Benevolent Protective Herd of Buffaloes of America
Ritual of the Third or Union Degree
Conductor examines the members and reports.
1916
E.R.: The Lodge will rise while my Assistant opens the lodge in
the Union Degree.
ASST.: By the desire of the Exalted Ruler, I declare this lodge
open in the Union Degree for the purpose of conferring its honors.
E.R.: I declare it so opened.
Conductor retires to prepare the candidate. When ready give three raps on the
door.
R.B.: Who comes there?
CON.: A brother of the Prairie Degree, who wishes to be initiated
in the mysteries of the Union Degree.
E.R.: Admit him.
The Conductor and R.B. each with a lasso in hand, bring in the candidate and
march him forward towards the chair of the E.R. Just before they reach it the
Conductor steps before them and lassoes the candidate and says: Hold,
stranger! this part of the prairie on which you stand is sacred to the cause of
suffering humanity, and before you proceed further you must receive instructions
from the Exalted Ruler of Ceremonies. Many brave Buffaloes who attempted to pass
here lassoed without instructions have fallen victims to the hunter whom you may
encounter on your journey across the plains, and I would advise you if you have
any confession to make or know of any reason why we should not proceed, make it
known now.
E.R.: Moses, my friend, was a great shepherd, and while attending
the flocks of his father-in-law, the Lord appeared unto him in a burning bush,
Moses saw the bush on fire and turned aside to view the sight, and as he did so
the Lord said unto him out of the burning bush "Moses, Moses". And he
said: "Here am I." And he said: "Draw not nigh hither. Put off
thy shoes, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground". Morover, He
said: "I am the God of thy Father, the God of Abraham, of Isaac and
Jacob." And Moses hid his face, tot he was afraid to look upon the Lord.
And the Lord said. I have seen the affiction of my people which are in Egypt,
and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters. For I knew their
sorrows, and am come down to deliver them out of the hands of the
Egyptians." It was at this time, my brother, and on his occasion that Moses
was commissioned by the Almighty to bring out his people with the strong arm
from the bondage of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey. But we would
not profane the sacred text; the authority of Moses was divine, while our
institution is of human origin. Yet we trust we are founded in some sense upon
the benevolence of these sacred writings. Happy this fallen world, and as Moses
and the Children of Israel marched out of Egypt, so may we move en into this
glorious cause of love and goodwill to our fellowman.
The Con. and R.B. lead the candidate twice around the room stepping before
the P.E.R., while the lodge sings.
P.E.R.: Brother you have at last arrived at the borders of the
prairie. Your stampede is almost ended, and so far your journey has been
prosperous, The arm of the Lord has been made bare to deliver you from all of
the dangers that threatened you, and because that arm has made bare for your
defence, you have been delivered. But yet another difficulty seems to await you
to prevent your flight. Behold the prairie ahead is afire! On either side is a
deep canyon, and look behind and behold the hunters coming with lassoes, ready
to cast them upon you. Turn and see your condition.
Brothers standing in the rear in a menacing condition, with lassoes raised
above their heads. Conductor then turns candidate to E.R. for instructions.
P.E.R.: Exalted Ruler now that the candidate is completely hemmed
in, I beg of you to protect him. Let him kneel at the sacred altar and offer up
a short prayer. If he cannot pray, let the priest do so for him, after which
confine him by oath to keep secret things which he has beheld on this journey.
Remember you have corralled yourself. Have mercy! have mercy!
E.R.: Brother, by the petition of my superior officer, I have
concluded to do as he asks, thereby saving you from being captured and branded.
1 have now driven oft the hunters by strategy and saved you for the time being,
but I am compelled to request of you a prayer and an oath, after which I ,will
instruct you in the signs and grip of this degree.
Candidate offers up a supplication and receives oath as in former degrees.
There are in this degree a Grip, Countersign and Pass.
The COUNTERSIGN is given thus: Place your right hand upon your breast, over
your heart and repeat "Purity of heart"
The GRIP is: Grasp each other’s left hand and shake three times.
The PASS is UNION, given as in other degrees and under same circumstances.
I declare you fully initiated ma the Third or Union Degree.
Test in Third Degree
QUESTION: Where have you been?
ANSWER: On the prairie as far as the fire
QUESTION: What were you surrounded by?
ANSWER: Deep canyons en either side, fire in the front, and a host of hunters
in the rear.
QUESTION: What saved you?
ANSWER: The petition of the Past Exalted Ruler.
Salute the Chair and retire. Give the password to the R.B. and return and be
seated.