Royal Arcanum
Initiation Ritual
1909
Opening of the Council for Duty.
The Regent having clothed himself
with appropriate regalia and assumed his station.
REGENT: Guide, you will see that the outer and inner doors are properly guarded;
that the secret symbol is displayed; that the official stations are occupied
and that all within the Council Chamber are entitled to seats therein.
If any official station is not
occupied, the Regent shall designate some member to occupy it temporarily.
The several stations being duly
occupied, the Guide shall give the S. and P. passwords to the Regent, and moving
from the right of the Regent around the Council Chamber,—visiting the
Sentry’s station on his way—shall receive them from each brother present,
who must stand erect and give them in a whisper, accompanied with the grip. Any
member of the Council without passwords must be sent to the Regent to procure
them.
The Guide, satisfied that all
present are members of the Royal Arcanum, and that the Council Chamber is
prepared for Duty, standing at altar, facing it and the Regent: Regent, the outer and inner doors are securely guarded; the secret symbol
is properly displayed; the officers are at their stations, properly clothed, and
all present are entitled to sit with us.
Guide shall then occupy his
station.
REGENT, ***: Brothers, let us now assemble about the altar.
Then shall all, except the Warden
and the Sentry, form in a circle about the altar. The four principal officers
shall stand inside tbe circle, lacing the altar, with their backs towards their
respective stations.
All (except Chaplain) give the
Sign of the Order, and remain so during prayer.
CHAPLAIN, inside the circle near
the altar, facing it and Regent: Our Father, who art in
Heaven, as we assemble around this altar, we humbly ask Thine aid in performing
the Duties of this hour. As members of this beneficent Order, with a due sense
of our responsibility, may we do to others as we would have them do to us, by
practicing Virtue ourselves, by showing Mercy to others, and by exercising
Charity for all. Amen.
ALL:
Amen.
REGENT: Brothers, give the Signs.
All do so, led by Regent.
REGENT: The governing principles of the Royal Arcanum are:
ALL:
Virtue, Mercy, Charity.
REGENT: And the greatest of these is Charity.
PAST REGENT: May Virtue lead, Mercy
guide, and Charity control us in every thought, word and action.
Here may be sung:
Band of Brothers! Let us be
Bound by cords of Charity;
Mercy, lend us from above,
Olive-branch of peace; O, Love!
Plant in all these hearts of ours,
Virtue’s ever-blooming flowers.
Friendship I spread thy shelt’ring wing;
Let the social joys that spring
From our Council meetings, start
Quicker pulses through the heart;
May we by our work be brought
Up to higher realms of thought.
By the wisdom of these plans,
By the joining of our hands,
Hope’s strong anchor here is laid
In unselfish vows we’ve made,
That our loved ones, when we fall,
Share the fostering care of all.
REGENT, at his station: I now declare ... Council, No. ..., Royal Arcanum, opened in proper form
and ready for its Duties. *
The Mysteries
REGENT: Guide, are there candidates in waiting?
The Guide retires, and checks and
on returning: I find in waiting Mr. ..., who
desires membership in our Order and instruction in its Mysteries.
The Guide will occupy his
station.
REGENT: Have more than sixty days
elapsed since the date of approval of the candidate’s medical examination?
Secretary refers to the paper and
answers Yes or No. If the answer is Yes, the candidate must be re-examined and
approved before he can receive the Degree.
REGENT: Brothers, we are about to receive another member into our circle. Let the
ceremony of initiation be conducted in an orderly and dignified manner. The
Past Regent and the Collector will now retire, examine the candidate and
qualify him for admission to the Council.
The P. R., Col. and Guide rise at
their stations. Guide receives from this Secretary the application. Then the
three advance, on parallel lines, to the altar, all reaching it at the same the.
Guide delivers the application to the Past Regent. Past Regent and Collector
salute, and, led by the Past Regent, retire, and the door is closed.
REGENT * and directs that room be
prepared for the initiation of candidate, then V.R. and G. rise, advance to
altar, give sign of Duty and proceed to perform their duty after which they
return to their stations and announce that the Council Chamber is ready for the
initiation of the candidate.
In the ante-room, the Past Regent
shall see that the application, the Medical Examiner’s inquiries, and the
Obligation are properly signed by the candidate and duly certified.
PAST REGENT: Friend, are those your signatures?
The candidate must acknowledge
their to be such.
PAST REGENT: Have you made the statements in this application and answered the questions in this medical
examination truthfully and without reservation?
The candidate must answer in the
affirmative.
PAST REGENT: Do you still desire to secure the benefits and privileges of the Royal
Arcanum, and to be instructed in the Mysteries of the Order?
The candidate must reply in the
affirmative.
COLLECTOR, after asking the
questions prescribed on the first page of application and receiving correct
answers thereto: In accordance with our rules, I must now receive
from you the assessment for the current month, the current dues, and (if not
paid) the degree fee, all of which amount to $—.
The Collector, after receiving
the amount stated, shall give a receipt therefor.
PAST REGENT: Await, my friend, the coming of one who will guide you through the
Mysteries.
Past Regent gives **
** *.
REGENT: Warden, what alarm is that at the inner door?
WARDEN, having opened the wicket: Who knocks?
PAST REGENT : The returning officers.
REGENT: Admit them.
The Past Regent and the Collector
shall then enter, the door being closed after them, and advance to the altar
(the P.R. preceding Col.) and salute. The Guide should proceed to the altar and
reach it simultaneously with P.R. and Col.
PAST REGENT: Regent, the way is
clear for Mr. ... to be instructed in the Mysteries of this Order.
P.R. hands application with his
left hand to G., who receives it with his right hand.
REGENT: Resume your stations.
P.R. and Guide face to left and
C. to right. Col. moves to a position at end of altar opposite G. and then all
three leave altar simultaneously, Col. and G. on parallel lines, and resume
stations. G. returns application to Sec.
REGENT: Guide, you will now retire, prepare the candidate, conduct him to the
threshold of this Council Chamber, and thence as you are bidden.
If more than one candidate, R.
should appoint Asst.G. to accompany each of the others.
Guide retires to the ante-room,
and then advances to the inner door with the candidate, or candidates,
hoodwinked, and gives ** **
*.
WARDEN, opening the door
slightly: Who knocks?
GUIDE: A friend.
WARDEN: Vice Regent, a friend awaits without.
VICE REGENT: Admit him.
Guide enters with the candidate
or candidates, the door being closed behind them. Guide leaves candidate at the
threshold, (each Asst.G. remains with his candidate) and advances to the altar
alone, under sign of Duty.
GUIDE: Regent, a stranger stands upon the threshold of our secret Council
Chamber.
REGENT: Who is the stranger?
GUIDE: One who is a friend and would be more.
REGENT: What are his desires?
GUIDE: To know, for himself, the Mysteries of the Royal Arcanum, and to secure,
for those dear to him, the benefits and privileges which our Order bestows.
REGENT: Let the friend advance.
Guide returns to candidate and
leads him to the altar. When all candidates stand at altar each Asst.G. steps
to the rear of the one he conducts, the G.. at left of line of candidates.
REGENT: Friend, thus far you have
chosen well, but you are yet unacquainted with your duties and your privileges.
Listen attentively to words which will enlighten you.
CHAPLAIN, advancing to the altar,
facing candidate: Our Order requires that you
shall now give a solemn promise. Withholding it, you can go no farther. I assure
you that this promise will not conflict with either your religious belief or
your duties as a citizen. Are you willing to proceed?
The candidate must reply in the
affirmative.
REGENT: Guide, place the applicant in position to receive the Obligation. *
* *.
The Guide shall instruct the
candidate as to his position. Each Asst.G. places his candidate in position to
receive Obligation and
at proper the relieves him of
that position, etc.
Where more than one candidate
appears, all candidates shall be arrayed at the altar and repeat the obligation
in unison.
CHAPLAIN: Friend you will now say I, pronounce your full name and repeat after me
the Obligation of this Order:
I, ..., in the presence of Almighty God and these
witnesses do, of my own free will and accord most solemnly promise that I will
strictly comply with all laws, rules and usages of this fraternity established
by the Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum.
I will hold allegiance to the Supreme Council and
be loyal thereto as the supreme authority of the entire Order.
I will obey all orders emanating from the Supreme
or Grand Councils, or from the Subordinate Council of which I am a member, so
long as they do not conflict with my civil or religious liberty.
I will not defraud or wrong any department of this
Order or any member thereof, or suffer it to be done by others if in my power to
prevent.
I will never introduce anything or a political or
sectarian character at any meeting of or in any way bring reproach upon, this
Order.
I will keep forever secret all that may transpire
during my initiation and will never improperly communicate to any person any of
the words, signs or tokens and should I be expelled from or leave the Order I
will consider this Obligation as binding out of it as it is in it.
I will assist a distressed brother or his family
when in distress as far as in my power without material injury to myself or
family.
I will answer all proper signs of the fraternity
and use all proper means to protect a brother from defamation.
And should I violate this my solemn promise I
hereby consent to be expelled from this fraternity and may God aid me to keep
and perform all of these Obligations.
REGENT: *.
The Guide quietly relieves
candidate from the position he has assumed while taking the Obligation and seats
all candidates, except one previously chosen, and removes hoodwinks from those
who have been seated, after which P.Regent will say to candidates so seated: A few words to the friend (Or friends) who has (or
have) been seated in our midst, in explanation of his (or their) position would
he well at this moment. You have taken upon yourself the solemn obligation of
the Royal Arcanum, and the ceremonies you are about to witness consist of the
conferring of the full Degree of our Order. Our laws provide that when two or
more persons are to be initiated, all the candidates, except one previously
chosen, may be conducted to seats in our Council chamber, affording a full view
of the exemplification of our ritualistic work upon the remaining applicant. It
will be your duty to pay strict attention to these proceedings, and to apply to
yourself the great principles and attributes of the Royal Arcanum as if the
full Degree had been conferred upon you personally.
REGENT: Brothers, you are witnesses to the solemn Obligation of our Order, which
this friend has just now taken. By this he is entitled to our protection. Let
him therefore be invested with the protective symbols and conducted to the Vice
Regent’s station for instructions in the first great principle of the Royal
Arcanum.
Guide places upon him sash
resting on right shoulder and passing across body and under left arm, then
suspends from the sash the Protective Badge, which he procures from the secret
station, then marches him by right angles to V.R. station, in front of V banner
and raises hoodwink.
GUIDE: The candidate awaits your instructions.
VICE REGENT: Friend, you stand before the symbol of Virtue. It is the first great
underlying principle of this Order, and is part of the Royal secret. Its color
is white, indicating that the first step into our Mysteries should be one of
purity. Virtue in this Order, however, means more than this. It stands for
strength, for courage and for truth; for purity of soul, of heart, and of mind.
You see water before you. Bathe your right hand in it, to signify that you wash
from yourself the impurities of the outer world.
Prompted by the Guide, if
necessary, the candidate must immerse his right hand in the water.
GUIDE: The candidate has obeyed.
VICE REGENT: As one about to enter upon a difficult journey, in pursuit of important
benefits, invites success by careful preparation, so have you, by this rite,
been prepared to advance with pure hands toward the inner court, there to win
the mystic emblem and the privileges which our Order confers.
Here the Guide shall hoodwink
candidate.
* * *.
Here may be sung ur read:
AIR,—”Auld Lang Syne.”
How sweet the thought that VIRTUE dwells
In every human breast.
That God sends forth to mortal world,
To make his children blest;
Then, brothers, strive through life to keep
That spark alive and bright,
That it may burn till heav’n’s own flame
Shall make our pathway light.
REGENT: Friend, having been obedient to the instructions so far received, you are
entitled to be called a Brother in Virtue, and have earned the right to proceed.
MEMBERS, in unison, led by Past
Regent: Brother in Virtue, in all your relations to our
Order, may you prove this title worthily bestowed. *.
When the members thus speak, the
Guide shall head the candidate to the M-Court, in which —N;—. Guide raises
hoodwink as soon is candidate is in the M-Court.
GUIDE: The candidate stands at the parting ways.
REGENT: Brother in Virtue, you now stand before the symbol of the second great
underlying principle of this Order—Mercy. It is part of the Royal secret, its
color is blue, signifying that Mercy is an attribute of heaven itself. It is a
double court, showing that which it represents to be twice blessed, blessing him
that gives and him that takes. You stand at its central points which suggests
that the quality symbolized is an attribute of the heart, the source of all
noble actions. To pass this court a test is required. Listen to further
instruction.
ORATOR: Life is like the double court in which you stand. There are always two
paths hying before you, only one of which you can pursue. In the one, youhelp
mercifully to lift from your brother and those dear to him, the burdens, sorrows
and responsibilities which may rest heavily upon them; in the other, you
increase the burdens of life, and bring to home and friends a sorrow which
neither regret nor remorse can ever remove, You now have the opportunity of
proving yourself merciful, and thus worthy of companionship in the Royal
Arcanum. Of the two paths before you, enter either, as you may select. May the
promptings of your heart be merciful and wisely direct your choice, that no
obstacle may here bar your progress through the second court of the Order.
If candidates hesitates, the
Guide quietly directs him to pass through “Duty” to remove the burden from
k—g brother, and assists him to assume it, when Guide again hoodwinks
candidate.
GUIDE: He follows the path of Duty. He has lifted the burden.
ORATOR: Brother, you have well borne the test. You have been taught concerning
the burdens and responsibilities which our Order bravely and mercifully carries,
and which you must help to bear. They are symbolized by the burden which you
have just assumed. Without assistance, all our burdens are heavy and grievous,
as you find this, yet with a strong heart and with brotherly sympathy and help,
they become light, and are easily borne. Having shown yourself worthy, you are
entitled to stand within the inner court, and to advance toward the mysteries of
the Royal Secret.
The Guide, on the left of the
candidate, shall then lead him bearing the burden, from the M-Court past the
Regent around the Council room to the altar, placing candidate within the letter
C on floor facing Regent, during which the the Orator recites in low tone: Mercy moves among the desolate homes of men,
amidst the poor and neglected, an angel whose wings are bright with hues of
paradise. Its trophies are immortal, they will live when the weapons of
victorious battle have been broken, and the sound of the post’s lyre is hushed
forever. When green wreaths have faded, when the glorious monuments of human
skill have perished, and when the stars themselves have ceased to burn, they
will be remembered among the jewels worn in heaven.
K—g brother emerges from M—Court, proceeds to side of candidate and
clasping candidate’s right hand, says: Regent,
when a weary, way-worn traveller, I sank exhausted beneath my heavy load, this
Brother in Virtue mercifully relieved me of my burden, and has nobly borne it.
Brothers, extend to him that Mercy which he has so freely shown to me.
REGENT AND COUNCIL: Blessed are the merciful, for
they shall obtain mercy.
REGENT: Guide, remove the burden. * *
*.
Here may be sung or read:
As we bespeak God’s MERCY, may
We ever Mercy show,
To cheer a brother’s saddened heart,
Crushed by its weight of woe;
For who can tell what he may need
Upon this changeful earth?
Be merciful to friend and foe,
And thus prove human worth.
REGENT: Brother in Virtue, having safely accomplished the
journey through the path of Duty, you are entitled to be called Brother in
Mercy.
MEMBERS, in unison, led by Past Regent:
Brothers in Mercy, in all your relations to our Order, may you prove this title
worthily bestowed.
REGENT, *: Brother in Virtue and Mercy, you now stand within
the inner court, at the centre of our mystic circle.
One step more and the last obstacle will be removed
from your pathway. Guide
assists candidate to step close to altar. You have successfully
passed the ordeals thus far presented; you have been purified in Virtue’s
court; you have shown by a wise choice that Mercy dwells in your heart; and you
have received with attentive ear all our instructions. My brother, before you is
the symbol of the third great underlying principle of this Order—Charity. It
is part of the Royal Secret. Charity is the source and origin, the purpose and
end of our fraternity. It is not the giving of alms to the poor, but in its
broader, nobler significance it leads us to do unto others as we would have
others do unto us; to sacrifice self, to surrender our own pleasure and
enjoyment,
if need be, and to give to our brethren in distress our sympathy, our service,
and our substantial aid. Within the recesses of the altar is concealed the Royal
Secret. Before you can become with us a brother in Charity, you must discover
this Secret and learn its mystic meaning. Search and find it.
The candidate, prompted by the Guide, must then raise the cover and take
out the tablet. The Guide closes the cover.
REGENT: What have you discovered?
The candidate, prompted by the Guide, shall answer: This tablet
REGENT: What characters are inscribed thereon?
The candidate, prompted by the Guide, shall answer: M—.
REGENT: M—. The Mystic Number. Do you find the Key by
which this mystic number may be read and explained?
Candidate, prompted by the Guide, replies:
I find nothing more.
REGENT: Then our secret station has been despoiled of the
Key to the Mystery. It is the Protective Badge of this Order, and without it the
mystic number cannot be explained to this candidate.
Brothers, who will find the Key and make known to
this seeker after truth, the protection he unconsciously enjoys?
CHAPLAIN: Regent, I can find the Key to our mystic number.
REGENT: Chaplain, you exemplify the Charity that helps in
the of need. Find then the Key and enlighten this brother as to its uses.
If there is more than one candidate, the Assistant Guides should at thus
point request those seated to rise, and should conduct them to this altar,
ranging them in line with the candidate already there, so that all may face the
Chaplain and hear and understand his explanation.
Chaplain advances to altar, passes around its end to rear of candidate,
and removes the badge, not stealthily, but in such a manner that the attention
of all candidates is attracted, and each can witness the removal of the key,
and understand the explanation. The Chaplain then assumes a position on the
opposite side of the altar, facing candidate, and holding the badge in his right
hand, and taking with his left hand this tablet from the Guide, thus holding
them.
CHAPLAIN: Brother, this is the Key to the mystic number. It
is the Protective Badge of the Order. While you lawfully wear this badge, you
are entitled to the benefits and honors of the Royal Arcanum. A brother took
this Badge from its secret station and placed it on your person to secure for
you its protective influence. As soon as yoa began to bear the burdens which the
Order imposes, you were unconsciously placed under its protection and became
entitled to share in all its benefits, privileges, and promises. The burdens are
light and the benefits come to us in the hour of greatest need, even though we
ourselves are unconscious of them. Cherish, then, this truth in your memory,
that as long as you help to bear the burdens of the Order, you will be protected
by its great and important privileges.
REGENT: Chaplain, you will deposit at my station the
mystic number and its Key.
The Chaplain will then resume his station.
REGENT: Guide, you will present the Brother for
instruction and investment.
Guide conducts all candidates to R.’s station.
REGENT, holding the Key and Mystic Number before the applicant: Brother, you see before you the Royal Mystery, the Royal Secret, the
Royal Arcanum, and the mystic number of the Order. X—(Regent, placing Key on Station and pointing to
banner.) Y. Now, as you are in full possession of the knowledge of
the Royal Secret, I declare you Brother in Virtue, Mercy and Charity, and invest
you with the regalia, which combines with the mystic symbol, our emblem the
crown.
MEMBERS, in unison, led by the Past Regent:
May you never prove unworthy of it.
The sash will here be removed. *
* *.
Here may be sung or read:
“Greatest of these is CHARITY”
Oh! learn this lesson well,
And oft forgive your fellow-man—
Who can his weakness tell?
With Virtue, Mercy, Charity.
Let brothers’ hands be bound,
Till Love’s pure flame shall closely weld
Brave hearts the whole world round.
If the Council desires to introduce any special ritualistic work
authorized by the Supreme Regent, it may be introduced at this point as follows:
Regent: Brothers, are you all satisfied that our new
brother will faithfully fulfill all his obligations?
Members cry: No! No! We are not satisfied!
Put him to the test! etc.
Regent: My brother, not yet can I invest you with all the
rights of membership. A further test is required. Bear patiently and all will be
well.
The special work will then be performed after which:
REGENT: I will now instruct you in the signs, signals and
passwords. This is the sign of Duty. (A.) It is used in the Council in
addressing the Regent, upon entering or retiring from the Council, whenever
you rise to speak, and in crossing the Council chamber. Its answer is (A.) which
should always be given in response to a member entering or retiring.
This is the sign of Virtue. (B.) This is the sign
of Mercy. (C.) This is the sign of Charity and the sign of the Order. (D.)
In order to enter a Council while it is occupied
with its duties, you will give three raps on the outer door. The Sentry will
open the wicket. You will then give him the Semi-Annual Password which is
changed on the first meeting in January and July of each year, and must be
procured by you only of the Regent, no other persons can give it to you, and he
only while you are in good standing in the Order. For the present term this
password is ... You will then be admitted to the ante-room, where you will cloth
yourself with the proper regalia, advance to the inner, or Council-room door,
and give one distinct rap. The wicket will then be opened by the Warden, to whom
you will give your name, rank in the Order, and the name and number of the
Council to which you belong. This information will be conveyed to the Vice
Regent, who will instruct the Warden to admit you, if correct. You will then
give him the Permanent Password of the Order, which is ... This will admit you
to the Council-room. You will advance to the altar, face the Regent and give the
sign of Duty. After he responds you will be at liberty to be seated.
Should you wish to retire during a session of the
Council, you will advance to the altar, give the same sign, and having been
recognized, you will be at liberty to retire.
The semi-annual and permanent passwords may be given in audible tone of
voice to candidates.
All movements of officers and members on the
Council-room floor during a session should be, as far as possible, on lines at
right angles with each other.
In order to make yourself known to a brother
outside of the Council chamber, the signals and answers in which you have been
instructed may be used. Besides these this grip may be used, (E.) or this word
(F.), its answer being (G.)
In communicating with a brother you are entitled to
use the initials V.M.C., in signing your name. You have also the right to the
use of the mystic number on all proper occasions. It may be used by you in
connection with your signature, to indicate that you are a member of this Order,
and whenever you see this mystic number in connection with a signature, you may
know that it has reference to the Royal Arcanum.
The work, or business, done in the Council is
called its Duties. In these Duties one rap of the gavel calls the Council to
order or seats it, two raps call up the officers and three raps call up the
Council.
REGENT, *: Brother in Virtue, Mercy and Charity, I greet you
as a member of the Royal Arcanum, and now
present you with a copy of the constitutions and
laws of the Order. It is your duty to thoroughly acquaint yourself with these
requirements, that you may know your obligations and privileges, your rights and
duties, as a member of the Order. Its welfare depends upon the prosperity of the
Subordinate Councils. Your duty is not fully discharged by the payment of dues
and assessments. You should give a reasonable amount of service to the Council
by developing its fraternal and social features, by attending its regular
meetings, by inducing acceptable persons to apply for membership, and by
discharging with fidelity every duty assigned you either as officer or member.
I will now present you to your brethren and request
that, as your name is called, you [or each of you] will move forward one step,
and give the sign of Duty.
Here Guide faces candidate towards altar and as the names are called by
Regent, each will move forward cue step, and give the sign of Duty.
Here a lapel button, emblematic of the Order, may be
presented with
appropriate remarks by the Past Regent.
REGENT: Brothers of ... Council. I introduce to you
Brother ... who is now entitled to all the benefits and privileges of our
beneficent Order. You will all unite with me in the hope that in the enjoyment
of them, he will remain faithful to his obligation, so that, when the summons
comes to him which must come to all, he will pass away confident that the
protecting arm of the Royal Arcanum will shield those dear to him.
Here may be sung:
Welcome stranger! Royal Brother!
We fraternally unite
Hearts and hands with cordial greeting,
In our Council hero to-night.
Welcome to our new-made brother
Who has asked us if we would
Add by mystic rites another
To our Royal Brotherhood.
The Regent will here declare a brief recess, during which the Orator,
Warden and Guide shall restore the Council-room to its ordinary condition.
Guide will conduct member just admitted to the Secretary’s desk, where
be will sign the By-Laws and examine his application to see that his beneficiary
is properly named, in accordance with the laws of the Order, and that his full
name, date of birth and age are correctly stated.
Closing
REGENT: Brothers, the Duties appointed for this Council
meeting are now nearly completed. Collector, what have been the cash receipts
since the last meeting?
Collector will name the amounts for the General Fund and for the W. and
O.B. Fund separately and then the total of both, which the Secretary will
repeat.
REGENT: The Secretary will so enter them upon the records
of this Council. Has the Treasurer receipted therefor?
COLLECTOR: He has.
REGENT: The Secretary will so record it. Has the last
assessment laid been forwarded to the Supreme Treasurer, and has a receipt been
received therefor?
Treasurer responds and Secretary records the answer.
REGENT: Has the Monthly Report been prepared ready to be
mailed to the Grand Secretary? Secretary
responds.
NOTE—If not, the Regent should see that this is done before closing the
Council, as the prompt forwarding of such a report is important.
REGENT, * *
*:
Brothers, let us gather about our altar.
The same position will be assumed in this as in the
opening Duty.
REGENT: Brothers, give the signs.
All do so, led by Regent.
CHAPLAIN: Let us pray. O God of infinite benevolence, Thou
art the Father of all our mercies, and the God of all grace. In closing the
service of this Council, we devoutly seek Thy benediction, and ask Thy blessing
to rest upon us; and as we go forth to the active duties and responsibilities of
life, may it be to fill the measure of our days with usefulness, with purer
motives, brighter hopes, and a personal consciousness of the Divine approval.
Amen.
ALL: Amen.
Here may be sung:
Brethren of our social Order,
Each his heart with care inspect;
Succor all within our border,
The hungry feed, the poor protect.
As you leave these sacred portals,
Mingling with the outer world,
Raise the standard, bear it proudly,
Let your banner be unfurled.
Heaven guide us as we journey
‘Mid the scenes of pain and woe.
May our hearts with love and pity,
Shower sunshine where we go.
Bless our parting, and our slumbers,
Fill our basket and our store;
Peace abound in all our numbers,
‘Till we meet to part no more.
REGENT, at his station: Brothers, ... Council, No. ...
Royal Arcanum, will next be opened for Duty, on the ... of ..., 19.., at ...
o’clock. Please notify absent brothers and invite them to attend. The Guide
will see that the Royal Secret, Protective Badge, Sash, Jewels, and Books of
Duties are safely deposited and securely locked within the secret station.
Brothers, the Duties of this session are fully
performed, and I now declare this Council closed. *.
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