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Oration by The Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain
Given at the Dedication of the Banner of Ayot Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1529
Brethren – from time immemorial men have marched and gathered under banners which have enabled them to proclaim their allegiance. A banner has always been an emblem of fidelity and homage, whether to man, country or an ideology.
The dedication of a new banner is a great event in the life of a Lodge. It marks a certain maturity of development; a banner after all is not essential for the life of a Lodge but it is particularly moving that this afternoon’s ceremony simultaneously marks the dedication of the Ayot Lodge of Mark Master Mason’s and Royal Ark Mariner’s a most unusual occurrence in the History of this Hertfordshire Province…… WHY THEN A BANNER?
The Book of Psalms offers one explanation: “All you inhabitants of the World and all you dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountain see ye, and when the rams horn trumpet is blown, hear ye”
A banner, a flag, an ensign, is a rallying point not just for troops in battle but for those who rally behind a cause, behind an object, or in our particular case behind a certain way of life. In times of battle colours form a rallying point for troops. In times of peace they act as a symbol with which all those who profess a particular point of view can identify.
This Banner is simple in design – The Blue or Azure background indicates Truth, Strength and Loyalty. The Red indicates Fortitude and Passion. It is surmounted with the Provincial Emblem or Logo confirming the Lodge allegiance to the Province and embodying above all allegiance to the teaching that is at the very heart of the Mark Degree and is depicted on the banner by the Keystone, the emblem of our Order. A symbol revered as the chief and most sacred portion of the Arch.
Such is the purpose of a Lodge banner. It aims to portray some of the history of the Lodge, for each Lodge is different, has a different past and different aspirations for its future.
The magnificent banner which we have dedicated this afternoon, testify to the charitable achievements of this Lodge. The Founders chose the Church of St Peter at Ayot Saint Peter as their main motif. There have been churches on this site for a very long time going back to 1291. The present church (1875) was designed by the famous architect, John Pollard Seddon FRIBA (1827 –1906). This church is dominant on the landscape. From this perspective, the Tower makes a clear statement about the role and importance of the Church and this Banner as well, makes a clear statement about the importance of faith to Freemasons of all denominations – a belief in a Supreme Being is of course the basic requirement of a Freemason.
As you know, King Solomon’s Temple as the premier building in the Bible is central to the narrative of Freemasonry. The Mark degree deals with faith, the rejection and ultimately, the reward of a craftsman whose beautiful and skillful work is unappreciated by those who lacked the vision and imagination to understand its purpose. Ultimately, virtue is rewarded, as expressed most reverently by the verse from Psalm 118 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the headstone of the corner”.
This narrative of faith in adversity, belief in the ultimate reward, and confidence in the future, is the central lesson of this beautiful and at times very moving degree. It is particularly fitting that the Ayot Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1529 has recognised THAT hope by dedicating this banner at this meeting which celebrates the not inconsiderable milestone of almost 30 years of Masonic life and Masonic endeavour.
May this Lodge go forward from strength to strength. May it continue to build upon the achievements since its consecration and may the Brethren rallying under their banner take the name and fame of the Ayot Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1529 to yet greater heights in the years ahead.
W Bro Morris Freeman, PGStdB
Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain
St Albans. 29th May 2008
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