Ancient Free Gardeners of Scotland
Rose of England Lodge
Initiation Ritual in the Journeyman’s Degree

2020

Opening of the Lodge
 
The Worthy Master gives Three Knocks, Repeated by the Deputy Master.
Worthy Master: Worthy Officers and Brothers we are once more met together for the purpose of giving the Journeyman’s Degree: allow me therefore, to solicit your patient and undivided attention to the business of the day. Let no private or individual advantages prevent you from attending to the general good: and may order, peace, and unanimity prevail in this an all other meetings.
I declare this Lodge duly opened.
Three knocks
Deputy Master: So it is.
Bro. Conductors escort the Candidates to the door and gives Three Knocks.
Inside Tyler, opens Door: Who seeks entrance?
Outside Tyler: A Brother with Apprentices, who Wish to become Journeyman Gardeners.
Inside Tyler: Worthy Master, A Brother with Apprentices who wish to become Journeyman Gardeners seeks entrance.
Worthy Master: Admit them.
The Bro. Conductors enters and leads the Candidates in front of the Deputy Master, who asks Candidates for the Sign and Grip of the Apprentice Degree, if he finds him correct, the Deputy Master shall say:
Deputy Master: Worthy Master and Brothers, I find the Candidate/s has/have been properly instructed as an Apprentice Gardener.
Has he been obedient to the Laws and to the superior Officers, during his Apprentice probation?
Bro. Conductors: We believe he has.
Deputy Master: Has his moral conduct been in unison with his profession?
Bro. Conductors: We believe it has.
Deputy Master: Do you receive him as a Brother Gardener?
Bro. Conductors: We Do.
The Deputy Master then addresses the Candidate
Deputy Master: Worthy Brother, as a Gardener I would remind you of the White Rose, which is an emblem of Innocence and Virtue. The unsullied whiteness of its leaves represents the purity of the human mind when uncontaminated with vice. The fragrance it yields when its leaves are withered and dead, is an emblem of a life spent in piety and virtuous actions, which never fail to draw forth the admiration of surviving Friends and makes his memory dear to all who knew him. Never bring dishonour upon this Institution and that emblem will never bring dishonour upon you. May it be a true representation of your various virtues and may you enjoy a long and happy life. You have now become a Journeyman Gardener: may your future conduct be such as will raise the affectionate regard of your Brethren, and the approbation of all. I commend you to the injunctions’ and further instructions of ‘our Worthy Master’ whose direction I trust you will be ever ready to follow, and whose commands you will be ever willing to obey.
Bro. Conductors place the Candidate/s before the Worthy Master.
Worthy Master: Will you promise in the presents of all here assembled, that you will never on any account whatsoever disclose any matters connected with the Journeyman Degree, that are to be kept secret: nor injure a brother, nor suffer others to injure him, if within your power to prevent it?
Candidate: I will.
Worthy Master: Will you at all times as far as is consistent with your means, assist a Brother Journeyman in distress: and always strive to conduct yourself in such a manner, that you may by your practices bring honour to this Society?
Candidate: I will.
Worthy Master: Will you furthermore promise not to make, nor assist in making a Journeyman Gardener, in any way but that which is prescribed by the Laws of the Order?
Candidate: I will.
Chaplain stands and Reads from Genesis Chapter 2 Verses 15-17:
2:15. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
2:16. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.
2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.
Worthy Master: Worthy Brother you are now admitted a Journeyman Gardener. We rely with perfect confidence on sincerity of the promises you have made us this evening, and we doubt not that your future conduct will be such as will merit our approbation and esteem. You must now commence diligently to cultivate friendship amid affection for the Brethren of the Order. To sow the seeds of peace and concord, to promote order, harmony and good humour in all our meetings: and cherish a sincere attachment for every Brother in the profession. Carefully and diligently study the principles of the Order: they are founded on charity and benevolence. Be ever ready to assist the needy, to relieve those in distress, and to sympathise with the suffering. Let your public and private conduct be governed by the strict rules of justice and integrity. And let all your dealings with the world be in unison with that principle of moral rectitude which teaches us to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us. If possible, live in peace with all men, avoiding strife and quarrels of every description and promoting peace and good will with all mankind.
Pay due deference and respect to all those who by merit or fortune may be placed over you and act complacently to those who possess not the same advantages that you enjoy. Avoid intemperance and excesses of every description as irrational, injurious, and criminal. By Strict conformity to these precepts, you will bring honour and respect to yourself and your profession, promote your own comfort, and increase the happiness of those around you.
The Master then shall take him by the hand and say to those present:
Worthy Master: Brother Gardeners, I hereby present to you our newly Initiated Journeymen, commending them to your kindness and fostering care, and trusting that you will instruct them carefully and perfectly in the arts and mysteries of our profession.
Worthy Master: I will now entrust you with the Sigh, Grip and Word of this Degree If more than One Candidate with the Assistance of the Deputy Master.
SIGN: Tug Bottom of Sleeves, Left, Right, Left.
WORDS: Wisdom Strengthens
GRIP: Normal Handshake Three Times, but with the Thumbs Flat and Parallel.
You will now retire with the Bro. Conductors and on your re-entry, you will be Admitted to the Degree of Master Gardener.
Bro. Conductors Retire with the Candidates.