Ancient Order of the Pyramids
Ritual of the Mysteries of Osiris
The candidate is met in the ante-room of the Temple by the Herald,
accompanied by a Brother [or Sister as the case may require]. dressed in
ordinary clothing but wearing the emblems of the Order. Extending usual
greetings, they accompany the candidate to the preparation room, when the Herald
makes the following explanatory address:
1896
Herald: You have passed through the ceremonies of reception into a
representation of the Mysteries of Isis, as practiced by the ancient dwellers in
the Valley of the Nile, and you now ask to participate in the Greater Mysteries,
Your request will be complied with.
You will assume a character representing the soul of an Egyptian who has
lately died, and whose body, having been brought into the chamber of the Temple
awaits disposal according to the judgment of the Council.
Are you willing to assume this character for the present?
Candidate answers: ....
Herald: Leaving you in care of one who will instruct and prepare
you as bents the character you assume, I retire.
Herald returns to hall, approaches altar and says:
Herald: Noble Prophet, without a Brother (or Sister) seeks
advancement.
Noble Prophet: 'Tis well! Let him enter and be received in a
fitting manner.
Herald returns to door and awaits candidate's signal.
Herald returns to door and awaits candidate’s signal.
Preparer divests candidate of outer apparel and clothes him in a white robe
and apron befitting his station, with coif. Hoodwinks, and straps a pack on
candidate's back containing packages labeled and representing candidate's deeds,
good and ill, during life, and from which he is to be judged in the solemn Court
of the Dead.
He is then conducted to the door, caused to give … distinct raps, preparer
retires and leaves him alone. After a pause of a few moments, the door slowly
opens and the Herald thus addresses the candidate:
Herald: Child of mortality, thou hast come hither while thy body
even now waits to have interment granted or denied as thou be adudged to deserve
well or ill of those among whom thou hast passed thy little span of life. All
that can be done for you by mortal hands has been done. You now stand gazing
into another world, with no hand to guide or voice to cheer. As you are now
helpless and alone, an unmanned barque upon an unknown sea, your heart beats the
only chart and log-book; thus it is decreed that in darkness and alone must man
pass the threshold into the Solemn Court of the Dead.
Frail Emblem of Mortality, enter.
Candidate enters and Herald receives him in the following manner:
Herald will meet candidate by B. L. H. D. O. C. R. S. A. W.R. H. A. P. O. D.
T. N. T.
Herald: Frail Mortal; as you are now entering the realms of Osiris
from whose gloomy shores no spirit has ever yet returned, it is befitting that I
receive you on the dagger's point, the emblem of death and separation of the
soul from the body.
Herald will conduct candidate slowly around the hall to the station of the
Priestess, who, halting the candidate says, during the march, music or song:
Priestess: Hold, what spirit wanders, in the Solemn Court of the
Dead?
Herald: It is the soul of one who a waits judgment.
Priestess: What is the burden this soul bears?
Herald: The deeds good and ill of his little span of life.
Priestess: Why brings he them here?
Herald: It is recorded, according to the deeds done in the body
shall the soul he judged.
Priestess: By this we are reminded of the universal dominion of
death. Man is born to die. He follows his friend down to the water's edge, and
standing on the share of the vast ocean gazes with sad and anxious heart as the
barque containing his loved ones sails for a harbor unnamed and a land unknown,
leaving behind only the memory of life's actions. Sad spirit, wend your way. Herald
conducts candidate slowly around the hall, and is halted by the Priest, who
says:
Priest: Wandering soul, whither thy course?
Herald: My course to the Judgment Hall of Osiris.
Priest: Then fix your eyes on the final scene, and view life
stripped of her ornaments. By us a man is not revered for birth, wealth or
position. Only his acts demand honor.
Herald: For what should man strive?
Priest: That the widow and orphan shall point to your tomb and
exclaim, he lived to bless mankind.
Be that your monument.
Wandering soul, go thy way.
Herald conducts candidate around the hall to station of Noble Prophet, who
bars candidate's passage and says:
Noble Prophet: Sad soul, who art thou, and why thy sorrow?
Herald: One called to the judgment bar who fears the future.
Noble Prophet: Unhappy mortal Man sits in gloom and the purpose of
his existence is a mystery.
Each mounts the stage of human action anxious to play his part in the
ever-changing drama, then passes into the chamber of eternal silence and is
known no more forever.
'Tis well, seek the altar before the judgment. Herald
conducts candidate once around the hall to the altar in
tent, places candidate's open right hand on left breast and open left hand on
right breast, and retires from tent. All lights out except taper in tent.
Noble Prophet gives * * * and says:
Noble Prophet: Come with me and witness the vows of one who would
become an apostle of justice and equity.
Members forming triangle, Noble Prophet, Priest and Priestess forming points
of second triangle within.
Noble Prophet: My Brother, you will now remove the hoodwink, after
which you will place your hands as directed by our Herald.
After a sufficient time the following is spoken through a cone, as a bell
tolls twelve, the hour of midnight:
'Tis time, 'tis timc *, thrice potent be
the spell *;
'Tis the hour of midnight *, solemn tolls
the bell *.
Spirits good and spirits evil *,
Hover near *, and heed a mortal's ills *.
The scenes of life recur * and actions
past *
Unroll the scroll * and render judgment
last. *
Noble Prophet: Say I, repeat your name and say after me:
Obligation
I, …, in the presence of the Giver of Life, do most solemnly promise and
declare, that I will not speak evil of, wrong or defraud a member of this Order
to the value of one penny.
I furthermore promise and declare, that I will assist all worthy destitute
members, their widows and orphans, and will employ a member of this Order in
preference to any other of equal qualifications.
I furthermore promise and declare that a member’s secrets, confided to me
as such in the name of the Order, shall, without exception, remain unspoken,
within my own breast.
To the affirmation of which I call upon the Giver of Life to witness.
Herald now strikes gong or staff upon the floor three times, after which tent
is raised.
All, with index finger of the left hand pointing upward, index finger of the
right hand pointing at candidate, will say: Your Maker and ourselves
have recorded your oath.
Noble Prophet gives one rap, all seated, and says: Herald, conduct
the Brother to my station for further instruction.
Noble Prophet: My Brother, you have pronounce the words which
cements the bonds that binds your future with ours.
I will now invest you with the apron emblematic of this Order and degree, an
honor greater than can ever again be conferred upon you by king, potentate or
mortal man.
An Order too ancient to measure the years of its life; too early born to now
tell the day of its birth, but so full of instruction still, that you today may
profit by the teachings and precepts as you approach its Mystic Shrine.
My Brother, you will now be conducted to the place from whence you came and
await my further pleasure.
Second Section
Members are all seated in triangular form at altar, open at base or altar;
the Scribe is seated at altar with pen, ink and paper. The door of the Council
Chamber opens as of itself, and Isis is seen standing a little way from the door
with symbol of life in her right hand and the sceptre of Egypt in her left. The
candidate is caused to advance. Isis says:
Priestess: What soul is this, O Horus, whom thou bringest into the
Court of the Dead?
Herald: O Queen Isis, this is the soul of one who dwelt in
Memphis.
Priestess: O Child of Mortality, art thou ready to be judged?
Candidate prompted: I am ready.
Priest: Those against whom there is unfavorable judgment here
shall wander in darkness, ever seeking the light and ever unsatisfied.
Priestess: To those for whom there is favorable judgment here is
prepared the realm of light; they shall have peace and rest forevermore.
Messenger: Draw near the altar of justice, and await further
questioning.
Isis retires to her station. The Herald conducts the candidate to the altar.
Priest: What soul is this, O Horus, whom thou hast brought before
the Court of the Dead?
Herald: O Atum, this is the soul of one who dwelt in Memphis and
hath lately died there.
Priest: The justice of the Lords of Truth is not imperfect like
the justice of men. To provide for self, to obey the laws, to comply with the
outward observance of religion, to refrain from crime, and to live soberly and
decorously are well, but not enough to entitle one to the favor of the Lords of
Truth.
Priestess: And one may so live a long life and yet be unfit to have lived at
all. There are good deeds that human laws do not require and bad acts that the
laws of man do not punish. A spotless reputation may cover an uncharitable
heart, hatred and envy.
Herald turning addresses Noble Prophet:
Herald: This suppliant hath heard words of wisdom on the way
hither, and now stands at the bar ready to receive judgment.
Noble Prophet: Anubis, open thou the deeds, good and ill, of this
soul, and declare what of good this suppliant should have honor for and what of
ill should be weighed against him. Thoth, stand thou by, record the deeds, and
declare the result.
The Treasurer will remove pack, open it, and read from a prepared list the
deeds good and ill performed by candidate. The Scribe takes note of each deed
and when all are called sums up the good and ill and says:
Scribe: The good and ill are so nearly balanced that the Lords of
Truth must decide.
Priest: This suppliant hath not regarded the rights of others,
hath not been sincere in his profession, regarding more the praise of men than
the consciousness of right doing. In my opinion, this soul should not yet be
permitted to view the realms of light.
Scribe: I do not concur. Ill acts are done by all men, be they
good or bad. My vote is that this soul shall be released.
Priestess: With Atum I agree. This soul hath not been sincere.
Popularity hath been the object of its existence; pride hath controlled its
chains. No widow or orphan hath raised their voices in this soul's behalf.
Treasurer: O King Osiris. The needy, the sorrowful and the
oppressed this soul hath relieved.
Noble Prophet: Let the body have burial, and this soul entrance
into the realm of light, rest and peace.
Noble Prophet gives * * *. All rise. Prophet advances to candidate and says:
Noble Prophet: From this learn a lesson. Each day come deed good
or il1 he gathers to his soul, and finally, when the cycle of life is ended, and
work on life's pyramid is stilled, he is ushered into the presence of his God.
Silent and pulseless he stands before the bar as judgment is decreed
according as he has done good or ill during life.
Weary soul, you have been judged worthy.
Now you must cross an unhallowed waste of desert drear, amid shadows and in
silence, the only voice to greet you that of spirits evil and forever lost.
After which you will embark on the Stygian waters with old Charon in sable robes
for your pilot.
Candidate is now hoodwinked and marched slowly and irregularly around hall,
meeting with some obstructions, while plaintive wails and wild shrieks are
heard. Candidate is then placed in a boat on wheels, while some will splash
water in candidate's face as they proceed around the hall. In lieu of a boat a
stretcher with four men to carry may be used. Candidate is landed finally in
ante-room, hoodwink and robe are removed and candidate is invested with apron.
Lodge is prepared and all lights on when Herald will conduct candidate in and to
station of Noble Prophet. Noble Prophet: My Brother, I now present
you with this jewel, a distinct token of this Order. The serpent represents life
eternal, the triangle Deity and the cross your hope of life eternal.
My Brother, in this division of the Ancient Order of the Pyramids there are
several modes of recognition, applicable to the various circumstances under
which a member may be placed. The sign of the Order is: R. B. H. T. T. L. O. W.
P. D. T. A. F. F. T.; T. R. O. H.; P. R. O. L. B. A. L. O. R. B. Noble Prophet
will recognize you with emblem, when you will take your seat Sign
of recognition: R. T. O. F. A. S. F. O. E. S. O. N. C. R. O. T. The answer to
this sign is: P. F. I. S. P. R. E. I. P. O. O. H. The person challenging will
approach and ask: …? You will answer: …. Sign of distress is: C. H. W. I. L.
F. O. C. The answer is: D. B. H. E. T. T. H. O. T. W. P. U.
In case this sign cannot be seen the one needing personal aid will use the
word …. The one hearing die word will reply: … and in either case hasten to
the relief of the one in distress. In no case is the sign or word to be given,
except in emergency or threatened personal danger, or in a Council or for
instruction.
The grip is given by each clasping the hand of the other T. T. W. T. A. I. F.
O. E. O. T. A. H. A. S. W.
An annual password will be selected by the Royal Prophet and promulgated to
those Councils which are clear of all assessments to the Royal Temple.
For the present term the word is …, which is to be given in a whisper.
The permanent password is …, to be always given by syllable commencing with
the second. One says …, the other …; the first pronounces the entire word.
To gain admittance to the Council Chamber give any alarm on the outer door,
when the Sentinel will open the wicket and you will communicate to him the
annual pass. If correct you will be admitted, when you will clothe yourself in
the proper manner, advance and give … raps on inner door. The Guardian will
respond with … raps and open the wicket. To him you will give your name,
number of your Council and location. The wicket will be closed, Guardian wilt
report you to the Messenger, who will order him to admit you if correct in the
pass.
Guardian gives one rap on the door and opens the wicket, when you will
communicate second syllable of permanent pass. Guardian responds with the first
syllable, and in answer you will pronounce pass, in full. If correct you will be
admitted, when you will advance to the altar, face the Noble Prophet and give
the sign of the Order. The Noble Prophet will respond by raising his emblem,
when you will be seated.
Voting is done by the voice, aye and no, on all questions of business.
All applicants for membership are elected by ballot, two or more black balls
rejecting.
Lecture
You have passed through the ceremonies at tending your reception into, the
Lesser and Greater Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Pyramids. You have
proved yourself worthy of becoming a member of a most ancient and venerable
order, instituted thousands of years before the Christian era, at Memphis by
Mena, the first historical King of Egypt.
An Order devoted to the purposes of inculcating the highest principles of
morality and virtue; teaching by precept and example the practice of
benevolence, charity and unselfish devotion to the interests of humanity.
It was the belief of the ancient Egyptians, the founders of our Order, that
immediately, after death the soul descended unto the lower regions and was
conducted to the Hall of Truth, where, in the presence of Osiris and the Lords
of Truth; it was judged according to the deeds alone in the body. Anubis, the
director of the weight, brought forth a pair of scales, and placing in one scale
the figure or emblem of Truth, set in the other a heart-shaped vase, emblem of
the heart of man, and containing the thoughts of the deceased, while Thoth, the
Scribe of the Council, with a tablet in his hand, stood by to record the result.
According to the side on which the balance inclined, the Assembly delivered
sentence. If the good deeds preponderated, the blessed soul was allowed to enter
the "boat of the sun" and was conducted by good spirits to the
"pool of peace" and the dwelling place of Osiris. If, on the contrary,
the good deeds were not sufficient, the unhappy soul was sentenced to undergo a
circle of transmigration in the bodies of unclean animals. If, after many
trials, purity was not attained, the incorrigible soul underwent a final
sentence and suffered complete and absolute annihilation. The soul which had
successfully passed the scrutiny of the Lords of Truth was received a companion
of Osiris for three thousand years, when it returned from Amenti, re-entered its
former body, which had been embalmed and once more lived a human life on this
earth, taking up, as it were, the thread of mortal existence, where centuries
before it had been sundered by death.
This process was repeated until a certain mystic cycle of years was complete,
when finally the good attained the crowning felicity of union with God by being
absorbed into the divine essence from which it originally emanated.
As you were informed upon your admission to the reception room, this Council
is a representation of the ancient Egyptian Court of the Dead. There, centuries
ago, no one was allowed the honors of burial until he had passed under the most
solemn judgment. The body of the deceased was brought before a solemn tribunal,
which sat in judgment upon all, even the kings of the land. They said to the
dead: "Whoever thou art, give an account to thy country of thy actions;
what hast thou done with thy time and life? The law interrogates thee; thy
country hears thee; Truth sits in judgment on thee." Even princes were
brought there to be judged; escorted only by their virtues and their vices.
A public accuser recounted the history of the dead man's life and the light
of truth was thrown on all his actions. If it was adjudged that he lived an evil
life, his memory was publicly condemned and his body cast out as a thing
unworthy of notice, to be devoured by unclean animals. What a lesson was taught
by our ancient brothers! Man should be honored for his deeds, not birth and
position. Lettered stones and monuments are more instructive than the once
living thousands, whose memories they preserve from oblivion.
All except these are speechless as the chamber of eternal silence; no
lingering spirits hover around whispering intelligence of that eternal country
for which they embarked. Then let words of counsel and cheer, set to music of
fraternal love, fall from your lips. Be thou a star of sympathy and hope to some
soul struggling in the gloom of despair and sorrow. Never, until the mortal
casket is forever stilled and in its narrow bed extended, let your heart and
hand be closed to human needs and human sorrows; and when your frame, with life
now throbbing, becomes a spectacle for curious or reflective minds to ponder
o'er, may the record of your life be such that the briefest truthful thought
must be, "He lived to bless mankind."
Go ye among fellow men; act with justice; deliberate with equity, and decide
according to truth.
Noble Prophet: Herald, you will conduct the brother to the desk of
the Scribe, where he will sign the constitution and by-laws of this Council.
Candidate is returned facing Council. Gives * * *. All rise.
Noble Prophet: The Council may rest from its labors until my
further orders.
When all may congratulate the newly accepted member and engage in general
conversation but shall not leave the hall without permission of the Noble
Prophet, and the usual formula. This is the proper time for serving
refreshments, and the opportunity should never be neglected.
The Prophet raps *, when all are seated and business resumed.