OUR COAT OF ARMS

 

The Armorial Device of St. Andrew’s Lodge is an interesting study and sums up the history of our Lodge.

In the early 1920’s R. V. Harris who was then Secretary of the lodge wrote to Lord Ampthill, pro Grand Master of England, to ask if we were free to adopt a Coat of Arms of our own devising or should we work through the College of Heralds.  The reply from the pro Grand Master was in effect that it was common practice in England to adopt devices for lodges without reference to the College of Heralds.  Accordingly our Worshipful Brother went to work on the problem and drew up the Armorial device shown above.  This was subsequently adopted by the Lodge in 1926.

The shield of the Arms consists of two parts.  The right half, as worn by the wearer, has reference to the source from whence the lodge emanated i.e., from the Premier Grandlodge of England, founded in 1717, from which source Masonry in Massachusetts derived its origin in 1733 and from which source in turn St. Andrew’s Lodge derived its origin in 1750.  In this section are depicted three towers and the Square and Compasses together constituting the grant by King Edward IV to the Freemason’s Society in 1470.

The left half depicts the ancient Coat of Arms of Nova Scotia granted in 1621 by King James I of England (James VI of Scotland), to Sir William Alexander, on whom he bestowed Nova Scotia.  Set in the centre of the whole shield is an inescutcheon or “Shield of Pretence” bearing the arms of our founder and first Master, the Hon. Edward Cornwallis, who was also the founder of Halifax.

Above the shield is displayed the motto of the Lodge, “Sit lux et lux fuit, “ “Let there be light and there was light”.

Below the motto is a representation of St. Andrew upon the cross on which he was crucified, the legend being that he regarded himself as unworthy to be crucified on a cross of the same shape as that on which his Lord and master had been put to death.

The Lodge was founded in 1750 as the First Lodge at Halifax.  Its present title and number are shown on the scroll beneath the shield.



PRIVILEGES



The Master of St. Andrew’s Lodge, is entitled as the Master of the oldest lodge in the jurisdiction, to the Honour of carrying the Book of Constitutions in all Masonic processions, when the Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master is present; his place in the procession is immediately before the Grand, or Deputy Grand Master.

The officers of St. Andrew’s Lodge are entitled to wear gold chain collars.

Past Masters of the Lodge are entitled to wear gold squares on their aprons, instead of rosettes.

All members of St. Andrew’s are entitled to wear aprons trimmed with Grand Lodge Blue, gold tassels and buttons; and to add or overlay the blue trimmings with two strips of gold soutache a quarter inch apart.

The colours of the Lodge are deep Royal Blue and Gold.

All members of the Lodge are entitled to wear the Centenary Jewel as granted by the United Grand Lodge of England in 1871, the Lodge having been, for upwards of one hundred years, on the roll of several Grand Lodges of England.

All members of the Lodge are entitled to wear the 250 Year Jewel struck in 2000 to commemorate the Lodge having been in existence and meeting regularly since 1750.