1st Section
Council is seated. SM enters alone and lights candles at lectern, then takes
seat.
HP ***: Companions, by virtue of the power in me vested, I now
declare this Grand Council open. Companion Warder - you
will so proclaim.
W goes to top of stairs and proclaims: By
the order of the Excellent High Priest, I proclaim the Grand Council is now
opened.
Closes door and returns to station.
HP: Companions, the Grand Council is in
session. * All are seated.
Z in outer room. The
Grand Omnificent Royal Arch Word should be communicated by the class directors,
Z (if necessary) and the class prior to the start of the degree. The G.O.R.A.W.
is the indefinable name of deity and is communicated by three R.A.M. under an
arch and over a triangle. If Z does not help communicate the word then the class
director should report to Z that the word has been correctly communicated.
Companions, I am now to become your conductor. I will therefore represent
you, speak for you when necessary and answer for you such questions that you may
not be able to answer for your selves.
In prep room gives *** *** *.
W: Excellent HP, there is an alarm
HP: Companion W attend the alarm.
W: Who comes here?
Z: Several Companions, who, having received all the necessary
preceding degrees of Freemasonry, now solicits the honor of being admitted to
the Grand Council.
W: How do they expect to gain admission?
Z: By the Grand Omnificent Royal Arch Word, which they have
correctly communicated.
W: Await the order of the Excellent HP.
Closes door and returns to station.
Excellent HP salutes, returned by HP the
alarm was caused by several Companions, who, having received all the necessary
preceding degrees of Freemasonry, now solicits the honor of being admitted to
the Grand Council.
HP: How do they expect to gain admission?
Z: By the Grand Omnificent Royal Arch Word, which they have
correctly communicated.
HP: Admit them.
W returns to prep room door and opens it:
You have permission to enter.
Z with K and other candidates enter and take position in front of chairs
prepared for them at the foot of the Grand Council opposite the High Priest and
remain standing.
HP: Companions, the Council here assembled
represents the Grand Council convened at Jerusalem in the second year of the
reign of Darius, King of Persia, to deliberate upon the unhappy condition of the
country, and to devise means whereby they might secure the favor and protection
of the new sovereign, and obtain his consent to their proceeding with the
building of the City and Temple.
After the death of Cyrus, the Jews, whom he liberated and sent back to
Jerusalem, were forbidden by Cambyses, his son and successor, to continue the
work of rebuilding, and at the time this Council was convened the work had
ceased during several years.
Zerubbabel, the royal prince of the house of Judah, participated in the
deliberations of that council, and we have admitted you to this presence in
expectation that you will assume the name and represent the character of that
illustrious prince, whose hands laid the foundation of the second temple, and
whose hands the Lord promised should finish it.
Are you willing to assume his name, represent his character, and participate
in the deliberations of this Council?
Z prompts candidates to respond as well: I
am.
HP: Zerubbabel, you will then be seated with your Companions, and
the Council will give attention to the reading of a lesson from the records of
our fathers.
After Z is seated, Hp goes to lectern and reads from the scroll. When
finished he returns to his seat. Readings on page 23 of Black Ritual.
You see, Companions, how our enemies have made false accusations against us,
hired counselors, and finally by force and power have caused the work entirely
to cease. If any Companion has a suggestion to make as to how we may obtain the
favor and protection of the new Sovereign, let him now speak.
Z: Rises and addresses the Grand Council in
front of the High Priest at the foot of the Council.
Excellent High Priest, our sovereign Lord, Darius the King, having ascended
the throne of Persia, our people are inspired with new hopes of securing his
protection and support in the noble and glorious work of rebuilding the City and
Temple.
For, while in private life, Darius made a vow to God that should he ever
ascend the throne of Persia, he would rebuild Jerusalem and its Temple, and
restore all the holy vessels remaining in Babylon.
Having been formerly honored with the favorable notice, and even friendship
with the King, I now with confidence offer my services to this Grand Council. I
will cheerfully undertake the hazardous enterprise of traversing the Persian
dominions and seeking admission to the presence of the King. Should I be
successful, I will embrace the first favorable opportunity to remind him of his
vow and empress upon his mind the almighty force and importance of Truth.
Well knowing his piety, integrity and reverence for sacred things, I
entertain no doubt of securing his consent to our enemies being driven away, so
that we shall be no longer hindered or impeded in our noble and glorious work. Sits.
HP: Companions, you have heard the generous offer of Zerubbabel. Do
you accept?
Each council member reads his argument.
HP: Companions, your arguments are all well
chosen and worthy of serious consideration. Now we must
make a decision. Do you accept?
Cou rising hands, as if voting: We
do.
HP rises: Zerubbabel, Z & K rise this
council accepts your noble and generous offer, and I will forthwith invest you
with the necessary passports by which you can make yourself known to the friends
of our cause, wherever you may meet them. But before
confiding to you so important a mission, one of vital interest to our cause, I
must first require of you a solemn pledge to be faithful to the trust we are
about to repose in you. If you are willing to make such a pledge, place your
right hand on your heart and answer me truly.
Do you, on your honor as a RAM, in the presence of God and these witnesses,
declare that you will be forever faithful to the trust we are about to repose in
you?
Do you solemnly promise to keep inviolable our secrets, and to maintain the
honor of this Council even at peril of your liberty and life?
Z: I do. Z prompts candidates to answer
with him.
HP: Having knowledge of your former obligations, and confidence in
your present declarations, I will invests you with a sword. Let
Zerubbabel be girded and an escort formed.
W picks up sash and sword and goes to K. HP also goes to K. W presents sword
to HP who draws it. W then puts scabbard on K.
Receive this sword. Its glittering blade should symbolize the purity of your
intentions. With it you will be able to defend yourself against your enemies and
maintain the truth.
Presents K with sword and directs him to put it in the scabbard.
I will now invest you with this green sash. Place
over Zerubbabel. Accept it as a peculiar mark of our esteem. Wear it
as a perpetual incentive to the performance of every duty and rest assured that
the memory of him who falls in a just cause is blessed and shall ever flourish
in immortal green. The Companion Warder will now invest you with the Jewish
pass.
W: Companion, the Pass is given with three
cuts of the sword, thus. Guard, Give cuts done.
It is given over an arch of steal, which our swords now
form. Advance your left foot, place your left hand on my right shoulder as I
place mine on yours. The Pass is Juda, and the Response is Benjamin. The
Companion challenged will give the Pass, and if correct, the Companion
challenging will give the Response. Carry – Swords.
W returns to his station.
HP: Zerubbabel, you are now prepared for your hazardous journey. When
dangers threaten, remember that your cause is just, and that you are armed with
a trusty sword. Should occasion demand its use, be valiant, yet prudent.
Returns to station and gives ***. All rise.
O God, we ask Thy blessing upon the great and important undertaking we are
about to enter upon. O Lord, give our noble Prince, Thy servant, the strength,
power, wisdom, and courage he will need to bring the plight of our people to the
new King. May our people again become free men in order that they may better
serve Thee. We pray for these things in Thy name, O Jehovah. Amen.
Zerubbabel, farewell. May the God of our fathers protect you and speed you on
your way.
Z quietly to the Candidates: Follow me.
Zerubbabel and Candidates retire with escort (if escort is available). Jewish
Council disbands and all paraphernalia is removed preparatory to the journey
scene. Guards are posted and the bridge is put in place in the Southwest end of
the Lodge. Three Persian Guards are placed at the bridge. The floor must be
cleared in front of the curtain for the journey scene.
HP: * All are seated and the class is taken out. The
degree team will retire when the class has left.
The Journey (2nd Section)
Z conducts class into chamber where Jewish guards, a bridge and Persian
guards have been set up.
1JG: HALT! Who comes there?
Z: A friend.
1JG: Advance, friend, and give the Pass.
Z advances and gives pass.
1JG: Correct. Pass on.
Z passes 1JG who falls in behind Z. (Only if Zerubbabel doesn’t have an
escort from the previous scene. The Guard will stay in place if Z has an
escort.) Z advances to 2JG.
2JG: HALT! Who comes there?
Z: A friend.
2JG: Advance, friend, and give the Pass.
Z advances and gives pass.
2JG: Correct. Pass on.
Z passes 2JG who falls in behind Z. (The same rules apply as with the first
Guard) Z advances to bridge.
Z: We have now reached the river that forms the boundary line
between our own country and the realm of Darius, the King. To
the escort: You
can accompany me no further. Over this bridge, I must pass alone and pursue my
journey without escort.
The following prayer by Zerubbabel is optional. If used it should be given at
this point just before the crossing of the bridge. Candidates and escort kneel
with Z while he prays.
Almighty, everlasting and eternal Jehovah, the only true and living God,
whose throne is in heaven, yet who regardest alike the Princes and the people on
earth – I thank Thee for the many mercies and blessings with which Thou hast
been pleased to crown my life.
Be mercifully near at all times and give me the aid of Thy Holy Spirit to
guide me into the presence of the King. Grant me Thy Grace to cheer and
strengthen me on my journey through the Persian Dominions and deliver me from
the snares and pitfalls that may befall me.
Give Thy mercy unto Darius, the King, and grant him strength in performing
his vow to rebuild the City and Temple of our God – the performance whereof,
with his own mouth, he has vowed to the King on Heaven.
These things, O Great and Eternal Jehovah, I ask in Thy Name. Amen.
All Rise
To escort: Farewell. God speed my hazardous undertaking.
Escort retires. Candidates cross bridge one at a time and stand aside as Z
crosses and meets The Persian Guards on the other side of the bridge.
PG: HALT! Who comes here?
Z: A friend.
PG: Advance, friend, and give the Countersign.
Z advances and attempts to give pass.
PG: WHAT?
Z repeats pass.
PG: Ho Guards! An enemy! A spy! Seize him!
Disarm him!
Guards rush to Z, seize him and deprive him of his sword and sash.
Z: Why treat me thus? Why
this violence? I am neither an enemy nor a spy.
PG: Who are you then?
Z: A Prince of the House of Judah, the first among my equals –
and a Mason.
PG: You? A Prince of the House of Judah?
Where are you from?
Z: Jerusalem.
PG: What is your name?
Z: Zerubbabel.
PG: What do you desire?
Z: An audience with your Sovereign.
PG: Only as a captive and slave can you approach his Majesty.
Z: Then lead me to his presence.
PG:
Guards, clothe him in the garb of slavery, and
bind him in fetters.
Done.
Captive and slave, follow me.
PG leads Z and other guards out of the chamber.
3rd Section
PG: *** *** **.
W: Sovereign Master, salute there is
an alarm.
SM: Companion Warder, attend to the alarm.
W goes out: Who comes here?
PG: A detachment of his Majesty’s guards, who have made captive
of one whom they suspect to be an enemy and a spy.
W: Who is he?
PG: He claims to be a Prince of the House of Judah, the first
among his equals, and a Mason.
W to Z: Where are you from?
Z: Jerusalem.
W: What is your name?
Z: Zerubbabel.
W: What is your desire?
Z: An audience with the King.
W: Your request shall be made known to his Majesty.
W closes door and returns to his station and salutes: The alarm
was caused by a detachment of his Majesty’s guards, who have made captive of
one whom they suspect to be an enemy and a spy.
SM: Who is he?
W: He claims to be a Prince of the House of Judah, the first among
his equals and a Mason.
SM: Where is he from?
W: Jerusalem.
SM: What is his name?
W: Zerrubabel.
SM: Z? What does he desire?
W: An audience with your Majesty.
SM: Companion Master of the Cavalry MC salutes, returned
You will repair to the gates of the palace and conduct the captive hither.
MC carries, left faces, marches north to about two paces from north side of
chamber, turns west to prep room door: Is he armed?
PG: He is not.
MC: Then follow me.
Brings in Z by a direct path, accompanied by PG and Gds. They throw Z to the
floor about six feet from dais.
SM salutes: I have brought hither the
captive.
Steps back. All four remain with Z.
SM comes down from dais, approaches Z and look intently at the captive. Shows
signs of recognition and surprise: This is no
enemy; it is indeed Z, friend and companion of my youth. Zerrubabel
(Z rises) having gained admission to our presence, we command that you
forth with declare the particular motive that induced you, without our
permission, to pass the confines of our domain.
Z rises to his knees and stretches forth hands: Oh
King, live forever! The tears and complaints of my
companions at Jerusalem have brought me hither. My people were liberated by King
Cyrus, and commanded to "build the house of the Lord God of Israel, which
is in Jerusalem." But, by command of King Cambyses, the work ceased, and
our adversaries on the other side of the river have ever since hindered and
impeded our noble and glorious efforts to rebuild the City and Temple of our
God.
Therefore I have come hither to implore your Majesty’s favor and
protection. And I now beseech thee, O King, to restore me to thy confidence and
esteem, and grant me admission among the servants of the royal household, until
it shall please your Majesty to give me audience on behalf of my people.
SM walks back to his chair as if in deep thought, is seated and says: Z,
I have often reflected with much pleasure on our intimacy and friendship. I
have also learned with great satisfaction of your fame as a wise and
accomplished Freemason. Having long entertained a profound veneration for that
ancient and honorable Institution and a sincere desire to become a member
thereof, I will at once grant your request and confer upon you one of the
principle offices of our household, on condition that you reveal to me the
secrets of Freemasonry.
Z rises to his feet and assumes a more bold and determined attitude: SM,
when our Most Excellent Grand Master, Solomon, King of Israel, governed the
Craft, he taught that "TRUTH is the divine attribute, and the foundation of
every virtue." My engagements are sacred and
inviolable; I cannot reveal our secrets.
SM confers in silence to PC on his right. PC rises,
gets strong box and displays it to SM who fingers the jewels, then motions
toward Z.
PC approaches Z and makes gestures and sounds trying to tempt Z into giving
his secrets. Gives up and returns to the dais.
Z: If I can obtain your Majesty’s
clemency only at the sacrifice of my integrity, then I humbly decline the royal
appointment, and cheerfully will I submit to exile, or even death.
SM: Z., your virtue and integrity are truly commendable, and your
fidelity to your engagements worthy of imitation. From
this moment you are free. Extend
scepter. Guards, strike off those chains done.
Remove that garb of slavery done. May they
never again disgrace so pure a Mason, so noble a Prince.
Prince Master of the Palace wait for salute
bring forth a royal robe and cloth Z. in habiliments befitting his rank
PMP repairs to south side of castle and brings out cape and crown. Approaches
Z and clothes him. When finished, step back one step and
says: Thus shall it be done unto the man whom
the King delighteth to honor.
Returns to station and is seated. MC, PG and Gds also return to station.
SM: Z., we greet thee and assign thee a
place in our household.
Waits until seated.
Princes and Rulers, a banquet in honor of this visitation to you Sovereign
awaits you. Its enjoyment will be enhanced by the events of this occasion.
The banquet is served.
From time immemorial, it has been the customer of the sovereign of this
realm, on occasions like the present, to propose certain topics for
consideration, and to bestow princely gifts upon the one found wisest in the
discussion. In conformity to that custom, I now propose the following question,
with the assurance that he who gives the most satisfying answer shall be
suitably rewarded.
Which is the greatest: The strength of wine, The power of the King, or, The
influence of woman?
Pauses and looks for a response. When none comes:
Price Chancellor stands, what say you?
PC rises and bows:SM, it is the opinion of
your Chancellor that the strength of is the greatest.
SM: Prince Master of the Palace stands what is your
opinion?
PMP rises and bows: SM, it is the opinion of your Master of the
Palace that the power of the King is the greatest.
SM: Prince Z, waits have you
an opinion to offer?
Z rises bows: I have your Majesty. In my
humble opinion the influence of Woman is greater than the strength of Wine, or
the power of the King, but above all thins TRUTH beareth away the victory.
SM: Sayest thou that truth beareth away the
victory? Prince Z, this is an important addition you have
made to our question and it shall have consideration.
Princes and Rulers, let the discussion begin. Prince Chancellor, wait
are you prepared to maintain your opinion by argument? If so, begin.
PC rises and bows to SM, faces the audience: O
ye Princes and Rulers, how exceedingly strong is wine. It
causeth all men to err that drink it; it maketh the mind of the King and the
beggar to be all one; of the bondman and the freeman; of the poor man and the
rich; it turneth also every thought into jollity and mirth, so that a man
remembereth neither sorrow nor debt; it changeth and elevateth the spirits and
eliveneth the heavy hearts of the miserable. It maketh a man forget his brethren
and draw his sword against his best friends. O ye Princes and Rulers, is not
Wine the strongest that forceth us to do these things?
SM: Prince Chancellor, your argument is
well chosen.
Prince Master of the Palace wait are you
prepared to defend your position?
PMP rises and bows to SM, faces the audience: It is beyond
dispute, Oh Princes and Rulers, that God has made man master of all things under
the sun; to command them, to make use of them, and apply them to his service as
he pleases; but whereas men have only dominion over other sublunary creatures,
Kings have an authority even over men themselves, and a right of ruling them by
will and pleasure. Now, he that is master of those who are
masters of all things else, hath no earthly thing above his.
SM: Prince Master of the Palace, your
argument is both pleasing and forcible, being well calculated to maintain the
dignity of the throne.
And now, Prince Z, we will hear the reason for your opinion and for the
important addition you have made to our question.
Z rises and bows to SM, faces the audience: O
Princes and Rulers, the force of Wine is not to be denied; neither is that of
Kings, that unites so many men in one common bond of allegiance; but the super
eminency of Woman is yet above all this; for Kings are but the gifts of Women,
and they are also the mothers of those that cultivate our vineyards. Women
have the power to make us abandon our very country and relations, and many times
to forget the best friends we have in the world, and forsaking all other
comforts, to live and die with them. But when all is said, neither they, nor
Wine, nor Kings, are comparable to the almighty force and of TRUTH. As for all
other things, they are mortal and transient, but TRUTH alone is unchangeable and
everlasting; the benefits we receive from it are subject to no variations or
vicissitudes of time or fortune. In her judgment is no unrighteousness, and she
is the strength wisdom, power, and majesty of all ages. BLESSED BE THE GOD OF
TRUTH!
PC& PMP stand and rise hands: Great is
TRUTH and mighty above all things.
SM, standing, remove crown and holds it up with right hand: BLESSED
BE THE GOD OF TRUTH!
All seated and SM consults with PC & PMP: Z. approach and
touch the scepter, for thou hast found favor in our sight.
Done.
Z, ask what thou wilt and we will give it thee, because thou are found wisest
among thy companions.
Z: O King, remember thy vow, which thou
hast vowed, to build Jerusalem in the day when thou shouldest come to thy
Kingdom, and to restore the holy vessels which were taken away out of Jerusalem.
Thou hast also vowed to build up the Temple, which was
burned when Judah was made desolate by the Chaldees. And now, O King, this is
that I desire of thee, that thou make good the vow, the performance whereof,
with thine own mouth, thou hast vowed to the King of Heaven.
SM: Prince Z, it shall be done. We
will faithfully fulfill our vow. Passports shall be
issued to you and orders given to all of the officers throughout the realm that
they give you and those who may desire to accompany you safe conduct back to
Jerusalem. There you shall be no longer hindered or
impaired in the rebuilding of your city and temple. We will also send back to
Jerusalem all the holy vessels remaining in Babylon. And behold we make a
decree.
Writes. When
finished: Master of Dispatch wait until he
arrives and hand decree to him read aloud the decree.
Done.
Princes and rulers, to perpetuate until all ages the remembrance of this
happy occasion, and the events which have renewed our earlier friendship with Z,
we propose to found a new Order. It shall be instituted to inculcate the
almighty force and the importance of truth. It shall be forever known as the
Illustrious Order of the Red Cross. And upon you Z, as further proof of our
friendship and esteem, we will confer the honor of creating you its first
member. But before we can do so we must demand of you a solemn vow to be forever
faithful to the Laws and Regulations which we now establish for the government
of the Order.
Companion Master of Finance wait bring
forth from the Treasury the alter of Masonry that was brought out of Jerusalem.
Altar is moved to center of chamber. The Persians have no idea what to do
with the alter so Z helps the Master of Finance, arranging the square, compasses
and bible are arranged and a kneeler is placed. Z returns to chair. When
finished: Prince Z, you will now approach the
alter, on which lies a copy of the sacred writings of your people and what we
are assured are the symbols of your Ancient Craft
Z goes to class, conducts K to the altar.
SM: You will kneel on your left knee, your right knee forming a
square, your left hand resting on the Sacred Writings, Square and Compass, and
your right hand on your heart.
Z places K in position as SM directs.
SM: Princes and Rulers, arise and witness these vows.
The class and the active candidate will say "I," your name, and
remain silent.
Of my own free will and accord, in the presence of the Supreme Architect of
the Universe and these witnesses, do here by and here on most solemnly and
sincerely promise and vow, that I will forever keep and conceal the secrets
belonging to the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross; that I will not communicate
them to any one except to a true and lawful companion of the order; and not unto
him until after due trial, strict examination, or lawful information I should
have found him lawfully entitled to the same; or within the body of a regular
and duly constituted Council of the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross.
I further promise and vow, that I will stand to and abide by the rules and
regulations of this or any other Council of the Illustrious Order of the Red
Cross of which I may hereafter become a member.
I further promise and vow, that I will always answer and obey all due signs
and regular summons sent to me by lawful authority or give me by the hand of a
true and lawful Companion of the Order, if within the distance of 40 miles,
natural infirmities or unavoidable accidents alone excusing me.
I further promise and vow, that I will vindicate the character of a true and
lawful Companion of he Order, when traduced and that I will assist him in all
lawful occasions.
I further promise and vow, that I will not assist at the forming or opening
of a council of the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross unless there shall be at
least 9 regular Companions of the order or the representatives of three separate
councils acting under a lawful warrant.
I further promise and vow, that I will not assist in or be present at the
conferring of this order upon any person who shall not have regularly received
all the necessary preceding degrees of Free Masonry, to the best of my knowledge
and belief.
The class and the active candidate will now repeat after me:
To all this / I solemnly and sincerely promise and vow, / with a firm and
steadfast resolution / to observe and perform the same, / without any
equivocation, / mental reservation, / or self evasion of mind in me what ever; /
binding myself under no less a penalty / than that of having my house pulled
down, / the timbers thereof set up / and I hung there on; / and that until the
last trumpet / shall sound / I be excluded from the society / of all true and
courteous companions / of this order, / should I ever knowing or willingly /
violate this my solemn vow / as a Companion of the Illustrious Order of the Red
Cross, / So help me God and keep me steadfast.
About faces and returns to throne, picks up scepter.
Arise and approach the throne.
Z assists K to rise and places him back with the class, then approaches the
throne as directed.
SM: And now Z we will confer upon you the
highest honor in our power by creating you the first member of this new order. You
will kneel on your left knee.
Z kneels. SM raises scepter:
We now create and constitute you a Companion of the Illustrious Order of the
Red Cross, which we now found; and we do hereby create and constitute each of
the princes and rulers here present a member of said order.
SM places scepter on the throne, steps down from dais and takes Z by the
hand, assisting him to rise, saying as he does so:
Arise Companion Z, and with these hands receive a hearty welcome into this
new order, which will be ever ready to protect, vindicate and defend you.
Princes and Rulers, be seated.
W picks up sash and sword and moves to the east, north of Z. Hands SM the
sash.
SM: This green sash, of which you deprived
by our guards, we now restore, places sash on K, and make it the insignia
of the new Order, which s designed to perpetuate the remembrance of the events
that have occasioned the renewal of our friendship, and to inculcate the
almighty force and importance of truth. Let its color remind you that truth is a
divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue.
W places sword over left arm, hilt toward SM.
SM draws the sword from the scabbard and comes to Carry: Companion
W, gird Z.
W places sword over Z’s shoulder and returns to station.
SM takes sword in right hand, left hand used to point to various parts as he
is speaking:
This sword, of which you were deprived by our guards, we also restore. In the
hands of a true and courteous Companion of this Order it will be endowed with
three excellent qualities: Its hilt with Faith, its blade with Hope, its point
with Charity. Let these teach you that he who draws his sword in a just and
virtuous cause, having faith in God may reasonably hope for victory, ever
remembering to extend charity to a fallen foe. Return it to its scabbard. Done.
There let it remain until consumed by rust, rather than draw it in the cause
of the Injustice, False-hood, or Oppression, for Justice, Truth and Liberty are
the Grand Characteristics of this Illustrious Order.
Returns to throne.
You will now be instructed in what we declare to be the attributes of this
Order and the means of recognition among its members. These are:
The Jewish Pass, in which you have already been instructed.
The Persian countersign, which is that of the realm.
The Red Cross Word.
The sign, grip and word of a Companion of the Illustrious Order of the Red
Cross.
Companion Master of Cavalry, waits for and returns
salute you will communicate these as we direct.
MC rises and salutes. Left face and marches north to a point near the altar
turns east and comes to face Z. Z right faces and steps back one pace. MC and Z
should be centered on SM.
SM: Draw SWORDS. Done. The
Persian countersign is given with four cuts of the sword. GUARD. Give cuts. Done.
and under an arch of steel, which your swords
now form. Advance your left feet and place them beside
each other; place your left hands on each other’s right shoulders. The
countersign is TET-KNEE-I, the response, Sheaf-R-Bot-Knee-I. The companion
challenged will always give the countersign, TET-KNEE-I, and if correct, the
companion challenging will give the response, Sheaf-R-Bot-Knee-I. Communicate.
Done. Return swords. Done.
The Red Cross Word is given with four cuts of the sword. Guard. Give cuts done
and under and arch of steel which your swords now form.
Advance your left feet and place them beside each other; place your left hands
on each other’s right shoulders. Done The Red Cross Word is VIRITAS,
the response, TRUTH. Communicate done Carry SWORDS.
The sign, grip and word of a Companion of the Red Cross are given with three
cuts of the sword, and a thrust, which brings the points of the swords to each
other’s left side, near the heart.
The sign is given at the first cut. GUARD. Give cut one. Done.
It is like the winding of a trumpet, thus. SM gives
sign, then Z & MC give it.
The grip is given at the third cut. Give second and third cuts. Done.
Advance your left feet and place them beside each other. Interlace
the fingers of your left hands. Done. Turn
side to side and raise interlaced fingers until the elbows form a square. Done.
Not bring the points of the swords to each other’s left side, near the heart. Done.
The word is LIBERTAS, the response, LIBERTY. The second word is given in
response to the first. Communicate. Done. Carry swords. Return swords. Done.
MC Left faces, marches west, left turns at altar and returns to station. Z
about faces and moves to the center of the chamber.
SM waits for MC and Z to get into position: On
entering or retiring from a Council of the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross,
you will advance to the center of the chamber, face the Sovereign Master and
give the sign. Z gives the sign
in front of the alter then returns to his chair. It
alludes to the Penalty of you vow, where reference is made to the sounding of
the last trumpet.
Steps down one step and goes to the banner. Pointing
at banner: The banner of this order shall be
of green color. In its center there shall be a star of
seven points, within which shall be a Red Cross of equal arms and angles,
surrounded by the motto "Magna est veritas, et praevale bit",
"Great is truth and it will prevail".
The cross shall be the emblem of this order, the four arms indicating Deity,
Truth, Justice, Liberty. These will commemorate our faith in God and in the
Grand Characteristics of this Illustrious Order.
Goes to Z, who rises, and takes him by the hand: And
now Companion Z, we bid you welcome to all the privileges of an order founded on
Truth. Receive the congratulations of your companions and
be seated among them.
SM and Z, followed by PC, PMP and other officers and Companions congratulate
each member of the class and the degree team retires.