Chevalier Investiture

1985

The Degree of Chevalier is an open investiture and must be given exactly as herein stated without any deletions or additions hereto. No designate may be invested with the degree unless his regalia is in the possession of the presiding officer.

The investiture as written has taken into account the opportunity for splendid musical effects and choral accompaniment.

The entire ritual must be delivered from memory except for the reading of Psalm 91. If not presided over by the Executive Officer for the jurisdiction, only Chevaliers, or such other persons whom he may designate, shall be used in the investiture. The presiding officer is known as the Grand Commander. An escort of Knights Templar, members of the Legion of Honor, Chevaliers, or members of a DeMolay Chapter may be used at the Altar and in processions.

Required Parts: Grand Commander in the East. G.C.; Commander in the West: C.W., Commander in the South: C.S.; Grand Marshal: G.Mar.; Grand Chaplain. G.Ch.

Required Paraphernalia. Holy Bible open on Altar; school books on Northeast corner of Altar; a lectern placed in the East, to the South of the G.C; a sample ring must be on hand in the event no one receiving the degree elects to purchase the ring; kneeling pads.

Optional Paraphernalia: Seven candlesticks with candles; the National flag in a standard; the Chapter banner in a standard, all placed as indicated on Diagram One; Altar cloth; Altar flowers; pedestal covers; baton for Grand Marshal.

After a prelude by the organist, the Officers enter single file as follows: G.Mar., G.C., C.S., C. W., and G.Ch., followed by escort of Knights Templar, etc. G.Mar. leading the procession moves C E V T C E V Z X dropping off the G.C., C.S., C.W. and then G.Ch. at their respective stations. G.Mar. faces West. Escort floorwork will be devised for the individual situation.

G.C. * (rap)

All except G.C. sit down.

G.C.: I count it a privilege to be permitted to preside at this conferring of the Degree of Chevalier. In a few moments we shall witness a ceremony that is as symbolic of citizenship as the Athenian Oath and as profound in religious significance as the creation of a knight in the days of chivalry. Even before the time of Nineveh or the building of King Solomon’s Temple - ere the Egyptians built their pyramids and Jason sought the Golden Fleece, or soldiers of fortune followed the Eagles of Rome, it was an ancient custom to honor those to whom honors were due.

Brother Grand Marshal, you will present those who are about to be created Chevaliers of the Order of DeMolay.

G.Mar. moves X Z T, thence to place where designates are seated, and conducts them to point U, facing East.

G.Mar.: Brother Grand Commander, I present to you and to the members of the Order of DeMolay and the assembled guests ... speaks name of each designate who have been designated by our Supreme Council to be elevated to the rank and dignity of a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay.

G.C.: My brothers, you have just been presented to me for elevation to the highest honor for distinguished DeMolay service within the gift of The International Supreme Council. Only one other honor, the Legion of Honor, for outstanding adult leadership and service to humanity, outranks the distinction I am about to confer upon you.

You have been selected from the membership of ... Chapter as having rendered exceptional service in behalf of the Order of DeMolay and this Chapter in particular. Your efforts in the various activities of the Order have been numerous and have reflected beyond our Order to a lasting benefit of all youth. Your material gains are beyond price, but great as they are - they are of little consequence when compared with their spiritual significance. In every willing act of your life, you have performed - let us say - divine service, because he who acts nobly does God’s will. If this is not true, then your performances have been in vain. The work in which you have been engaged cannot be measured by the standards of men. Therefore, as inspired workers in our cause, you have been called here to receive honors in the presence of your brethren and friends. I can think of no better approach to this investiture than that we heed the Grand Chaplain as he reads to us the inspired words of David who sang of the security of the godly in the ninety-first chapter of the Psalms.

G.Ch. rises, moves X Z, thence to lectern placed in East and to the South of G.C., and reads the ninety-first Psalm.

G.Ch.: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall by thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A. thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

G. Ch. moves from lectern Z X, faces West, and sits down.

G.C.: My brothers, in the days that are to come, may these words of the Psalmist ever be before you, a beacon to light your way to the very throne of God. As children of a universal Father, acknowledging that He is “All and in All,” it is fitting that you who are about to receive this honor should, throughout all the years of your life, be a humble and consecrated son of God. Outward observance of religion means little unless there is within a deep sense of soul. In the character of a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay, may you in every act, manner and circumstance, prove worthy of this universal sonship. I, therefore, dedicate you anew to the service of God and all humanity.

Brother Grand Marshal, you will conduct these brethren to the Commander in the South.

Suggested music cue.

G.Mar conducts designates U T C E V T L, faces South.

G.Mar.: Brother Commander, I present to you these brethren who have been designated by our Supreme Council to be elevated to the rank and dignity of a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay.

C.S.: My brothers, in this hour of consecration I again remind you of that sacred thing called home. There is a magic in that little word, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits. It is the cradle - the very bulwark of our civilization. Ever since you first knelt at the Altar of DeMolay you have been committed to the high purpose of being a better son, a better husband, a better father, and a better man as the years move on. As a Chevalier, I dedicate you anew to the DeMolay ideal of home and all that the word implies.

Brother Grand Marshal, you will conduct these brethren to the Commander in the West.

Suggested music cue.

G.Mar. conducts designates L C E V T C D, faces West.

G.Mar.: Brother Commander, I present to you these brethren who have been designated by our Supreme Council to be elevated to the rank and dignity of a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay.

C.W.: My brothers, I receive you upon one of the cardinal points of DeMolay - love of country; the deeper patriotism that does not unfurl the flag on holidays alone, or rattle the flashing saber in a menacing threat, but rather that patriotism which, while making known to every man his rights, still makes him mindful of the rights of every other man. Our forefathers gave us a heritage that gives to all the sincere hope of being brave men and serving patriots. It is well that we here should rededicate ourselves to the threefold purpose of, DeMolay - love of God, love of home, and love of country. Your leadership through the years, if charted on these principles, “will make you live worthily for your country as well as die bravely for it if the need shall come.” I dedicate you anew to the DeMolay ideal of patriotism. You will now be conducted to our Holy Altar.

G.Mar. causes designates to face East, then move D J. An escort of Knights Templar, Legion of Honor members, Chevaliers, or Chapter members with swords may be used with good effect in making an arch of steel over designates and Altar.

G.C.: My brothers, you have already signed your Vow of Allegiance that it may be deposited in the archives of The International Supreme Council. You now appear at this Altar to assume a public obligation of service before being created a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay and receiving its regalia. Are you ready to assume this obligation?

Des.: I am.

G.C. * * * (3 raps)

All stand.

G.C. moves X U; G.Ch. moves X Z U behind G.C.; simultaneously C.W. moves K D E V U and C.S. moves XL T U. All face West and move simultaneously to O within the circle of candles, with C.S. and C.W. one pace behind G.C. and G.Ch. one pace behind C.S. and C.W. so as to form a cross.

G.C.: Then you will kneel on both knees...

Designates kneel.
G.C.: ...and place both hands upon the Holy Bible.

Done.
G.C.: You will say “I”, speak your name in full, and repeat after me:
Done.

G.C. pauses after each phrase of convenient length in the Obligation, to give designates an opportunity to repeat it. A diagonal is placed at suggested points for pausing, but G.C. should understand that he may phrase as he chooses.

G.C.: In the presence or Almighty God and these witnesses here assembled, do solemnly promise, covenant, and vow that I will, from this time forward, militantly and with the deepest devotion, serve the Order of DeMolay and the truths it teaches.

I do now, and hereon, renew and rededicate myself to all of the vows I have heretofore taken in the Order of DeMolay.

I furthermore promise and vow perpetual loyalty and service to my country in every field of endeavor -and that I will always be an active opponent of sedition, anarchy, or any cause that would betray my country’s greatest good.

I furthermore promise and vow that I will wage constant warfare against ignorance, superstition, and the forces of evil that would enslave or debauch childhood.

I furthermore promise and vow that I will ever strive to serve God.

I furthermore promise and vow that I will, each day hereafter, strive to be a better man than I have ever been before.

I furthermore and most solemnly promise and vow that hereafter on November 8th of each year, as a memorial to our founder, Frank Sherman Land, I will hold communion with a fellow Chevalier or Court of Chevaliers, wherever I may be, and should this be impossible, I will break bread with an active DeMolay or a young man in his teens.

So help me God!

You will disengage your hands, arise, and kiss the Holy Bible.

Done.

G.C. moves O P V U X, faces West.

G.C. * (rap)

All Officers face East and move O U. C.W. moves U V E D X, faces East. Simultaneously C.S. moves U T L X, faces North. G.Ch. moves U Z X, faces West.

G.C. * (rap)

All except G.C. sit down.

G.C. moves X U O. If all designates are receiving a ring, omit the word “symbolically” and place the ring on finger at the conclusion of the part. If one or more designates do not select the ring, the word “symbolically “should be used and the sample ring should be displayed during the speech.

G.C.: My brothers, it is now my privilege to (symbolically) place upon the third finger of your left hand the ring of a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay. This ring’s intrinsic worth cannot be measured in material value, for it should ever be to you a constant reminder of your vows to be faithful to the trust reposed in you.

G.C. faces East, moves O U X, faces West. G.Mar. conducts designates J K S R, faces East.

G.Mar.: Brother Grand Commander, I present to you these designates, who, having assumed their vows, now desire to be exalted to the high honor and dignity of a Chevalier of the Order of DeMolay.

G.C. * * * (3 raps)

All rise.

Escort may again be used to make arch of steel over designates. G.Mar. should place kneeling pads in place for designates.

G.C.: My brothers, you will kneel on both knees facing the altar.

Done.

G.C.: Brother Grand Chaplain, you will lead us in prayer.

All lights except the candles and Altar spot are dimmed.

G.Ch. unescorted goes to Altar, moving X Z I J. G.Ch. halts at point J, faces East and takes one step toward Altar. As G.Ch. leaves station all DeMolays and Chevaliers in East and C.W. and C.S. descend to floor level.

G.C.: Chevaliers and DeMolays will kneel on left knee. All others will remain standing.

All DeMolays and Chevaliers kneel in unison as Chaplain kneels.

G.Ch.: Our Heavenly Father, Thou Who art the giver of every good and perfect gift, we approach Thee in this hour of consecration asking that Thou wilt strengthen these brothers whom we honor on this occasion. They have rededicated themselves in Thy sight to the threefold purpose of DeMolay - love of God, love of home and love of country.

We thank Thee for what they have accomplished for our beloved Order. May they increase in Thy manifold gifts of grace. Bless them in their new responsibilities that their efforts and endeavors may be worthy in Thy sight. Grant to them wisdom and understanding that they may reflect Thy will. Amen.

ALL: Amen.

G.Ch. and all DeMolays and Chevaliers except designates rise.

G.Ch. takes one step backward away from Altar, faces North, moves J K V Z X, faces West. As G.Ch. leaves Altar all DeMolays and Chevaliers who were in East (except G.C.) and C.W. and C.S. return to daises. Lights raised to full. G.C. moves to point between designates and candle 4, faces designates.

G.C.: By virtue of the power and authority in me vested as Grand Commander and acting under the authority of The International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay, I now declare you to be a Chevalier in the Order of DeMolay. As I place this cordon and medallion about your neck you will arise.

Done.

Suggested music cue.

G.C. moves around designates, thence U X, faces West. Escort retires. Newly created Chevaliers form straight line, as directed by G.Mar., facing G.C.

G.C. * (rap)

All except G.C., G.Mar. and designates sit down.

G.C.: Brother Grand Marshal, you will present to these newly created Chevaliers their patents of membership.

G.Mar. distributes patents, then directs Chevaliers to face Altar.

G.C.: This concludes our ceremony of investiture. May these whom we have elevated to distinction this day go forward as true soldiers of DeMolay, radiant in God’s glory, and as an incentive and inspiration to the young manhood of all the world.

G.Mar. seats grew Chevaliers and returns Z X.

G.C. * (rap)

All sit down.
Suggested music cue.