Grand United Order of True Reformers
Ritual of the Third Degree or Degree of Charity
W. G. M.: W. Con., you will examine the members and see if they
are in possession of the Third Degree Password and report.
1875
W. Con.: D. G. M., all the members present are in possession of
the password.
D. G. M.: W. G. M., all the members present are qualified to
remain.
W. G. M.: The members will rise while the D. G. M. opens the Lodge
in the Third, or Degree of Charity.
Three raps.
D. G. M.: By the desire of the W. G. M., I declare this Lodge
opened in the Third, or Degree of Charity, for the purpose of conferring its
honors.
W. G. M.: I declare it so opened. One
rap.
W. G. M.: W. Con., you will retire to the ante-room, prepare the
candidates, and when ready, you can give the usual alarm, three loud knocks upon
the door.
D. G. M.: Who comes there?
W. Con.: Brothers (or sisters) of the Degree of Hope, who wish to
be initiated in the mysteries of the Degree of Charity.
D. G. M.: Admit them.
Before the W. Con. enters with the candidates, a curtain is drawn across the
Lodge room. The W. Con. brings in the Candidates and leads them to the opposite
side of the room, where sits an old gentleman clothed in a dark robe, with a cap
or turban on his head, with a mask on, and as the W.
Con. approaches him with the candidates, he says:
W. Con. to the candidates: This is one of our venerable
Patriarchs, he seems to be quite feeble, yet he has always something good to
communicate. Hear what he has to say:
Patriarch, rising up, with cane in hand, says: Strangers, I hope
you will not deem me imprudent in the few words I have to communicate. I was
once young and buoyant in my feelings as most young people are; but those days
have passed away, and with them the buoyancy of youth has fled; and now, as you
see, I am old and infirm; the frosts of many winters have left their marks upon
me; the visions of the past are to one like a dream which has no reality, I have
proved the sayings of the wise man that childhood and youth are vanity; that it
is unwise to hope and expect pleasures here that cannot be realized. Be content,
therefore, with that state in which a kind Providence has seen fit to place you,
and hope for no more than a just reward for a virtuous and diligent course of
life. Live not for yourselves alone, but live to do good unto others, then shall
your peace be as a river, and your righteous acts like an overflowing fountain.
W. Con. to the candidates: I will now introduce you to our W. G.
M. for further instructions in this Degree.
At this moment the Patriarch unrobes himself, and takes his seat. The W. Con,
commences marching around the Lodge-room while the D. G. M. reads:
D. G. M.: Have compassion on the poor and regard their sufferings;
watch for opportunities of doing good and when presented, do it with a willing
mind and cheerful heart. Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he
dwelleth securely by thee. Say unto thy neighbor, go and come again and
to-morrow I will give when thou hast it by thee.
W. G. M.: A faithful man shall abound with blessings but he that
maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
To have respect of persons is not good, for God is no respecter of persons.
Let thy heart do right, so shall thy ways please him.
Brothers (or Sisters,) it is with pleasure that we initiate you into this
glorious institution, for it is one in which we all delight. It is founded upon
the principles of total abstinence from, the intoxicating cup, and a more
blessed and glorious enterprise was never engaged in by mortal beings. The cause
of Temperance lays at the very foundation of our national glory. It promotes
peace, prosperity and happiness; it gives virtue to character, and plants living
hopes around the abodes of the rising generation. It is an enterprise which
ranks high in the scale of moral improvement. It is a Divine cause, and as
ancient as the Bible. Yes, that Holy Book is a great temperance record, and this
institution, and all others have derived the materials for their frame-work from
that immortal Book, and all who esteem the cause of temperance should love that
Book for its temperance doctrines, if nothing more. It is a noble and benevolent
enterprise, and we rejoice at every accession made to our number. We bid you
welcome among us, and most earnestly do we beseech you to cooperate with us in
all its laudable objects. You will now place yourselves in the proper position
to receive the obligation. Three raps.
Obligation
In the presence of the members of the Degree of Charity here assembled, I do
solemnly promise, declare and say that (in addition to my former Obligations) I
will keep secret and never shall reveal any of the signs, tokens, grips, alarms,
warnings, passwords, or other secrets belonging to this or any other degree I
have taken or may hereafter take, to any person or persons under any pretence
whatever, unless to a member of this Degree. I furthermore promise, declare and
say that I will render all the aid that I can to a Brother or Sister of this, or
any other Degree of the Order, and in violation of my pledge to be dealt with
according to the Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Order. So in sincerity of
your pledge you will kiss this Book. One rap.
W. G. M.: Intemperance, view it in what light you may, carries the
form and wears the garb of an enemy. It is an old enemy, known in the days of
the patriarch Noah. It is an enemy to kings and kingdoms, to rich and poor, to
body and soul. Alas! how many indulgent parents have gone down to their graves
lamenting that they have brought this deadly poison into their houses. It is
truly an awful subject to contemplate; but its progress has been stayed and we
cherish the hope that the time is of no distant period when its remains will be
entirely banished from the world. It is for this object we intend to labor and
put forth our best efforts, and it will be expected of you to render such
service to the cause as circumstances may place within your reach.
Brothers and Sisters, we feel that we are building upon a firm foundation,
and that the Temperance cause must ultimately succeed, It is so closely
connected with the religious principles of the Bible, that nothing can succeed
to overthrow it. The reformation from drunkenness to sobriety prepares the way
for the reception of the Gospel which is destined to fill the world. Hence all
who are working in this great moral reformation, are, in a certain sense,
working for God and the salvation of mankind. True, we may obtain no reward
here, but a consciousness of doing right, yet we shall reap a just renumeration
hereafter if we faint not.
There are to this Degree a Countersign, Alarm sign, & Token, a Grip, and
a Word.
The countersign is given thus, by placing the right hand upon your heart and
let it fall to your side.
The alarm sign is given by placing the right hand upon the forehead with the
head inclined downward.
The token is the word Dragon.
The grip is a grasp of the three fingers and thumb
Te word is the word faith, and is to be used as the Pass; and in case of
distress there are seven words to be used, and they are, I cannot hold out any
longer.
Brothers (or Sisters,) you are now entitled to all the honors and privileges
of the 1st, 2d, and 3d Degrees of the Order.
In the name of the Grand Lodge, I declare you fully instructed in the
mysteries of the Third Degree. You will salute the chairs and be seated.
W. G. M.: The members will rise while the D. G. M. closes the
Lodge in the Third Degree. Three raps.
D. G. M.: By the desire of the W. G. M. I declare this Lodge
closed in the Third or Degree of Charity.
W. G. M.: I declare it so closed. One
rap.