Fraternal Order of Eyes
Ritual of the third or Master's Degree

1954

Opening

M.E.: Fellow O.O.
O.O.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Your place and duty?
O.O.: Without the door to prevent entrance to those not qualified.
M.E.: Report to your station and be on guard.
M.E.: Fellow S.E., are you sure all present are Fellows of this Degree?
S.E.: I am sure M.E. or if not sure, say I am not sure Master, but will ascertain and report.
S.E. calls S. and J. Obs. to him and tell them to pass around the Chapter and collect pass for M.E. Degree. After pass is collected he reports, that they are in order.
M.E.: I wish them to come to order as such.
S.E. raps ***, all stand: Fellows, it is the M.E. wish that we come to order as M.E.
S.E.: In order Master.
M.E.: Fellow J.O.
J.O.: Master Eye.
M.E.: What are your duties when M.E. are assembled?
J.O.: To see that we are properly Observed.
M.E.: Attend that duty and inform the Obs. we are about to open.
J.O., checks door and reports: Master Eye, we are secure.
M.E.: Fellow S.E.
S.E.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Are you a member of the Fraternal Order of Eyes?
S.E.: I have been branded as such by Fellows.
M.E.: Do you have FAITH?
S.E.: I do in my Eyes.
M.E.: Are you obedient?
S.E.: I am to what I see.
M.E.: Have you been enlightened?
S.E.: I have gained certain knowledge.
M.E.: Where gained you this knowledge?
S.E.: In the Chapter of Eyes.
M.E.: What number constitutes a Chapter of Eyes?
S.E.: Seven or more.
M.E.: The J.E. place?
S.E.: To the left of the M.E. in the South.
M.E. raps ***: Fellow J. E. why to my left and your duty?
J.E.: As the L.E. is in the L. of the head so sits the J.E. in the left to observe the will of the Master and to assist the S.E. as the L.E. assist the R.E.
M.E.: The S.E. place?
J.E.: To the right of the Master in the North.
M.E.: Fellow S.E. Why to my right and your duty?
S.E.: As the R.E. is in the R. of the head, so sits the S.E. to assist the Master Eye in the discharge of his duty and preside in his absence.
M.E.: The Master Eye’s place?
S.E.: In the East, in the center of the two Eyes.
M.E.: His duties there?
S.E.: As the brain is in the center to control the body and Eyes, so is the M.E. in the center to control the Chapter and keep the Eyes at work.
M.E. raps ***: Fellow S.E. you will inform the J.E. and he, the Fellows, that we are going to close our eyes to the outside and open them in this Chapter during which time may we see Eye to Eye.
S.E.: Fellow J.E.
J.E.: Fellow S.E.
S.E.: The Master informs me we are going to close our eyes to the outside and open them in this Chapter, for work, this you will announce so they may be properly informed.
J.E.: Fellow, you have heard the orders of the Master by the S.E. so govern yourselves accordingly.
M.E.: S. and J. Obs escort O. P. to Altar.
O.P. gives prayer.
ALL: Amen.
M.E.: I declare this Chapter open.
Fellow S.O. display the H.B.
Fellow J.O. inform the Obs.
S.O.: M.E. the H.B. is displayed.
J.O.: M.E. the Obs. are informed
NOTE: If business. If initiation, use questions and answers below.
 

Initiation
 
M.E.: Fellow J.O. are there any in waiting for this degree?
J.O. goes to door and ask if there are any waiting for this degree, goes back and reports: There are … number of candidates in waiting for this degree.
M.E.: Fellow Ass. Obs.
A.Ob.: Master Eye.
M.E.: You will retire and prepare the candidates.
Raps ***. All stand.
S.O.: At door, who knocks as a fellow of the third degree?
A.O.: A fellow of this degree with … number of candidates who have received the L.E. and R.E. degrees and are now ready to receive the degree of M.E.
S.O.: Fellow Ass. Obs. are they properly prepared?
A.O.: They are.
S.O.: Have they made suitable proficiency in their former degrees?
A.O.: They have
S.O.: By what further means do they expect to gain entrance?
A.O.: By the benefit of a pass.
S.O.: Have they a Pass?
A.O.: No I have the pass. Ass. O. gives the Pass.
S.O.: Let them wait until the Master has been informed and his answers returned.
S.O. returns to M.E. where same question and answers are asked and returned.
M.E.: Let the Ass. O. by the aid of the guide, lead the candidates to the room.
S.O.: Ass. O., bring them in.
A.O.: Brings candidates and stops just inside.
S.O. to candidates: Fellows in entering a chapter of this degree, you are received by a stroke over both eyes with H.B. to remind you to never reveal any of the secrets of this degree to anyone unlawfully.
S.O. conducts candidates to J.E. and knocks **.
J.E.: Who knocks as a fellow of this degree?
S.O.: A fellow of this degree, with … number of youths who have received L. and R. Eye Degrees and now ready to receive the degree of M.E.
J.E.: Candidate is this your request?
Candidate: It is.
J.E.: Fellow S.O. are they properly prepared?
S.O.: They are.
J.E.: Have they made suitable proficiency in their former degrees?
S.O.: They have.
J.E.: By what further means do they expect to gain entrance?
S.O.: By the benefit of a pass.
J.E.: Have they a pass?
S.O.: No I have the pass. Gives the pass.
S.O. conducts youth to S.E. and then to M.E. where same question and answers are given.
M.E.: S.O., conduct candidates to Altar, cause them to kneel and receive obligation.
S.O. conducts candidates to altar and place them in order.
S.O.: In order Master Eye,
M.E., *** and gives obligation.
 
 
Third Degree Obligation

Say I, repeat name, in the presence and under the observation of the Almighty God, do declare and swear hear and now, on this Holy Book the rule and guide of my fathers, that I will keep my eyes on those things that will lead to a better life, that I may see the right from wrong, that I may see the path leading to, the right, that I may see not to reveal any of the secrets of the mysteries of this my Order, to anyone not qualified to know them.
May I always see the need of a fellow member of the order of the Eyes and do all I can to aid him or them, may I always see a way to protect all who need protection. May I always see a way to obey the rules and orders of the Grand Overseers and Observers under whose jurisdiction I shall be governed, and the Chapter of which I shall become a member.
May I see to always, to keep the signs of this and all other degrees secret.
May I see eye to eye with truth and honesty always.
If I wilfully violate this or any other pledge, may I loose forever my vision and be held in scorn by all mankind so help me GOD.
M.E.: Candidates, as you are now, what would you most desire?
Candidates being prompted say: The use of my eyes.
M.E.: Senior Obs. remove the G. L.
M.E.: Fellows, lend your eyes and hands in helping these fellows receive their sight.
M.E. reads Scripture and directs S.O. to remove blinders.
M.E.: As you regain your sight you observe me as M.E. standing on the D.G. of a M.E. and I give you the grip and word of the same.
M.E.: S.O., you may escort the candidates to J.E. and then to S.E. that they may be satisfied.
J.E.: Are you a fellow of the order of the Eyes?
S.O.: I have seen the light with both eyes.
J.E.: What make you a fellow?
S.O.: My solemn pledge.
J.E.: How many eyes make a fellow?
S.O.: Two, the right and the left.
J.E.: What is the sign and grip of the order of eyes?
S.O.: Eyes open to see all great things. Hands extended to help all fellows.
S.O. takes Candidates at S.E. where same questions and answers are asked and given.
S.O. goes with candidates to M.E. station where same question and answers are asked and given.
M.E.: S.O., conduct the candidates to the N.E. corner to receive Chart.
 
 
Master Eye Degree Chart Work
 
We have learned that by proper use of the Eyes, we may learn the mysteries of the world. See the rights and wrongs that we may be able to avoid those wrongs; that we may see a fallen fellow and help him to arise; that we travel in all countries and see customs of all people, and see the good in all nations.
That we may see each rung on the ladder of success, and climb with firm footsteps to the top.
To see our reflections in the mirror of life, and by those reflections we can arrange ourselves to be presentable to our family, fellows, and to our God.
M.E.: Fellow S.O., you will conduct the candidates back to the Altar to receive the charge.
 
 
Charge of Master Eye Degree (Enlightenment)
 
Fellows, I hail you as such, with the blinder removed from both eyes, that you may observe the beauty about you of Geometric patterns in nature, and in man made things. Look bravely ahead as you travel the road into the future.
The school books on the Altar are symbols of your continued quest for knowledge and enlightenment. Knowledge is power. Enlightenment is the attribute of this Degree. Let the light of education and intelligence shine forth in all corners of the earth to reveal truth.
You are now banded together to help each other live clean, constructive and patriotic lives.
You are directed to develop all of your talents and all of your faculties to the fullest extent, and achieve a useful purpose in life, by devoting your hands, your hearts and your intellects, to your Fellow, to your Order, to your Country and to your God.
Each of your three views exposed a shining beacon. Together, they will safely guide you on your journey. The zeal you have shown for the principals of our Order has merited our esteem, admiration and confidence in you.
Master Eye returns to his station and while the candidates remain standing, ask them if they consider themselves Master Eyes.
The Candidates are prompted to say: Yes.
M.E.: Says I am sorry to inform you that you are not. You must undergo a test of peril to prove yourself worthy. You must again be blinded and suffer yourself to be branded with this for identification as all fellows have.
Note: Test of peril is given at this point.
Candidates are blinded and taken back outside and brought in one at a time and given the test.
After test is given the Master Eye instructs the S. O. to arrange the candidates before the Altar for final Lecture.

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