Fraternal Order of Eyes
Ritual of the First or Left Eye Degree

1954

Opening

M.E.: Fellow O.S.. Obs.
OBS.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Your place and Duty?
OBS.: Without the door to prevent entrance to those not qualified.
M.E.: Report to tour station and attend your duty.
M.E.: Fellow Senior Eye.
S.E.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Are you sure all present are Fellows of this degree?
S.E.: I am sure, Master or I will ascertain and report, Master.
Fellow S. and J. Obs. pass around the Chapter and collect the pass. (Pass collected) See Chapter.
M.E.: I wish them to come to order as such.
Due Guard. R.H. as if Covering H.B. L.H. over L.E.
S.E. raps ***: Fellows, it is the Master’s orders, that we come to order as Left Eye Fellows.
M.E.: *.
Note: These questions and answers below are used in closing except the word closing Chapter is used in place of opening Chapter.
M.E.: J.O.
J.O.: M.E.
M.E.: What are your duties when Left Eye Fellows are assembled?
J.O.: To see that the Chapter is properly observed.
M.E.: Attend your duty and inform the outside O. B. S. we are about to open.
J.O goes to door and inform Obs.
J.O.: Master Eye.
M.E.: J.O.
J.O.: The O. B. S. is informed.
M.E.: S.E.
S.E.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Where are you from?
S.E.: From a Chapter of Left Eye Fellows.
M.E.: What come you here for?
S.E.: To learn to use my eyes.
M.E.: I presume you are a Left Eye Fellow?
S.E.: I was obligated as such.
M.E.: The J. E. place?
S.E.: At the left of the M. E. in the South
* *, all officers stand.
M.E.: Junior Eye.
J.E.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Your Duty?
J.E.: To observe the will of the Chapter, and to assist the Senior Eye as the left eye assist the right.
M.E.: S. E. Place?
J.E.: At the right of the M. E. in the north.
M.E.: Fellow S. E.
S.E.: Master Eye.
M.E.: Your Duty?
S.E.: To assist the Master Eye in opening and closing of the Chapter.
M.E.: I charge you to attend that duty, and inform the J.E. and he the Fellows that we are going to close our eyes to the outside and open them in this Chapter, during which time may we see eye to eye.
S.E.: Fellow J. E.
J.E.: Fellow S. E.
S.E.: The Master informs me, we are going to close our eyes to the outside, and open them in this Chapter, for work, this you will announce so they may be properly informed.
J.E.: Fellows, you have heard the orders of the Master by the S. E. so govern yourselves accordingly.
M.E.:S. and J. OBS. escort the O.P. of prayer to Altar.
O.P.: All seeing Eye, who observes all the Universes; grant us permission to work for good in Thy name. Amen.
M.E.: I declare this chapter open.
Fellow S.O. display the H. B.
Fellow J.O. inform the outside O.B.S..
S.O.: M. E. the H. B. is displayed.
J.O.: M. E. the Obs. is informed.
 
 
Initiation
 
M.E.: Fellow J.O. inquire if there are any Blind Youth waiting for initiation.
J.O.: M.E. there are … number of blind youths waiting for this degree.
M.E.: Assistant Obs., retire, prepare and announce the candidates.
Asst. O. alarms the door with 2 raps.
M.E.: Fellow S.O. find out the cause of the alarm.
S.O.: Who knocks as a fellow of the Order of the Eyes?
Asst.O.: A Fellow of the Order with a … number of blind youth, who have asked to see the light and mysteries of our Order.
S.O.: Have they been properly petitioned, investigated and balloted upon’?
Asst.O.: Yes, at a previous meeting of the Eyes.
S.O.: Are they properly prepared?
Asst.O.: Yes, tied blinders, Guide line, and a willing heart.
S.O.: Be patient, I will inform the M. E. and return his answer.
Reports to M. E., where same questions are asked and like answers returned.
M.E.: Let the Asst.O. by the aid of his Line, Guide the Candidates to the room.
S.O.: Candidates, on entering this Chapter of L. Eyes, you are received with a light stroke over your Left Eye with the H. B. to remind you never to reveal the secret of this degree to any one unlawfully.
M.E.: S.O. you will conduct the candidates to the J.E. and then to the S.E. that they be satisfied that you are properly prepared.
S.O. conducts Candidates to J.E. and then to S.E. where the following questions are asked.
J.E.: What come you here for, and who are these blind youth?
S.O.: They are … number of blind youth, who seek to be made fellows in our order.
J.E.: Have they been properly petitioned, investigated and balloted upon?
S.O.: They have, and have been favorably accepted to receive the rites of a Fellow.
J.E.: They are properly prepared I see−then pass them to the S.E.
The S.E. ask the same questions as the J.E.
M.E.: How did the J.E. and you as S. E. find these candidate?
S.E.: Ready and right to receive the rites of this order.
M.E.: Then fellows, let us lend our eyes and hands to these blind youths, that they to, may see the light
M.E.: S.O.
S.O.: M.E.
M.E.: Cause these Candidates to kneel at the Altar, their left hand over their Left Eye, right hand on Holy Bible, to receive Obligation.
S.O. causes Candidates to kneel and says: Candidates are in order.
M.E. gives obligation which is as follows.

First Degree Obligation

Say I, repeat name, in the presence and under the observation of the Almighty God and his all seeing eye, do declare and swear, here and now, on this Holy Book, the rule and guide of my fathers, that I will keep my eye or eyes on those principles that will lead to a better, safer and more helpful way of life. If I wilfully violate this pledge, may I loose my Left Eye forever. so help me God.
M.E.: S.O. remove the guide line.
M.E., to candidates: As you are now, what would you most desire?
Candidates, prompted say: The use of my eyes.
M.E.: As you are just starting to see light for the first time, it is my order that you receive it, but slowly.
At this point the blinders are removed.
M.E.: As you regain the use of your Eyes, you observe me as M.E. standing on the D.G. of a L.E. Fellow. This D.G. and sign you are always to give on entering or retiring from a Chapter of L.E. Fellows.
Fellow S.O. you will conduct the candidates to the J.E. and then S.E. for further questioning.
J.E.: Who have you here?
S.O.: A … number of L.E. fellows.
J.E.: Have they proof of their identity?
S.O.: Yes, a D.G. and Sign.
J.E.: Show me that proof.
Candidates give D.G. and Sign.
J.E.: The proof is right, you may pass on to the S.E.
S.O. conducts candidates to S.E. where the same questions and like answers are given as at J.E. station.
And then to M.E. where same questions and like answers as before.
M.E.: S.O. conduct the candidates to my right to receive the chart work, and then to the Altar to receive their charge.
Candidates at right of M.E. for Chart.
 
 
First Degree Chart Work
 
I. The Eyes, the organ of sight. Mankind has marvelled at the invention of camera, by which permanent records of landscapes, faces, buildings and countless other objects are made. Yet, the EYE, by which man obtains so many of his sense impressions, is more wonderful than any camera ever invented. To understand how it operates, one must know something of the way it is made.
A. The white gives it form and protection.
B. The Cornea is called the window.
C. The Iris is called the pupil or regulator.
D. We in this Order, compare these parts thus:
1. The White is a symbol of purity to teach us pure form in all our activities.
2. The Cornea the Window through which we see right and wrong, tells us to look for the right always.
3. The Iris, pupil or regulator, teaches us that as the Iris regulated the sight to the proper focus, so should we regulate our actions that the whole world will hold us in high regard.
II. The Guide Line is that line by which we are guided into the mysteries of the Order of the Eyes; Teaches us that when we are in darkness; by the aid of our mental guide line, we may be led to the right path.
III. The Blinder remind us that as we were blinded, so should we keep all others blind to the secrets of this Order until they should be entitled to them.
IV. The Bible is that book by which all men see the light and should be our book for divine observance.
V. Two hands joined together in a firm friendly grip, tells us that we should see to it that all people and especially fellows keep a friendly and firm grip for all mankind.
VI. By this yawning chasm we are taught to use our Bes to avoid pitfalls of trouble and wrong.
Candidates at the Altar to receive the Charge.
 
 
First Degree Charge: Faith
 
I congratulate you on your desire for light and wisdom and on your courage in taking the step on the path that leads out of darkness. As the blinder is now removed from your eyes you behold the Holy Bible.
As it has been the guide and source of wisdom to your fathers, let it be your spiritual guide and source of wisdom. The Holy Bible, being a symbol of faith and religious freedom, you are solemnly urged to ever walk in the light of its open pages.
The attribute of this degree is FAITH. Have faith in yourself, in your CREATOR, and in your future. You are expected to be faithful to your Order and to every trust that may be placed in you.
M.E.: Fellows, this concludes our initiation.
NOTE: The same questions and answers are used in closing as in opening, where the word opening appear, use CLOSING.

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