Rising Sons and Daughters of Protection of N.A., S.A., E., A., A. & C.A.
Initiation Ritual

 
n.d.

Opening Ceremonies
 
At the appointed hour, the member having assembled in the hall, the Father or Mother of Protection will call the Lodge to order with two raps of the gavel, when all the members will be seated and all the officers will take their respective stations.
Should there be any candidates in the hall the Messenger of Truth will lead them to the outer door in such a manner as will have a favorable impression.
The Lodge having been called to order, the Father or Mother of Protection will say: Sons and Daughters, we are about to open our Lodge. Those who are not in possession of the proper pass will please retire with the Messenger of Truth.
The M. of T. will return and say: Father (or Mother) of Protection, your order has been obeyed.
With one rap of the gavel, the F. of P. will say: Sons and Daughters, we will now open our Lodge in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the God who rules us all, with your assistance.
F. of P.: Messenger of Faith, what is your duty?
M. of F.: To allow no one to enter or retire while we are thus engaged without an order from the Mother or Father.
F. of P.: Messenger of Hope, what is your duty?
M. of H.: To watch safely and allow no one to enter the ante-room without the proper pass.
F. of P.: Guide and Star, what is your duty?
G. and S.: My duties are to assist the Messenger of Truth in making candidates, and to see that order prevails in our lodge room.
F. of P.: Second Guide and Star, what are your duties?
Second G. and S.: My duties are to assist in all the floor work and hearing messages to every member in the Lodge, and obey any other messages given me by my Father or Mother.
F. of P.: We will now sing "Oh, for a Closer Walk With God."
The Messenger of Light will now lead in prayer.
 
 
Prayer
 
O God, our Father and Ruler of heaven and the earth, we bow before Thee and in the presence of these Sons and Daughter and humbly beg Thee to be with us in our meeting. Cleanse our hearts from all evil and make us true to each other in our every day walk in life. Let the spirit govern us in all we say and do, while here assembled, and when our labors are finished here in this hall, give us a home where we all will join heart and hands in heaven above forever, Amen.
All members say: Amen, amen.
Vice F. of P.: Sons and Daughters, let us attend in giving the signs.
The Past Father will then read John xv, 18th and 19th verses. He will then sing, "Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed?"
The Right Assistant will then say: Oh, my Jesus , I will suffer as long as Thou desireth me to suffer.
Left Assistant will say: Oh, Jesus, I will suffer out of love for Thee, because Thou hast suffered so much for me.
F. of P.: Sons and Daughters, we will have the order of business.
1. Reading of the minutes.
2. Roll of officers and members.
3. Reports of committees.
4. Asking for membership.
5. New business.
6. Communications.
7. Any Son or Daughter sick or in distress, or out of employment?
8. Closing exercises.
 
 
Initiatory Ceremony
 
The hour of opening having arrived, the Father or Mother of Protection will say: Messenger of Truth, you will kindly see that the outer doors are closed and that the Messenger of Faith and Messenger of Hope are at their posts of duty.
M. of T. returns and says: Father (or Mother), the entrance to our Lodge closed and guarded and all is well.
F. of P.: Sons and Daughters, we are here to bring into the order those who wish to lead a pure life, and since that is true, the Messenger of Truth will retire to the ante-room and, assisted by the Right and Left Assistants, prepare the Sons and Daughters for their journey.
M. of T.: Sons and Daughters, are you willing to take our obligations?
Ans.: We are willing to take them in God's name.
M. of T.: Are you willing to abide by the rules and regulations of this order?
Ans.: I am, with God to be my leader.
Right Ast.: Hold up your right hand. Do you, as a Christian, upon your honor, bind yourself to obey all the laws of this order?
Ans.: I will, with God's help.
Left Ast.: I have heard you make a pledge to God and man. Will you try to keep it?
Ans.: I will, with God to help me.
The M. of T., returning: Father, the candidates have complied with the rules of our order.
F. of P.: Messenger of Truth, you will carry with you the First and Second Guide and Star and cause each one to come to our sacred throne with the candidates and bow.
Each member will stand and all will say: And God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
All march around the candidates and sing: Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?
The Messenger of Light will give the obligation: I, …, of my own free will, with my arms folded and my heart given to God, declare that I will, with God to help me, never say anything to harm a Son or Daughter of this order. I further promise in the presence of these Sons and Daughters that I will do all in my power to help a Son or Daughter when in trouble, and that I will obey all laws given me by the Supreme, Grand and Subordinate Lodges, or any other order given me by any officer in good standing in this order, and if I should violate any of these laws, I am to be debarred from this order until I go to my grave with the obligation I have taken.
All the members say: Amen, Amen, Amen.
M. of L.: Perhaps you are now mourning the loss of a father or a mother, a friend or a brother. Daughter, it is appointed unto man to die. Wipe away your tears, for by weeping you cannot bring them back, and we bid you welcome in our order, and hope you will remain an honored member in our number.
All respond: God help us to so live.
All will now be seated.
 
 
Obligation of the Second Degree
 
I, …, solemnly promise in the presence of these Sons and Daughters and Almighty God that I will never reveal any of the secrets of this degree to any person who is not entitled to receive it, so help me, God.
I further promise that I will answer all signs of this degree given me by my worthy Daughters and Sons.
And should I in any way violate any of these obligations I will pray to God for my body to be struck with some loathsome disease and my name be disgraced forever.
I further promise that I will not assist a Daughter or Son in conferring this degree on any disqualified man or woman whom I believe to be dishonest, or who will not live an honest and peaceful life, and while kneeling at this altar of love and taking this obligation I shall pray to God to fill my heart with love for my neighbor and my neighbor's children (here the candidate will
pray): That God will ever give me knowledge and understanding to live and treat my neighbor as a true Daughter, and should I violate any part of this my obligation, may I lose the love of my neighbor and the respect of my Daughters and Sons and my name be disgraced forever and be debarred from this order never to appear on the roll of this Lodge or any other Lodge of the Rising Sons and Daughters of Protection.
I further promise and declare that if I allow myself to become suspended for non-payment of dues, that I will not ask any sick benefits or any help from my Daughters and Sons. I further promise that I will be a useful member of this order, always ready to help or aid a worthy Son or Daughter or her or his family who are in need of any assistance. I further promise and declare upon my word and honor that I will not sit in a Lodge where the elective officers are not in possession of this degree. I will report to a grand officer any case that may come to my notice on the part of my subordinate officers that I may see or hear of. All of these promises I pledge to keep, so help me God.
You will now arise and go to the Vice Mother for instructions.
V. M.: Dear Daughter, I have heard you make a vow, and you must remember in making these obligations that God looks down on you with an eye of pity. Ask the Father in heaven to bind them and that your vow may be sealed in the heavenly court. In making them, you may have a husband, a little babe or mother there, looking down on you to speak with a pure heart and clean hands. You will hold up your right hand and repeat after me: I, …, do hereby declare that I will submit to all the regulations necessary for me to become a member of this order.
All respond: God help you to so live.
V. M.: You will now listen to the instructions from our Past Mother.
P. M.: My friends, if some one had entrusted you with some precious thing and after a time desired to have it again, would you not willingly return it?
Likewise, when your Heavenly Father earnestly wishes back to himself a friend whom He has given you for awhile, why not willingly give your friend back to Him?
If you are a true Christian, you will not desire a thing that God does not will. When, therefore, He desires by death to call some dear one from you, what should you say?
Ans.: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Oh, Lord.
All will join in with the First and Second Guide and Star and say: I deplore many things that happen, hut as they are pleasing to the Lord, I will bear them with submission and patience.
M. of L.: Let us sing.
I have heard the voice of Jesus say, Come unto me and rest.
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast.
I came to Jesus, as I was weary and worn and sad.
I found in Him a resting place and He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, Behold I freely give.
The living water, thirsty one, stoop down and drink and live.
I came to Jesus and I drank of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived and now I live in Him.
V.M.: Messenger of Truth, carry the candidates to our Mother of Protection who will give her final instructions.
M. of T., marches around the room three times and halt in front of M. of P.: Mother of Protection, by order of the Vice Mother I bring to you for final instruction Daughter …, who has pledged herself to live up to all the law of our order.
M. of P.: Daughter, I am pleased to have you in our midst and hope you will be an honored member.
Nothing, not even the most insignificant thing, occurs by chance. Job, 5th chapter and 6th verse. Nothing upon earth is done without a cause. The hand of Providence rules and governs all things with exceeding wisdom. Misfortune comes not by accident, nor does it spring up as herbs, that sprout from the ground. All things, whatsoever, come to us from Him who is above all. What to many only seems good fortune or accident is the dispensation of Divine Providence.
All things are written from eternity in the Book of Life.
When St. Ignacius was recovering from a wound in his foot he desired a romance to read to drive away the bad feeling while confined. Some one gave him two books relative to spiritual things, one was "The Following of Christ" and the other "The Saving of Our People."
These books were the means of the conversion of this man, but it was not by chance that these books came into this reader's hands while upon his sick bed – it was the eternal providence of God which works with great patience.
The most certain way to obtain peace of heart is not to consider the person who commits an unrighteous deed, but turn your thoughts to God.
Christ, our Lord, revealing Himself to her on one occasion, said: "In this hand lies health, in the other sickness. Choose, my daughter, whichever is pleasing to thee." St. Gertrude chose sickness instead of health. Placing her hands upon her breast in the form of a cross, she cried, "Oh, my Lord and my God, from the depths of my heart I pray Thee consider not what I may prefer, let Thy will be done. I choose neither the one nor the other, to Thee, oh, Lord, it belongs, which is pleasing in Thy sight." Composing herself, she said: "O Lord, never let my will, but Thine only, be done."
You will now receive the grip, signs and pass words.
Recognition Sign-Raise the right hand and wipe the nose with thumb and first finger three times.
Answer-The same with left hand.
Salutation Sign-Raise right hand and place across the breast, touching left shoulder and drop to right side three times and bow, and presiding officer will answer the same with wave of left hand, after which you may be seated.
Sign of Caution-Fold the arms with the four fingers of each hand on top of arm and the thumbs hidden from view.
Words of Caution-Why, daughter? Answer-Protection.
Distress Sign-Right hand clasped in the left with the thumbs pressed against the knuckle of the third finger and raise to left breast. Answer-Same with left hand clasped in the right and raising to right breast three times.
Distress Word-Sons. Answer-Daughters.
Grand Lodge Honor Sign-Three claps of the hand as the Grand Officers enter the door.
Permanent Pass Word-Protection
Degree Pass Word: Love
The Messenger of Light will give the new-made candidate a seat.
The Messenger of Peace will sing:
1st verse-
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
2nd verse-
Just as I am and waiting not,
To rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
3rd verse-
Just as I am, though tossed about,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fighting and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
4th verse-
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
The Messenger of Light at the closing of the meeting will say: Behold, here you have a protecting roof, a sheltering tree, under which you will find a safe refuge.
Trust in God, no matter how furious is the tempest without. Under this roof you are in perfect safety. Trust in God like the navigator who prepares himself with everything necessary for the voyage, hut awaits the wind until it shall please God to send it. Do only what you can and God will take care of the rest. If things go wrong with you, go forth at once to God and offer Him your prayers in your distress; and He will hear you in time of trouble. If we have difficulties to contend with, the first thing we do is to complain about them to other men. Perhaps, to others, God is the last one whose assistance we invoke.
King David acted in a different way. He said: "I have lifted up mine eyes to the mountain from whence help shall come to me. My help is from the Lord, so likewise must man cling to the divine will of God. He must be chained to him as with a bond. It is true the devil may gnash with his teeth and rage, hut he can harm no one without command from God.''
God permitted the innocent David to suffer much righteousness from the unpious Saul, hut it was for the very great good of even David himself as well as the whole kingdom of God. God leads very carefully, and often in a round about way, just as if He were conducting us through a labyrinth, hut He knows which way to take to lead us to the heavenly realms. Why, therefore, complain of so careful a guide?
All will say: Behold, I will deliver thee from them and bring thee to honor. I will show thee my salvation.
Amen, Amen, Amen.

Closing
 
First Guide and Star: We are about to close this Lodge.
Ans.: God help us to close in peace.
Second Guide and Star: We are in the act of closing, what are your wishes?
Ans.: That God will care for us until we return to this place again.
All: God help us all to so live.
Messenger of Faith: Is there any work of charity on the outside that we can do before we meet again?
F. of P.: All is well as far as my knowledge, and we pray it may remain so until we reassemble.
Sons and Daughters, we all feel that God has been with us tonight. We will now join in the closing prayer with the Messenger of Light, with bowed heads.
Prayer
After prayer, give the closing signs while all sing.
As the singing dies down, all say: Behold, I am with thee in thy troubles. I will deliver thee from them and bring thee to honor. I will show thee my salvation.
All say: Amen, Amen.
F. of P., * *: We are now closed to meet at our next stated meeting.