Chaldean Order of Optimists
Initiation Ritual First Degree – Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists

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NOTE: Whenever one officer addresses another, a salute is given and returned.
Vizier, from floor to Viceroy: Eminent Prince you will form this phalanx for my reception, and when all are assembled give me proper notification and escort from my audience chamber.
Viceroy, to Vizier: Very Eminent Prince, your orders shall be obeyed.
Vizier retires to audience chamber. Viceroy takes his proper station and sounds gavel once.
Viceroy: Princes and Princesses of the Chaldean Order of Optimists, it is the desire of the Commander of the Faithful whom we honor and obey, communicated to me by his Vizier, that ... Phalanx, No. …, do now assemble for the purpose of promoting and advancing the welfare of the Order and of each member thereof. Officers, to your stations!
Princes and Princesses, be seated!
Viceroy, to Governor: Eminent Prince Governor of the Outer Square, you will see that the Watcher at the Outer Gate is at his post.
Governor, to Overseer: Eminent Prince Overseer of the Captives, ascertain if the Watcher at the outer Gate is at his post.
Overseer goes to door, raps seven times – three, three and one. Watcher raps seven times. Overseer opens door, informs Watcher that the Phalanx is about to open, closes door and returns to station.
Overseer, to Governor: Eminent Prince, the Watcher at the Outer Gate is at his post.
Governor, to Viceroy: Eminent Prince Viceroy of the Inner Mystic Square, that duty has been performed.
Viceroy, to Satrap: Eminent Prince Satrap of the Host, are all present members in good standing of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Satrap, to Viceroy: I will ascertain and report.
Satrap, to Pasha and Sirdar: Eminent Prince Pasha of Cavalry and Sirdar of Infantry, you will pass to the right and left and ascertain if all present are members in good standing of the Chaldean Order of Optimists. All Princes and Princesses will arise and remain standing until they have given the pass words and shown their due receipts.
Pasha and Sirdar pass down on right and left of Vizier, and collect permanent and annual pass words and inspect due receipt. If member does not have correct password, or due receipt is not produced, the Pasha or Sirdar will quietly direct the member to the desk of the Keeper of the Outer Scrolls, who will invest him or her with the pa ss words and vouch for his or her standing, if he or she is in good standing. If not in good standing, the Keeper of the Outer Scrolls should direct the member to the Vizier in the audience chamber for the Vizier's decision. Pasha and Sirdar return to stations.
Pasha, to Satrap: Eminent Prince, all on the right are member in good standing.
Sirdar, to Satrap: Eminent Prince, all on the left are members in good standing.
Pasha and Sirdar are seated.
Satrap, to Viceroy: Eminent Prince Viceroy of the Inner Mystic Square, all present are members in good standing of the Chaldean Order of Optimists.
Satrap seats himself.
Viceroy, to Captain: Eminent Prince. Captain of the Guards, form an escort for Very Eminent Prince …, Vizier to the Commander of the faithful, and conduct him from the audience chamber.
Captain, to Guards: Guards, attention!
The Guards take their places and the Captain marches them from the hall, using such evolutions as he may desire. A knock is then heard at the door which is opened wide.
Captain: Princes and Princesses, arise. Eminent Prince ..., Vizier to the Commander of the Faithful approaches. Guards, forward march!
The march into the hall immediately commences with the Captain at the head of the Guards and the Vizier following the Guard. The Guards open ranks, present swords, and the Vizier passes between them to his station. While the march is in progress an appropriate ode may be sung. In this connection, if desired, the Chaldean Marching Song may be sung, which is as
follows:
 
 
Chaldean March Song

Onward Chaldean soldiers!
Onward as the light
Of our ancient order
Shows the path of right,
Always marching onward,
Fearing not our foe,
Victory's banner o'er us,
Proudly forth we go.

CHORUS:
Onward Chaldean soldiers!
Onward as the light
Of our ancient order
Shows the path of right!
Millions soon will aid us,
Joining our array,
Lifting high our standard.
Ready for each fray.
Shoulder to each shoulder,
All together stand,
Faces toward our foemen,
Sword in each right hand!

CHORUS

Faith and hope and charity,
Is our battle cry.
For each one among us
Will we do and die.
Rank on rank each phalanx
Foemen brave will dare;
Each one guards another,
Marching thus four square.
When the Vizier is at his station, and at the conclusion of the song, if one. is sung, the Captain will say:
Captain: Guards, the royal honors to our Very Eminent Prince. On guard! With three times three, parry!
The Guards will then parry three times at the position of parry one, three times at the position of parry three, and three times at the position of parry one: On Guard! Carry, Swords!
The Captain without further orders then conducts the Guards to their stations and dismiss them, whereupon the Vizier will say:
Vizier: Princes and Princesses, be seated.
The same form of introduction will be used for a Grand Vizier, a Sovereign Grand Vizier, and the Commander of the Faithful, with the exception that the royal honors for the Commander of the Faithful shall be twelve parries at the position of parry one, the command being, "With three on three, and three on three, parry!" When the Commander of the Faithful or any officer outranking a Vizier is introduced, the Vizier in command of that Phalanx should offer as a matter of courtesy to allow that officer to preside. The offer should not be accepted, however, unless the officer is present on official business from the Commander of the Faithful.
Vizier: Eminent Prince Overseer of the Captives, it has been brought to our royal attention that certain strange Pilgrims have entered our domain. You will retire and ascertain who they are and what are their intention.
Overseer salutes and retires.
Vizier, to Captain: Eminent Prince Captain of the Guard, you will take your station at the door until the return and report of the Overseer of the Captives.
Overseer raps seven times on door and Captain ressponds with seven raps. Door is opened and Overseer enters hall, door closing after him. Overseer and Captain return to their stations.
Overseer: Very Eminent Prince and Vizier, I find at our frontier a weary Pilgrim who has traveled from afar, and is desirous of entering our domain and becoming a Prince among us. His name is …. (and he is accompanied by ...).
Vizier: Eminent Prince Overseer of the Captives, I charge you to receive the Pilgrim(s) with all courtesy and to lead the way to our presence.
Vizier: Eminent Prince Captain of the Guards, form an escort for the Overseer of the Captives, and retire with him.
The Captain calls the Guards to attention, and marches from the hall followed by the Overseer.
Vizier: Eminent Prince Sirdar of Infantry, you will take charge of all alarms at the door.
Overseer knocks seven times, Sirdar goes to door, knocks seven times, opens door and says:
Sirdar: Ho, Eminent Prince Overseer of the Captives, are you there?
Overseer: Yes, with the Pilgrim(s) I met at the frontier.
Sirdar: Lead them (or him) in, and I will announce them (or him) to our Very Eminent Prince, the Vizier to the Commander of the Faithful.
All lights extinguished in hall, except four burning at stations of Vizier, Viceroy, Satrap and Governor.
Candidates are led into hall and as they pass around hall, the soloist may sing, ''Fear Not Ye., O Israel," by Dudley Buck, or the Governor may recite the One Hundred and Twenty-first Psalm, which is as follows:
Governor: Ps . l2l. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
"My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
''He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
''Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
"The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
"The sun shall not smite thee by clay, nor the moon by night.
"The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul.
"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and the coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore."
During the rendition of the solo or the Psalm, the Guards will march once around the hall followed by the Overseer and the candidates, then come up the center of the hall, open ranks, face in, present swords, and then return to their places, while the Overseer and the candidate will halt in front of the altar in the center of the hall.
Gong sounds once.
Vizier: What is the first duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Viceroy: The first duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to fear God.
Soloist, sung: Incline our hearts to keep this law.
Gong sounds twice.
Vizier: What is the second duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Satrap: The second duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to his country which sustains him.
Soloist, sung: Incline our hearts to keep this law.
Gong sounds three times.
Vizier: What is the third duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Governor: The third duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to his family which loves, cherishes and comforts him.
Soloist, sung: Incline our hearts to keep this law.
Gong sounds four times.
Vizier: What is the fourth duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Viceroy: The fourth duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to his fellow Princes who uphold and defend him.
Soloist, sung: Incline our hearts to keep this law.
Gong sound five times.
Vizier: What is the fifth duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Satrap: The fifth duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to live well in the eyes of his fellow men that they may respect and honor him.
Soloist, sung: Incline our hearts to keep this law.
Gong sounds six times.
Vizier: What is the sixth duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Governor: The sixth duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to further and promote insofar as may be in his power the business interests and mate rial welfare of every other member of the order.
Soloist, sung: Incline our hearts to keep this law.
Gong sounds seven times.
Vizier: What is the seventh and final duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists?
Viceroy: The seventh and final duty of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists is to uphold and defend the Constitution of the Order, the By-Laws of the Phalanx to which he may be assigned, and the authority of the present Commander of the Faithful, his successors in office, and all officers appointed by him.
Soloist, sung: Incline our heart to. keep this law.
The Soloist will here sing, "Legacies," by Mildred J. Hill.
Overseer: Very Eminent Prince, the pilgrim(s) ha(s)ve arrived. Is it your pleasure to receive him (them)?
Vizier: Is his (their) sincerity unwavering and unquestioned?
Overseer: It is.
Vizier: Are their (are his) obligations ever present in their (his) heart(s)?
Overseer: They are.
Vizier: You will place them (him) in proper position with the right hand upheld and the. left hand upon the heart that they may swear allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful and to fulfill the duties of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists.
Overseer places candidates in proper position.
Vizier: Say "I,'' pronounce your name in full and repeat after me.
 
 
Oath of Allegiance
 
I, ..., freely and voluntarily swear allegiance to the Chaldean Order of Optimists. In all matters pertaining to the Order I pledge my fealty to the Commander of the Faithful and all officers appointed by him. I have heard the duties of a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists. I believe in them, and will exert my best endeavor to faithfully perform them. Knowing that this order exacts no penalty I make these promises under no other penalty than that of my own guilty conscience should I break them. Should I violate this, my oath, I ask that I be expelled from the Order with the lasting contempt of the Princes of the Chaldean Order of Optimists and ostracism from their society.
Vizier, to Candidates: You may drop your hands.
The Soloist will here render "When they ring the Golden Bells for you and me," by Dion de Marbelle.
Vizier, to Candidates: The Chaldean Order of Optimists stands four square, each face to the world or outer square, each back protected by a brother. By virtue of the obligation which you have taken upon yourself, you are entitled to admission into the inner mystic square of Chaldean Fellowship, and we trust that by means of that fellowship you may gain for yourself, and aid others to gain, prosperity, pleasure, peace and plenty. As a token of the new friendships which you have herein formed and under and by the authority vested in me by the commander of the Faithful, I now create you a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists, entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof.
The lessons which have been taught you, however, are not all that you will learn within this order. You have been created Princes of the Chaldean Order of Optimists but as civilization was made possible by the Chaldeans, so the Chaldean Order of Optimists draw lesson from the past, and those lessons will be taught you on your taking the degree of Prince of Babylon.
Before taking that degree, you must be transported to the Chaldean Age, enter into service at the Royal Court of Babylon and there, through menial labor and trial by lire, show yourselves possessed of the courage and fidelity that will qualify you for the rank that you desire to attain. The labor and trial that you will there undertake is intended to impart certain moral lessons.
Whether you will take those lessons to yourself will depend upon your own purity of heart and mind. The tragic scenes which you will witness will emphasize the necessity of fulfilling all the obligations you have undertaken as a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists, and particularly your obligations to your God.
The sign by which a Prince of the Chaldean Order of Optimists may know another giving it has been adopted in the commemoration of that awful night, when Belshazzar, in terror and astonishment, beheld the handwriting on the wall and found that the hand of God reaches even Kings when they are forgetful of their Divine obligations. So I charge you, pilgrims, to look well to the lessons that will be taught. I charge you to observe scrupulously the obligations you have taken, so that the hand of conscience shall never write upon the wall of your moral edifice "Thou art weighed in the balance and art found wanting." And I further charge each of you, Princes, if you would be a true Prince of the new Chaldea then so live that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan which moves to that mysterious realm, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, thou. go not, like the quarry slave at night, scourged to his dungeon; but, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
The Soloist will here sing the "Chaldean Invocation." which is as follows:
 
 
Chaldean Invocation

(Tune: Russian National Hymn.)
God save each Chaldean Prince,
Noble and strong!
Lead him to victory,
His power prolong!
'Fore him will always be
A brother's shield.
Each one for him
A sword will wield.
Lord God of Heaven and earth
Hear thou our plea!
For power and happiness
We turn to Thee.
Father Omnipotent,
Heed thou our cry!
Teach us to live!
Teach us to die!
Vizier: The Chaldean Order of Optimists have two passwords, the permanent and annual. The permanent password is ...; the annual pass word is .... In order to gain admission to a Phalanx of the Chaldean Order of Optimists it will be necessary that you give the pass words, and grip, and produce your due receipts. The grip will now be communicated to you by the Eminent Prince Viceroy of the Inner Mystic Square and by the Eminent Prince Satrap of the Host.
Grip communicated.
Vizier, to Candidates: Membership in the Chaldean Order of Optimists dates from the time that the first degree is taken. The second degree is given at the pleasure of the Commander of the Faithful. You will now repair to the desk of the K. O., and sign your name to the roll of membership.
While the candidates pass to the desk of the Keeper of the Outer Scrolls, the Soloist will sing "A Perfect Day," by Carrie Jacobs Bond.
The lights will be turned on at the conclusion of the song, and the Vizier will transact such business as he may desire, or introduce sech speakers as he may call upon.
Vizier: Eminent Prince Viceroy of the Inner Mystic Square, it is now the pleasure of the Commander of the Faithful whom I represent that ... Phalanx No. ... be now closed. You will cause due proclamation to be made.
Viceroy, to Governor: Eminent Prince Governor of the Outer Square, you will inform the Watcher at the Outer Gate that it is the pleasure of the Commander of the Faithful, communicated to me by his Vizier that this Phalanx be now closed.
Governor, gives three raps with gavel, calling up all members: Princes and Princesses, I now proclaim this Phalanx closed. Eminent Prince Overseer of the Captives inform the Watcher at the Outer Gate.