MASONIC BIOGRAPHY AND DICTIONARY. A. Aaron's Rod.-A symbol in the H. R. A. C., constituting one of the Holy things that were preserved in the Tabernacle, referring to the rebellion of Korah and his friends. Twelve rods were directed to be brought in-one for each tribe-by Moses. It being an honor to compete with Aaron for the priesthood, the princes obeyed the command. When the rods were produced before the people, eleven of them remained as they were, without change, but the twelfth rod budded, blossomed, and bare fruit. This was Aaron's rod. Aaron. The oldest son of Annam, of the tribe of Levi, and brother of Moses. He assisted in bringing the Israelites from Egypt. As the priesthood was hereditary among the Levites, he became the High Priest of the Hebrews. He died at Mt. Hor, aged 123 years. Abaciscus.-Checkered blocks from which the pavement of Solomon's Temple was paved. Abacus. As used by the Knights Templars, is a circle with a Maltese Cross in red. On the circle is inscribed In hoc signo vinces. It is also used as the name of the Staff Officer of the Grand Commander of K. T. (9) Abbreviations.-The following are masonic abbreviations in general use: A.. D.. (Anno Depositionis.) In the Year of Deposit. Used by Royal and Select Masters. To find this date, add 1000 to vulgar era. A.. L.. (Anno Lucis.) In the Year of Light. Used by ancient craft Masons. Add 4000 to the vulgar era. A.. H.. (Anno Hebraico.) In the Hebrew Year. Used by Masons of the Scottish Rite. The year begins 17th September, the first of Tisri. Add 3760 to vulgar era. A.. I.. (Anno Inventionis.) In the Year of the Discovery. Used by Royal Arch Masons. Add 530 to vulgar era. A.. M.. (Anno Mundi.) In the Year of the World. Used in Scottish Rite. A.. O.. (Anno Ordinis.) In the Year of the Order. Used by Knights Templar. Subtract 1118 from vulgar era to find the year of the order. A.. D.. (Anno Domini.) In the Year of our Lord. J. ́. N.'. R.·. J.. (Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judæorum.) Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Knights Templar will understand. J.. H..S.. (Jesus Hominum Salvator.) Jesus, Saviour of men. A.. L.. G.. D.. G.. A.. D... l'U.. (French—A la gloire du Grand Architecte de l'Univers.) To the glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe. All French masonic writings have this caption. A.. l'O.. (French-A l'Orient.) At the East. Seat of the Lodge. F.. or FF.. (French-Frère ou Frères.) Brother or Brothers. G.. M.. Grand Master. J.. W.. Junior Warden. M... M... (French-Mois Maçonnique.) Masonic Month. The French masonic year begins with March. Ours ought also to begin at same time. M.. W. Most Worshipful. R.. (French.) Respectable Lodge. Worshipful Lodge. R.. W.. Right Worshipful. S... S.. S... (French-Trois fois salut.) Thrice GreetCommon on French masonic certificates. ing. S.. W.. Senior Warden. V.. (French-Vénérable.) Worshipful. V.. L.. (French—Vraie Lumière.) True Light. W.. M... Worshipful Master. P... M.. Past Master. S... SS... Saint or Saints. U... D... Under Dispensation. P.. C.. W... Principal Conductor of Work. C...G.. Captain of the Guards. These last four are officers of the Council of Royal and Select Masters. S.. D.. Senior Deacon. J.. D.. Junior Deacon. G.. C.. Grand Commander. G.. Generalissimo. C...G.. Captain-General. W... Warden. S.. B.. Standard or Sword Bearer. G.. M.. A.. (French-Grand Maitre Architect.) Grand Master Architect-12th degree Ancient Scottish Rite. C... D.. S... A.. (French-Chevalier du Serpent d'airain.) Knight of the Brazen Serpent-25th degree Ancient Scotch Rite. K.. C... M... Knight of the Christian Mark. K.. C.. Knight of Constantinople. C. d'O.. (French-Chevalier d'Orient.) Knight of the East. C... d'O... d'O.. (French-Chevalier d'Orient et d'Occident.) Knight of the East and West-17th degree Ancient Scotch Rite. K... H... S... Knight of the Holy Sepulcher. M... P... Master of the Palace. P.. d'L.. (Prince du Liban.) Prince of Libanus-22d degree Ancient Scotch Rite. C... d'S.. (Chevalier du Soliel.) Knight of the Sun28th Scotch Rite. S... P... R.. (Souverain Prince Rose-Croix.) Prince of Rose Croix-18th Scotch Rite. P.. J.. (Prévôt et Juge.) Provost and Judge-7th Scotch Rite. R... A.·. and H.. R... A.. Royal Arch and Holy Royal Arch. A.. and A.. R.. Ancient and Accepted Rite. B... B... Burning Bush. C. C.. Celestial Company. D.. G.·. M... Deputy Grand Master. D.. D... G.. M.. District Deputy Grand Master. F.. C.. Fellow Craft. G.. COм.. Grand Commandery. G.. E.. Grand East; Grand Encampment. GG.. L.'. (Grandes Loges.) Grand Lodges. G.. O.. Grand Orient. G.·. R.·. A.·. C... Grand Royal Arch Chapter. I... T... N... O.·. T.·. G.·. A.·. O.·. T.·. U... In the name of the Grand Architect of the Universe. ABELITES-ABNEY. KNT.. T.. Knight Templar. 13 M... E... G... H... P... Most Excellent Grand High Priest. R.... Rose Cross. R.. E... A... ET A.. (Rite Ecossais Ancien et Accepté.) Ancient and Accepted Scotch Rite. R.'. E.·. G.·. C.. Right Eminent Grand Commander. S.. G.. I.. G... Sovereign Grand Inspector General. T.. S.. (French-Trés Sage.) Wisest. Abelites. A sect mentioned by St. Augustine in Africa. An order in Germany in 1746 of Christian principles. Its motto: "Sincerity, Friendship, and Hope." Abiram.-A son of Eliole, the Reubenite. He with others conspired to divest Moses and Aaron of the power conferred upon them by God, and on account thereof was, with his family, swallowed up in the earth. Referred to in the Elect of Nine. Ablution (a symbol in the ancient S. Rite).-Washing and purification. Abracadabra.-The name of the Almighty was secreted by the Basilidians under this word, and written Abney, Asbury Arnold.-Was born in South Carolina in 1818, and died at Bellevue, Louisiana, November 4th, 1866. He received his degrees in Minden Lodge, No. 51, and was a Past Master of Fillmore Lodge, No. 154, and W. M. of Bellevue Lodge, No. 95, and was its Master at |