SECOND DEGREE, OR DEGREE OF BROTHERLY LOVE

Dit amerikaanse rituaal dateert uit 1909

The Lodge is opened in due form in the Third Degree. The preliminary mode of procedure is similar to the routine described in the First Degree. The Lodge is reduced to the Second Degree. The Conductor has been ordered to join the Candidate in the ante-room, and gives the alarm on the inside door.

Inside Guardian: Noble Grand, there is an alarm at the door.

Noble Grand: Attend to the alarm.

I Guar. (opening the wicket): Who comes there?

Conductor: A Brother who has taken the covenant of the order, and now seeks further knowledge of our mysteries.
I Guar. (closing the wicket): Noble Grand, a Brother has taken the covenant of the Order and now seeks further knowledge of our mysteries.
NG.: Why does he seek further knowledge?
I Guar. (opening the wicket): Why does he seek further knowledge?
Cond.: Because he would learn how to discharge his obligation.
I Guar. (closing the wicket): Because he would learn how to discharge his obligation.

NG.: Admit him, that he may be instructed in the divine lesson of humanity.

Conductor enters and proceeds with Candidate to chair of Noble Grand.

Cond.: Noble Grand, I present to you Brother who has been duly elected thereto, and now seeks to obtain the mysteries of this Degree.

NG. (to Candidate): Before you receive the mysteries of this degree, are you willing to enter into a solemn obligation to retain its secrets, and to perform all the lawful duties which it may enjoin?

Can. answers.

NG.: Conductor, present the Candidate to the Vice Grand for obligation.

NG. Three raps,* * * all rise.

Cond.: Vice Grand, by direction of the Noble Grand, I present this Candidate for obligation.

NG.: Candidate, place your right hand on your left breast, pronounce your name and repeat after me.

OBLIGATION

I, ...,in the presence of the Brethren of the Degree of Brotherly Love now assembled, do solemnly promise that I will never, reveal the signs, secrets or mysteries of the Degree of Brotherly Love, to any person, unless by the laws and usages of this Order he is entitled to receive them; but will guard them with jealous care from all persons who have not lawfully obtained the same. To the faithful performance of all which I pledge my sacred honor.

NG. One rap, *, seating the Lodge.

NG. (to the Candidate): Are you willing to submit to the ordeal by which you may become a Brother of this degree? Candidate answers.

NG. to Conductor: Let the Brother be taken to the ante-room, that he may re-enter and take another step in fraternity.

The Conductor, retires with the Candidate direct to the ante-room, where he places a short cloak on him, blind folds him, and conducts him to the inside door, where he raps.

I Guar.: Noble Grand, there is an alarm at the door.

NG.: Attend to the alarm.

I Guar. (opening the wicket): Who comes there?

Cond.: A Brother who is ready to receive the mysteries of this degree.

I Guar. (closing the wicket): Noble Grand, a Brother is ready to receive the mysteries of this degree.

NG.: Whence comes he?

I Guar. (opening the wicket): Whence comes he?

Cond.: From Jerusalem, and is traveling to Jericho on a mission of humanity.

I Guar.: From Jerusalem, and is traveling to Jericho on a mission of humanity.

NG.: Admit him in the name of that humanity which he invokes.

The Conductor enters with the Candidate and conducts him around the room; as they pass the VG.,

VG.: Noble Grand, a stranger is passing this way.

NG.: Traveler, whither art thou journeying?

Cond. (for the Candidate): To Jericho.

NG.: Let the traveler go down to Jericho, and may no danger meet him by the way.

The Conductor walks around the room with the Candidate, addressing him as follows: The day is fine; the way is pleasant, and let us hope that the journey will be safe. How those pines cluster on the mountain side, and in the distance the sea is so calm and beautiful! That row of green trees marks the course of Jordan, the sacred river of the chosen people. But see, we are entering a narrow defile of the hills. Before proceeding on our journey let us rest beneath these trees, for we are worn and weary.

Brothers as robbers surround them in the middle of the Lodge-room, crying out, “Stand and deliver! “Death!” and such-like exclamations.

The Conductor strikes the Candidate en the shoulder with his open hand, and causes him to he down; the robbers run away, taking away the Candidate’s cloak, and the Conductor’s robe.

A low bench, box or lounge may be provided as part of the furniture, upon which the Candidate may be laid. No rough usage to be allowed.

The Candidate continues lying down, and after a pause of a moment the Conductor, speaking for the Candidate, exclaims: Alas! alas! I am stripped of my raiment and wounded and left to die. Calling. Help! Help! To himself: Ah! a priest is passing. Calling a little louder: Help! holy servant of the Temple, I am robbed and wounded. To himself: But no, he will not look upon me, but passes by on the other side. Calling: Help! Help! To himself: God of Israel, help me, he is gone! Must I linger here and die? No! behold, a Levite; he stops; he comes this way; he is here. Calling louder: O son of Levi, servant of the altar, help me! I am robbed and wounded. To himself: But no, he looks upon me and has no pity. He also passes by on the other side. Louder: Help! help ! Son of Levi, help ! To himself: He also has forsaken me. But who comes this way?

It is a hated Samaritan, an enemy of my people. Calling louder: Help! man of Samaria, I am wounded and dying!

The Warden slowly approaches the Candidate, and he says: What have we here? an Israelite wounded and bleeding by the wayside! the poor man is about to perish. Is he not after all my Brother? Taking hold of Candidate: Ah, my friend, you shall not perish. Take this garment for your protection. Puts a cloak upon him. Arise and lean upon me. Lifts him up. Come, cheer up and take heart, and we will find a place of safety.

The Warden leads the Candidate around the Lodge Room, and then to the side facing the Past-Grand.

Warden (to the traveler): Here is an inn, a place of refuge. Calling: Ho, there! ho! open, landlord! Knocks loudly on a table or pedestal.

Past Grand (as host): What have we here? An Israelite and a Samaritan? When had these dealings with each other?

The Candidate is led near to the Past Grand and seated.

Warden: Here, host, is a wounded man, who fell among thieves; give him attention, for he has been robbed and left for dead. Take this money and provide for him. Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Past Grand (as host): The door is open; enter, travelers.

Warden: Host, care thou for the traveler as if he were thy brother and mine.

Past Grand: He shall be eared for, good Samaritan.

The Warden passes on, and again arriving at the inn, raps, is admitted, and reappears with the Conductor and Candidate.

Conductor (to Warden): Man of Samaria, for many years, there hath been no love between our people. A true son of Israel I was taught to have no dealings with a Samaritan, but when I was wounded and dying by the wayside, thou considered not my country nor my creed. When I was naked, thou didst clothe me; when if was hungry, thou didst feed me; when I was thirsty thou gavest me drink. In my need thou wast my brother and my friend. May the blessing of Israel fall on thee, man of Samaria.

Warden: My brother, I wish thee well. Resumes his station.

The Conductor and Candidate walk around the room while the Chaplain recites the following: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with alt thy strength; this is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; there is none other commandment greater than these.

If ye love them who love thee, what reward have ye? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?

Love thine enemies; bless them that curse thee, do good to them that hate thee and pray for them that despitefully use thee and persecute thee.

That ye may be the children of your Father in heaven, for he maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and on the unjust.

Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

Conductor and Candidate arrive at chair of Noble Grand.

Right Supporter: Noble Grand, the traveler hath returned.

Noble Grand (to Candidate): Traveler, how fared thee on thy journey?

Conductor (for Candidate): I have been robbed and left for dead. A priest hath seen me, and a Levite hath looked upon me. A Samaritan also came that way. The priest and Levite were my brothers, of the seed of Abraham. The Samaritan was an enemy of my people. Pause. He alone had compassion.

Cond. (for the traveler): He was my Brother and friend who had mercy on me.

NG.: Go thou, O traveler, and do likewise; and know that the true priest is not of the temple, nor the true Levite of the altar, but he alone is the servant of God and the Brother who delivers the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. (Three raps, * * * calling up the Lodge). Brothers, what think you of that which you have witnessed?

All: He is my Brother and friend who had mercy on me.

NG. (to Conductor): Let the eyes of the Brother be opened, that he may see a Lodge of Brotherly Love.

The blindfold is removed. The NG. seats the Lodge with one rap (*), and instructs the Candidate in the password, sign, grip, etc., and then delivers the following

LECTURE

NG.: My Brother, in the Degree of Friendship you assumed an obligation which changed your relations to a vast number of persons. You can never forget the hour when you were the object of envy and hatred, and were cheered by a spectacle of confidence and devotion, it was a moment of heartfelt enjoyment when your hand was grasped in friendship, and a voice full of sympathy gave you encouragement. It was then that two hearts melted into one in a solemn league and fraternal covenant. By that engagement you were bound to perform the offices of Brotherly Love. Heaven has witnessed your vow, and the Common Father has smiled on that compact. All Odd Fellows are now your comrades, your advisers and your friends A solemn duty has been devolved upon you, and you have been taught how it ought to be performed. The central link in the chain of Odd Fellowship is “mutual assistance.” Fraternity, unless embodied in acts of humanity. is but an empty name. If a Brother be naked arid destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto him, “Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled!” notwithstanding ye give him not those things which are needful for the body, what doth it profit? The answer is obvious: he who witnesses suffering and does not hasten to relieve it, is ignorant of the lesson that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He is an enemy of his race who does not care for its welfare, and is wedded to selfishness and greed.

My Brother, in the Degree of Brotherly Love you have acted a part in a famous drama, which has received the plaudits of the world for many generations. You were assaulted and robbed, wounded and left upon the highway to perish. A priest of the Temple journeyed that way and saw your condition; his office required that lie should have pity, but he passed on and left you to die by the wayside. A Levite, who swung the golden censers in the holy place and served at the consecrated altar, also saw you, and approached and looked upon yon; but he, like the robbers and the priest, abandoned you to your fate. But wonderful to relate, an enemy on his journey came that way and found you bleeding and suffering. Although he knew that you were not of his religion, nor of his people, and that you were not his friend; though he had no fortune and no tithes with which to pay for your nursing and support, yet his bowels of compassion were moved ; he stopped, he ran to your relief. How tenderly he raised your stricken body and poured balm into your wounds, and how gently he brought you to life by words of pity and encouragement! You can never forget that he exposed himself to the keen mountain winds when he took off his cloak and wrapped it around you. How carefully he led you to the inn, and with what liberality he gave the money that assured you of shelter and safety. Such is the story of the good Samaritan. All Odd Fellows, so far as they have the ability, seek to imitate this memorable example. Learn from this history that he only is an Odd Fellow who has pity and mercy, and who hastens to the relief of a Brother in distress. Membership in a Lodge is nothing, the obligation of friendship is nothing, the assertion of our principles less than nothing unless we have Brotherly Love, which is the bond of unity. Such, my Brother, is the lesson of this Degree.

By order of the N. G., the candidate is now clothed ir the regalia of his Degree, the emblematic color of which is blue.

NG. (Three raps*** calling up the Lodge): Brother ..., I welcome you to the Degree of Brotherly Love to which I now declare you duly admitted. (One rap * seats the Lodge.)

Those present who have not attained the Third Degree are dismissed, and the Lodge is raised in due form from the Second to the Third Degree.

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