Order of Railway Conductors
Ritual
Instructions
1911
No part of the Ritual shall be written, printed or altered except by the
express direction of the Grand Division; and any officer or member retaining the
same, in whole or in part, after his term of service expires, or who shall,
directly or indirectly, expose any of the secret work of the Order shall, upon
conviction, be expelled.
The Rituals shall be kept by the Secretary, who shall be responsible for
them. When a Subordinate Division ceases to work, the Rituals must be returned
to the Grand Secretary.
The word or words used in connection with the lecture will be changed from
time to time by the President, to be communicated to the members by the C.C.,
and the lecture is also subject to change if change becomes necessary.
The President will establish and transmit to the Chief Conductor of each
Division a semi-annual password. This semi-annual password will be communicated
by the Chief Conductor to the members of his Division, and to the members of
other Divisions upon presentation of properly endorsed request from the officers
of the Division to which the member belongs. No person other than the Chief
Conductor has any legal right to communicate the semi-annual password to any
member of the Order, except to the Outside Sentinel to gain admission after the
Division has been regularly opened or to the Senior or Junior Conductor when
Division is being opened.
Any member known to have communicated the semi-annual password to another
member, or any member known to have used such word having received same from any
person other than the Chief Conductor shall be deemed to have violated his
obligation and will be expelled upon conviction thereof. It is understood that
any member acting as Chief Conductor pro tem possesses all the authority of the
regular Chief Conductor during the meeting at which he acts as Chief Conductor,
and no longer.
The characters shown in the Ritual in connection with the "Word"
and "Sign," with the "Lecture" (including the semi-annual
password which is transmitted by the President through his monthly circular)
constitute the secret work of the Order. There is no key to the secret work.
Each character or figure represents a certain letter of the alphabet. Anyone
familiar with the "Lecture" and who has the same committed to memory,
can readily translate the characters noted above.
In the ceremony of opening and closing, every officer will rise when
addressed and remain standing until seated by the C.C.
The raps of the gavel are indicated in this book by an asterisk, one (*) for
one rap, two (**) for two raps, and three (***) for three raps. One rap of the
gavel calls to order, three raps calls up the members and one seats them.
It is the duty of the J.C. to prepare the Division room for opening, placing
the Bible on the altar and the necessary signals convenient to his station.
When all is ready the C.C. takes his station and calls to order by *; when
members take their seats and officers present, their places; if any vacancies,
the C.C. fills by pro term appointments.
Opening
Officers rise when addressed and remain standing until seated by one rap of
the gavel.
C.C.: Bro. A. C.C., when a Division is about to be opened, what is
your duty?
A.C.C.: To see that the I. S. and O.S. are at their stations and
properly qualified.
C.C.: You will perform that duty and direct the I. S. to inform
the O.S. that I am about to open this Division.
A.C.C.: Bro. I. S., you will see that the O.S. is at his station
and inform him that this Division is now about to be opened, direct him to see
that all persons leave the ante-room and to admit no one except those from whom
he receives the S. A. P. W. You will admit no one at the inner door until the
Division is open and then only those whom you know to be members in good
standing. All others you will report to me.
I.S., opens door: Bro. O.S., I am directed to inform you that this
Division is now about to be opened and to instruct you to require all persons to
leave the ante-room and to admit no one except those from whom you receive the
S. A. P. W.
O.S.: Bro. I. S., the outside door is secure and the ante-room is
clear.
I.S., closes door: Bro. A. C.C., the O.S. is at his post and the
ante-room is clear.
A.C.C.: Bro. C.C., the Division is secure.
C.C., seats A. C.C. and I. S. by *: Bro. S. and J. C’s., you
will satisfy yourselves that all present are members of the Order.
S. and J. C’s step forward to the altar, examine and indicate any unknown
by requesting them to rise. If not vouched for, any person so indicated must
retire for examination.
J.C.: Bro. S. C., I am satisfied that all now present are members
of the Order.
S.C.: Brother C.C., we are satisfied that all now present are
members of the Order.
C.C.: You will receive the S. A. P. W., grip and word from the A.
C.C. and then from all members present and report to me.
S.J. and J. C go direct to A. C.C., who invests each separately with the
S.A.P.W. grip and word. After receiving the grip and words from
the A. C.C., the S. C. receives from members on the left side of halt and
J.C. from those on right side; when they arrive at the station of the C.C., the
J.C.Communicates to S.C. and he to C.C ; they then stand facing each other until
seated.
C.C., seats S. and J. C. by *: Bro. A. C.C., the grip and words
have reached me correctly and all present are members of the Order; I therefore
declare … Division No.: … regularly opened; Bro. I. S., inform the O.S.;
Bro. J.C., arrange the signals.
J.C. places white signal on altar and resumes station, standing.
I.S., opens door: Bro. O.S., this Division is regularly opened;
take due notice and govern yourself accordingly.
Shuts door: Bro. C.C., the O.S. is informed.
C.C. seats A.C.C., J.C. and I.S. by *.
Initiation
C.C.: Bro. Sec., Mr. … has presented himself for initiation, has
he been duly elected’?
Sec.: He has.
C.C.: Does any brother present know any reason Mr. … should not
be made a member of the Order of Railway Conductors? After
waiting a moment: Bro. J.C., you will retire to the preparation room,
where you will find Mr. …, who has been duly elected to membership in this
Division. You will present to him the usual questions, which must be answered by
him in writing over his own signature and without prompting; Bro. Sec., you will
retire and collect the balance of his fee if not fully paid, and see that his
application for membership in the Mutual Benefit Department, together with the
proper fee therefor, is ready for mailing to the G. S. & T.
J.C. and Sec. repair to the altar, salute C.C. with sign and retire by way of
ante-room to preparation room. After questions are answered, both return to
Division room by way of ante room, salute C.C. with sign, Sec. returns to his
station and reports, and C.C. presents questions to C.C., who, after examining,
if answered satisfactorily, says:
C.C.: Bro. J. C., the questions are properly answered; you will
again retire to the preparation room; hoodwink Mr. …, conduct him to the door,
and cause him to give one rap.
J.C. salutes C.C. with sign and retires by way of ante-room and follows
instructions: when rap is given on door of preparation room.
S.C., rises: Bro. C.C., there is an alarm at the door of the
preparation room.
C.C.: Bro. S.C., attend the alarm.
S.C. goes direct to door without saluting, opens it and says:
S.C.: Who comes here?
J.C.: Bro. S. C., I have in charge Mr. …, who desires to be made
a true and loyal conductor.
S.C.: Has he been warned of the dangers which will beset his
pathway?
J.C.: He has.
S.C.: Do you still wish to proceed?
Cand.: I do.
S.C.: You will then follow me.
Note: S. C. will lead, followed by C.C. and candidate to the altar C.C. will
resume his station, leaving candidate on the right of the S. C. S. C. will then
give one rap on the altar and address the C.C
S.C.: Bro. C.C., I have in charge Mr. …, whose petition for
membership has been accepted and who now presents himself to accept the
obligation and be instructed in the secret work of the Order.
C.C.: Mr. …, do you still wish to proceed?
Cand.: I do.
C.C.: You will then kneel at our altar and take upon yourself the
obligation which all members of this Order have taken. If, upon further
reflection, you wish to withdraw, you may yet do so. Pause.
Bro. S. C., you will place the candidate at the altar.
S.C places candidate at altar on both knees, left hand holding a leaf of the
Bible, the right hand holding a punch, resting thereon; C.C. calls up members by
***, then gives ** additional, when the members form in two straight lines on
the sides of the room facing the altar; S.C. remaining inside and I.S. remaining
at his station. Alter the lines are formed C.C. and A.C.C advance, the C.C.
direct to the altar, and the A.C.C. stopping at the lower end of the lines; the
members loin hands all around, forming a complete circle with C.C., S. C. and
Cand. inside.
C.C.: My friend, you will say "I," pronounce your name
in full, and repeat after me:
Obligation
I, …, of my own freewill, in the presence of Almighty God and these
witnesses,, do solemnly swear that I will never reveal any of the secrets of
this Order to any person or persons unless I know them to be members of this
Order and in good standing; that I will not engage in the sale of intoxicating
liquor while I remain a member of this Order; that I will abide by the by-laws,
rules and regulations of this or any Division of which I may become a member,
together with the constitution, statutes and orders of the Grand Division of the
Order.
That I will not traduce or slander a brother or a member of his family.
That I will answer all proper signs and obey all regular summons if within my
power to do so.
That I will help, aid and assist, in any way possible, a brother or a member
of his family, to the extent of my ability, whenever called upon to do so and I
find them worthy, and that I will give preference to a worthy brother over all
others, in making recommendations for promotion and in securing employment.
That I will yield a cheerful compliance to the will of a lawfully constituted
majority.
All of which I solemnly swear without evasion or reservation and may I live
shunned by all, friendless and forsaken, may I die alone, unmourned, unblest and
unshriven, and may my name and my memory be accurst should I ever violate any
portion of this or any obligation to the Order, so help me God.
C.C.: Bro. S.C., you will remove the hoodwink and assist the
candidate to rise.
Bro. …: this Sacred Book laying hand on Bible
informs us that God created man in His own image, giving him dominion over all
the earth and every living thing that moveth upon the earth. If man in other
walks of life, possesses some of the attributes of Deity and is responsible in a
measure for the welfare of his fellow man, with how much more force does it
apply to the conductor who holds the power of death in his hand. To this end, my
brother, keep a constant watch for danger signals, not only for yourself and on
the rail, but for your brothers, in all circumstances and conditions of daily
life, and call the attention of the unwary to the signal warning them of
impending danger, and so long as you carefully observe the lesson here taught,
you will find yourself surrounded by just such friends as now surround you in
this unbroken circle.
C.C. will give candidate the grip, saying: my brother, may you be
always ready to extend a helping hand, and with it this grip, to any deserving
brother. The word accompanying this grip is …. This grip is not to be used
indiscriminately, and never in ordinary hand shaking; it is only to be used in
open Division for instruction, or in examining a person whom you are testing,
and then only as prescribed in the lecture.
I will now explain to you the emblems of the Order, which you will observe on
the signal before you. The whole is the outline of a car wheel, and represents,
generally, that we are an organization of men employed in train service. This
wheel is divided into three equal portions, representing the three general
divisions of the life of a conductor; first as a brakeman, second as a freight
conductor, and last as a passenger conductor;
The first division is red, and is to remind us of the danger of a brakeman’s
life.
The second division is green, reminding us of the extreme caution that is
necessary on the part of a good freight conductor at all times.
The third division is pure white, and is emblematic of the comparative safety
of a passenger conductor, and should also be an emblem of the purity of our
lives; the hand holding a punch is a familiar reminder of our daily lives, and
should be an incentive to the faithful performance of every duty; the arm
supporting the lantern is the strong right arm that should always be extended to
aid any support a deserving brother, while the lantern represents the correct
life that should always be characteristic bf a member of our Order, and that may
be seen from afar, maintaining a steady, uniform light through good and evil
report, and should further remind us that while we so conduct ourselves, we need
not fear the penalty inflicted upon those who prove recreant to the trust
reposed in them by the Order.
The motto of the Order of Railway Conductors is FIDELITY, JUSTICE and CHARITY
in Perpetual Friendship. Fidelity in faithfully adhering to the right; careful
and exact in the observance of every duty; loyal to the interests of ourselves,
our Order and our employers. Justice in rendering to everyone his just due;
conforming to the principles of rectitude in our dealings with all men,
especially our brothers; just in our conduct, our lives and our obligations as
members of the Order and citizens, remembering always that "with what
measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you again." "With malice
toward none and charity for all." Living as brethren should, each striving
to excel in charity to our fellow man and brother, bearing in mind that
"The greatest of these is Charity."
The sign is given in this manner, and represents the act of …. When
entering or leaving a Division you will advance to the altar and salute the C.C.
with this sign. The challenge or sign of recognition is given in this manner:
…, and is answered in this manner: …. My brother, I heartily welcome you to
an Order founded upon the principles exhibited by our motto, and you will
receive a cordial welcome from those who surround you.
C.C. returns to station, gives ** when all left Lace, C.C. gives ** and led
by A.C.C. members file right, passing in front of candidate, each giving grip as
they pass while following is being song, S.C. remaining with candidate. After
giving grip, members pass quietly to their places, remaining standing. After all
have arrived at places, C.C. gives *.
WELCOME.
Brother, now you’re of our Order,
Safely you have just passed through.
May you always prove a Brother,
Always faithful, always true.
CHORUS: welcome now to you, thrice welcome,
we now take you by the hand;
As a brother now we greet you,
All as brothers now we stand.
And when we are near life’s journey,
"Time" is up and we must go,
May the lamp of Christ our Saviour,
Light us on our last trip through.
CHORUS: welcome now to you, &c.
C.C.: Bro. …, the movements of the members in a Division room
are controlled by the gavel; three raps call them to their feet; one rap seats
them. It has been customary in all ages for men to associate themselves together
for protection and mutual benefit; in order to receive benefit from such
association and to prevent fraud and imposition, it is necessary that members
should be able to recognize each other and detect at once those who are not
members. It is imperatively necessary that the means adopted by us for this
purpose be sacredly guarded by the members, and we earnestly hope that you may
be so convinced of this necessity that you will perfect yourself, and that no
portion may ever become known to outsiders through any inadvertence or neglect
on your part; and remember that the severance of your connection with the Order
does not release you from your obligation to us, to keep inviolable these
things. The means adopted by the Order of Railway Conductors to effect this
purpose is a dialogue known as "The Lecture," which will be recited
for your benefit. The S.C. will conduct you to a seat.
Lecture is now repeated between C.C. and A.C.C. standing in front of
Candidate.
C.C.: Bro. …, it will be necessary for you to commit this
lecture to memory in order to prove yourself a member of the Order and before a
Division card can be ordered for you. We hope you will be a regular attendant at
our Division meetings. Should you wish to gain admission after the Division is
opened, make any alarm on the outside door, which will be opened by the outside
sentinel; to him you will give the S. A. P. W., which is … and which must
never be used except to gain admission to a Division room or to prove your right
to sit there. This will at all times admit you to the anteroom; after being
admitted to the ante-room, clothe yourself in regalia (if one is used) and make
any alarm on the inner door to attract the attention of the inside sentinel; if
he knows you and knows you to be a member in good standing, he will admit you.
If he does not know you, he will report to the A.C.C., when, if known or vouched
for, you will be admitted; if not, the proper officer will be sent to examine
you and administer to you the test oath. Bear in mind that you are not entitled
to sit in any Division unless you are in possession of the current S. A. P. W.
No person other than the Chief Conductor has any legal right to communicate
the semi-annual password to you or to any member of the Order. Any member known
to have communicated the semi-annual password to another member, or any member
known to have used such word having received same from any person other than the
Chief Conductor, shall be deemed to have violated his obligation and will be
expelled upon conviction thereof.
Closing
C.C.: Brothers, I am about to close this Division, Bro. Secretary,
have you prepared report of this meeting for the G. S. and T.
Sec. replies, and if report not made out, C.C. will instruct that it be done
before leaving the hall.
C.C., calls up members by ***: Let us invoke the blessing of the
Most High.
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, we implore Thy divine blessing on the proceedings of
this day; be with us through life, and when it pleases Thee to call us hence,
may we be permitted to assemble around Thy throne, a happy and united Order,
elected to share the joys of life eternal in the Heavens. Hear us and bless us
for the Redeemer’s sake, Amen.
After prayer one of the following songs may be sung.
Brothers? with pleasure let us part.
Since we are of one mind and heart,
Nor length of bouis or distant place
Can ever break these bonds of grace.
Then let us as true brothers part,
And eves act true friendship’s part,
Remember that we must all be,
Both heart and hand in unity
PARTING SONG.
Brothers, once more before we part,
Our voices let us raise,
To Him, who searches every heart
And guards us all our days,
Let us, before we go from here,
Our promises renew, where’er we go, where’er we are
Stand to each other true.
As we go forth to duty’s call,
Let this our motto be
"Perpetual friendship" unto all,
Who claims the O.R.C.
Let us, before we go from here
Our promises renew; where’er we go, where’er we are,
Stand to each other true.
C.C.: Brothers, may we each and all keep ever in mind our motto,
and the principles of FIDELITY, JUSTICE and CHARITY in PERPETUAL FRIENDSHIP ever
dwell with and bless you. I now declare this Division closed until the next
regular meeting unless specially convened, in which case due and timely notice
will be given.*
Members must remain in line and quiet until Division is dismissed by C.C.
with *.