flowers are raised from the earth OF
this green world by the more visible form Of
the same power, so were the first shoots and
buds of Masonry called into being In Adam
tthe red earth by the Great Source Of light
and life. / believe they will not deny that TO
be a very Masonic truth. though from wo-
mans pen.
We cannot define what the extent Of the
usefulness contained in herbs and flowers may
be, familiar as we are with their medicinal
properties. But beyond all these even there
is Is "a world Of beautiful teaching curled up In
hali 4 do
not allude to the sentimental, so-called Ian.
gunge Of Flowers," but the beautiful and even
holy symbolism that may be found In them.
The Masons may be glad to study from them
little Look, for instance, at the "5olomon's
Seal, which contains whole volume Of
landmarks In it.
Perhaps they will be able to find ont the
graceful spring Of the arch, worthy, in honor
of its beauty and its wise and kihgly name
sake, to be called royal" Do not forget 10
notice the perfect intersected triangle In Its
elegant green-tipped petals, OF tho unusual
number Of six. which donbtles. gave it its
name. There would he q valuable flower for
Masonry, and it is easily grown and propa-
gated. The rose, too, what pretty and poet
ical help 1t would he in tiling a lodge tho
emblem of secrecy from time immemOrial.
How very much MaSOns might add to the
beauty of their Masonic festivals did they pay
a little attention to this do not mean that
tncE could 40 so at every lodge meeting as
the flowers they wished for might be out Of
season. but on the event of any grand festival.
If they were combined and arranged In appro-
pirate devices they would, indeed, add much
to the general effect of the scene, though am
afraid the fraternity would have to demand
the aid of some tasteful feminine fingers and
little womanly taste in grouping them.
l have had little opportunity of seeing vii
lage schoolrOOms arranged for tea drinking and
holidays, and really the very beautiful effect
Oft few flowers some coarse paste. board. aud
needles and thread was wonderful when ono
considered the materials.
The acacia, very Masonic tree, can always
help much, by its very appropriate foliage. as
background to the more Brilliant hues of tho
flowers. The hyacinth. with its mourniul aud
mysterious y the cOlumbinc, with it, lit
tie doves; and Others, too numerous to meu-
tion, would involve n world OF hidden mean
ings to the initiated
One flower, only, would exclude from fest
tive purposes, which, with a kind of revcren-
watchiulness over the sacred symbols it bears
in its bosom, closes over them at uightlalI, and
dogns not TO unlurl for any lighted rcvel In
the world mean the passion flower which,
bring honorcd by bearing the symbols of tho
Rodeemer's suticrings on earth, should not bs
lightly taken to any assembly of human Joy
and mirth, however harmless.