Benevolent Order of Deer
Ritual Degree of Fraternity
Object, Aims and Introduction
1913
To raise the standard of morality for men equal to that required of women.
To guard the honor of man and the virtue of women.
To aid in business and social matters.
To build manual training schools for the children of members whom death has
overtaken.
To aid our members to secure employment.
To stand by our members in adversity as well as success.
To take our wives, daughters, mothers and sisters with us in the Order,
insuring them equal benefits.
To take our boys and girls during the age of adolescence, when they so much
need counsel, love and protection.
To stand for an equal social standard for the sexes.
We, the members of the Supreme Association of Benevolent Order of Deer,
believing in the Divine Law as a rule of life on earth, and in order to instill
in the hearts of its members a sacred regard for the purity of the home circle,
cultivate a spirit of fraternal and brotherly love, care for the sick members,
provide for the widows and orphans of our deceased members, humbly invoke the
Divine guidance of the Supreme Father of life, in the Supreme session now
assembled, do ordain and establish this Ritual for the government of this Order.
We invite all white persons of good character and over sixteen (16) years of
age, (Where the age does not conflict with State law) who believe in a general
uplift of society morality, to join in this work.
In presenting this Ritual to the members of the Benevolent Order of Deer, the
Supreme Association has endeavored to furnish something that will prove
attractive and instructive to the entire membership. The lessons taught during
the ceremonies are impressed upon the candidates by the proper presentation of
the work so thoroughly that he or she will become an active member and assist in
exemplifying the great principles of our Association.
Commit to Memory
The officers must study and commit the Ritual thoroughly, so that the meeting
may run smoothly without friction. The members of the Order cannot have
confidence in officers who are continually stumbling, and who do not know what
to do next. Therefore, it is very essential that the officers commit to memory
the entire Ritual, as the ceremonies lose effect when read.
The President of the Subordinate Association is held strictly responsible by
the Supreme Association for the safe keeping of all Rituals. The President may
permit an elective officer to take a Ritual home to study his part, provided
that he signs a pledge to keep the same under lock and key when he is not using
it. The President may allow members to assemble in the hall, and use the Ritual
(with the same precaution as in a meeting of the Association.)
Opening Ceremonies
There shall be a Bible open at the 5th Chapter of St. Matthew, and the altar
shall be decorated with the colors of the Association, red, white and blue.
President, gives one rap, calls the Association to order: If there
are any here who are not entitled to remain, they will please retire. Officers
will assume their respective stations. If any officer
is absent, the President will fill the station by appointing someone to occupy
that station.
President: Messengers, you will ascertain if the wickets are
properly secured from all intrusion and report.
Messengers passing to the ante-room and seeing that both wickets are closed,
returning to the hall, they will pass to the altar and salute the President and
say: Brother (Sister) President, we find that the wickets are safely
guarded from all intrusion.
President gives 3 raps, calling up the membership. All members standing while
taking up the password: Messengers, you will ascertain if all present
are entitled to remain. The Messengers
will take up the password or words, commencing at the
President’s station and stopping at the Vice-President’s station, passing
from there to the altar and saluting. In taking up the password, should the
Messengers come to a member without it, they will report the same to the
President and the President shall find out from the Secretary if said member is
entitled to receive the password by saying:
Brother (Sister) Secretary, is Brother (Sister) … entitled to receive the
password? When informed in the affirmative he will
instruct the Messenger to give said member the password. We find,
Brother (Sister) President, all are entitled to remain.
President: Brothers and Sisters, we have again assembled for the
advancement of the objects and anus of our Association. Remember that discretion
in speech is more than eloquence, and that actions alone, speak louder than
words, therefore, let us guard our every act and word.
We will sing our opening ode.
Done.
Chaplain: Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and all
things therein, we humbly beseech Thee to be with us during this meeting, to
instill into every member’s heart, what Love, Purity and Truth mean. Bless
this Association in every aim and object it has undertaken for the betterment of
the Human Race. Bless every member, and may our hearts be sincere and true, and
when it is our time to cross the River, may we meet in the Great Beyond to be
forevermore with Him who said, "Whatsoever ye would that men shall do unto
you, do ye even so to them," and live forevermore with those that have
loved their fellow-man, pure in thought, purpose and character, Truthful at all
time, to live forevermore a higher, better, and purer life. We ask for the sake
of Him who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid
them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Amen.
All: Amen.
President, gives 2 raps, seating membership: Brothers and Sisters,
it is my duty to keep order and assist you in our work. I hope to have your
cooperation while we attend to the duties of our Association.
Degree of Fraternity
President: Messengers, you will ascertain and report if there are
any candidates waiting to be received into the Sublime degree of Fraternity.
Messengers salute President and retire to the ante-room and find out whether
there are any candidates. Will re-enter the hall and after saluting the
President, will say: Brother (Sister) President: There await in the
ante-room … giving the name or names of the
candidates who seek to enter the door of our Fraternity.
President: By virtue of the authority in me vested, I now declare
the Degree of Fraternity opened for the transaction of business in this degree.
All members: It is our pleasure, so be it.
President: Messengers, you will see that the candidates are
properly prepared, and with watchful eye and attentive ear see that each
candidate thoughtfully repeats the obligation.
Messengers salute the President, retire to the ante-room and put a red robe
on each Candidate and when ready to re-enter the hall. Knock at the door.
Guard of Purity: Brother (Sister) Vice-President, our Messengers
are at the wicket with candidates who wish to know the beatitudes of the Degree
of Fraternity.
Vice-President: Admit them. The
Messengers enter and march around the hall with the Candidates, to
the altar and stop.
President gives three raps, calling up membership.
Right hand Messenger: Brother (or Sister) President, I present to
you these Candidates who wish to pass through the solemn services of the Degree
of Fraternity.
President: What induced them to seek our Courts?
Messenger: To be better qualified to live, and to better humanity’s
condition.
President: How may we know that they are not imposters?
Messenger: They are willing to stand the test of all who have gone
this way before and to take upon themselves our Sacred and Binding Obligation.
President: Who will vouch for them?
Messenger: I will, Brother (or Sister) President.
President: Candidates, before you take our Sacred and Binding
Obligation, I promise you that it will not conflict with your domestic,
political or religious duties, but by taking it, you may be called to aid the
needy, uplift the fallen, counsel the erring, warn the tempted, visit the sick,
bury the dead and console the sorrowing. These calls may come when the day is
bright or the night dark. Therefore, are you willing to take our Sacred and
Binding Obligation?
Those that answer "Yes" can take the Sacred and Binding Obligation.
Those that answer ‘No" must be excused and their money returned and the
Messengers must conduct those that say "No" to the exit of the hall
with brotherly love. The President will then say:
Messengers, you will conduct the Candidates to the Chaplain and he will
administer to them our Sacred and Binding Obligation. The
Messengers will conduct the Candidates to the Chaplain’s station.
Messenger: Brother (Sister) Chaplain, I present these Candidates
who are willing to take upon themselves our Sacred and Binding Obligation.
Chaplain: Candidates, place your left hand over your heart, raise
your right hand toward heaven, give your name in full and repeat after me, our
Sacred and Binding Obligation, and I charge you to answer me truly.
I, …, do solemnly declare and promise that I will comply with the rules and
usages of this Association. That I will ever recognize the Supreme Association’s
authority and will obey all orders, issued therefrom, not in conflict with my
rights as a citizen. That I will not knowingly wrong or defraud this Order or
any of its members, nor stiffer it to be done by others, if my protest and
efforts will be heeded. I promise to assist and protect the members if this
Order and their families, who prove themselves worthy of aid, so far as my
ability will permit. I will not knowingly recommend for membership, anyone of
unsound health, or immoral character; nor will I vote against anyone receiving
the Degrees upon any personal grounds. I promise that I will not divulge or make
public, its pass-words, signs, grips or secret work. I further promise that I
will not misrepresent, slander nor gossip about a member of this Order, nor his
family, nor will I silently hear anyone else do so, without uttering my protest
in defending their names, and that I will make the Golden Rule my motto.
"May God, the Father, who giveth needed strength, assist and aid me in
keeping without reservation, this binding and solemn obligation."
When the Chaplain is through administering the Sacred and Binding Obligation,
the Brothers and Sisters must all come to the altar and with clasped hands with
the Candidates, form a ring around the altar and sing:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one─
Our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
When through singing, the Messengers will conduct the Candidates the
ante-room. While they are out, all lights must be turned off except a red light
at the altar. Messengers will enter hall. The Brothers and Sisters will play and
sing soft and low, the Degree Song, until the Candidates are seated near the
altar.
The Object Lesson in Fraternity
In some part of the hall near the altar have several members seated around a
table in earnest conversation about several prominent characters, the President
of the United States, Mayor, etc. One will rise and say: Brothers and
Sisters, I saw a man yesterday who made me weary. I have never met a man who
seemed to be so lacking in all the qualities that go to make a man. His talk was
as disconnected as the North and South poles. He ought to have been bled in the
frog of the foot or given a overdose of shoe string bitters. Great
laughter and cheering by the rest. Let one in the Company, who has been
listening, call him Defender, rise and say:
Defender: Brothers and Sisters, we should deal gently with the
stranger’s name. "Birds of a broken pinion cannot soar. The sorrows which
wear in the weeds of mourning often are the hardest to bear." To make you
more cautious in your criticisms of those you do not know, let me inform you
that the man yon have just laughed at, lost his reason a few weeks ago. He was
once a brilliant star in the intellectual world, but the future holds forth no
recovery. All hang
their heads in shame. After this loving rebuke has passed from their minds, in a
few minutes another stands and says:
Brothers and Sisters, I know of whom I speak. I am not speaking of a crazy
man. We have in this Association a man who passes for a saint, but it is time
some one tore off his mask. He has received the applause of the people who
worship him as a little God. He is a first class parody, a high handed grafter,
a hypocrite of the deepest kind. It is time Mr. … using
the name,
although he is a member of this Association, had his hide aired and was taught a
lesson in exposure. Great applause and cheering by the
rest.
Defender, arises: Comrades, forgive me for speaking again: think
not of me as a man born in the objective case─but friendship is more to me
than an admiration society, a service for selfhood, and "Amen" today
and a "Crucify" tomorrow. The man whose name was just trailed in the
dust is a friend of mine. Then turning and facing the
one who had just spoken, Defender, with great indignation, savs:
Sir, if Mr. … using the
name were here, he would make you prove your
charges or swallow them instantly, or be known as an assassin of moral
character, a coward who is brave when the brave are absent. Pardon me, Mr. … using
the name
is here. I am his friend: apologize instantly. Great
cheering by all. Many go to the traducer and insist on him apologizing. The
Traducer rises slowly to his feet and walking over to the Defender, says meekly:
Defender, would to God all me run true as thyself. I more than
apologize for my rash statements and beg of you to prescribe what restitution I
should make. Cheers by all.
Defender: Brave man, the deed is not only forgiven but forgotten. To resent
may be manly, but to forgive is Divine. Comrades, fraternity means that it takes
two to make, correct, and ever make a mistake again. We are brothers and sisters
for better or worse. If I am weak and you are strong, to you the greater deeds
belong. Dead men cannot smell flowers, dead brows need no crowns, dead lips need
no kisses. Great cheering by all.
The Messengers will conduct the Candidates to the Chaplain’s station.
Messenger: Brother (Sister) Chaplain, I present these candidates
to you for further instruction in the Degree of Fraternity.
Chaplain: Candidates, you are now entering the Fraternal Degree of
our Association. Fraternity means brotherly love. Love, and lo e alone, is the
fulfillment of the highest law of human happiness.
The Savior of Mankind taught to do good, to love thy God with all thy heart,
and the neighbor as thyself. What a happy and beautiful world this would be if
all people would follow this law. All linked into one Universal Brotherhood. One
of the ideas of this Association is to try to exemplify this noble teaching─to
help a brother or sister in distress, to throw a shield of charity, brotherly
love, and protection so as to ward off the arrows of hatred and malice. And to
lend a helping hand to a brother or sister struggling up the rough mountain-side
of human experience. This organization is intended to add materially to the
number of our real and true friends. Friends that believe in us, because they
have faith in us and know us, and have a true and noble friendship for us,
because they have faith in our real worth of character. Friends that will speak
a good word for us under all circumstances, and stand by us when the horizon
seems dark. Friends that stand by us through evil as well as good reports. Such
friends we will try to make for you; to have such friends, you must show purity
of character, and nobleness of purpose, which is the highest aim of this
Association. You are your brother’s and sister’s keeper, to guide, help, and
warn them from the pitfalls of life. The old law, "An eye for an eye, and a
tooth for a tooth," has passed away and given place to that nobler and
higher commandment to do good to all alike. Remember that pure thoughts,
virtuous aspirations and high ideals help to the realization of our noblest and
best aspirations.
Messengers, you will conduct the Candidates to our President for final
instructions in this degree.
Messenger: Brother (Sister) President, we present these Candidates
for the final instructions in this degree.
Guard of Purity, walks to the altar hastily and salutes the President and
says: Brother(Sister) President, here is a message for you and it is
marked important.
President: Brother (Sister) Guard, you may hand me the message. The
President reads the message silently and says: Brothers and Sisters,
I think that you should know the contents of this message before I proceed with
these candidates. Therefore, I will ask the Secretary to read it aloud. Handing
the message to the Secretary. The Secretary rises and reads the message aloud:
To the President of the Benevolent Order.
Pardon me for interfering in your affairs, but I am assured that you are
being imposed upon by this candidate … giving the
name or names of the candidates you are about to admit into your
Association. I have talked personally with the Candidate and he told me a great
many ways whereby being a member of your Association that he will tell me all
the secrets of your Association. I feel certain that he will be sick on your
hands immediately and you will have a large doctor bill to pay beside the sick
benefits, for he has weak lungs, and I believe that tuberculosis has already set
in to do its deadly work. I have only hinted at a few of the least harmful
things to your Association. I think a hint to the wise is sufficient.
President: Brothers and Sister, you have heard the reading of the
message, what shall I do with it? I certainly think it demands our immediate
attention.
Vice-President: Brother (Sister) President, Brothers and Sisters,
I am certainly disappointed if this message is true. I am in favor, if we find
it to be true, to take the candidate out of this hall the back way and by so
doing we will show to the world that we are not to be imposed upon.
Past President: Brother (Sister) President, Brothers and Sisters,
I think it would be unbecoming of us as members of this Order to have the
Candidate leave this hall the back way and forever bar him from other
organizations. This message within itself will ever be a reminder that he should
not talk too much. I am in favor of giving the Candidate a chance to explain.
A Member, rises sand says: I think the message is explanation
enough and several
other members from different parts of the hall can say: I think so
too.
President: I would like to hear from our worthy Chaplain on this
subject.
Chaplain: Brother (Sister) President, Brothers and Sisters, I will
admit that the message has some grave charges in it, and that we will have to be
convinced that they are not true before we can proceed further with the
candidate. If we find that the message is false on one point, I am in favor of
paying no more attention to it, and considering it unworthy of our attention.
Therefore, I suggest that we test the lungs of this candidate and find out for
ourselves whether or not he has weak lungs. We have a lung tester that has never
failed. It is recommended by the Physicians of our Association.
President: You will proceed to test the candidate’s lungs.
Captain will bring the tester. He should see that it is in good working
order. Have flour or some harmless powder in the tester so when he blows it will
fly in his face. Have clean water so when he draws it will fill his mouth. If
the candidate fails to blow or draw hard enough, the Captain can say
"Harder" until the candidate blows hard enough. After the test is
over, the Captain can say: Brother (Sister) President, I find the
candidate with strong lungs.
President: Brothers and Sisters, if you are all satisfied I will
proceed to instruct the candidate.
Members: We are satisfied.
President: Pay strict attention while I explain this degree. The
color of this degree is red. Emblematic of the red blood that courses all human
hearts. This, we should ever bear in mind, that we all sprang from the common
parent and will meet again on the common level at the grave. All well regulated
halls have two doors or wickets, as they are termed, an outer wicket and an
inner wicket. At each of these wickets is stationed a guard; at the outside
wicket will be stationed the Guard of Fraternity, and at the inside wicket will
be stationed the Guard of Purity. On wishing to enter the hall of a Subordinate
Association you approach the outer wicket and will give one distinct rap, or
pull of the bell, if there is a bell. The Guard of Fraternity will open his
wicket and you will communicate to him the Universal Password (which is …) so
low that no one but the guard can hear it. This will admit you to the anteroom,
where you will clothe yourself in the color of the degree in which the
Association is opened, for this degree is red; you will then give three low and
distinct raps and the Guard of Purity will open his wicket and you will
communicate your name and number of the Association, of which you are a member,
to him. He will close his wicket and will report you to the Vice-President, and
if there are no objections, he will reopen his wicket and you will communicate
to him the explanation of the Universal Password (which is …) and the password
of the degree in which the Association is opened, which for this degree is Love;
to be lettered at all times, when used for working purposes, thus: L. O. V. E.
Then the Guard of Purity will open the door and admit you to the hall; you will
then approach the Altar and give the sign of this degree, which is: lock hands
and fingers and hold in front, parallel with elbows.
The answer is the same as the sign, and is used on entering or leaving the
hall while opened in the first degree; it means fraternal love. The President
will answer the sign in the same manner. You are at liberty to take your seat or
retire from the hall, as the case may be.
The Messengers will conduct you to the ante-room and will assist you to work
your way into the hall.
Messengers conduct the Candidates to the anteroom, and assist them to
re-enter the hall and give the passwords and signs.
Closing ceremonies
President gives three raps: Brothers and Sisters, we are about to
close this session and return to our families and friends in the outer world.
Let us ever be mindful of the truths taught by our Association, and always bear
in mind the three cardinal principles: Love, Purity and Truth, and so conduct
ourselves as to add credit to our Association.
We will sing our closing ode.
After singing this, the Chaplain will pray.
Chaplain: Our Father who art in Heaven, we thank Thee for Thy
protecting care over us. We ask Thee to be with each member of this Association,
until we meet again. We ask Thee to impress upon each member’s heart the
supreme importance of living a pure life in fraternal brotherly relations with
all mankind. We ask it for Christ’s sake.
All: Amen.
President: I now declare this Association closed until our next
regular session. Giving date and hour of next meeting.