St Ambrose Lodge
1891
“Nec Scire Fas est Omnia “
The Lodge motto, adopted by the Founders, appears on every regular Lodge Summons. Presumably it was adopted at, or soon after the Consecration as it does not appear on the first ever Summons. The motto is a quotation attributed to Horace, and may be translated thus,
“It is not permitted us to know all things”
However, the member of St Ambrose Lodge take it to heart. The man of faith is always a man who understands mysteries – for every faith has mysteries at its root – such as the Christian mysteries of the Trinity, the dual natures of Christ, or the Virgin Birth. Jesus, when asked to explain the mysterious, supplied simple parables to help educate enquiring minds. The Freemason is, by definition, a man of faith, and it should not surprise us that our Craft also contains its mysteries – indeed it is built upon a whole art and science of the mysterious – or that it contains many dramatic parables designed to impart deeper truths.
The story of St. Ambrose is at times hard to swallow; but through the eyes of faith we learn more from the parables that are told. The swarm of bees which landed on him as a child may or may not have existed, but the story teaches us of his eloquence. He may or may not have unearthed the relics of saints, but the tale reminds us of how he taught the stories of earlier heroes of the faith. There is no evidence that he originated Ambrosian Chant, but his name reminds us of his musical talent and the way he taught the faithful to make music in praise of God.
On 16th February, 1932, W.Bro. F. Read presented to the Lodge his former Army Officers sword, for use by the Tyler. Bro. A. Ashby presented to the Lodge.
On 7th December 1954 a beautifully engraved silver plated poignard. Both of these items are still in regular use within the Lodge.
