Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employes
Initiation Ritual

 
1963

Opening Ceremony
 
During this ceremony no members will be admitted to the lodge room. They may, however, be admitted to the ante-room.
The hour for meeting having arrived, the President assumes his station, gives * and says:
PRESIDENT: Members will be seated and officers repair to their respective stations.
If any stations are vacant the President will fill them temporarily from the members present, after which he will continue.
PRESIDENT: Brother (or Sister) Sergeant-at-Arms, see that all lodge-room doors are secured, all official stations filled and then ascertain if all present are entitled to remain.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Worthy President, your order has been obeyed. The doors are securely guarded, all stations filled, and all present are entitled to sit with us.
PRESIDENT: My duties are to preside over the lodge without fear or favor; to maintain order and decorum; to enforce the laws of the Brotherhood; ever having its welfare at heart by conducting the business of ray office with malice toward none and equal rights for all.
This organization is a democratic institution founded upon the principles of equal and exact justice toward all members, and since its very being is preserved and maintained by the Constitution and Laws of our Nation it is appropriate and fitting that we affirm our allegiance and fidelity to the flag that symbolizes our liberties, our laws and our fellow American citizens.
The members will face the flag and repeat with me the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
The Chaplain will invoke the Divine Blessing.
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
CHAPLAIN: Our Father, Who art in Heaven as a body we congregate in this lodge room for the betterment of our fellow-workers and the furtherance of our cause; lead us that we may do all things well. Amen.
ALL ANSWER: So let it be. *.
PRESIDENT, *: I now declare this lodge open for the transaction of such business as may legally come before it. * A pause to allow all to be seated. Brother (or Sister) Inner Guard, you will now permit such members of the lodge who are qualified, Grand Lodge Officers, employees of the Grand Lodge and Board of Adjustment members as may be in waiting, to enter.
If there are others in waiting who desire to enter, you will ascertain their name, address and lodge number and report to me. The lodge may, by a majority vote, invite them to enter.
A short recess to receive a report from the Inner Guard and to permit those qualified to enter and be seated.
PRESIDENT, *: We will now proceed to the regular business of the lodge. Members will please pay attention.
 
 
Initiation
 
PRESIDENT: Brother (or Sister) Sergeant-at-Arms, retire to the ante-room and ascertain if there are any candidates in waiting.
The Sergeant-at-Arms retires, obtains the names of candidates if any are in waiting, returns to the lodge room and stands directly behind the altar facing the President:
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Worthy President, … gives names in full are in the ante-room awaiting your pleasure.
Sergeant-at-Arms resumes his station.
PRESIDENT: Brother (or Sister) Secretary, you will proceed to the ante-room and ask the necessary questions, making a record of the answers. Brother (or Sister) Financial Secretary, you will accompany the Secretary and collect the required fees and dues from such as have not already paid them, and furnish the candidate (or candidates) a copy of the constitution and laws.
Secretary and Financial Secretary retire and carry out the President’s instructions, after which they will return to the lodge room and their stations, when the President will inquire:
PRESIDENT: Brother (or Sister) Financial Secretary, Has the candidate or have the candidates paid the required fees and dues?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Worthy President, he or she has, or they have.
PRESIDENT: Brother (or Sister) Secretary, has the candidate, or have the candidates been duly proposed and elected, and otherwise qualified for initiation by making proper answers to all questions?
SECRETARY: Worthy President, he or she has, or they have.
PRESIDENT: Brother (or Sister) Sergeant-at-Arms, you will retire and prepare the candidate or candidates for initiation.
PRESIDENT: Officers and members, during this sacred initiation allow nothing to occur by either word or deed to detract the attention of candidate or candidates from the ceremony or mar the impressiveness of the initiation.
Sergeant-at-Arms retires, prepares the candidates and advances to the inner door, giving thereon * **, which will be answered in the same manner by the Inner Guard, who will then open the door, admitting the Sergeant-at-Arms with the candidates. Sergeant-at-Arms will march candidates once around the lodge room halting them at the altar, facing the President, and say:
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Worthy President, I present to you … names them who are awaiting to be initiated into our noble Brotherhood.
PRESIDENT: Friend or friend, as you are about to enter upon new duties, form new ties and assume other obligations, and as no one should endeavor to do these things without first asking for Divine help the Sergeant-at-Arms will place you in proper position, and the Chaplain will implore the Almighty Ruler of the universe to give you strength to keep sacred and inviolate the obligations of the Brotherhood.
The Sergeant-at-Arms then places candidates in position to receive the obligation, by putting their open right hand over their hearts, and says:
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Worthy President, the candidate is or candidates are in proper position. PRESIDENT, * * *: Brother (or Sister) Chaplain, advance to front of altar and offer prayer.
CHAPLAIN: As we undertake new obligations, it is most fitting that we first of all ask for guidance and protection of Him who knoweth all things, seeth all things and directs the steps of those who put their trust in Him. We therefore at this time implore Divine blessing upon the exercises of this hour and earnestly pray that this candidate or these candidates may be fully impressed with the importance of the step he or she is, or they are about to take. May he, she or they fully realize the power for good that may be exercised by the united effort of those who are banded together by the bonds of fraternal love and the ties of brotherhood: that he, she or they may here and now, in the presence of God, and his, her or their fellow members fully determine that henceforth he, she or they will become (a) faithful member(s) ever performing the duties that shall devolve upon him, her or them and thus aid in achieving for our united Brotherhood those things for which we are striving. Amen.
ALL ANSWER: So let it be.
PRESIDENT: My friend(s), we extend to you a cordial welcome; we are pleased that you are identifying yourself or yourselves with your fellow workers in this organization and that henceforth your labors and influence will be for our mutual benefit. This Brotherhood is dedicated to the laudable purpose of defense, self-protection, the improvement of our mental, moral and social conditions and the elevation of our occupation. Rest assured, there is nothing in this obligation contrary to your religious or political belief. With this assurance, are you willing to take an obligation, which on your honor binds you to keep as long as life remains? If so, answer, "I am."
President leaves his station, advances to altar and administers obligation. The Sergeant-at-Arms, as well as candidates, will repeat the obligation.
PRESIDENT: You will now repeat after me the following obligation, each of you pronouncing your name where I use mine:
I, …, of my own free will, in the presence of Almighty God and this assembly, do solemnly promise and declare that I will keep sacred and inviolate this obligation and the secrets of this Brotherhood, and will not repeat outside of this lodge room any transaction whatsoever which may have taken place therein to anyone other than those whom I know to be members in good standing.
I hereby declare that l have been furnished with and have accepted a copy of the Constitution and Laws of the Brotherhood, I will obey the Constitution and Laws of this Organization and submit to the jurisdiction^ processes and procedure specified and set out therein, and will comply with all orders emanating from its proper officers, when in conformity therewith and in consideration of the privilege of membership conferred upon me, I hereby agree without mental reservation to fulfil my obligation, duties and responsibilities to the Brotherhood.
I further agree. to remain loyal and true to the principles policies and objectives of the Organization, and will support it in its efforts to attain them and will not engage in any conduct lending or designed to thwart or defeat the purposes, policies and objectives of this Organization. I will not knowingly wrong of defame a member myself, or allow it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it.
I will assist a member at all times in so far as my means or ability will permit and will guard a member's interest as my own.
I will employ, or assist a member of this Brotherhood to secure employment, in preference to a non-member.
I further declare that I will purchase all material for my personal use bearing the union label where such is obtainable.
I further declare that I nominate and designate the Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employes as my duly accredited and authorized bargaining agent in all matters affecting my employment relationship with my employer, as long as I am a member of the craft and class represented by the Brotherhood.
I further promise and declare that I will not under any circumstances resort to or bring suit in any court or courts either Federal, State or Provincial until after I have exhausted all my rights and used all means at my command within and under the laws of the Brotherhood.
I further declare that should I from any cause leave this order my obligation shall remain binding and in full force.
To all of this I promise and declare that I will keep and perform the same to the best of my ability, so help me. God and may He keep me steadfast.
ANSWERED BY ALL: We have all witnessed your solemn obligation.
PRESIDENT: I now extend to you my right hand in token or brotherly love, and with it you will receive the grip, the words accompanying it …. Your attention is now called to the story of the bundle of sticks; bound together it is impossible for you to either bend or break them; withdraw one and it may easily be bent or broken.
Here we learn a lesson in unity which proves that in unity there is strength and so it is with you. Alone, you will be compelled to yield and break, but, bound by the cords of Brotherhood, Rectitude and Conservatism, a giant's strength would be expended in vain. Therefore, as no chain is stronger than its weakest link, see to it that you are not a detective link in our fraternal chain, so that in times of imminent peril and danger to our Brotherhood the chain of mutual interest which binds us together may not be broken. Strive to attend the meetings of your lodge regularly and thus prove your interest, and by close attention to its workings you will at all times be able to prove yourselves worthy members of this great Brotherhood.
The Sergeant-at-Arms will now escort you to the President's station, where, in order that you may be thoroughly conversant with it, I will instruct you in our secret work. *.
President returns to station and Sergeant-at-Arms conducts candidates once around lodge room, halting them in front of and facing the President, who proceeds:
To enter a lodge room, while the lodge is in session, you will give any alarm at the door that will attract the attention of the Guards, and to them you will present current Membership Card. This will admit you to the lodge room. You will then give the annual and term password of the Brotherhood. These words are: Annual: …; Term: ….
You will then be seated.
The voting sign, which is used for both an affirmative and negative note, is made thus: ….
Your right to visit lodges other than the one in which you hold membership must be agreeable to the lodge that you desire to visit.
The gavel in the hands of the President is used to govern the movements of this lodge. * calls to order or seats the lodge if standing. ** calls up the officers, and *** calls up the whole lodge.
This ends your instructions. May your membership with us be for our mutual benefit, and may we never have cause to regret the confidence which we have reposed in you. You will now face about and as your name is called take two steps to the front, so that the members may recognize you and know you by name.
PRESIDENT: Members of … Lodge, No. …, I take great pleasure in introducing to you Brother or Sister … names them, who is now entitled to share in all the benefits and privileges of our noble Brotherhood.
 
 
Closing Ceremonies
 
PRESIDENT: Members, we are about to close this lodge. Does any one know of anything which has been left undone, that cannot be reasonably deferred until our next regular meeting?
Short pause to give members an opportunity to bring up any matter that may have been overlooked, after which the President continues.
PRESIDENT: The Chaplain will now invoke the Divine Blessing. * * *.
CHAPLAIN: Our Father, Who art in Heaven, after we depart from this room, having done our full duty, and carried out our vows according to our promise, by Thy grace cause us to remember our obligation, and refrain from discussing any transactions which have taken place in this meeting with or in the presence of anyone except those whom we know to be members of this Brotherhood in good standing. Amen.
ALL ANSWER: So let it be.
An ode is sung.
PRESIDENT: Sergeant-at-Arms will now collect the Rituals, regalias and report.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Worthy President, your order has been obeyed.
PRESIDENT: Members, before we leave, let us all remember our obligation. There being no objections, I now declare this lodge closed until our next meeting, … (Date Day of week and month).

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