Order of the Golden Circle
Ritual

No date

The Ladies are all addressed as Loyal Ladies and the Gentlemen as Illustrious Sirs if they have attained the 33°, and illustrious Fraters if not.
During meetings all members must wear a badge with the emblem of the Order upon it.
The alarm is made by *** **.
One rap calls to order; two raps call up officers; three raps call up Assembly.
Loyal Lady Ruler ascends the throne, raps *, and says: Loyal Lady Associate Ruler, satisfy yourself that all present are entitled to be here.
A.R.: Loyal Lady Guide, receive the password of the Order of the Golden Circle from all present, and deposit it with me in the West.
Assembly is called up by Loyal Lady Ruler.
If there be any present without the password. they may be vouched for by anyone who has sat in an Assembly with them, then the password will be communicated to them; if they cannot be so vouched for, they shall retire until the assembly has been opened, when a committee of three shall be appointed to examine them.
A.R.: Loyal Lady Ruler, all present are entitled to be here.
R.: Loyal Lady Herald, proclaim to those present that I am about to open this Assembly.
H.: Loyal Ladies and Illustrious Sirs, the Loyal Lady Ruler is about to open this Assembly.
R.: Loyal Lady Inner Guard, see that the Outer Guard is at her post, and command her to suffer no one to intrude upon us during the ceremonies of opening.
I.G.: Your orders have been obeyed. Loyal Lady Ruler.
R.: Loyal Lady Priestess, lead us in our devotions, * * *.
Priestess, all standing: Almighty Father of the Universe, all honor and praise be to thy holy name. Give unto us this day that peace which the world cannot take away; absolve us from all our sins and cement us in the bonds of everlasting unity. All this we ask in the name of the Blessed Trinity. Amen.
All.: Amen. *. Assembly is seated.
As each officer is addressed by the Loyal Lady Ruler, she arises and remains standing until seated by the Loyal Lady Ruler.
R.: Loyal Lady Inner Guard, the place and duty of the Outer Guard?
I.G.: Her place is without the door, and her duty is to guard against intrusion by the curious.
R.: Loyal Lady Inner Guard, your place and duty?
I.G.: My place is within the door, my duty is to report all alarms, and to admit no one without permission from the Loyal Lady Ruler.
R.: Loyal Lady Standard Bearer, your place and duty?
S.B: My place is to the right and in front of the Loyal Lady Associate Ruler, in the West; and my duty is to have charge of the Standard of our Order, and to bear it on all lawful occasions.
R.: Loyal Lady Herald, your place and duty?
H.: My place is to the left and in front of the Loyal Lady Associate Ruler, in the West; my duty is to make proclamations when ordered by the Loyal Lady Ruler.
R.: Loyal Lady Guide, your station and duty?
G.: My station is to the right and in front of the Loyal Lady Ruler, in the East. My duty is to conduct candidates during the ceremonies in initiation, and to perform all other duties that may be ordered by the Loyal Lady Ruler,
R.: Loyal Lady Treasurer, your station and duty?
T.: My station is to the right of the Loyal Lady Ruler, in the East. My duty is to receive all money from the hands of the Loyal Lady Secretary, keep a correct account of the same, and pay it out by order of the Loyal Lady Ruler and consent of the Assembly.
R.: Loyal Lady Secretary, your station and duty?
S.: My station is to the left of the Loyal Lady Ruler, in the East. My duty is to keep correct minutes of the proceedings of the Assembly, conduct all correspondence; receive all money paid into the Assembly; turn it over to the Loyal Lady Treasurer, taking a receipt for the same.
R.: Loyal Lady Priestess, your station and duty?
P: My station is to the left and in front of the Loyal Lady Ruler, in the East. My duty is to invoke divine blessings and to assist in the reading of the lessons.
R.: Loyal Lady Associate Ruler. your station and duty?
A.R.: My station is at the Altar of Peace in the West. My duty is to assist the Loyal Lady Ruler in the discharge of her duties; preside over the assembly in her absence, and crown the initiates with the Olive Wreath of Peace.
R.: Loyal Lady Associate Ruler, the Loyal Lady Ruler’s station and duty?
A.R.: Her station is at the Altar of Unity in the East Her duty is to preside over the Assembly, crown the initiates with the Golden Circle of Unity, and both by precept and example endeavor at all times to strengthen the bonds of Peace and Unity.
R. ***, all rise: Loyal Lady Guide, display upon our Altar of Obligation the open Book of books and place upon it the Emblem of our Order.
R.: Loyal Ladies and Illustrious Sirs, assist me in giving the signs of the Order.
All give signs and repeat motto.
L.L.R. gives * * *; L.L.A.R. gives * *.
R.: I now declare this Assembly open and in order for business. Loyal Lady Inner Guard inform the Outer Guard that the assembly is now open.
I.G.: Loyal Lady Outer Guard, the Assembly is now open. The Outer guard is informed. Loyal Lady Ruler.
L.L.R.: *. All are seated.
 

Initiation

R.: Loyal Lady Guide, repair to the outer room and ascertain if there is anyone who seeks admission to our Golden Circle.
The Loyal Lady Guide goes out, obtains the necessary information, returns to front of Altar and says: Loyal Lady Ruler, I find … without, who desires to be admitted to our Golden Circle.
R.: Has she been properly vouched for, and has she met all of the requirements of our Order?
G.: She has.
R.: Return, then, and prepare her for the ceremonies of initiation and when properly prepared alarm the door of the Assembly.
Guide goes out, dresses candidate in a white robe, blindfolds her and alarms by *** **; enters and stands in West facing East. Loyal Lady Ruler gives three raps calling up Assembly. A hymn is sung, after which they start on their journey around the room as the sun travels. On the first round the Loyal Lady Priestess reads:
P.: Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity:
For they shall soon be cut down like grass, and wither as the green herb.
The reading upon each round should be so timed as to be finished when the candidate reaches the East.
Trust in the Lord, and do good: so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
On the second round, the Loyal Lady Associate Ruler reads: Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever.
On the third round the Loyal Lady Ruler reads: Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land.
I have seen the wicked an great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
Yet he passed away and was not.
Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.
R.: Loyal Lady Guide, conduct the candidate to the layer of brass that she may wash and be cleansed.
Guide conducts candidate to the layer, dips her fingers therein and dries them. During this ceremony the Loyal Lady Priestess reads: Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.
Behold, thou desireth truth in the inward part; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and 1 shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
R.: Loyal Lady Guide, conduct the candidate to the altar of flames that she may be purified by fire.
Guide conducts candidate to the altar of fire and passes her right hand thrice and twice over the flames. During this ceremony the Loyal Lady Priestess reads: But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For his is like a refiner’s fare and like fuller’s sope:
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
R.: My sister, you have been purified by both water and fire, and it is now necessary that you bind yourself to us by a solemn obligation. Are you willing to be thus bound?
Candidate answers: …
R.: Loyal Lady Guide conduct the candidate to the altar of obligation.
Candidate is conducted to front of altar, where she stands with both hands on Bible. Assembly is called up, when Loyal Lady Ruler administers the following:
 

Obligation

R.: My sister, say I, pronounce your name in full, and repeat after me: I, …, in the presence of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and of those assembled here, promise upon the honor of a woman that I will keep sacred the secrets of this Order, and will divulge them only to those entitled to receive them.
I promise to uphold and be governed by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Order of the Golden Circle, and to demean myself at all times, both in and out of the Assembly room, as a true and Loyal Lady.
I promise to aid in every way possible all worthy members of the Order who shall call upon me for assistance.
I promise to defend the honor and reputation of those who may be assailed, and to endeavor at all times to reconcile any differences that may arise: that the peace and unity of this Assembly and the Order in general may be maintained.
I promise that I will not assist in or countenance the conferring of the degree of the Order of the Golden Circle upon any person except it be in a legally constituted Assembly, or by a duly accredited Deputy of the United Supreme Council of the Thirty-third and last degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Jurisdiction, U. S. A. and not by the latter, except for the purpose of establishing a new Assembly.
All of this I promise upon my honor, and ask the strength and guidance of Him who is ‘the Light and Truth and the Way" to maintain me in the performance of the same. Amen.
R.: Loyal Lady Guide, unbind the eyes of our newly made sister that she may view the Sacred Book and Emblem of our Order upon which she has taken the solemn obligation.
R.: My sister, I commend to you the Holy Book of books as the foundation of your faith and hope, and the Circle and Dove as symbols of the motto of our Order: Peace and Unity. May you never fail to heed the admonitions of the one, and endeavor at all times to promote and maintain the others. Proceed to the West, where you will receive your first lesson, and be crowned with the Olive Wreath of Peace.
Candidate is conducted to the Associate Ruler, who says: Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth:
therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
For He maketh sore and blindeth up: He woundeth, and his hands make whole.
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea. in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
In famine He shall redeem thee from death; and in war from the power of the sword.
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue, neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of earth.
For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
My sister, I crown you with the Olive Wreath of Peace. Proceed to the East, where you will receive your second lesson and be crowned with the Golden Circle of Unity.
Candidate is conducted to the Loyal Lady Ruler, who says: This I say, then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
As we heve therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
I herefore beseech thee that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
With all loveliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love:
Endeavoring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
My sister, I now crown you with the Golden Circle of Unity, and adjure you to remain faithful to the tenets of our Order: Peace and Unity. You will now be instructed in the signs and passwords of the Order by the Loyal Lady Guide.
G.: This making it is the sign of the Order, and must always be given to the Loyal Lady Ruler upon entering or retiring from the Assembly room. The password is …
R.: Loyal Ladies, let us receive this sister into our Golden Circle.
All form Circle with, candidate, clasping hands, and sing:
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
When we at death must part.
Not like the world’s our pain;
But one in hope and one in heart,
We part to meet again.
R.: Loyal lady I welcome you as member of Assembly of the Order of the Golden Circle, and hope that our association may prove pleasant and helpful to yourself and to us.
Assembly is seated.
 

Lecture

R.: Loyal Lady …, there is a short lecture, consisting of a few questions and answers, forming a part of these ceremonies, which you should learn, to assist you in proving yourself a member of our Order. With the assistance of the Loyal Lady Guide, I will exemplify it for your benefit.
R.: Loyal Lady Guide, are you a member of the Order of the Golden Circle?
G.: I have been purified by both water and fire, crowned with the Olive Wreath of Peace, and the Golden Circle of Unity has rested upon my brow.
R.: What proof have you that you are a member of the Order of the Golden Circle?
G.: I have a sign.
R.: Make it. Loyal Lady Guide makes sign.
R.: Have you anything else to offer?
G.: I have an emblem.
R.: What is it?
G.: A Golden Circle, with a dove in the centre, bearing a Scroll.
R.: What does it symbolize?
G.: The Grand Motto of our Order: Peace and Unity.
R.: My sister, you will now receive the charge which concludes the ceremonies of your initiation.
 

Charge

Loyal Lady …, nothing is better calculated to assure you of the high esteem our Order entertains for you than your admission as a member, thus giving you proof of our sincere attachment. The uninitiated may very naturally entertain prejudices against our Order. Without any just reason they may conceive an enmity which may induce them to circulate unfounded rumors concerning us. But how is it possible that they, without the light of truth, should be able to form a correct judgment? The obligation that we take prevents pride and self-love from lurking in our hearts, so that we are enabled without ostentation to perform all the good deeds which we are bound to practice.
The title of Loyal Lady that we bestow upon you evinces the esteem that we entertain for your person in selecting you to participate in our happiness and to cultivate with us the principles of virtue and benevolence.
Having now made you acquainted with the nature of our Order, we are well assured that the light of wisdom and virtue will henceforth direct your conduct. May the Omnipotent Deity give you that strength which will always enable you to support the character of a member of the Order of the Golden Circle.
Go to the Secretary’s desk and sign the By-Laws and be seated as a member of this Assembly.
 

Closing

R.: Loyal Ladies and Illustrious Sirs. I will be pleased to listen to any remarks that you may have to make before I proceed to close this Assembly
R.: Loyal Lady Inner Guard, inform the Outer Guard that I am about to close this Assembly, and command her to suffer no one to intrude upon us during the ceremonies thereof.
I.G.: Loyal Lady Outer Guard, the Loyal Lady Ruler is about to close this Assembly. Suffer no intrusion upon us during the ceremonies thereof.
I.G.: Your orders have been obeyed, Loyal Lady Ruler.
A. * * *, all rise: Loyal Lady Herald, proclaim to the Loyal Ladies and Illustrious Sirs that I am about to close this Assembly.
H.: Loyal Ladies and Illustrious Sirs, the Loyal Lady Ruler is about to close this Assembly.
L.L.R. * * *, L.L.A.R. * *.
R.: Loyal Ladies and Illustrious Sirs, assist me in giving the signs of the Order. Signs are given by Loyal Lady Ruler. Loyal Lady Priestess, invoke divine blessing.
P.: Our Father, who art strength of all those who put their trust in Thee, mercifully accept our prayers, and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee both in will and deed; and at the end obtain everlasting life. Through the merits of Thine only Son our Lord. Amen.
R.: Loyal Lady Guide, attend at the altar and close the Sacred Book. It is done.
R.: Loyal Lady Inner Guard, inform the Outer Guard that the Assembly is closed.
I.G.: Your orders have been obeyed, Loyal Lady Ruler.
I now declare this Assembly closed until its next regular convening. *.

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