Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League
Initiation Ritual

1916

Opening Ceremony
 
Worthy Commander, *: Sisters and Brethren, the hour has come for us to convene this Commandery of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, for the transaction of such business as may legally come before it. Those present not entitled to remain will please retire to the ante-room. The officers will clothe themselves in their proper regalia of office and assume their respective stations.
Captain of the Guard, you will place the Sentinels at their posts and see to it that the portals of our Commandery are guarded from all unlawful intrusion.
C. G., salutes: Your orders shall be obeyed.
The C. G. will place the Inner and Outer Sentinels at the doors leading into the hall, and then approach the altar and say: Worthy Commander, I have placed the Inner and Outer Sentinels at their posts and our Commandery is now protected from all unlawful intrusion.
W. C.: 'Tis well. You will now take up the pass-words of those present.
The C. G. will begin on the right of the Worthy Commander's station, take up the permanent and semi-annual pass-words, and if a member present is without them, the C. G. will so announce it to the W C., who will inquire of the Recorder if the brother without the pass-words is clear upon the books. If the answer is in the affirmative, the W. C. will bid the brother to advance to his station and will communicate the pass-words to him. Having completed the examinations, the C. G. will approach the altar, salute and say:
C. G.: Worthy Commander, I have examined all present and find them in possession of the proper pass-words and entitled to remain.
W. C.: I thank you. You will now arrange the altar, display the shield, proclaim the stations and unfurl to the breezes of liberty the emblem of Freedom – the flag of our country. ***.
The C. G. will then arrange the altar, open the Bible, lay a sword across it, and then approach the Worthy Commander's station and say: This is the station of Allegiance. It symbolizes our allegiance to our country, our Order, our homes and our members.
He will then advance to the Past Worthy Commander's station and say: This is the station of liberty. It symbolizes that liberty for which the fathers of our country fought, bled and died, and represents our national Freedom and Independence.
He will then approach the Worthy Vice-Commander's station and say: This is the station of Friendship. It symbolizes the Friendship we hold for each other as members of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, and our desire to promote and realize genuine fraternity among us.
He will then approach the Prelate's station and say: This is the station of Love. It symbolizes the highest attribute of our human existence, and inspires us to ever love our country, our homes and mankind.
He will then advance to the altar, grasp the hilt of the sword and say: This is the altar on which we have taken our most solemn obligation to live in peace and concord with each other and to exemplify the principles of Allegiance, Friendship and Love. Let us ever be faithful to our obligation.
The C. G. will then return to his station, on the right hand of the W. Commander's station, and remain standing.
W. C.: What is the duty of every member of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League?
Members, all together: To live in peace, harmony and concord with each other; to be loyal to our country and its flag, faithful to our homes and loved ones; charitable to those in distress, and obedient to the mandates of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League.
The C. G. will then unfurl the American Flag, which shall hang to the right of the W. C. station; if hung on a staff, then at the C. G.'s station.
W. C.: Attention, Sisters Brethren, salute the flag. The members salute. We will now sing our Opening Ode, after which the Prelate will invoke the blessings of the Deity.
 
 
Opening Ode

Air: "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
Our Order, 'tis of thee,
Guardian of Liberty,
Of thee we sing.
Thou art our noble pride,
Where Freedom doth abide,
And Love is true and tried,-
Let praises ring!
In sweet fraternity
Our hearts are ever free,
As we now sing;
For sweetest charity,
Light of our glory be,
For all eternity.-
Let blessings bring!
For our dear flag so true,
The dear Red, White and Blue,
Proudly we sing;
Long may it proudly wave,
And our dear Order save,
Home of the free and brave,
Let freedom ring!
God save our noble band,
As united we stand,
And of thee sing;
Protect us in Thy might,
With Freedom’s holy light,
As we strive for the right,
Great God, our King!
Prelate: O Thou Divine Ruler of the Universe, from whom all blessings flow, and before whom we bow our heads in reverence, we invoke Thy gracious blessings upon our Order and those assembled here to-night. Guide us in the path of righteousness, and lead us to live in peace and harmony with each other, so that whatever we do will be acceptable in Thy holy sight. Give us power and strength to carry out the grand and noble tenets on which our Order was founded, and help us to exemplify the principles of "Allegiance, Liberty, Friendship and Love." Make us a power for good, and spread Thy holy protection over our Order, our homes, our loved ones and our country, so that we may work together for the uplift and betterment of our nation and humanity.
May Thy gracious will ever rest upon us, bringing sunshine and happiness into our hearts and our homes, now and forever, Amen.
Members, all together: Amen.
W. C., *: Sisters and Brethren, I now declare ... Commandery. No. ... Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, formally opened for the dispatch of such business as may legally come before it. Let no discord prevail, and let us deliberate in spiritual concord for the best interests of our Order, our homes, our country and mankind.
The Recorder will now call the roll of officers and note absentees.
 
 
Order of Business
 
1 Reading and approving of minutes.
2 Reports of Sickness or distress.
3 Proposals for membership and appointing Committee of Investigation.
4 Reports on special and standing committees.
5 Balloting on candidates.
6 Reports of Medical Examiners.
7 Initiation.
8 Reading of bills and communications.
9 Unfinished business.
10 New business.
11 Good of the Order.
12 Closing ceremony.
 
 
Initiation
 
Worthy Commander: Captain of the Guard, you will retire to the ante-room and ascertain if there are any candidates in waiting.
The C. G. will approach the altar, give the retiring sign and retire to the ante-room, and ascertaining the number of candidates in waiting, he will re-enter, approach the altar, give the entrance sign and report:
C. G.: Worthy Commander, I find a stranger (or strangers) in waiting who desire to become members of this Commandery.
The C. G. will return to his station and remain standing.
W. C.: The Recorder and Treasurer will retire to the ante-room, ascertain the name (or names) of the candidate (or candidates), collect the fees and report the same at the altar of this commandery.
These officers approach the altar, give the retiring sign and retire to the ante-room. If the commandery has robes, etc., the Worthy Commander calls some member to the chair and the officers retire to the property room and assume them. In marching out the Past Worthy Commander shall advance to the Worthy Commander's station, who will fall in next to the Past Commander, the Captain of the Guard taking the lead. As they pass the Prelate's station he will fall in behind, and last the Worthy Vice Commander, after which the Degree Team will fall in and march out of the hall in column of twos. After they are properly robed they will march back in the same manner, each taking his proper station.
After the Recorder and Treasurer have performed their duty, they return to the hall and when the officers are again seated, they approach the al tar and the Recorder reports:
Recorder: Worthy Commander, I find in waiting … gives names who desire to become members of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League.
W. C.: Has the Treasurer received the required fees?
Treasurer: He has.
W. C.: The captain of the Guard and the Conductor will retire to the ante-room and propound the necessary questions, after which the Captain of the Guard will report, while the Conductor will prepare the candidate (or candidates) for initiation.
The Captain of the Guard and the Conductor approach the altar, give the retiring sign, and retire to the ante-room, and the Captain of the Guard propounds the following questions:
C.G.: In seeking to gain entrance to this Commandery of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League it is necessary for you to answer the questions I put to you:
1. Do you believe in a Supreme Being?
2. Have you ever before applied for membership in the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League?
3. Are you addicted to the intemperate use of spirituous or malt liquors?
4. Are you willing to take upon yourself an obligation to abide by the laws of this Order, and not reveal any of the secret work or private business of our Order in an unlawful manner, which obligation, I assure you, will in no wise conflict with your duty to your family, your country or your God?
The answers being satisfactory, the Captain says:
C. G.: I will report your answers to the Worthy Commander. Conductor, you will see that the candidate (or candidates) is properly instructed and presented if permission is granted for advancement.
The conductor blindfolds the candidates and places them in single file, etc., while the C. G. reports:
C. G.: Worthy Commander, I have propounded the necessary questions and find the candidate (or candidates) worthy and well qualified for advancement in this Order.
W. C.: Admit them.
The C. G. gives retiring sign, retires to the Inner Door, which he throws open, and says:
C. G.: Conductor, by command of the Worthy Commander, you will bring the stranger (or strangers) into this Commandery of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League.
As the Conductor and candidate (or candidates) enters the lodge room, the W. C. raps ***, calling the members to their feet, and they remain standing, preserving strict silence, while the Conductor leads the stranger (or strangers) in single file around the hall. If there is a musical instrument in the hall, a member may play a march. On the second passing around the hall, the Conductor will halt the stranger (or strangers) before the station of the Worthy Vice-Commander, and face him or them to that officer and say:
Conductor: Worthy Vice-Commander, I present to you this stranger (or these strangers) who desire(s) to become a member (or members) of this Commandery of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, tor instructions.
W. V.-C.: Stranger (or strangers), your name for membership in the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League was proposed by an honorable member of this Commandery, was approved by a chosen committee of three, also honorable members of this Order, after which in secret ballot you were duly elected as worthy a place among us.
You may congratulate yourself (or selves) and be congratulated because of this preferment, for none but worthy men and women, of pure motives, honorable principles and sincere purposes can be admitted to membership in the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League.
I must, however, say to you that before you can go further, and receive the secrets of this Order, it will be necessary for you to take upon yourself (or selves) a solemn, binding obligation to keep forever secret and sacred the secrets of this Order.
Upon my assurance that this obligation in no way conflicts with your religious, civil or political duties, are you willing to take such obligation?
If the strangers answer in the affirmative, the Worthy Vice-Commander will say:
W. V.-C.: Conductor, place the stranger (or strangers) before the altar for obligation.
The Conductor will then face the stranger (or strangers) about and again marching them around the hall, will halt him (or them) before the altar, about a pace from it, saluting the Worthy Commander, and say:
Conductor: Worthy Commander, by order of the Worthy Vice-Commander, I place this stranger (or these strangers) at the altar that he (or they) may take the obligation of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League.
W. C.: Sisters and Brethren, you will form a circle around the altar, while the Prelate administers the obligation.
Prelate: You stand at this altar for the purpose of taking upon yourself (or yourselves) an obligation that not only binds you to us, the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, but also binds you to eternal fealty to the cause of good government and the uplift and betterment of mankind, also to keep forever secret whatsoever you may hear in your progress of the secrets of the Order. You have already been assured that there is nothing in this obligation which will in any way or measure conflict with your religious, civil or political duties.
With this assurance again repeated, do you still desire that I confer this obligation upon you?
Receiving an affirmative answer, the Prelate will proceed:
Place your right hand, palm down, upon the sword and Bible, place your left hand over your heart and repeat after me, using your name where I use mine:
 
 
Obligation
 
I, ..., in the presence of Almighty God and these members of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League here assembled, do, of my own free will and accord, solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will never reveal any of the signs, pass-words, grips or secret work of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League to any person or persons not entitled to receive the same.
I furthermore promise and swear that I will abide by and conform to all the laws, regulations and rules of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League that may now be in force or which may hereafter be promulgated.
I furthermore promise and swear that I will not become a member of or affiliate with any organization or society claiming to be of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, unless I absolutely know that the said organization or society is legally working under a legal dispensation or charter granted thereunto by the Supreme Commandery of the Abraham
Lincoln Fraternal League.
I furthermore promise and swear that I will be upright, honest, temperate in all my conduct and dealings in public and in private life; that I will be true to all members of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League and loyal at all times and in all places to the Order.
I furthermore promise and swear that I will not knowingly wrong a member in thought, word or deed, nor see one wronged if in my power to prevent it.
I will never knowingly ruin the sanctity of a member's home, but will protect his or her family as I would my own.
That in all business affairs I will favor one who is a member of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League in preference to one who is not. That I will be charitable to the widows and orphans of deceased brothers and will never permit them to suffer if in my power to prevent.
That so far as lies in my power and ability, I will give help and hope to the living, succor to the sick, comfort and cheer to the dying and consolation to those who mourn.
I furthermore promise and swear, that should I be expelled or suspended from the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, I will still consider this obligation as binding upon me as the same would be were I an honorable, active member of the said Order.
I furthermore promise and swear, that proven false to my obligations now taken, I will accept as my just desert to be published to the world as a traitor to the Order and unfit for companionship with honorable people.
To all of which, in the presence of God and these attendant witnesses, I pledge my most sacred word of honor, and as I deal with the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, so may God and men deal with me. Amen.
Members, all together: So be it.
Or this:
I (your name) solemnly promise that I will not divulge the secrets of this order to any one not entitled to receive the same. I will guard and protect the good name of a brother or sister. If in my power, I will aid a member in distress, l will give my influence to the upbuilding and advancement of the order, and I will obey its laws and follow its precepts.
I promise I will not rob a member in his purse. I further promise I will not rob the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League in its treasure. To the performance of all this I pledge my sacred word of honor.
The W. C. seats the members; the Conductor and candidate, still standing at the altar, the Prelate continues:
Prelate: The solemn obligation you have just taken not only binds you to the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, but, observed in spirit as well as in letter, will enable you to both exemplify the principles of our order, making it to be known as honorable and worthy among men and women.
I adjure you, my friend (or friends), remember your obligation as a member of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League. Be faithful until death.
Members, all together: Even until death.
Prelate: Therefore, my friend (or friends), be true to your country and its flag, be true to your homes and those dependent upon you, be true to the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League and the principle, for which it stands, and, above all, be true to yourself (or yourselves), for, as Shakespeare hath said:
"To thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not the n be false to any man."
Conductor, you will conduct our friend (or friends) to the Past Worthy Commander, who will explain the meaning of the first word in the motto of our order.
The candidates will be marched around the room twice and brought up in front of the P. W. C., and Conductor will say:
Conductor: Past Worthy Commander, by order of the Prelate, I present to you this friend (or these friends) to be instructed in the meaning of the first word of our motto.
P. W. C.: Brother (or sisters and brothers), the first word in our motto is Allegiance. To us it signifies that we are bound together in ties of genuine fraternity, and owe allegiance to the Order and the principles for which it stands. We also owe allegiance to our government, which, in the language of our immortal namesake, Abraham Lincoln, is a government "of the people, for the people and by the people."
As an American (or "as Americans"), we would have you ever remember that each of us has a duty to perform in the interest of good government, and in the exercise of those prerogatives granted to us by the Constitution, we should never forget that we are all born equal "and endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Ours is a nation to be proud of, and the highest ideal of citizenship is obedience to its Constitution and laws, and in the exercise of your civil and political prerogatives we would have you ever be loyal to its welfare and faithful to its mandates. The founders of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League have sought to bring forth an organization whose principles shall not only be proclaimed, but lived; which shall come to the hearthside of every member in genuine fraternity, so far-reaching that it shall virtually surround the home with its helpful protection in every time of need. Therefore let your allegiance to this grand Order be as firm as the living rock, and the seeds we plant in your heart should grow and magnify, and produce an hundred-fold in the work of your hands, the words of your mouth and the meditations of your mind. The Good Book says: "If any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." My friend (or friends), as you journey through life we would have you ever remember this Divine command. With this admonition in our minds we shall strive to assist our members in time of need, provide aid and assistance for those dependent upon us, and work together unselfishly for the betterment of mankind.
Therefore be true to your country, true- to our Order, true to your homes, and loyal to your loved ones. These are the incentives that fire our hearts with enthusiastic love for the dear land of our birth, the precious heritage left to us by Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Grant
"Flag of the free heart's hope and home,
By angel hands to valor given;
Thy stars have lit the welking dome,
And all thy hues were born in heaven,
Forever float that standard sheet!
Where breathe s the foe but falls before us,
With freedom's soil beneath our feet,
And freedom's banner streaming o'er us?"
Conductor, you will conduct our friend (or friends) to the Worthy Vice Commander for further instructions.
The candidates will be marched twice around the hall and placed before the W. V. C., and the Conductor will say:
Conductor: Worthy Vice Commander, by order of the Past Worthy Commander I present to you this friend (or friends) for further instruct ions in the motto of our Order.
W. V. C.: My friend (or friends), the next word in our motto is Liberty. It is well that we here teach the sacred lesson of loyalty to our country; that we reverence the principles of freedom and liberty, whose development explains the founding of this nation, casts a halo round the heads of the great men who builded and preserved for us a glorious country, and made possible the political, social and family life which we enjoy, and the blessings that go with American citizenship. It is in such an atmosphere alone that a society like ours can grow and flourish without fear of being crushed by tyrannical supervision or prohibition.
"Eternal vigilance is the price ot liberty," and the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League stands firm as the champion of the personal rights and individual freedom of every class of citizens, whether white or black, rich or poor, and without regard to previous condition of servitude. The Unity of Government which constitutes us one people shall forever remain dear to us and our posterity. Therefore let us persevere in our "affectionate vigilance over that precious depository of American happiness, the Constitution of the United States," and to ever remember that "while we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to Him only are we answerable." Let us ever remain steadfast to the cause of virtue and liberty, benevolence and charity, friendship and love, and justice and mercy.
"The pious faith of fellow-man
Ne'er ridicule, dear friend;
For noble life and happiness
May on that faith depend."
Conductor, you will now conduct our friend (or friends) to the Prelate, to receive instructions in the principles of Friendship.
The Conductor will march the candidate once around the hall and place him in front of the Prelate, and say:
Conductor: Prelate, by order of the Worthy Vice Commander, I present to you this friend (or these friends) for further instructions in the motto of our Order.
Prelate: My friend (or friends), we would have you learn the true lesson of friend ship. Friendship is one of the noblest attributes of man, and is second only to humanity's sacred religion. In the spirit of Friendship we seek to carry out the beautiful mission that binds us together in the bonds of fraternity.
We would have you to remember that fraternities are the valiant protector s of womanhood and the loyal defenders of the good name of every one's household, and that in the great feeling of unselfishness we shall endeavor to carry out the underlying principle of the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.''
As the immortal Father of our Country hath well said: "True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and with stand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation." In our Order we want the true spirit of friendship to be ever foremost, for as Washington again says, "I believe that man was not designed by the All-wise Creator to live for himself alone," and in the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League you will find a haven in which men and women of good quality will meet and fraternize in social happiness, intellectual advancement, moral teaching, and noble and benevolent practices. Be a friend to your friends and thus help us to bring about a strong union in which the members will be draw1_1to one center of attraction. Be loyal, be true, be just, be honorable, be merciful, and "associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."
. . . In the service of mankind to be
A guardian god below; still to employ
The mind's brave ardor, in heroic aims,
Such as may raise us o'er the groveling herd,
And make us shine forever-that is life.
You will now conduct our friend (or friends) to our Worthy Commander for final instructions in the motto of our Order.
The candidates will march once around the hall and brought up in front of the Commander's station, and the Conductor will say:
Conductor: Worthy Commander, by order of the Prelate, I present you this friend (or these frends) who desires final instructions in the motto of our Order.
W. C.: Friend (or friends), I welcome you in our midst and l trust that the lessons you have just learned will ever shine in your heart as bright rays of a summer sun, to give you warmth of happiness and love. Love is the final word in our mot to, and to us it signifies the greatest and most vital principle in this universe, and nothing can take the place of it. "Live is the measure of life: only so far as we can love do we really live." In every uncorrupted nation on earth this feeling is the same, and it is the ruling power of life which destroys what ever is wrong in the codes of our human existence. In the language of Washington Irving, "Though it may sometimes throw a passing cloud over the bright hour of gayety, or spread a deeper sadness over the hour of gloom, yet who would exchange it even for the song of pleasure or the burst of revelry?''
In this order we aim to arouse a spirit of fraternal love and affection among our members, and set a standard of happiness and contentment for our friends and loved ones.
We seek to exemplify the true spirit of love of country, love of home and fireside, love for humanity and love for those dear ones dependent upon us.
In conclusion, I wish to admonish you to forever keep sacred in your memory the grand and noble teachings of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, and be ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in distress, and by promoting their happiness and winning their affections, obtain from them their everlasting gratitude and approbation. In the words of the immortal poet:
Love thyself last; cherish those hearts that hate thee;
Corruption ruins not more than honesty.
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace,
To silence envious tongues; be just, and fear not.
Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's,
Thy God's and truth's.
Conductor, you will take our friend (or friends) to the Past Worthy Commander for instructions in the secret work of our Order.
The candidates will be marched around the room once and brought up before the P. W. C.
Conductor: Past Worthy Commander, by order of the Worthy Commander, I present to you this friend (or these friends) for instruction in the secret work of the Order.
P. W. C.: My friend (or friends), you have been taught the grand principles on which our benevolent and patriotic order is founded. we have consecrated this beautiful society to the memory of that great liberator of the slaves, Honest Abe Lincoln, who in granting to the colored race its freedom, said: "In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free-honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve." We are proud of the name of Lincoln, and let us hope that the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League will grow and prosper, and become a fitting monument to his greatness of character and the nobleness of his benevolent achievement.
Awake, ye hearts so full of sadness,
O'er winter's chills and winter's gloom!
Awake from drowsy sleep to gladness,
Let dreary dreams to joy give room!
The Lord's great power in words of thunder
Speaks from the mount: "Let all be free.''
Like Sampson break the chains asunder,
And like the eagle ye shall be!
I will now instruct you in the secret work of this Order.
In all commanderies of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League there is an Inner and Outer door. The space between ls the ante-room. Desiring to gain admission into a Commandery, give any kind of alarm at the outer door. The Outer Sentinel will open the wicket, and to him you will give the permanent pass-word, which is .... This admits you to the ante-room, where you will invest yourself with the collar of the Order. You will then approach the Inner door and give ... knocks, which will be answered from within by ... knocks. The wicket will then be opened and to the Inner Sentinel you will give the semiannual pass-word, which for this term is ....
The door will then be opened and you will then approach the altar, where you will give to the Worthy Commander the sign of courtesy, given thus ..., which will be answered by a wave of the hand. You will then take your seat.
If the Commandery is not in order for you to be admitted, the Inner Sentinel will give ... raps on the door, and you must then remain in the ante-room until you receive the proper signal.
If at any time you desire to address the Commandery you will rise to your feet, give a sign thus ..., at the same time saying, "Worthy Commander," and being recognized by the Worthy Commander, will proceed with your remarks. If you wish to cross the Commandery room from one side to the other, give the hailing sign, thus ..., and, without waiting, proceed, but never cross between the altar and the Worthy Commander's station.
If you wish to retire before the Commandery is regularly closed, proceed to the altar, face the Worthy Commander, give the retiring sign, thus ..., and when recognized by the Worthy Commander, giving the countersign, thus ..., you may retire; otherwise you will return to your seat.
The sign of distress, indicating need of a member's help, is given thus ...; a member thus appealed to will reply with the countersign, which is given thus .... But should it be dark, or emergency demand instant action you may use the words ...; the answer is ..., and it shall be the duty of a member within hearing to hasten to your relief.
If you wish to hail a member in public, you will give this hailing sign, ...; it will be answered thus, .... If you wish to greet a member in public you will exclaim, "Howdy, Friend!" and the member being so hailed will answer, "Oh, Glory!" This indicates that you feel the glory of having a friend. We also have a warning sign if any member sees you in danger, it is his or her duty to warn you of it. If it demands instant action he will give you this sign …. You observing it will respond thus ….
The grip is given thus ...; the response is given thus …. As a further test there is a word or cover key connected with this grip. As you clasp the hand you will say …. The member so approached will respond .... You will then say ..., and in reply will say …. This cover key is composed of the first letter in the words of our motto.
The voting sign is given thus ....
The gavel has its meaning and its uses. * Calls the Commandery to order, or seats the members; ** calls the officers only to their feet, and *** calls the entire Commandery to its feet.
Conductor, you will not take our friend (or friends) to the Worthy Commander for confirmation to full membership.
The Conductor will then escort the candidates once around the room, place them on their knees before the Worthy Commander, who places his hands upon their heads and repeat:
W. C.: Brother (or sister), by the authority vested in me as Worthy Commander of ... Commandery, No. ..., of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, I now proclaim you a true and confirmed member of the Order and entitled to all the rights, benefits and privileges thereof. Be loyal, be true, be faithful, be Just, and by your acts and deeds reflect honor upon yourself and our Order. Arise!
The Conductor will then face the newly made members to the Commandery, and the W. C. will say:
W. C.: Sisters and Brethren, I now take pleasure in introducing you to Brother (or sister) …, who has taken the obligation of our Order, and pledged obedience to the laws and mandates of the Supreme Commandery of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League. Let us join in extending to him (or her) a hearty greeting.
Members, all together: Howdy, Friend!
W. C.: Oh, glory!
W. C.: Sisters and brethren, I now take pleasure in declaring recess for ... minutes to welcome our newly made members and for recreation.
All members shake hands and welcome the newly made members.
 
 
Closing Ceremony
 
W. C., *: If there is no further business, we will proceed to close in due form. The · Recorder will now report all receipts and disbursements, and make a record thereof.
Recorder makes report.
W. C.: Sisters and brethren, we will now proceed to close. The business for which this Commandery, of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, was assembled is now completed. As we again mingle with the outer world, let the spirit of Allegiance, Liberty, Friendship and Love inspire us in every act and deed. Let us ever remember our obligation to the Order, our duty toward each other, and the purposes for which we have bound ourselves in the ties of fraternity. Let us strive to preserve the high character of the Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League and the principles for which it stands, and so conduct ourselves as to bring honor upon us and our Order. We will now sing our closing ode.
 
 
Ode to the Flag

(Air: "The Old Oaken Buckel")
Dear flag of our country, once more to behold thee
Brings feelings as deep as my heart ever knew,
Once more dies the light of thy glory enfold me
As fondly I gaze on the red, white and blue.
Delighted the scene in the land of the stranger,
And proud were the pageants they gave us to view;
How thrilling their stories of glory and danger,
But naught thrilled my heart like thy colors so true.

CHORUS.

The star-spangled banner, that beautiful banner,
That glorious banner, so grand and so true;
That battle-scarred banner, that heaven-born banner,
The flag of our country - the red, white and blue!
Once more as thy bright stars above me are gleaming,
Once more as thy broad stripes swing out to the breeze,
And I stand where the sunlight around thee is streaming,
What moments of rapture were equal to these!
Wave proudly, dear flag, o'er the hearts that adore thee,
No rival shall ever thy glory divide;
The sunlight of freedom a lone, shall be o'er thee,
Fair this men have bled, and, for this, they have died.

CHORUS.

O flag of our country, well, well may we love thee,
Thou emblem of all that is noble and true!
There's naught but the great arch of heaven above thee,
Most favored of banners that earth ever knew.
With thee for the guardian of Liberty's portal,
What traitor can pierce her? What tyrant subdue ?
Upheld by the hand that is greater than mortal,
Wave on, and forever, dear Red, White and Blue.

CHORUS.

Prelate: Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we thank Thee for Thy gracious kindness in preserving for us a great and glorious nation, as an inheritance for ourselves and our posterity. We thank Thee for our social happiness, our treasures of knowledge, our institutions of learning, our collective wisdom as a nation, and above all for the conservation of our freedom. We thank Thee for Thy affectionate vigilance over our homes and our loved ones, and pray that Thy mercy and peace will ever rest upon us, now and forever. Amen.
Members, all together: Amen. Amen.
W. C.: Captain of the Guard, remove the shield, attend the altar, close the Bible, collect the rituals and odes, and bring them to this station.
I now declare ... Commandery, Abraham Lincoln Fraternal League, closed until our next regular (or special) meeting. *.