Knights of Honor of the World
Second Degree Uniform Rank : Knighting
This whole ceremony must be performed without books.
1896
The ceremony upon conferring Knighthood can only be performed with the
candidates own sword, and must be made the most solemn and impressive. A degree
team can officiate, clothed in proper paraphernalias for the occasion otherwise
the whole commandery or commanderies in full dress uniform will take part. The
degree of Knighthood must be conferred by the officer highest in rank present if
possible, a general or staff officer especially appointed, and in no case shall
me rank of the officer be lower than a Past Commander who has himself been duly
Knighted.
The time for this ceremony must be specially appointed, and the conferring
upon this degree must be regarded as the highest advancement for a Sir Knight,
and can only be obtained after a reasonable time of probation, and after the
candidate has proven himself worthy of this advancement by diligent attendance
and Knightly behavior in his Commandery, and after a unanimous choice of the ‘Sir
Knight.’ Before this degree is conferred upon any member of the Uniformed Rank
he is addressed as ‘Brother.’ The voting shall not be by secret ballot viva
voce, and any Sir Knight having any reasonable objection other than personal
dislike against the candidate, shall be in duty bound to make the same known to
the chapter, or meeting of the Sir Knights. In such meeting no one but Sir
Knights who have been properly Knighted shall be present.
The highest officer present shall preside and command: Sir
Knights, draw swords! Rally around the altar! Prepare to take the obligation.
The Sir knights form an open ring around the altar and hold their drawn
swords over the Bible repeating after the Commander the following obligation:
I do solemnly promise upon the honor of a Sir Knight, that I will never reveal
the proceedings of this meeting to any one not entitled to know them, and that I
will in this case vote as a true Knight of Honor of the World without malice
fear or favor, for the best interest of our beloved Order.
The officer in charge commands: Sir Knights Carry, swords! Open
circle! Parade rest!
While in this position the vote is taken.
If the vote is favorable to candidate the room is prepared for the ceremony.
The altar removed, the Knights form a circle, open at the side where the
conferring officer takes his station. Behind the latter is a standard bearer
with a banner or flag if there be any. When the Aids retire the signal bar shall
he tolled by striking it regularly and softly until the candidate has taken his
place within the circle. Four (4) pedestals shall he placed within the circle
equal distance front the cushion in the center.
Upon each pedestal should be a dish containing alum and alcohol which should
be lighted as soon as aids give returning signal at the door. All other 4 lights
in the room should be put out.
The officer conferring degree can he clothed with royal mantle over his
uniform and with crown on head. The Aids can he clothed as Knights in full
armor, also the Standard Bearer and Standard Guards which is composed of two
Knights with drawn swords or spears. If there is no standard, he guidon may be
substituted. All other Knights must be in full parade uniform. A cushion should
be in center of circle. The Aids are ordered to introduce the Brother. They
retire and enter with candidate hoodwinked; one Aid hearing his chapeau and the
other his sword and belt. The circle opens enough to admit Aids and candidate,
after which it closes. The most profound silence must prevail. The Aids with
candidate halt in center of circle. All the Knights stand with swords at carry.
Chief Officer: Aids whom have you here?
Aids: A brother found worthy of the highest honor.
Chief Officer to Candidate: If you are willing to proceed, then
answer, I am.
Candidate answers.
Chief Officer to Knights: Sir Knights, what say you, shall we
proceed
Knights all answer: Let us proceed.
Chief Officer to Candidate: With eyes blinded thou art at the
mercy of the world. Such is the condition of those who are without our sacred
circle. We are hound together by the sacred ties of fraternity and pledged to
mutual aid. Give him light.
When the hoodwink is being removed, the Knights, at a wink or command of the
officer in charge of Commandery, or next highest in rank, assume the position of
with swords, point. The second officer in rank, or the commander of the
commandery must give all commands, as far as the manual of the swords during the
whole ceremony is concerned. He shall give his commands with subdued voice, and
must be obeyed with alacrity and precision. After the removal of the hoodwink
the Aids take position behind the conferring officer, to whom the sword is now
handed, with hilt foremost. Aids retaining scabbard and belt.
Commanding Officer: Carry, swords! Order swords! Parade, rest!
Chief Officer to Candidate: My brother, pay attention, and bear in
mind my words. This sword is composed of three parts the hilt, the blade and the
point. The hilt denotes "fraternal love,"
you grasp this hilt, so also grasp the hand of your brother in fraternal
love, being ever ready to aid him in his adversity and affliction, being doubly
mindful to fulfil the solemn obligation you have taken upon yourself when you
became a member of our noble Order.
The blade: as it is the true soldier’s greatest pride to keep his blade
free from rust and spotless, so also must it be your pride to keep your
character blameless and pure in the eyes of your fellow men. Let your walk
through life be like that required of the soldier: upright and without reproach,
so that your brothers will never have cause to regret having conferred this
honor upon you.
The point denotes truth. May you never swerve from the path of Truth and
Duty, and, may you never wrong a brother by word or deed nor suffer him to be
wronged, and may you so live that you can proudly exclaim, "Spectemur
agendo." Wilt thou promise this?
Commanding Officer: Attention, Knights. Carry, Swords! With
swords, charge!
After an affirmative answer from candidate, Chief Officer continues: Then
with thy right hand upon this blade and thy left hand upon thy heart, repeat
after me:
Upon the sacred honor of a Knight I promise, and infamous will I be if I
forget.
Sir Knights in Unison: We have beard the vow. We will record it.
Commanding Officer: Sir Knights, carry swords!
Chief Officer to Candidate: Then kneel. And now, by the authority
invested in me, with this stroke touches the left
shoulder with the blade I thee a Sir Knight of the Guards of the
Knights of Honor of the World, and dedicate thee anew to the service of our
noble Order. And now, Sir Knight with this hand I raise thee into our
brotherhood, and bid thee welcome to our Ranks.
Candidate rises.
Chief Officer: Aids, belt him and cover him.
Which is duly done at the same time.
Commanding Officer.: Present, swords!
Chief Officer to Candidate: Take thy sword. Candidate,
in taking sword, presents. Return it to the scabbard.
Commanding Officer: Carry, swords! Return, swords!
Chief Officer: Let honor be thy guiding star through life’s journey. Thy
heart and sword thou earnest on the same side but remember always that thy heart
is above thy sword only draw it in defense of thy brothers and for the glory of
our beloved Order. Sir Knights, welcome our brother.
All pass by him in front and shake hands with the newly initiated. After that
Commanding Officer says: Sir Knights, be seated. When
speeches are in order, etc.