Covenanters’ Mystic Union
Initiation Ritual,
Third or Sublime Degree
Field-Marshal in ante-room gives * * * * raps on the inner door, which is
repeated by the Guardian Knight from within, who says: Who comes
here?
1901
Field-Marshal: Your loyal Field-Marshal who has found a comrade
here at the draw-bridge, on his way traveling Eastward toward the dawning of the
morning in search of more light and true liberty, and who desires to be raised
to the "Sublime Degree" of "Knight of the Mystic Covenant".
Guardian-Knight: Commander, that same comrade who was but
yesterday within our Mystic portals, is still traveling Eastward in search of
more light and true liberty.
Com.: Let him be admitted.
Members sing the "Initiation Ode" while the candidate (not
hoodwinked) is escorted once around the Lodge and is seated between the
Vice-Commander and the altar, facing the Commander, who approaches the altar and
says: Comrade we are glad to welcome you again into our midst. Thus
far, you have run well. We shall now endeavor to instruct you in the emblematic
work our Society.
The Four Tables that you see before you represent the Covenanter Government
of Scotland, under the leadership of the Marquis of Argyle, which ruled Scotland
for many years, and, as l have already informed you, consisted of the nobility,
the ministers, the burgesses and the gentry, and is known in history as the
''Government of the Four Tables".
You will notice that the number "4" and its multiples, are
conspicuous throughout our work.
The Tables are 16 inches square at the top, 8 inches at the center, and 12
inches at the base, and are 4 feet high; upon which is placed a globe, 12 inches
in diameter.
These globes represent the historic truth that the Government of the Four
Tables was largely instrumental in lifting the world upon an exalted and
equitable plane of higher ideals and realizations of personal and national
liberties, and their nation was the first, since the dawn from the Dark Ages, to
establish a representative government of the people, by the people, and for the
people. These globes also represent the creative, sustaining and controlling
power of God in the universe, which inspire ns with due reverence for the Deity
and His marvelous works, and encourage us in the study of astronomy, geography
and navigation, with their relative arts and sciences, by which society has made
such rapid progress.
The Four Tables (excepting the globes) are painted white, representing
purity, and should continually remind you that all loyal and true Covenanters
lead pure lives. On each side and on the top is painted in red color, the letter
"H", which color represents the blood of the slain. Covenanter heroes;
and which is the first letter of the four corner stones of our creed, viz: Home,
Honor, Hope and Help.
Home: with all its sacred and happy memories of devoted, loving motherhood;
of ennobled, worthy fatherhood; of childhood's dimpled, rippling laughter, which
fills the eyes with light and the heart with joy, which drowns with each
successive wave, the fretful fiend of care. O, laughter of the Home, ... make
dimples enough in thy cheeks to catch and hold and glorify all the tears of
grief.
My brother, the Covenanters Home, is the cradle of sacred, consecrated
liberty, a haven of purity, peace and rest, earthly emblem of our eternal rest
and joy beyond the river of immortality. Let no act of yours mar the beauty or
sacredness of this corner stone, but ever strive to preserve the same. The
emblem of Home is the bee-hive.
Honor: is one of the chief corner-stones upon which our personal and national
liberties are founded. Without honor there is no observance: of law, and without
observance of law, there is no true liberty. Honor is the keynote of a life
crowned with success, the pledge of a life of blessing, and the mainstay of a
life of struggle. Honor and protect a comrade's good name and keep your honor
untarnished. The emblem of Honor is the balanced scales.
Hope: is the anchor of the soul, the compass of the weary mariner, the
stepping stone to future greatness, the morning star which throws a rim of
golden light around the dark clouds of the distant future; the corner stone upon
which faith is founded, which snatches victory from defeat. The emblem of Hope
is the anchor, enclosing a star between the points.
Help: in need, is help indeed. This corner stone reminds all Covenanters that
they are linked together with the anchor chain of fraternal love, which
encourages a helpful spirit, and will not permit a needy, worthy member to
suffer want. The fraternal spirit of our Society should be exemplified in our
ready response to supply the needs of our unfortunate members, to soothe the
unhappy, to relieve their miseries, to sympathize with the desolate and bereaved
in their afflictions. The emblem of Help is the clasped hands. The corner stones
of every successful, fraternal Society must necessarily be founded upon high,
moral ethics; the highest code of ethics and the basis of our present national
laws and liberties, is the Word of God, which we recognize as the chart and
compass of a truly successful life.
The dove: is a symbol of peace, purity and gentleness; and was used in
ancient times as a sacrificial offering. In our secret work it symbolizes the
slaughter of the Covenanter innocents and non-combatants who were ruthlessly
sacrificed on the sacred altar of liberty.
When the dove was sent out from the ark by Noah, to see if the flood was
abated, she found no rest for the sole of her foot, and returned unto Noah, into
the ark. After seven days he again sent forth the dove out of the ark, and the
dove came in to him in the evening; and lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf
plucked off, so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth: and he
stayed yet other seven days, and sent forth the dove, which returned not again
unto him any more.
Therefore, in our secret work, the dove living with the olive branch, is an
emblem of peace, purity, gentleness and good news. The life of every Covenanter
should bear these distinguishing characteristics.
The compass: we use to find the location of the morning star and rising sun,
so that in traversing the pathless, stormy sea or sandy desert we shall be
guided aright in our search for light and true liberty.
The red, white and blue streamers, which form a canopy over the Four Tables,
display our national colors which symbolize the highest and best form of
national freedom known to mankind.
The gavel: is the mace of authority, to be used by the Commander of the
Assembly with wisdom and discretion, that order may prevail, and to assist the
Commander in conducting the affairs of the Assembly with facility and despatch.
The crown: is an emblem of authority, splendor, victory and glory.
The palm: is an emblem of victory.
* calls the Assembly to order.
* * seats officcrs or members when standing.
* * * calls officers to their feet.
* * * * calls entire Assembly to their feet.
I will now instruct you in the signs in use by our Society. We have:
1st. An alarm at the outer door.
2nd. An entering sign and answer.
3rd. A term pass-word which is changed semi-annually on the first day of
January and July of each year.
4th. The permanent pass-word, with test grip.
5th. A sign of recognition, answer, and words of recognition.
6th. A sign of salutation.
7th. A recognition grip.
8th. A distress sign and answer.
9th. A voting sign.
10th. Our emblem and its symbolisms, which are hereafter explained.
After explaining the above secret work, the Commander instructs the Candidate
how to gain admission into the Commandery, as follows: Approach the
outer door and give the alarm which will attract the attention of the Sentry, to
whom you will give the sign of recognition or the term password.
This will admit you to the Ante-room, where you will clothe yourself in
proper regalia. Upon permission of the Sentry, you give the alarm ... at the
inner door, which attracts the attention of the Guardian Knight, to whom you
will give your name, the name and number of your Commandery, and the term
password.
Guardian Knight will say: Vice-Commander, some worthy comrades of the
Covenant are at the portal by the draw-bridge, seeking admission.
Vice-Commander will say: let them be admitted.
The members approach the altar "on the square", give the sign of
salutation thus ..., when the Commander will recognize you with the same
salutation sign, when you will be seated. Should you wish to retire before the
Commandery is closed, you will approach the altar "on the square'",
and address the Commander with the salutation sign. He will recognize you and
answer, after which you may retire.
If you are visiting your own Commandery and are without the pass word, the
Commander must be informed, and if you are entitled to it, he will communicate
it, or cause it to be comnumicated to you.
Should you wish to visit a Commandery to which you are a stranger, you will
present your name and the name and number of the Commandery to which you belong,
to the Sentry, who will report the same to the Commander, who will appoint a
committee of not less than two to examine you. If the committee find you
eligible for admission, they will introduce you.
Commandery is the term applied to the local organization or Lodge room.
Assembly is the term applied to the collective membership.
Conventicle was the term applied in ancient times to a secret gathering of
the Covenanters for religious or other purposes.
Clarion is a kind of trumpet, the sound of which is very loud and clear, the
tube being narrower than in the common trumpet. The clarion was used extensively
by the Covenanters, especially in times of war.
The symbols contained in our Society's emblem are explained as follows:
The all-seeing eye of God watches over and guides the destinies of mankind,
and observes the innermost thoughts and intents of the heart.
The sword represents protection and defence. (Tuebor: "I will
defend")
The shepherd's staff ("E Pluribus Unum, many in one") represents a
community of interests, many sheep in one flock, also gentleness, leadership and
pastoral pursuits.
The scales upon which the sword and shepherd's staff are equally balanced,
represent honor, justice and equality.
H. H. H. H., between the scales, are the first letters of the four words
which are the names of the four corner-stones of the great Temple of Covenantry,
and their positions between the scales represent the fact that these
corner-stones are founded upon honor, justice and equality.
The eagle's heads represent strength, endurance, keen perception, lofty
ideals. swiftness of flight, and our national emblem.
The ribbon in the eagle's beaks, represents our national banner.
The rising sun and morning star represent the fact that, the Covenanters
began the long struggle for their personal and national liberties at the dawning
of the morning, from the dark Ages of slavery, ignorance, superstition and
injustice.
The firmament around about the morning star displays the marvelous, creative
handiwork of God.
The cross represents sacrifice, redemption and the blood bought freedom which
we enjoy. He who expects to wear the crown, must bear the cross.
The anchor is an emblem of steadfastness, security and hope.
The anchor chain reminds us that we are, as members of the Society,
interlinked with each other in a common cause; that weakness of one link,
weakens the whole chain.
The crown: is an emblem of authority, splendor, victory and glory.
The clasped hands of fraternity remind us that in union is strength, and are
represented as lifting up the world to higher ideals and realizations of life,
liberty, and the pursuits of happiness.
The cable encircling the emblem, reminds us that a strong cal)le is made from
a multitude of small, weak fibres and that great achievements can be
accomplished by the uniting of a multitude of small efforts.
This cable of strength encircles and binds together all our other emblems.
Commander: You will now be hoodwinked, to receive your final test.
This test should inspire additional confidence in your comrades, and is intended
as a fitting climax in your recent adventures in search of light and true
liberty.
After the candidate is hoodwinked, the members form in a square about the
altar, with hands joined as before. The spears and banners form a canopy. The
Field-Marshal in full uniform, with sword drawn. The red lights are lit upon the
Four Tables.
When the National Covenant was being circulated throughout Scotland for
signatures, in the year 1638, which every citizen in the realm signed, it was
presented for signature to an aged veteran, whose flowing locks had been
silvered with the frosts of many winters.
Before signing the Covenant, he turned to the assembled throng about him and
said: "Comrades, this document is destined to become the Magna Charta of
our personal and national liberties, and it is too sacred for me to sign with
ordinary ink, so I will sign my name with my own life blood''.
He opened a vein in his arm and signed the Covenant with his own blood.
Fear not, my comrade, we shall not injure you in the least, but in like
manner you must sign "our Sacred Covenant''.
The left sleeve is shoved up, a drop of red ink from a glass dropper, is
dropped upon the wrist, and the glass dropper pressed lightly upon the wrist to
represent an incision (the wrist must not be pricked nor any incision made in
any way, for the red ink might then poison the blood). The Covenant is placed
upon the open Bible; a pen placed in the candidate's right hand; the hoodwink
removed.
You will now dip your pen in your blood upon your wrist and inscribe your
name upon "Our Sacred Covenant", which you have previously agreed to
ratify, confirm and observe throughout your whole life.
The surplus red ink is rubbed off the arm as clean as possible.
By this act, my brother, you become a loyal "Knight of the Mystic
Covenant". You again observe the protection granted to every loyal and true
"Knight of the Mystic Covenant". In order not to injure you in the
least, we have used red ink to symbolize your own blood. This teaches you that a
loyal Covenanter will never knowingly wound the feelings of a comrade Covenanter
in the least.
The three degrees through which you have passed, are emblematic of the
historic truth that, the National Covenant of Scotland was divided into three
parts.
You have been impressed with the fact that, the three degrees of Covenantry
constitute a progressive, moral science, the principles and mystic ceremonies of
which, as they have been illustrated and presented to you, are intended to make
a deep and lasting impression upon your mind, and inspire you with an earnest
zeal for the uplifting of your fellow man to higher
ideals and realizations of life, and in this effort, it is your duty, and in
accordance with your solemn vows, to promote the welfare of our glorious and
imperishable Society. Your past experiences and upright conduct have merited the
honor which we have conferred upon you. As each of the Four Tables is built
square and arranged upon a square, so it becomes your duty to always act
"upon the square'' with your fellow man.
You should ever observe the solemnities of our ceremonies; treasure up in
your heart the beautiful lessons contained therein; be true to your solemn vows;
preserve inviolable the secrets of our Society; and throughout your whole life,
worthily emulate the exemplary of the ancient Covenanters.
This concludes the "Third or Sublime Degree" of Covenantry.
My brother, in behalf of our Society and myself, I gladly extend to you the
right hand of fellowship, with congratulations.