Patriotic Order Sons of America
Ritual for the Blue Degree
Opening Ceremony
When the time has arrived to open Camp, the President will call to order
and say:
PRESIDENT: Brothers, this Camp is about to open for regular
business. Officers and members will assume regalia, and take their stations. All
present not members of this degree will please retire.
After allowing a reasonable time, the President continues.
PRESIDENT: The Guard will close the outer door. The Secretary
will call the roll of officers and note the absentees.
If any officers are absent, the President fills the vacancies by
appointment at this time.
PRESIDENT: The Conductor, after examination by the Master
of Forms, as to his knowledge of the pass-word and duties, will see that the
Inspector and Guard are at their stations and possess the pass-word. He will
then return and report.
After examination of the Inspector and Guard, the inner door having been
closed, the Conductor advances to the saluting ground, faces the President, and
reports without saluting.
CONDUCTOR: Brother President, the doors are closed and
guarded, and each post of duty
filled. The Camp is ready to open.
PRESIDENT : Brother Conductor, are you
satisfied that all present are entitled to remain?
The Conductor remains on saluting ground, and carefully scrutinizes every
person present. If any one is unknown to him as a member, or he doubts his right
to remain, the Conductor shall direct him to the Master of Forms, whose decision
in the matter shall be final; and when satisfied that all are entitled to
remain, reports as follows:
CONDUCTOR: Brother President, I am satisfied.
Conductor then resumes his station.
PRESIDENT, ***: Brothers, under Providential
rule and guidance, we have met as patriots should, to labor for the land we love
─free America. Let each in his station strive to do honor to our noble
cause, to advance its interests and be a credit to his country and himself.
Studying to be faithful to our solemn pledges, let no envious shadow dim the
light of love and patriotism, no discord rise nor discontent be known in our
Camp. Let us proceed as men and patriots to perform the duty which is plain
before us, that of perpetuating the liberties given us through our sires, a
sacred heritage. Let us in peace, harmony, sincerity and truth,
fulfill that work.. We will now sing the Opening Ode
O Columbia, the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot’s devotion,
A world offers homage to thee.
Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When Liberty’s form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the Red, White and Blue.
When war waged its wide desolation,
And threatened the land to deform,
The ark then of Freedom’s foundation,
Columbia, rode safe through the storm;
With her garlands of victory around her,
Thus so proudly she bore her brave crew,
With her flag proudly floating before her,
The boast of the Red, White and Blue.
The Star Spangled Banner bring hither,
O’er Columbia’s true sons let it wave;
May the wreaths they have won never wither,
Nor the stars cease to shine on the brave.
May America’s sons ne’er sever,
But they to their Union prove true,
The American cause forever─
Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue.
CHAPLAIN: Father, King of the Universe, to whom alone a
freeman bends the knee, met here to serve the country which Thou hast blessed
with freedom, we ask Thy light upon our labors and in our hearts. dive us
strength to do good and power to resist all evil. Be pleased to bless our Order
everywhere, and bind it together in peace, harmony and fidelity. May our work be
so done, as to meet Thine approval; and when life’s duties are all over, call
us up to Thee, we ask, in the Savior’s holy name. Amen.
Camp responds: Amen.
After which the Conductor lights the Blue Altar light. The President then
says:
PRESIDENT, *: This Camp is now in business
session.
Initiatory Ceremonies
PRESIDENT: We are ready to confer the Degrees of the Order
upon candidates found worthy and elect. The Conductor will ascertain if any
such are in waiting.
The Conductor retires to perform this duty, and makes a record of the
names of the candidates, and the degree for which they present themselves. On
his return, he advances to the saluting ground, salutes the President, and says:
CONDUCTOR: Brother President, in the anteroom I find in
waiting, Bro. … for the Blue
Degree.
PRESIDENT: Brother Recording Secretary, do you find that Bro.
…
has been elected to receive Blue Degree).
RECORDING SECRETARY: I do.
Initiation in the Blue Degree
PRESIDENT: Brothers, we are ready to confer the Blue
Degree. Brother Recording Secretary, has brother been elected to receive the
Blue Degree?
RECORDING SECRETARY: It is so recorded.
PRESIDENT: If there is any cause which should prevent the
initiation of this brother, now is the time to make it known.
If objections are made by any member, and sustained by a majority of those
present, the application shall be again referred to the committee for report at
the next regular meeting If no objections are made, the President says:
PRESIDENT: Brother Financial Secretary, collect the fee.
Financial Secretary retires to ante-room, and on returning reports at
the saluting ground, after saluting:
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Brother President, the fee is
paid.
PRESIDENT: Brother Conductor, introduce the candidate.
Conductor retires to ante-room, places a White Degree regalia on the
candidate, takes his arm, and hails the Inspector by three laps. Inspector
opens the door widely and says in a loud voice:
INSPECTOR: Who seeks entrance?
CONDUCTOR: The Conductor, with a Son of America desiring
advancement to our highest Degree.
INSPECTOR, closing door: Brother President, the
Conductor of this Camp with a Son of America desiring advancement to our highest
Degree.
PRESIDENT, ***: Let him be admitted.
The Conductor escorts the candidate directly to the saluting ground and
says:
CONDUCTOR: Brother President, this candidate has taken the
Obligation of a Son of America, and successfully passed through the Red and
White Degrees. He now desires to have conferred upon him the Blue Degree, that
he may be fully prepared to carry out the sacred principles of our Order.
PRESIDENT: Brother
from the Red and White, standing at the portals of the Blue, you have signified
your desire of being advanced to this final Degree. Let me assure you that none
but the worthy can have that privilege. We have watched your course, and would
never have received you had we seen anything amiss in your actions, or had you
shown a disposition to treat the great principles upon which our Order is
founded, as of little importance. Before further advancement, it will be
necessary to record your favorable responses to certain questions, which have
been assented to by every member of this Degree.
Question 1: Have you in the two preceding Degrees
become so satisfied of the necessity for, and the value of this organization,
that you desire to reach that height where true fidelity and earnest
patriotism, receive a just reward?
Candidate answers: I have.
Question 2: Are you willing to pledge life, honor
and fortune to your country in her hour of need?
Candidate answers: I am.
Question 3: Me you willing to stand by this loyal
brotherhood until death calls you hence, assured by us that no dishonorable or
disloyal act will ever be demanded of you?
Candidate answers: I am.
Question 4: Do you pledge renewed obedience to
all the laws and usages of this Order, holding true allegiance to its lawfully
elected heads, and in no respect withholding your entire faith from us?
Candidate answers: I do.
CHAPLAIN: Oh Lord, look upon this brother; prepare his
heart; quicken his understanding; and enlighten his judgment that he may duly
comprehend and properly appreciate the great responsibilities he assumes.
Inspire his heart with love for Thee, our country and our Order. We pray for Thy
blessing upon every member of this Camp. Keep us ever faithful; foster fraternal
love; knit our hearts firmly together.
Hasten the day when all men shall enjoy the
blessings of freedom, and finally, when done with us here below, transfer us to
that noble band of patriots on high, where Thy name shall have all the praise.
Amen.
ODE.
AIR: “Nearer My God to Thee.”
We will uphold the right,
Put down the wrong,
Never give up the fight,
Until vict’ry’s won.
Serve with heart, head and hand,
God and our native land;
So shall our path be bright,
To our latest day.
PRESIDENT, *: Brother, death alone will
release you from the covenants you have assumed in this Order, and this step
must give direction to your future life. Go on, my brother, in your noble acts
of Patriotism, Charity and Fraternity, and often, in your struggle through life,
think of Washington and his compatriots, and though you may sink to rest less
honored than they, yet your name will be inscribed on the scroll of this
patriotic band, who have joined hands to preserve Peace, Union and Liberty now
and forever.
There shall be placed in some suitable part of the hall, preferably near
the Vice-President’s station, a frame to support movable curtains, behind
which shall be prepared the tableaux described hereafter, to be exhibited at the
proper occasions by separating or dropping the curtains. At the conclusion of
the address by the President, the, Conductor takes the arm of the candidate,
escorts him around the hall, and delivers to him the following lecture while
marching, as if conversing
CONDUCTOR: You have just taken upon yourself the sacred and
solemn pledges of the Blue Degree. The recording angel has already winged his
way to the courts of heaven and registered them against your name. For a
faithful performance of these vows yon will be held accountable by your brethren
on earth, and your God in heaven.
At this point the Conductor halts the candidate, facing the curtain, but
at the opposite end of the hall. The lights in the hall being turned very low,
the curtain is drawn aside, revealing the first tableau, which consists of a
group of “Continentals.” In the opening of the frame there should be
stretched tightly a thin, transparent curtain, through which the tableau is seen
faintly, as if it exhibited but the spirits of departed Continentals. There
should also be a light behind the screen, directed upon the tableau.
CONDUCTOR, standing still with candidate, facing tableau: The martyred Sons of Liberty who have proven faithful to their
obligations,
and sealed their devotion to their country in the life-blood of their loyal
hearts, are hovering about our Camp this evening, and their spirits are
gladdened at witnessing more Sons of America advanced in the Order.
The curtain then closes, and, after a slight pause in silence, the
Conductor resumes the march about the hall with the candidate, and continues his
address as follows:
May their example and the memory of their
sufferings in the cause of liberty, be with and perpetually about you, inspiring
you to a more faithful discharge of your duties as a member of this Order.
Remember the covenant yon have entered into. It binds you until death calls you
hence. Then be faithful to God, your Country and your Order.
The Conductor then halts the candidate at the same position as before,
while the curtain rises, displaying the second tableau, which consists of a
gallows with rope attached, and a figure standing beside it, as if ready for
execution.
CONDUCTOR: Brother, you now witness a scene which should
deeply impress your mind with the importance of being true. Behold before you
what should be the fate of him who, by perjury, betrays his country. Death,
ignominous
death, should be his portion. Contemplate the scene.
After a slight pause the curtain closes and the Conductor resumes the
march about the hall with the candidate, and continues his address:
Ponder well the lesson. Let it be deeply impressed
upon your memory. Reflect that your days on earth are few, and that soon your
resting place will be the narrow confines of the coffin and the grave. It is
while living that you must be faithful and true. Be therefore true, and memory
will weave bright chaplets of honor around your name, and you will be remembered
as a true Son of America. Passing years will add a new lustre to your deeds of
brotherly love and patriotism, while he who is false, will die a death of
perjury and shame, his memory a reproach. Be true, honor God, your Country and
the Order, and obey their laws; and may God strengthen us all to keep our vows
to this brotherhood.
At the conclusion of this address, the candidate is halted at the station
of the Master of Forms. Lights are turned up.
CONDUCTOR: I now introduce you to the Master of Forms for the
final instructions, whereby you become entitled to all the privileges of this
Order.
MASTER OF FORMS: Brother, you have again
obligated yourself to unite in carrying forward the principles of our Order, and
we hope that in endeavoring to promote them, you will do it with malice toward
none, with charity for all, but firmness in the right as God gives you to see
the right. It now becomes my duty to put you in possession of the secret work of
this Degree.
Done.
Brother, you have been fully instructed in the
secret work of this Order. The Vice-President will clothe you in regalia.
Conductor escorts the candidate to the Vice-President.
CONDUCTOR: Brother Vice-President, this brother has taken all
the obligations and pledges required, and has been placed in possession of all
the secrets of our Order. He now asks from you the regalia that will enable him
to take his seat among us.
VICE-PRESIDENT: Brother, history informs us that
secret societies are of ancient origin, and that their votaries in the times of
great ignorance, superstition and slavery, gallantly defended the weak and
oppressed, protected virtue and honor, and aided to enlighten the age in which
they lived. It is certain that during the dark and bloody days of the American
Revolution, our forefathers bound themselves together in secret brotherhood by
vows, resolving to rescue their native land from the hands of its tyrannical
rulers.
We should strive to emulate the example of
Washington, and the hosts of heroes who fought and died for freedom. They lived
not for themselves alone, or to gratify their personal ambition or desire of
fame. They loved their country. They loved liberty. Eternity alone will reveal
all the sacrifices they made in its behalf. Wealth, fame and honor, all. were
staked on the altar of their country. They dared all; braved all; for the
liberties you now enjoy. Truly their patriotism and brotherly love are worthy of
our emulation, and it is for the purpose of perpetuating that liberty, that we
are now banded together.
This regalia, with which I am about to clothe you,
is symbolic of your country’s flag, in hue and design. We hope you see its
emblematical significance, and will wear it with a consciousness of pride and
honor. The red and white stripes indicate purity of purpose and sincere
devotion; the blue field, determination to uphold the right as God gives you
to see the right.
Vice-President then places the Blue Degree regalia on the candidate, while
the members sing the Ode as follows.
ODE.
AIR: “Sweet Bye and Bye.”
There’s a band that is loyal and true,
The “Sons” of an Order who stand,
‘Neath the folds of the Red, White and Blue,
To protect and to watch o’er the land.
CHORUS:
O the Red, White and Blue,
It shall wave o’er the brave evermore,
O the Red, White and ~Blue,
It shall wave o’er the brave evermore.
At the conclusion of the singing, the Vice-President says:
VICE-PRESIDENT: Brother Conductor, escort the
candidate to the Past President for final advice.
This being done, the Past President says:
PAST PRESIDENT: Brother, during your progress in
this Patriotic Order, you have been conducted by a succession of steps,
accompanied
by appropriate lessons, each more beautiful and instructive than that
preceding, until at last you have reached the pinnacle occupied by patriots
and lovers of their native laud. From this height, looking back over the road
you have so successfully traveled, I trust you are fully impressed with the
magnitude and importance of our country. This morning’s sun reddened the
shores where the “Cradle of Liberty” was rocked to the sound of the Atlantic
thunders, and its parting beams at evening still crimsoned the shore of our
country, where the “Golden Gate” opens into the ocean Pacific.
You have been shown the dangers which surround free
America, and the secret influences which constantly essay to destroy the
citadel of our liberties. An apprehension of these dangers, and a natural
solicitude for your welfare, prompts me on this occasion, to present for your
contemplation some sentiments which appear to me, to be all important to the
permanency of our native land.
Past President here displays picture of “Goddess of Liberty.”
Look upon this emblem of your nationality, the
tutelary spirit that presides over our destinies as a nation, the bright
Goddess in whose shield is woven the glorious trinity of freedom’s
imperishable colors. As you look upon it, may it cause you to remember that we
are citizens of one common country; that the shadow of the same flag has fallen
on all our birth-places, and that each one here expects its folds to drape his
coffined form, when the heart that pulsates now is stilled and motionless
forever. In reflections, such as these, let the virtue of “Fraternity” take
deep root in your natures; for if we would preserve America united, free and all
powerful, our affections must be concentrated upon “God, our Country and our
Order.” The name, “American,” which is ours in a national capacity, should
arouse all our pride and patriotism; and it invites a careful. study of
everything calculated to promote her interests.
See to it that you respect your constituted
authorities; that you obey all legal enactments; for such are the fundamental
principles of our country and this Order. Let the Bible be your guide. In its
pages you will find the truths which have come to us from the time when Moses
wrote, and Joshua judged, and David sang; eternal principles which the founders
of governments have neglected in times past, but which now triumph in the
foundation and superstructure of the American Republic. Through its teachings
you will, at all times be able to shield your country, and confound the enemies
of civil and religious liberty.
I now welcome you to a full knowledge of the final
degree of this Patriotic Order. You have been instructed in the duties an
American
owes to his country. Be yours the courage to perform those duties.
Candidate is then conducted to the desk of the Recording Secretary to
sign the Constitution, and when this has been done, he is taken to the saluting
ground. President gives three raps *** and
steps forward to the saluting ground, grasps the candidate by the hand and says:
PRESIDENT: By the authority in me vested, I welcome you, and
declare you a member of this Camp, entitled to all the privileges and fellowship
of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of the United States of America.
President then resumes his station, gives one rap, and declares a brief
recess.
Closing Ceremonies
When a motion to adjourn has been made and seconded, or the Camp reaches
that order of business, the President shall say:
PRESIDENT, *: Is this Camp ready to cease its
labors?
This question is not debatable. If no objections are made, the President
proceeds. If objection is made, the President puts the question, and acts in
accordance with the will of the Camp.
PRESIDENT: Brother Financial Secretary, you will please
report the receipts and expenditures.
This being done, the President says:
PRESIDENT: Brother Conductor, you will please collect the
Rituals and return them to the Master of Forms.
Conductor collects all Rituals except President’s. President then
says:
PRESIDENT, ***: Brethren, we have concluded our
labors this evening like Americans, who know the true value of freedom.
Beyond these walls let us ever be watchful that
there may be no unguarded moment in which our secrets may be divulged, or our
Order brought into disrepute. We will now sing the Closing Ode.
AIR: “Auld Lang Syne.”
Columbia, my native home,
If e’er my fate should be
In foreign lands, to toil or roam,
My heart will cling thee.
Columbia, O how I prize
Thee, native land of mine!
Italia’s blue and sunny skies
Are not more bright than thine!
Columbia, no other land
Is half so good: so free;
Though diadems may them command,
Thy laurel wreaths for me.
Columbia, where’er I go,
My healt will ever be;
Through joy or grief, through weal or woe,
My native land with thee.
At the conclusion of singing, the Chaplain steps to the Altar and closes
the Bible. The President then says:
PRESIDENT: The Conductor will convey these forms to the
Master of Forms.
After the President’s Ritual book has been handed to the Master of
Forms, the President says:
PRESIDENT: This camp is closed.