Naze Tower No.1380
Banner Dedication Oration
Brethren, To-day is another important milestone in the history of this old and distinguished Lodge formed in 1971 and just passed it’s 50 Birthday, and we have gathered together today to dedicate the Banner of the Naze Tower Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.1380. It is indeed a privilege for us as visitors to join you today on this special occasion.
As we are all probably aware, banners, standards or ensigns have long been used by a variety of organisations, to establish identity and to be a focus for all who range thereunder. There are so many examples of this in history:- Armies following their banner into battle and rallying around it when needing to regroup. The Banners of the Tribes of Israel, the Roman Legions and the Chinese to denote clan and rank.
The modern day study of flags is called vexillology – the word deriving from the Latin word Vexillum meaning a flag or banner.
More recently trade unions and benevolent institutions have marched behind their banners as a mark of solidarity and commitment; youth organisations, such as the Scouts, Guides and Boy’s Brigade parade them to identify the respective units of their organisation; religious groups too where they are used in acts of worship, as a focus for their belief especially in Evangelical churches where flags are waved in praise of God.
In Freemasonry banners have always been an integral part of the furnishing and equipment of Masonic units. In both the Craft and Royal Arch; Lodges, Chapters, Provinces, Districts and of course Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, have felt it necessary to have their own banner to mark their identity within the fraternity.
In the earliest days of Freemasons Lodges in 15th Century Scotland, Burgh Councils ordered that on occasions like the Candlemass Day parades, the guilds should carry Banners before them to denote who they were.
At this time of course few people could read and the Banner with its symbolism explained the different Groups and Organisations. The understanding of symbolism by those that couldn’t read was far greater then than it is today.
The Banner that we are here today to dedicate is the Banner of the Naze Tower Lodge No 1380 as I said earlier founded in 1971.
To the top of the Banner on both left and right we have a Keystone, that peculiarly shaped stone; neither square nor oblong. It is the Keystone or, capstone even. It is the last stone to be fitted to complete any arch, the stone which binds all the other stones together allowing them to stand the test of time and which plays such an important part in our ceremonies.
At the centre we have an image of the ‘Naze Tower’ which stands in splendour on the cliffs out on the peninsular of the Naze, to the north of Walton on the Naze.
Built in 1720 by Trinity House as an aid for Navigation of shipping going into the busy port of Harwich.
Since its construction it has had a wide and varied use.
It has been used for expensive tea Parties in the 18th century.
As a signalling beacon during the Napoleonic wars.
By the Royal Navy as a lookout during manoeuvres.
As a Radar Point during World War II and, in the 70s and 80s as a communication tower by the American air force, the Port Authorities and the Police.
It has survived and adapted to changing times and requirements, possibly much like the Naze Tower Lodge has had to do over its 50 years, because of the changing needs of its members.
And that may not be where the similarity ends. Like the Lodge it has been a Beacon to lead and for others to follow. It has been a Tower of strength to its members and within the local community.
It has worked hard at communicating to its members old and new the values of our Mark Masonry.
Beneath the image of the Naze Tower are the Mallet or Heavy Maul with the Chisel which are of course tools which we find in our Mark degree on the Volume of the Sacred Law as indeed they are shown here. These of course symbolise that this is the Banner of a Mark Master Masons Lodge.
That Brethren is then the Banner that we are here today to dedicate.
As I mentioned earlier in this Oration, if it had been back in the 15th century and used in a parade to lead and identify its members back then, when the majority of people couldn’t read, they would have known and recognised that these were the Brethren of the Naze Tower Lodge of Mark Master Masons, because it’s there for all to recognise.
But that is a pretty simplistic view of the Banner but does it not say something more in masonic terms.
When you look at the Banner what do you see….. in Masonic terms….. in representation of your Proud Lodge…is it just a tower ?.
Do you not see….. Strength…. Beauty….. Fortitude…. Longevity And Uprightness. The Tower Standing upright in Strength against all challenges, Just like your Lodge has for over 50 years.
The Naze Tower Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Brethren when you and your future members look at that Banner in the years to come I hope that is what you will see.
May you always be as proud to arrange yourselves beneath your Banner as you are today, amongst your Brethren and friends.
As we are all probably aware, banners, standards or ensigns have long been used by a variety of organisations, to establish identity and to be a focus for all who range thereunder. There are so many examples of this in history:- Armies following their banner into battle and rallying around it when needing to regroup. The Banners of the Tribes of Israel, the Roman Legions and the Chinese to denote clan and rank.
The modern day study of flags is called vexillology – the word deriving from the Latin word Vexillum meaning a flag or banner.
More recently trade unions and benevolent institutions have marched behind their banners as a mark of solidarity and commitment; youth organisations, such as the Scouts, Guides and Boy’s Brigade parade them to identify the respective units of their organisation; religious groups too where they are used in acts of worship, as a focus for their belief especially in Evangelical churches where flags are waved in praise of God.
In Freemasonry banners have always been an integral part of the furnishing and equipment of Masonic units. In both the Craft and Royal Arch; Lodges, Chapters, Provinces, Districts and of course Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, have felt it necessary to have their own banner to mark their identity within the fraternity.
In the earliest days of Freemasons Lodges in 15th Century Scotland, Burgh Councils ordered that on occasions like the Candlemass Day parades, the guilds should carry Banners before them to denote who they were.
At this time of course few people could read and the Banner with its symbolism explained the different Groups and Organisations. The understanding of symbolism by those that couldn’t read was far greater then than it is today.
The Banner that we are here today to dedicate is the Banner of the Naze Tower Lodge No 1380 as I said earlier founded in 1971.
To the top of the Banner on both left and right we have a Keystone, that peculiarly shaped stone; neither square nor oblong. It is the Keystone or, capstone even. It is the last stone to be fitted to complete any arch, the stone which binds all the other stones together allowing them to stand the test of time and which plays such an important part in our ceremonies.
At the centre we have an image of the ‘Naze Tower’ which stands in splendour on the cliffs out on the peninsular of the Naze, to the north of Walton on the Naze.
Built in 1720 by Trinity House as an aid for Navigation of shipping going into the busy port of Harwich.
Since its construction it has had a wide and varied use.
It has been used for expensive tea Parties in the 18th century.
As a signalling beacon during the Napoleonic wars.
By the Royal Navy as a lookout during manoeuvres.
As a Radar Point during World War II and, in the 70s and 80s as a communication tower by the American air force, the Port Authorities and the Police.
It has survived and adapted to changing times and requirements, possibly much like the Naze Tower Lodge has had to do over its 50 years, because of the changing needs of its members.
And that may not be where the similarity ends. Like the Lodge it has been a Beacon to lead and for others to follow. It has been a Tower of strength to its members and within the local community.
It has worked hard at communicating to its members old and new the values of our Mark Masonry.
Beneath the image of the Naze Tower are the Mallet or Heavy Maul with the Chisel which are of course tools which we find in our Mark degree on the Volume of the Sacred Law as indeed they are shown here. These of course symbolise that this is the Banner of a Mark Master Masons Lodge.
That Brethren is then the Banner that we are here today to dedicate.
As I mentioned earlier in this Oration, if it had been back in the 15th century and used in a parade to lead and identify its members back then, when the majority of people couldn’t read, they would have known and recognised that these were the Brethren of the Naze Tower Lodge of Mark Master Masons, because it’s there for all to recognise.
But that is a pretty simplistic view of the Banner but does it not say something more in masonic terms.
When you look at the Banner what do you see….. in Masonic terms….. in representation of your Proud Lodge…is it just a tower ?.
Do you not see….. Strength…. Beauty….. Fortitude…. Longevity And Uprightness. The Tower Standing upright in Strength against all challenges, Just like your Lodge has for over 50 years.
The Naze Tower Lodge of Mark Master Masons.
Brethren when you and your future members look at that Banner in the years to come I hope that is what you will see.
May you always be as proud to arrange yourselves beneath your Banner as you are today, amongst your Brethren and friends.
Posted 23 May 2022
