Grand United Order of Moses
Ritual of the Beauty or Third Degree
The lodge should be opened in its usual form for this degree. The C. should
be dressed nicely and obligated as in the other degree in the ante-room.
1905
All things being ready, let the lodge room be darkened and the C. not
blindfolded, be led by the R.W.M. around the room quietly three times. Have
prepared a l. p. or i. p. to hold a little pp. and r. f. on the altar.
Now let the C. stand. Light the r f. and let the R.W.M. say:
R.W.L., instruct this child in this phenomenon.
Then shall the R.W.L. say: Draw not nigh, lest evil come upon
thee. Moreover, let the C. put off his shoes, for the fire makes holy the ground
upon which he stands.
C. pulls off his shoes (or loosens his shoes.) Lodge sings softly:
In Thy cleft, O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me:
When the fitful tempest rages, hide Thou me;
Where no mortal arm can sever
And my heart Thy love forever,
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, safe in Thee.
From the snare of sinful pleasure, hide Thou me;
Thou my soul’s eternal treasure, hide Thou me.
When the world its power is wielding,
And my heart is almost yielding,
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, safe in Thee.
In the lonely night of sorrow, hide Thou me
Till in glory dawns the morrow, hide Thou me;
In the sight of Jordan’s billow,
Let Thy bosom be my pillow;
Hide me, O Thou Rock of Ages, safe in Thee.
Pray and then light up the lodge room.
Beginning at the R.W.H.P., let each officer read five verses of the 3rd and
4th chapters of Exodus.
At the close of this, the V.R.W.L. reads thus: There are moments
when every spirit that bath breathed eternal life feels itself in the presence
of some great power, unknown, yet known. In the dewy morning, the blazing noon,
or the cool evening, all have felt that some power above the earth was near.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: A silent spell sheds o’er the spirit a foretaste of
heaven’s joy. Thoughts come on rays of light illumining the soul within, and
peering out over the lovely landscape we behold the beauties never seen before.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: Such moments fill the human soul.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: They light within man’s spirit the fiery inspiration
and from his lips drops music, the vibratory sounds of the holy tone within.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: All men have felt it.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: God hath revealed himself unto thee in thine own spirits’s
light.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: Thou hast felt that all without was dead, until,
quickened by his own holy light, it grew into loveliness.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: Heaven descended upon the dry and dusty earth and all
things bloomed in perfect beauty.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: Think not that God hath ne’er approached thee. Thou
art one of His children and unto His great spirit, art thou near and dear.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: O, guard they privileges! God gave thee existence.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen].
V.R.W.L.: O, fill full thy powers. Grasp from Heaven’s high
altar the holy torch, and o’er thy head its beam shall shed rays of glory.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: Drop thine earthly load. Plume thy spirit-wings for
regions of eternal day; and in the light of God’s own love will purity bless
thee.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
V.R.W.L.: Take up thy cross of self-denial on earth and follow the
meek and lowly Jesus, and in heaven thou shalt wear a golden crown.
Lodge responds: Amen, Amen, Amen.
C. puts on shoes. The P. W. of this Degree is l. t, y. l. sh. The hailing
sign is given by placing the R. H. upon the S. and L. H. upon the J’w. The G.
hooking together the two
md. f.
All sing:
I am thinking to-day of the beautiful land
I shall reach when the sun goeth down.
When thro’ wonderful grace by my Saviour I stand,
Will there be any stars in my crown?
Cho. Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown?
When at ev’ning the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest,
Will there be any stars in my crown?
In the strength of the Lord let me labor and pray,
Let me watch as a winner of souls;
That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day,
When his praise like the sea billow rolls.
O what a joy will it be when his face I behold,
Living gems at his feet to lay down;
It would sweeten my bliss in the city of gold,
Should there be any stars in my crown.
Close here. Serve refreshments.
End of 3rd Degree.