Benevolent Protective Herd of Buffaloes of America
Ritual of the
Second or Prairie Degree
E.R.: The members will rise while my Assistant opens the lodge in
the Second or Prairie Degree.
1916
ASST.: By the desire of the Exalted Ruler, I declare this lodge
opened in the second or Prairie Degree, for the purpose of conferring its honor.
E.R.: I declare it so opened
Conductor retires to prepare the candidates. When ready, gives two raps upon
the door, after first blindfolding the
candidate,
ROVING BUFFALO: Who comes there?
CON.: Brothers of the Degree of Secrecy, who wish to be initiated
into the mysteries of the Prairie Degree.
E.R.: Admit them.
Whereupon all lights are turned out. The Conductor enters with the candidates
and proceeds around the room twice, stopping before the Past Exalted Ruler, who
on this occasion is to be known as Big Buffalo, with a mask of hemlet en his
head that resembles a buffalo, with a black robe or gown on and two candles
lighted, one on each side, upon a stand provided for that special purpose. As
the Conductor approaches him he says: This is the venerable Big
Buffalo. He seems to be chute old and feeble; yet he always has something good
to communicate. Hear what he has to say.
BIG BUFFALO: Strangers I hope you will not deem me imprudent in
the few thoughts I have to communicate. I was once young and fleet as most young
Buffaloes are; but those days have passed away, and with them the buoyancy of
youth has fled, and new, as you see, I am old and infirm. The snows and frosts
of many winters have left their marks upon me. The visions of the past are to me
like a dream that has no reality. I have proved the sayings of the wise man,
that youth and childhood are vanity, and also that it is unwise to hope and
expect pleasure here that cannot be realized. Be content, therefore, with that
state in which a kind Providence has seen fit to place you, and hope for no more
than a first reward for a virtuous and diligent course of life. Live not for
yourself only, but live to do good to others as you would have them do unto you.
Then shall your peace be as a river, and your righteous acts like an overflowing
stream.
CONDUCTOR: I will new conduct you to the Exalted Ruler for further
instructions in this degree.
While the Conductor is leading the candidate to the E.R., the P.E.R. reads as
follows:
P.E.R.: Have mercy on the poor and regard their sufferings. Watch
for opportunities of doing good, and when presented do it with a cheerful heart
and willing mind.
E.R.: A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he that
maketh haste to be rich shall be innocent To have respect of persons is not
good, for God is no respecter of persons. Let thy heart be, so shall thy ways
place Him. We feel, my brothers, that we are building upon a firm foundation,
and that the cause must ultimately succeed. It is so clearly connected within
the religious principles that nothing can succeed to overthrow it. Now that you
have been safely herded and corralled, I will say further, that there are three
Signs to this degree: the Countersign, Grip and Pass Word.
THE COUNTERSIGN is given thus: Extend the right arm off straight from the
shoulder, with the left dropped down to the side.
The GRIP is a grasp of the two little fingers.
The WORD is PRAIRIE. It is to be lettered, as in the first degree, and given
only in the same way and under the same circumstances.
I declare you fully initiated in the Second or Prairie Degree.
Test in the Second Degree
QUESTION: Where have you been?
ANSWER: To learn wisdom
QUESTION: In what way?
ANSWER: By example and precept
QUESTION: Who was your teacher?
ANSWER: The Big Buffalo.
QUESTION: By what laws are you governed?
ANSWER: Friendship, Love and Union.
Salute the chair and retire to the ante-room. The members will rise while my
Assistant closes the lodge in this degree.
ASST.: By the desire of the Exalted Ruler I declare this lodge
closed in the Second or Prairie Degree.
E.R.: I declare it so closed.