The altar should be covered with an American flag, and the diamond in position, with the American flag on staff in an upright position to the left of, and the Bible upon, the altar.
PRESIDENT, *: (K1) and the officers will assume their respective stations.
President will (K2)
PRESIDENT: Sergeant, you will take charge of the inner door, and report if the outer door is properly guarded.
SERGEANT, standing at his position and saluting: Mr. President, I find the outer door is safely guarded by our trusty Doorkeeper.
PRESIDENT: Vice, you will satisfy yourself that all present are members of the National Union. Friend Usher, come to attention.
The Usher rises and salutes.
VICE-PRESIDENT: To properly satisfy myself, Mr. President, that all present are members of the Order in good standing, I will determine by the proper officer.
Pause.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Friend Usher, (K-3).
The Usher carries out directions, (K-4) and makes his report from the altar, under the sign.
USHER: Mr. Vice-President, I find all present in possession of the semi-annual and permanent passwords, and members of the National Union in good standing.
Retires.
VICE-PRESIDENT, saluting: Mr. President, I now am satisfied that all present are members of the National Union, and entitled to remain.
PRESIDENT, * * * [K-5]: Friends, we are again assembled for the furtherance of laudable purposes.
Remember that discretion in speech is more than eloquence, and that acts alone speak louder than words. Let us sing our Opening Ode:
TUNE-AMERICA.
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of Liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where our fathers died;
Land of our Pilgrims' pride;
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.
My native country! thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.
Our fathers' God! to Thee,
Author of Liberty!
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light!
Protect us by thy might,
Great God, our King.
All assume the position of Purity, and repeat with the Chaplain.
CHAPLAIN: Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
PRESIDENT: Together! let us give the signs of the Order.
PRESIDENT: I now declare this Council of the National Union duly opened.
Sergeant, inform the Doorkeeper. *.
Order of Business
1. Calling roll of officers.
[When the names of officers are called by Secretary, the Usher will rise and answer; in the case of absentees, giving the names of members occupying positions for the time being; and the Secretary shall make record of the same.
2. Reading minutes of preceding meeting.
3. Receiving applications for membership, and reference.
4. Reports of Investigating Committees.
5. Reading Medical Director's report.
6. Balloting on applicants.
President shall say: White balls elect; black cubes (or balls) reject. Be careful as to the ballot cast.
7. Initiation.
8. Communications and bills.
9. Reports. a-Standing Committees.
b-Special Committees.
c- Delegates to Cabinet, where Cabinet exists.
10. Unfinished business.
11. New business.
12. Does any one know of a member sick or in distress, or of a Friend's family in need?
13. Good of the Order.
14. Financial Secretary's report.
Financial Secretary shall report amount of money received since last report.
15. Treasurer's report.
Treasurer shall report amount of money on hand in General and Benefit Funds, and give date when last assessment was sent to Senate Treasurer.
16. Closing ceremonies.
Initiation
First Section
The Altar remains as before except that the Bible should be removed.
PRESIDENT: Sergeant, you will ascertain and report whether any person is in waiting to be initiated.
Sergeant retires to ante room; returns to his station and reports, giving name of applicant.
SERGEANT: Mr. President, I find in waiting Mr. , who desires to become a member of this Council.
PRESIDENT, * * *: The Ex-President, Financial Secretary, and Usher will retire to the ante-room. The Ex-President will examine the applicant; the Financial Secretary will make the proper collections, and the Usher will prepare the applicant for initiation.
The officers named proceed to the altar, together salute the President, and retire. * The quartette might here be called upon for a song, or the Council declared "at ease.''
Following takes place in the ante-room
EX-PRESIDENT to applicant: Do you acknowledge this (pointing to application) to be your signature?
APPLICANT: I do.
Ex-PRESIDENT: Did you carefully and correctly answer all questions touching your application?
APPLICANT: I did.
EX-PRESIDENT: Do you still wish to be admitted to membership in the National Union?
APPLICANT: I do.
Secretary asks necessary questions and collects the requisite amount.
EX-PRESIDENT: Mr. Usher, we now confide Mr. to your care; you will prepare him for presentation to our Council.
The Usher remains with applicant in ante-room. Officers knock.
SERGEANT: Mr. President, the Ex-President and Financial Secretary desire admittance.
PRESIDENT: Admit them. * * *.
The Ex-President and Financial Secretary return to Council chamber, salute, and Ex-President says:
EX-PRESIDENT: The Usher awaits your orders, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT: The Council is in readiness. Sergeant, you will direct the Usher to enter with the applicant. *
DIRECTIONS TO USHER: Blindfold applicant. Get his name correctly, and give to Sergeant in distinct manner. When all are ready, give three distinct raps on inner door of Council Chamber.
SERGEANT: Mr. President, a stranger knocks for admittance!
PRESIDENT: Ascertain his name, and communicate it to the Council.
Sergeant gets name, salutes, and says:
SERGEANT: Mr. President, the alarm is given by Mr. , who, under the guidance of our Usher, and with the permission of our Council, desires to affiliate with our honorable Order.
PRESIDENT: Friend, you have heard the announcement of our Sergeant. Mr. Financial Secretary, have all the necessary dues and assessments been paid?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: They have, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT: Mr. Secretary, have the Investigating Committee, Medical Examiner and Medical Director all reported favorably?
SECRETARY: They have, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT: Friends, have you any objection to this stranger becoming a member of the Order and of our Council? Pause. Sergeant, there being no objection, you will open wide the door and permit him to cross the threshold. Give him salutation, and suffer him to proceed on his journey to the attainment of his desires .
Usher brings applicant inside the inner door, and the Sergeant says, loudly and distinctly:
SERGEANT: Stranger, by permission of our Council, I have admitted you within its sacred precincts; and in its name I give you welcome. Give attentive ear to the lessons you will be taught, and lay to your heart the commendable purposes for which we are organized.
Again I say, be attentive of ear and silent of tongue, and farewell !
Chant "Thy will be done"
1. Thy will be done
In devious way
The hurrying stream of life may run;
Yet still our grateful hearts shall say,
Thy will be done!
2. Thy will be done
If o'er us shine
A gladdening and a prosperous sun,
This prayer will make it more divine-
Thy will be done!
3. Thy will be done
Tho' shrouded o'er our path with gloom,
one comfort- one is ours;
to breathe, while we adore,
Thy will be done!
Any other suitable hymn or chant may be substituted; but the song should not refer to the flag.
While song is being sung, applicant is marched round the hall by Usher, who, at the sound of the gavel, halts with his charge at Ex-President's station.
Officers should remain seated while questioning the Usher, but rise to address the applicant.
EX-PRESIDENT: Who is this stranger?
USHER: One who desires membership in our benevolent Order.
EX-PRESIDENT: Upon what ground does he ask this privilege?
USHER: By virtue of his American citizenship.
EX-PRESIDENT: Comes he well recommended?
USHER: For that I vouch.
EX-PRESIDENT: Then, stranger, I greet you, and trust that you will find the object you seek. Here we are united. If you are admitted to our Council, avoid heated discussion or argument in the settlement of all questions. Leave dissensions and dissevering brawls to the outer world. Usher, conduct the stranger safely on his way.
Usher and applicant are halted at Vice-President's station by sound of his gavel.
VICE-PRESIDENT: What seeks the traveler?
USHER: A knowledge of the mysteries of our honorable Order.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Upon what does he base his claim to secure this privilege?
USHER: Upon his desire, in case of death, to place those dependent upon him beyond the reach of gaunt poverty.
VICE-PRESIDENT: His aim is a noble one, and is the very ground work of our Order, which is NATIONAL in purpose. Traveler, here you will find men who are a unit in striving to attain. the object you desire. Be just and upright, and lead an honorable life before all men, so that no act of yours, should you be permitted to join us, shall reflect upon your co-workers in a charitable and praiseworthy cause. Proceed, and hearken to wise counsel.
Usher conducts applicant to the Speaker, whose gavel falls.
SPEAKER: What would this man?
USHER: Knowing the mutability of worldly things, he would make provision for the mysterious change of death.
SPEAKER: How does he hope to attain this end?
USHER: By becoming a member of the National Union.
SPEAKER: And, if he succeed in this purpose, what will be the result?
USHER: Should he be removed from our midst by the Great Destroyer, his family or his dependents will be provided for by the benefit fund of our benevolent Order.
SPEAKER: Stranger, from this you learn our aims and motives, which are both Charitable and Fraternal. Look to it, that if you are deemed worthy of membership, you will conduct yourself so that shame shall not fall upon our Union by any ignoble act of yours. Help a needy brother, advise him as to his interests, and lighten the burdens of those bowed down by want or care. You will now be conducted to the Chaplain, who will give you timely counsel.
Usher conducts applicant to Chaplain's station.
CHAPLAIN: Whither goeth the stranger?
USHER: Toward the chair of our President, that he may learn more of our laws and usages.
CHAPLAIN: How has he received the mandates of our brother officers?
USHER: With a spirit of obedience and trustfulness worthy of our meritorious cause.
CHAPLAIN: Does he still desire to pursue the path marked out for all members of the National Union?
USHER: That is his firm purpose; and, with abiding faith in our principles and declarations, he hopes to be enrolled as a faithful member.
CHAPLAIN: Traveler, you have been made partially acquainted with our aims and objects. You will now be called upon to make a solemn declaration that, in assuming the obligations of membership in the National Union, it is your intention to abide by the same. Be truthful, trustful, and courageous, and let your heart speak through your tongue. I now consign you to our President for the sacred ceremony of obligation.
Usher escorts applicant slowly around the Chamber, repeating the following:
USHER: Though your eyes be blinded, close not your ears to the appeals of friends battling with adversity. Let nothing deter you from the performance of a fraternal duty, firmly believing that a good action is its own reward.
Exalt not yourself over any member; for, our Union being National, we are all equal before the law. Avoid ostentation when extending the gift laden hand, remembering that the meek and merciful are called blessed; and always act with prudence, justice, fortitude and sobriety.
Arriving at the President's station, * * (K-6) the Usher says:
USHER: Mr. President, I present to you this stranger, who, having safely passed the interrogations of our officers, comes to you for further knowledge of our patriotic and beneficial organization.
PRESIDENT: Stranger, you have reached a critical stage in your journey to membership in the National Union. It how becomes my duty to inform you that, before proceeding further, you must take upon yourself a solemn obligation to abide by our laws, rules and usages. I may also inform you that such obligation will in no way conflict with your social, political or religious rights.
With this assurance are you willing to proceed?
Applicant is supposed to give token of his assent.
PRESIDENT: Friends, he consents to assume the obligation.
Usher, conduct him to the altar.
Applicant is slowly conducted to opposite end of the chamber, approaching the altar at a right angle, and is placed in position by the Usher (K- 7.) When in position, the Usher salutes and says:
USHER: Mr. President, the stranger is in proper position to take the obligation.
PRESIDENT: Vice, summon the Friends to come to attention!
VICE-PRESIDENT, * * *: Members of Council, No. , National Union, I am directed by our President to bring you to attention. Gather round the Altar, and bear witness to the impressive words to be spoken by the applicant.
Members, under the direction of Ex-President and Speaker, toe the diamond mark on the floor-Ex-President and Speaker at points nearest their stations; Chaplain at angle pointing toward the President's dais. When all are in position, the Vice walks to angle next his platform, salutes, and announces:
VICE-PRESIDENT: All are in order, Mr. President.
President descends to altar while officers repeat as follows:
EX-PRESIDENT: Weigh well your words!
VICE-PRESIDENT: Resolve to keep your pledges!
SPEAKER: Be faithful to your promises!
CHAPLAIN: Keep sacred our obligation!
PRESIDENT: Mr, , say "I," pronounce your name, and repeat after me.
President and applicant repeat the following obligation:
I, , - do most solemnly promise - that I will comply with all the laws, - rules and usages of the National Union. - That I will recognize the Supreme Authority of the Senate, - and will obey all orders therefrom, - not in conflict with my rights as a citizen. - That I will not wrong or defraud this Order, - or any of its members, - nor suffer it to be done by others, - if I can prevent it. - That I will assist and protect all members thereof, - and their families, - as far as I can, - without material injury to myself or others. - That I will not knowingly recommend for membership - any one of unsound health or immoral character; - nor will I oppose the admission of any one SOLELY on personal grounds. - That I will not unlawfully divulge any of its secrets; - and should I violate this, my solemn obligation, - I hereby consent to be expelled. - Should I be expelled or suspended from, - or voluntarily sever my connection with, - the National Union, - I hereby pledge my sacred word of honor - that I will not disclose or make public - its passwords, signs, grips or secret work.
In the following paragraphs, the respective officers, before repeating their lines, will mentally count five.
VICE-PRESIDENT: We have listened, and bear witness to his avowals and declarations.
EX-PRESIDENT: It is a solemn promise, and we hope he will keep it without equivocation or evasion.
SPEAKER: Given of his. own free will, it is but proper that we remind him that forgetfulness of his pledges and violation of our laws will lead to his expulsion.
USHER: His words are graven on our memories, and his plighted utterances, if disregarded, will entail just and suitable penalties.
Prayer
All assume position of Purity.
CHAPLAIN: May the blessing of Heaven rest upon our Friend, sustain and strengthen him in every good word and work, that this obligation may ever be kept sacred and inviolate. Amen.
Chant - "Hear Father"
1. Hear! Father, hear our prayer!
Thou who art pity where sorrow prevaileth
Thou, who art safety when mortal help faileth,
Strength to the feeble and
Hope to despair! Hear! Father, hear our prayer!
2. Hear! Father, hear our prayer!
Wandering unknown in the land of the stranger
Grant to the widow and orphan protection,
Be, in this trouble a friend ever near,
Hear! Father, bear our prayer!
PRESIDENT: It is well with our newly-made Friend; unloose the hood-wink that he may see his surroundings.
The applicant when restored to sight, is in the same position in which he took obligation.
PRESIDENT: I greet you, Friend, under the graceful folds of our country's banner, the parallel bars of which teach us that we move straight onward in the paths of prosperity as a people and as a Nation. Though separated by State lines, we are one in accord and motive. In its colors, red, white and blue, we find the emblems of Love, Purity and Truth; and in the staff that upbears the radiant ensign we discern the greatest of all virtues Charity. Your right hand rests upon your heart, through which the blood, in regular ebb and flow, carries invigorating life to all portions of the body: and this should teach you that your promises should be sincere, and your obligation be kept inviolate so long as life remains. Surrounding you are our Friends, in the form of a diamond, the facets of which gem, at whatever angle turned, flash and sparkle continually; the moral of which, in the National Union is, that whether fortune smiles or adversity frowns, the members are true and steadfast one to the other. Thus, you perceive, we are laborers in a good cause, and workers in a field that must yield wholesome fruit.
My Friend, you have now proceeded as far in our mysteries as it is possible for you in your present state to go. You will be taken hence to the ante-room, and at the proper time be permitted to return to the Council chamber for further instructions.
VICE-PRESIDENT: The officers and members will return to their respective places, and remain standing.
After singing commences, the Usher, with applicant, will proceed slowly from altar to Speaker's station, and thence around the hall to the ante room, while the following is sung:
O, wrap the flag a-round me, Friends,
To die were for more sweet,
With Freedom's starry emblem Friends,
To be my winding sheet
In live I lovd to see it wave,
And follow where it led,
And now my eyes grow dim, my bands
Would clasp its last bright shred.
Chorus. Then wrap, etc.
Or:
Columbia, the gem of the ocean!
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion;
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When Liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble.
When borne by the red, white and blue.
Chorus:
When borne by the red, white and blue,
When borne by the red, white and blue;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red white and blue.
Any other song referring to the flag may be used.
Soon as song is completed and applicant out of the room, * the hall will at once be prepared for next section.
Optional, or Second Section
Councils desiring to do so can omit this Section and proceed with the next.
The Council Chamber is prepared by placing four sacks filled with excelsior, a cot, an American flag alongside, as shown in the plat. Lights are 'turned down, the Sergeant opens the door, and the Usher, with applicant hoodwinked, enters, * * * The Usher conducts him around the room; the organ being softly played. When they reach K-8:
USHER: Friend Vice, the applicant has met with a fatal accident.
VICE-PRESIDENT: A fatal accident! How, Friend Usher?
USHER: As he was being conducted around the Council Chamber in his blind and helpless condition, he was thrown over an obstruction which has caused his death.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Mr. President, it becomes my painful duty to inform you that our Friend, whilst being conducted around the Council Chamber, met with an accident which has caused his death. What shall we do?
PRESIDENT: An accident which has caused his death? This is sad, and very unexpected; but a few short moments ago he left the Council Chamber in the full enjoyment of life and health, and, without a moment's notice, he is stricken down by the stern messenger. This sad bereavement carries to our hearts the penetrating conviction that human life, in its best security, is weak and defenseless in its boasted length, brief and uncertain. The fell destroyer knows no friend or foe. Mocking the pretensions of the strong and proud, breaking down the dependence of the weak and humble, he hangs his mournful drapery in the king's palace as in the peasant's hut.
But whilst
The waves of time may devastate our lives.
The frost of age may check our failing breath;
They shall not touch the spirit that survives
Triumphant over doubt, and pain, and death.
Friend Vice, assemble the Council for the purpose of
giving the body a decent interment.
VICE-PRESIDENT, * * *: Friends, it is the request of our President that the body of our deceased Friend be buried according to the last sad rites of the National Union. Take notice, therefore, and let it be done.
The applicant is lifted by the friends and laid on the cot, and the American flag spread over him. The Usher returns to his station.
CHAPLAIN: The life of man is swifter than a weaver's shuttle; like the clouds he is consumed and vanisheth away. He that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall not return again to his house, nor will his place know him henceforth. Therefore, in view of this, how necessary for us in life to prepare for death; that we so deport ourselves, that when the summons comes we may not be as those who are "weighed in the balance and found wanting," but ready to take our place in the silent halls of death, as one who folds the drapery of his couch around him, and, sustained by an unfaltering trust, lies down in peaceful sleep. Be diligent, Friends, while time lasts, and prepare for the inevitable future. Grow and ripen in Love, Purity and Truth, and then, as the full grown corn in the ear is ready for the harvest, so may we be gathered to our fathers, lea vine, our dear ones in the loving and tender care of our tried, true and faithful Friends of the NATIONAL UNION.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble; he cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also like a shadow and continueth not. And taps his bell.
Chant
Then turns man to destruction, and sayest, return ye
Children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and
As a watch in the night.
SPEAKER: One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet; another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never satisfieth his pleasure. They shall all lie down in the dust, and worms shall cover them. And taps his bell.
Chant
Thou carriest them away as with a flood;
they are as a sleep: In the morning they are like grass which
grow - eth up.
In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up; In the evening it is cut down, cut down and withereth.
PRESIDENT: There is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and the tender branch thereof will not cease-but man dieth and giveth up the ghost, and where is he? And taps his bell.
Chant
For all our clays are passed away in thy wrath; we spend our years as a
tale that is told.
The clays of our years are three score years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is this strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut
oft and we fly away,
EX-PRESIDENT: I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet he shall live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die. And taps his bell.
Then the Vice-President, Speaker and President will tap their bells alternately, commencing with the Vice-President. The following hymn is sung.
Spirit, have thy house of clay
Lingring dust, resign thy breath;
Spirit, cast thy chains away;
Dust, be thou dissolved in death.
Prisoner long detained below,
Prisoner now with freedom blest,
Welcome from a world of woe,
Welcome to a land of rest.
Thus the choir of angels sing,
As they bear the soul on high,
While the hallelujahs ring,
All the regions of the sky. Amen.
At close of dirge, Chaplain and Usher will pass down the sides of the Council Chamber and meet at the foot of cot, when the four Friends, acting as pall-bearers, preceeded by the Usher and Chaplain , will carry the stranger nearly round the room and then out into the ante-room, while some member, with a gong, will imitate the tolling of a funeral bell, and a solemn march will be played.
Third Section
The Council Chamber remains as before, with the following additions, viz.: On the altar rests the Holy Bible and emblems of mortality, whilst at the angles of the diamond nearest the stations of the Ex-President, Vice and Speaker, respectively, the three banners are placed (three lamps, with colored globes, can be used with fine effect), and at the point towards the President's station is placed a "vacant chair," appropriately draped, and facing toward the altar. The lights are turned down quite low. The Usher gives three raps on door and is answered by the Sergeant with a similar number, Sergeant opens wide the door and says:
SERGEANT: What further seeks our friend?
USHER: To know more of the National Union.
SERGEANT: Again welcome! they who seek shall find.
The Usher, with applicant, enters and proceeds slowly once around the room, and approaches the altar at a right angle. The organ plays a solemn march, and a chime of bells can be used at the stations with good effect.
Each officer, when called by the President, should advance to the diamond, opposite his station before responding.
PRESIDENT: Friend Speaker, what do you behold?
SPEAKER: Mr. President, I behold the three typical colors of the National Union the Red, the White, the Blue, the representatives of Love, Purity and Truth.
Love of country, Love of kindred and friends; Purity of heart and purpose: Truth Eternal Truth, are the cardinal principles of the NATIONAL UNION.
PRESIDENT: Friend Vice, what do you behold?
VICE-PRESIDENT: Mr. President, I behold the Holy Bible resting on the altar; and how impressive is the sight. The Bible points out the path which leads to God, and the altar symbolizes home, for the protection of which this Order was founded. We seek to provide for the happiness of those who are now dependent upon us, when our years upon earth are numbered and we shall have passed away. The NATIONAL UNION is a harbor of refuge for bereaved parents, widows and orphans. It will serve as a silver lining to that cloud of gloom which will, sooner or later, intervene and separate us.
PRESIDENT: Friend Ex-President, what do you behold?
EX-PRESIDENT: Mr. President, I behold (K-9) How striking is the scene! Once they were animated like ourselves, but their vital organs have now ceased to perform their functions, and all the powers of life are gone.
To such a state we are fast approaching. We know not how soon the angel of death may strike our names from the roll of human existence, and, in a short time our frail bodies become as the poor relics which lie before us; but in the night of death Hope sees a star, and listening Love can hear the rustling of a wing that brings comfort to the widow's heart and orphan's home.
PRESIDENT: And I behold the "Vacant Chair"; and the tale it tells is oft repeated in our midst. The loving husband and faithful Friend has passed away. Gentle arms bore him to the bank of that dark stream we all must surely cross, and angel hands were stretched forth to welcome him upon the further shore. Dear ones mourn about his vacant chair; but o'er it lingers the fragrance of a sacred memory that will never die. The remembrance of his life of Love, Purity and Truth is now our beacon light along the coast of time.
"For him no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her evening care,
·Nor children run to lisp their sire's return,
Or climb his knee the envied kiss to share."
Chant
True they tell us wreaths of glory
Evermore will deck his brow,
But this soothes the anguish'
Only Sweeping o'er our Council now,
Sleep today, O, early fallen,
In thy green, and narrow bed,
Dirges from the pine, and cypress
Mingle with the tears we shed.
Chorus
We shall meet, but we shall miss him,
There will be one vacant chair;
We shall linger to caress him,
When we breathe our ev'ning prayer.
At the conclusion of the singing the lights are turned up, and the President addresses the applicant as follows: [Omit the words in parenthesis in next paragraph when Second Section is not used.]
PRESIDENT: My Friend, (you have had represented to you tonight a solemn and impressive scene, which was to remind you of life and death in the National Union. It has been written: "It is appointed unto man once to die"; how soon, we know not. Let this admonish us to be always ready.) The ceremonies of your in initiation are now nearly completed. The rest of your journey is for the purpose of instructing you in the signs and signals of the Order, and communicating to you the passwords and grip. Give strict attention to the symbolic instructions which are emblematic of those great moral principles upon which our Order is established, and bear in mind our patriotic teachings.
The Usher will now conduct you to the Ex-President, who will teach you how to make the first sign of the Order.
The President and Officers will then resume their respective stations.
As applicant approaches Ex-President, the latter rises, raps with his gavel or taps his bell, and, giving salutation sign, remains in that position while speaking.
Ex-PRESIDENT: My Friend, you behold me addressing you under the sign of LOVE, the first and most important one of the Order, and is represented by the Red Banner.
It is also the sign of salutation, and is used in addressing the President, or when passing the altar.
Your right arm in this position (K-10) which is to teach you that you must act squarely with the brethren and the Order.
The open hand admonishes us to be free and unreserved in aiding and guiding an erring brother, so that he may return to the paths of rectitude. Lay it to your heart and pass on.
Ex-President will assume the position of Purity, and the Usher will instruct applicant to assume same position and conduct him to Vice-President's station. (K-11)
VICE-PRESIDENT: My Friend, you approach me under the sign of PURITY, the second sign of the Order, represented by the White Banner. Purity of heart and purpose.
To soothe the unhappy; to sympathize with their misfortunes; to compassionate their miseries; and to restore peace to their troubled minds, are among the grand aims we have in view.
It is also to teach you the position you are to assume when invoking the blessings of the Deity in the opening or closing of the Council, or when assembled about the altar.
You will now let your arms drop to your side, and with body erect, in a straight and upright manner, pass on.
The Usher will conduct the applicant to the Speaker's station.
SPEAKER: My Friend, you approach me under the third and last sign of the Order, appropriately named TRUTH, and is symbolized by the Blue Banner, or the starry firmament of our Nation's flag.
Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the cardinal principle of the National Union.
It should also be characteristic of your journey through life, straight, upright, just and fearless,
''With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait."
Let your course be so shaped and your language so guarded as never to bring reproach upon the Order.
You will now be conducted to the President for final instructions.
Usher conducts applicant to Pres ident's station and says:
USHER: Mr. President, our Friend, having been made acquainted with the words and the signs, now asks that he be given the pass-words and the grip.
PRESIDENT: My Friend, as you are soon to be introduced as a member of the National Union, I congratulate you upon your advancement, and joyfully welcome you into our beneficial Fraternity. Here you will be a Friend among Friends, a br0ther among brothers; and may I admonish you to be free and unreserved in cherishing the confidence reposed in you; and as you were obligated under the starry banner of our country, I trust you have been edified and impressed by the lessons that we teach Nationality, Unity, Fraternity and Charity. Our purposes are good; our principles irreproachable; and our membership physically and socially acceptable. Let us hope that in your transactions which our Council, or the Order at large, you will not let your connection with other organizations to which you now or may hereafter belong, prevent your dealing justly, fraternally and charitably with members of the National Union. You should endeavor to be present at Council meetings as often as possible, and thus in person be the guardian of your own interests, and at the same time encourage the officers in the performance of their duties. I will now instruct you in the secret signals of the National Union.
INSTRUCTIONS: (K-12)
The Usher will now present you with a copy of our Constitutions and Laws, also a blank application, which I trust you will soon present to the Council, properly filled out and signed by some eligible person of your acquaintance.
The applicant will now be turned around facing the Council.
PRESIDENT: Attention, officers and members! It is with pleasure I now introduce to you Friend , as a member of the National Union, and entitled to all the rights and privileges belonging to the Order. Please welcome him with the signs (K-13.) The Council will now
be at ease for further congratulations. (K-14)
Closing Ceremony
PRESIDENT: Friends, let us now prepare to close the deliberations of our Council. * *.
PRESIDENT: Vice, state the principal and fundamental purposes of this beneficent Fraternity.
VICE-PRESIDENT, saluting: To cherish and protect our homes and families, so far as lies in our power.
PRESIDENT: Mr. Ex-President, what other object has our Order in view?
EX-PRESIDENT, saluting: To relieve the pressing wants of a needy brother, and succor, financially, the family of a Friend in distress.
PRESIDENT: Friend Speaker, we surely have other motives. Oblige me by reciting them.
SPEAKER, saluting: To teach lessons of sound patriotism, good citizenship and prompt obedience to the laws, so that we may walk with uplifted heads before all men.
PRESIDENT: Worthy Chaplain, what other virtues remain unmentioned which are leading tenets in our honorable Order?
CHAPLAIN, remaining with face toward Vice, and saluting: The principles of Love, Purity and Truth, symbolized by our bonds of Brotherhood, allegiance to home ties, and due regard for the promises of our solemn obligation.
PRESIDENT: Friend Usher, wherein are we national?
USHER, saluting: We are obligated under the starry flag of our country, and glory in the republican institutions of our free land.
PRESIDENT: And, Sergeant, as to our Union: Are the bonds strongly linked?
SERGEANT, saluting: So firmly are we knit and bound together, Mr. President, that our Union can never be sundered.
PRESIDENT. * * *: Thus, Friends, before we separate to resume our various walks in life, we renew our pledges and bring to mind the objects for which we are organized.
Let us endeavor to follow in the path thus marked out, and thereby reflect credit upon ourselves and distinction upon the National Union. We will now sing our song of Home.
HOME, SWEET HOME.
'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there,
Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere.
Home, home; sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home.
An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain!
Oh, give me my lowly thatched cottage again!
The birds singing gayly that come at my call;
Give me them with the peace of mind dearer than all.
Home, home; sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home
CHAPLAIN: Let us pray: Our Heavenly Father to whom all praise is due, we thank Thee for Thy great goodness in watching over us as a nation. Leal graciously with us, and make us a people after Thine own heart. Be with this Order; be with this Council. Protect our homes, our family circles, as in the hollow of Thy hand. Make us to follow in wisdom's ways and to grow and increase in Thy favor. Now as we go forth to battle in the temptations of life, keep us from evil ways, strengthen us in Love, preserve us in Purity of heart, and direct us in the way of eternal Truth; and thine shall be the glory forever and ever.
ALL: Amen.
PRESIDENT: Friends, let us unite in giving the signs.
PRESIDENT: I now declare this Council of the NATIONAL UNION duly closed. *.