Royal Scarlet Order
Loyal Orange Association

 
This ritual is used in the Loyal Orange Association of British America, 1946

Opening
 
At the appointed hour, a quorum (7) being present, the W.C. shall take the chair and give * which shall be a signal for the Sir Knight Companions to clothe themselves in appropriate regalia and take their seats.
The D.C. shall, before taking his chair, give to the W.C. the Orange Annual and Entrance Pass.
W.C., rising: Sir Kt. D.C., You will ascertain if the doors of the Chapter room are guarded, and if the Herald and Sentinel are in possession of the Orange Annual and the Entrance Pass of a Royal Scarlet Companion.
The D.C. invites the Herald and Sentinel to advance, and tests them as directed by the W.C., at the same time giving the Herald the retiring pass for the evening.
If the Herald and Sentinel are not duly qualified, they shall be referred to the W.C., who shall impart to them the necessary information.
D.C., rising: W.C., I have ascertained that the Chapter room is properly guarded and that the Herald and Sentinel are in possession of the Orange Annual and the Entrance Pass of a Royal Scarlet Companion.
W.C., rising: Sir Kt. 1st Lecturer and Sir Kt. 1st Conductor, You will now test the Companions in the Orange Annual and Entrance Pass, and report to the D.C.
Both Sir Kt. Comps. before taking up the test shall advance to the chair of the W.C. and give the words in an undertone.
D.C., rising: W.C., All present are entitled to sit in this Chapter (or otherwise as the case may be).
W.C.: Marshal, You will now arrange the Chapter room for the proper working of the Degree.
The Marshal then covers the table with a Union Jack and places thereon an open Bible, and saluting the W.C., retires to his station.
C. Chap., rising: Behold, when we come into the land thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by; and thou shall bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household home unto thee. And it shall be that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless; and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be upon our head, if any hand be upon him. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath, which thou hast made us to swear: Josh. ii., 18, 19, 20.
W.C.: * * *. All rise and make the sign of Kt.
C.Chap: Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God. who in all ages hast shown Thy power and goodness, in protecting every society instituted by Thy people for righteous purposes; we yield Thee hearty thanks for the spirit of Christian kindness and charity, which Thou hast been graciously pleased to raise up amongst us. Grant, O Most Gracious Father, that all such virtues may abundantly flourish, and be the stability of our times. Vouchsafe, O Lord God, to continue unto us Thine Almighty protection; and grant to our gracious King good health, long life, abundant happiness and prosperity. Let Thy Providence ever guard our Illustrious Institution, and enable us to transmit it to posterity unimpaired and improved by our holy religion. Bless, we beseech Thee, every Knight Companion of this Noble Order; endow them with charity, with brotherly love, and loyalty; and give them a due and lasting sense of Thy mercies towards us. We humbly pray that the Knight Companions of this Chapter may increase in Grace and in that knowledge of Godliness which makes wise unto Salvation, and that when our lifes course is ended here on earth we may be brought to enjoy eternal happiness in Thy Kingdom. These and all other needful blessings, we humbly ask in the name and through the mediation of Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Saviour. Amen.
W.C.: By virtue of the authority in me vested by the Most Worshipful Grand Orange Lodge of British America, I now declare this Chapter open in due form.
God Save the King
The W.C. will give * *   * *   * followed in the same manner by the D.C. and the Herald and Sentinel, after which the W.C. shall give * seating the Comps.
 
 
Order of Business
 
After opening the Chapter, the Order of Business shall be as follows:
1. Repetition of Lecture.
2. Reading and confirming the minutes of the preceding meeting.
3. Receiving applications for exaltation.
4. Balloting for applicants.
5. Exalting approved candidates.
6. General Business, Communications, Accounts, etc.
7. Election and Installation of Officers.
8. Repetition of Lecture.
9. Adjourning or closing.
NOTE: As the Chapter once opened remains open for seven days, the Comps. have the privilege, subject to the rules and their own by-laws, of varying the order of business.
 
 
Exaltation
 
There will be needed for this ceremony two Union Jacks, two swords having scabbards and belts, a pair of gilt spurs, two bowls of water colored to represent blood, a scarlet robe with cord and tassel to fasten it by, and the necessary vessels for passing the bread and water. One bowl with the spurs, sword and robe, shall be placed on a table in front of the W.C. The other bowl shall be placed on a table in the preparation room. (The scabbard shall be so arranged as to be easily detached from the belt.)
All things being ready in the Chapter room, the C. Scribe, accompanied by the two Sir Kt. Conductors, or, in their absence, two Knights appointed by the W.C., shall proceed to the preparation room where the C. Scribe shall cause the candidate to read and sign the obligation in the roll-book to be kept for that purpose, after which the C. Scribe returns to the Chapter room and reports as follows (If favorable):
C.Scribe: W.C., The Candidate, Bro. ... of ... L.O.L. No. ..., has subscribed to the obligation.
In the meantime the two conductors shall prepare the Candidate, whose right knee shall be bared, and holding the Bible with both hands, he shall be conducted by the two Knights to the door of the Chapter room, which on an alarm being given shall be opened by the H.: one of the Knight Conductors shall make the sign of sprinkling the side posts and lintel ot the door, and the H. shall say:
Herald: What mean ye by this sign?
Sir Kt. Conductor: It is symbolic of the passing of the Angel of the Lord over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians and delivered His people.
The Entrance Password is then divided between the Herald and the Kt. Conductor, and the two Conductors with the candidate enter the Chapter room, where they are received by the Marshal, provided with chairs, placed as per plan, where the candidate remains during the singing of the following hymn, all the Companions being seated except the Marshal, who stands with drawn sword (at the carry) opposite the candidate.
 
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
 
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
 
Before the hills in Order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
 
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
 
D.C, rising and addressing candidate: Bro. ..., Behold the abode of the Sir Knight Companions of the Royal Scarlet Order. Here are to be found loyal men and faithful Knights who are banded together to uphold the King and the Constitution, defend the flag of our country, and maintain the Protestant Faith. Here all should dwell together in peace and harmony, ever seeking the advancement of the cause of truth and righteousness.
Are you prepared to proceed further?
Candidate answers.
D.C.: It is well; I admonish you, however to take heed lest you fall.
The Conductors, along with the candidate, rise up as if to proceed to the centre of the room, when the Marshal, who is still standing with the sword at the carry, calls “HALT!” The W.C. gives * and rising addresses the candidate: Why do you hesitate? What do you now require?
Candidate, prompted by Conductors: To be exalted to the dignity of a Knight Companion of the Illustrious Order of Royal Scarlet.
W.C.: It is a noble ambition. You ask that which has been sought by many and often refused. This Order of Knighthood to which you seek admission is conferred only upon those who have shown by their conduct that they are worthy of advancement. For this reason, and believing you to be what the rules of our Illustrious Order require, we consent to your exaltation, reminding you that none is permitted to receive this honor who is not sworn to maintain the integrity of the Empire, uphold the King and the Constitution, defend the flag of our Country, and preserve intact the connection between the Dominion of Canada, Newfoundland and the British Empire. Do you promise to abide by those our conditions of membership?
Candidate answers.
W.C. to candidate: Be seated.
C.Chap., rising: The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: The blood shall be unto you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses; for whosoever eateth leavened bread, from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
W.C., addressing the Companions: We will now partake of the feast in commemoration of the Passover.
The Marshal advances to the centre of the room with his sword at the carry, salutes the W.C. by coming to the “present”, which is answered by the W.C. raising his right hand to the forehead, after which the Marshal returns sword to scabbard and resumes his station.
Two Junior Knights shall then pass the bread around to the Kt. Comps. (excluding the candidate), the water following the bread in the same order.
When the ceremony is completed with all due solemnity, the W.C. shall give *.
W.C.: Bro. ..., Rise up and get ye forth. Go, serve the Lord as ye have said.
The Conductors with the candidate shall then proceed to the centre of the room opposite the W.C.
W.C., addressing the candidate: You will now kneel on your bared knee, place both hands on the open Bible, say “I,” and give your name in full, and repeat after me.
W.C. gives * * * when all the Comps. shall rise, give the sign of Kt. and remain standing.
 
 
Obligation
 
I do solemnly and voluntarily promise that I will inviolably preserve the whole and every part of the secrets of a Kt. Comp. of the Illustrious Order of the Royal Scarlet, and that I will never disclose the whole or any part thereof, except under such regulations as may be established by the Grand Orange Lodge of British America. I likewise solemnly and voluntarily declare that I am a true and faithful subject of His Majesty, and that I will, to the latest moment of my existence, preserve and maintain a faithful and steady allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain—being Protestant. I also solemnly and voluntarily declare that I will not wrong or injure, or cause to be wronged or injured, any Kt. Comp. of the Royal Scarlet Order; that I will give notice, if in my power, of all approaching danger which may come to my knowledge; and that in all things lawful I will give him the preference and support and assist him in his need to the best of my ability, where such preference and assistance may not tend to my own injury, or interfere with the duty I owe to my wife or family. That I will obey all summonses, pay all just dues when levied, and attend all meetings, if within my power. I solemnly and voluntarily promise that I will use my best endeavors to maintain the Royal Scarlet Order, that I will obey its ordinances, maintain its character, extend its influence, and promote its interests, to the best of my ability. So help me God, And may He keep me steadfast in this my obligation of the Royal Scarlet Order.
W.C.: Bro. ..., By this obligation you are bound unto death.
All the Companions: Faithful unto death.
W.C. gives *.
W.C.: You will now be conducted to the C. Chap.
Comp. Chap: We beseech Thee, O Lord, to hear our prayers and that Thou wouldst deign to bless this Thy servant. Endow him with wisdom from on high, to the end that he may be a true and faithful member of this Illustrious Order. Pardon whatever Thou hast seen amiss in this our service and help us to live together in the bonds of true Christian fellowship, and to Thee shall we ascribe all the honor and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
Marshal conducts the candidate to the centre of the room opposite the W.C., and buckles a sword around his waist.
W.C., addressing candidate: Receive this sword. Use it in your own lawful defence, and if needs be, draw it in defence of your country. Candidate draws sword. By its brightness it is an emblem of Faith, by its point it is an emblem of Hope, and by its guard it is an emblem of Charity. Fear no perils whilst thou are true to thine obligation, be firm and steadfast in the cause of truth Candidate sheaths sword; and even as you now place this good sword, bright and unsullied, in its sheath, take heed lest you defile its brightness by drawing it in an unjust cause.
The W.C. shall now approach the candidate, and taking the spurs, shall say: Seest thou these spurs. They signify to you that even as the disobedient and unruly horse fears their stroke, so must thou dread to depart from thy faith and from thy oath. They will now be placed upon the lowest part of thy person to remind thee that, although gold is of much value, it is not to be preferred to thy honor.
The Conductors then buckle on the spurs.
W.C.: We now know thee to be one of those who will be true to the obligation you have this night freely and voluntarily taken.
W.C. hands robe to Marshal, who places it on candidates shoulders.
W.C.: Beneath this robe mayest thou find a shelter from all evil influences that may assail thee, and a sure protection in thy hour of need.
The Marshal shall now present the scarlet cord to the W.C., who shall say: Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall. Be prudent and watchful. This yoke is pleasant and easy to be borne. By this scarlet cord I bind thee in token of thy obligation and admission to our Illustrious Order. And as I now cast this cord behind thee, Here the W.C. throws the end of the cord over the candidate’s left shoulder so will we cast thee out from amongst us shouldst thou prove an unworthy Companion.
The W.C. gives * * when all the Sir Kt. Comps. present assemble in a semi-circle behind the W.C., with the D.C. in the centre and the P.W.C. and Chap. at either end. The W.C. then directs the candidate to kneel, and sprinkles his head with the water, after which he will give the G T A S D T D W I Y sign, which is to be repeated by all the Comps., from right to left. Then follows the grip, in like order; and lastly the pass. The W.C., then striking the candidate three times on the shoulder with the sword, shall say: In the name of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick; in token of the union of the Empire which thou hast sworn to defend, I dub thee Knight. Arise, Sir ..., Be thou vigilant and brave, ever ready to maintain the dignity, and preserve unsullied the reputation of the Illustrious Order of Royal Scarlet.
All but the Candidate and Conductors shall then be seated.
The following hymn shall then be sung:
 
Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armor on:
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son.
 
Stand, then, against your foes,
In close and firm array;
Legions of wily fiends oppose
Throughout the evil day.
 
Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace.
And fortify the whole. 
 
W.C.: Comp. Lecturer, You will now instruct the Candidate in the secret work of the Royal Scarlet Order.
The signs, passwords and lecture will then be communicated to the Candidate.
The W.C. will now deliver the following charge: Sir Knight , Having passed through the other degrees of the Brotherhood, you have now been admitted to companionship in this the highest degree of the Loyal Orange Association. You will have observed that through every grade the Word of God is to be your guide through life. It is also expected of you that you will hold life itself as a trust from your Heavenly Father, to be employed in His service and the advancement of His kingdom. After the obligation you have freely ad voluntarily taken, it will only be necessary for me to remind you that you will be expected to obey the Rules and Regulations of this Chapter and conform to the ceremonies of this Illustrious Order. Prove yourself to be worthy of the trust which has been reposed in you by your Companions. And I charge you on your honor as a Christian that in your life and conduct you bring no discredit upon the high and noble principles we are individually and collectively pledged to maintain. I now invest you with a scarlet sash, the distinctive badge of this Order, and may God our Father, who is a tower of strength to all those who put their trust in Him, be your support and your guide as long as life shall last.
The Conductors now retire to their stations, and the Marshal takes his place, at the side of the candidate, and leads him in front of the W.C., who rises and addresses him as follows: Companion ..., You will now retire with the Marshal to the anteroom and work your way out and into the Chapter room.
The Marshal will return to the Chapter room with each candidate in the order in which they were exalted. The Marshal before entering, must allow sufficient time to permit a small Union Jack. 3 x 6 feet, to be spread on the floor a short distance from and in front of the D.C., and a guard of honor (consisting of six or more Kt. Comps, three or more on a side) shall form on either side of the flag, with swords, if they have them, at the carry, and leaving space on each side for the candidate to walk towards the D.C. without walking on the flag. As each candidate enters and salutes the chair, the W.C. shall rise and address him as follows: Sir Kt. Comp. ..., I am pleased to see that you have paid such due attention to the instructions given you that you were able to work your way into the Chapter room. You will now face the D.C. for further instructions and admonition.
D.C.: Sir Kt. Comp. ..., You will please come forward, passing through the guard of honor, and give me the grip.
NOTE: The Marshal faces about with the candidate and remains in that position until he receives further instructions from the D.C.
The candidate moves forward. Should he put a foot on the flag, the Kt. Comps. on guard will bring their swords to the “thrust”, pointing to his breast; or, if they have no swords, will stop him with their arms, and the D.C. will reprimand him in the following words: Sir Kt. Comp. ..., You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. You have sworn to be a true and faithful subject of His Majesty the King. Is it the part of a true and faithful British subject to trample under his feet-the symbol of Britain’s power and glory, and of sacred blood-bought liberties? Learn from this to be ever on the watch that you fail not in word or act.
If the candidate passes to the D.C. without walking on the flag, the D.C. will extend his hand and receive the grip and say: Sir Kt. Comp. ..., You have proved yourself a right worthy Kt. Comp. of the Illustrious Order of Royal Scarlet. You have shown that you are thoroughly imbued with a proper respect and reverence for the symbol of Britain’s power, and the liberties we all so highly prize. May you ever prove as vigilant and worthy a Knight Companion as you have now done.
When all the candidates have passed through this ceremony, the D.C., holding a flag in his hand, will say: Sir Kt. Comp. ..., This flag is the flag of your country. Beneath its protecting folds we live in peace, in the full enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. It has been carried to victory in every quarter of the habitable globe. It speaks to us of a thousand victories by land and by sea. It has sunk in the gloom of disaster, but has never gone down in disgrace. Be true to the flag; it is the flag of the Empire, and we look upon it with more than a common affection. The eye of patriotism kindles when the sunbeams kiss its folds, for it is to us an emblem of Britain’s power, a symbol of British justice, the glory of the past and the hope of the future of this Dominion.
“We use it to show our devotion
To our King, to our Country and Laws;
It’s the outward and visible emblem
Of advancement and Liberty’s cause.
 
You may say it’s an old bit of bunting;
You may call it an old colored rag;
But Freedom has made it majestic,
And time has ennobled the flag.”
 
D.C.: Marshal, You will now present the candidate to the Past W.C., from whom he will receive final instructions.
Past W.C.: Companion, You have been invested with the emblems of this degree and raised to the dignity of a Sir Kt. Companion of the Royal Scarlet Order. I will now instruct you further in their significance. The flax reminds us of the agreement entered into between Rahab and the two spies whom she concealed, and who were sent by Joshua out of Shittim into Jericho. The King of Jericho sent unto Rahab to bring forth the men, but she brought them to the roof of her house and hid them with stalks of flax, and when the danger had passed, she made them swear unto her that they would also show kindness unto her father’s house, and give her a true token. And they answered, I S V X A W U B X U I V X R I S V G X W U X R I S X S D D B V X Y I D X D Z W G X I S V X L S G W Y B G G X. And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath, which thou hast made us to swear. She then let them down by a cord from the window. May this lesson ever call to your mind your obligations of fidelity and covenants with your Companions. The lamb, chalice and bowl are symbolical of the solemn rites of the Feast of the Passover. The lamb was selected and slain on the night of the exodus of Israel, and its blood being sprinkled upon the door-posts of the house of Israel, afterwards became the symbol of the salvation of their first-born from death. The destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt, leaving sadness and death to every family, from Pharoah down to the meanest of his subjects, passed over the houses the door-posts of which were sprinkled with the blood of the slain lamb. It also reminds us of the “lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world”. The Union Jack, we cannot help looking upon it with more than common love, for it contains the red, white and blue, emblematic of the mottoes of our Order: Faith, Hope and Charity. The red is for zeal and warmth in the “faith” of our noble cause. The white is for purity of thought, peace and good will, of promise and “hope” to every Sir Knight Companion. The blue is for fidelity to the last and that sweet “charity” that loveth still beyond the tomb. I will now introduce you to your future associntes. Sir Knights, you will now come forward and welcome our new Companion.
 
 
Closing
 
W.C. gives * * * when all the Comps. rise and come to the sign of Kt.
W.C.: Comp. Treasurer, What are the receipts of the evening?
W.C.: Companions, Our duties for the evening being ended, you will now assist me in closing (or adjourning) this Chapter.
Chaplain and Companions: Our Father, which art in Heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil; for Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
W.C.: I now declare this Royal Scarlet Chapter adjourned (or closed) in due form.
God Save the King
The W.C. will give * *   * *   * followed in the same manner by the D.C., the Herald and Sentinel, after which the W.C. shall give *.