Royal Ballantine’s Order of Finland
Initiation Ritual of the Number Nothing Degree

1992

Initiation
 
WM: Bro Inner Guard, see that the lodge is properly tyled!
IG knocks on the door: * *** * * * ***.
Tyler answers knocking: * *** * * * ***. Opens the door.
IG: Bro Tyler. Is the lodge properly tyled?
T: Yes, it is, Bro Inner Guard, according my best knowledge, skill and understanding.
IG closes the door: WM, The Lodge is properly tyled.
WM: How is it tyled?
IG: The Tyler guards our door.
WM: What is his duty?
IG: From preventing all eyes from seeing, or all ears from hearing and to see to it that nobody steps over our threshold without entrance fee and tools.
WM: Bro Marshall, ensure that all present are Black Bottle Brothers.
M: I do warrant them.
WM: Bro M. What is the place of the Bottle Guard!
M: Behind the table.
WM: Bro Bottle Guard. Is there enough Ballantine's.
BG: Yes WM, there is, according my best knowledge, skill and understanding.
WM: Since all present are entitled to attend, this meeting and there is enough Ballantine's, I propose a toast for the success of this lodge. Bro BG, order the stewards to deal out tools to all Brethren present.
After this has been done:
WM makes Number Nothing sign and says: What is under?
Brothers respond to the sign and say together: Nothing is under.
WM: I will raise this toast to the honor of this Number Nothing lodge.
Slan Si Vah!
Brothers together: Slan Si Vah!
WM: Bro M, conduct. in the Brethren who aspire to join this lodge!
M, goes out and the brethren aspirants follow him in queue to the lodge: WM! I introduce to you the brethren … (says names and shows everyone in turn.) These Brethren have served their time as Ballantine's brethren and want now experience in the Number Nothing degree, to be able to conduct the Masonic jollity according the principles of this lodge.
WM: Bro. M, your proposal will be taken into consideration.
Brethren! I wish you welcoming to the membership of this worshipful lodge!
Since you have taken the Ballantine’s obligation, I give you the signs of the Number Nothing degree.
Please stand opposite me. I will point with my left hand the palm upwards, under your belt and ask: What is under?
You answer raising your right hand before your face, the palm towards me, move your hand sideways and say: Nothing is under.
These signs must every brother exchange with the WM when he steps into Number Nothing Lodge or retires from there.
WM: Brethren, I propose a toast to the honor of these new Black Battle brothers. Bro Bottle Guard. Order the Stewards to deal out the tools to the new Brothers.
After this is done:
WM: I raise this toast to the new Black Battle brothers. Slan Si Vah!
All together: Slan Si Vah!
WM: Since the work is done, and the brethren are impatient waiting for their wages, I will close this lodge. Bro IG, inform the Tyler.
IG knocks on the door: * *** * * * ***.
Tyler answers knocking: * *** * * * ***.
IG: Bro Tyler. WM will close the lodge.
Do your duty!
The Tyler closes the door.
 
 
Closing
WM: Bro BG, my order is that you shut the Ballantine's Bottles. Brethren! I ask now you according to the ancient custom to empty your glasses and hide the Ballantine's in the safe and secret chambers of your stomachs.
Every brother empties his glass. When this is done:
WM: Bro BG! Are the glasses emptied and the Ballantine's Bottles becoming shut and hidden to a safe place for next use?
BG: Yes WM, according to my best and rest knowledge, skill and understanding.
WM: Brothers officers. Take away your regalia’s and hide them in a safe and protected place for next use.
When this has been done: When the work tonight has been done and the brethren received their wages, I declare this Ballantine's Lodge closed.