The Bible, well I think that goes without saying. there is one on every altar unless the lodge has members from another religion and request a different book to be added.
The mace, well , maybe one of the members just had some. I have seen it on key rings and the like.
I don't know the facts of this story other than what I read, but knowing what I know of freemasonry, I would bet there was a rather large misunderstanding and things were just as they are supposed to be. Try to picture an 89 year old guy picking up a broad sword and threatening you with it. Step to the left and it will take him 3-4 minutes to get it up in the air again.
That is unless you aussies do things differently down there.


