Sunbeam Fraternity
Initiation Ritual

1926

Opening Ceremony

Sunbeam Matron: The officers will take their stations and prepare for the duties of the Fraternity. Officers take their stations, vacancies are filled by the Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: Sunbeam Conductress. please take up the password.
The Sunbeam Conductress takes up the password. Those who are not in possession will stand. The Sunbeam Conductress goes to the altar and says: Sunbeam Matron, I find all in possession of the password except those standing.
S.M.: Sunbeam Conductress, please give the password to those standing, it they are entitled to receive it. The S.C., after finding that those standing are entitled to the password, will conduct them to the altar and give it to them, after which all will be seated.
S.M.: Officers, members and visitors of … Sunbeam Fraternity of … Chapter, the
hour has arrived for us to open our Fraternity. In order that our meeting may be a good one and we may learn fully those lessons which will fit us to grow into good men and women, it is necessary that each of us be obedient and orderly and give close attention to the instructions of our Counselors.
Sunbeam Warder, please notify the Sunbeam Sentinel that we are engaged in the opening ceremony of our Fraternity and tell him to permit no interruptions while we are so engaged.
Sunbeam Warder, opens the door and gives her command to the Sunbeam Sentinel: Sunbeam Matron, the Sunbeam Sentinel has your command.
S.M.: Thank you, it is well. In behalf of our Fraternity I extend a hearty welcome to all. Sunbeam Patron, where is your station, and what are your duties?
Sunbeam Patron: Sunbeam Matron, my station is in the West. It is my duty to assist the Sunbeam Matron in the discharge of her duties and in her absence to preside over the Fraternity. To have charge of the religious services of our Fraternity.
S.M.: Where is the Sunbeam Secretary stationed?
S.P.: In the Southeast, Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: Sunbeam Secretary, what are your duties?
Sunbeam Secretary: Sunbeam Matron, it is my duty to keep a correct record of the proceedings of the Fraternity, also to receive all monies due the Fraternity, and to pay the same to the Sunbeam Treasurer, taking her receipt for same.
S.M.: Where is the Sunbeam Treasurer stationed?
S.S.: In the Northeast, Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: Sunbeam Treasurer, what are your duties?
Sunbeam Treasurer: Sunbeam Matron, it is my duty to receive all monies belonging to the Fraternity from the Sunbeam Secretary, and to give to her a receipt therefor, also to keep a correct account of the money received by me and of the money paid out by me.
S.M.: Where is the Sunbeam conductress stationed?
S.T.: In the South, Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: Sunbeam Conductress, what are your duties?
Sunbeam Conductress: Sunbeam Matron, my duties are to have charge of the secret work of our Fraternity and to conduct candidates during their initiation.
S.M.: Where is the Sunbeam Associate Conductress stationed?
S.C.: In the North. Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: Sunbeam Associate Conductress, what are your duties?
Sunbeam Associate Conductress: Sunbeam Matron, my duties are to receive and prepare candidates for initiation and to assist the Sunbeam Conductress in the active duties of the Fraternity.
S.M.: Where is the Sunbeam Warder stationed?
S.A.C.: At the entrance of the Fraternity Room, Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: Sunbeam Warder, what are your duties?
Sunbeam Warder : Sunbeam Matron, my duty is to protect our Fraternity from the introduction of those who are not fitted to enter it, or who are not entitled to sit with us, and to aid the Sunbeam Sentinel in protecting our interest.
S.M.: Where is the Sunbeam Sentinel stationed, what are his duties?
S.W.: Sunbeam Matron, the Sunbeam Sentinel is stationed just outside the entrance of our Fraternity Room. It is his duty to protect us from the intrusion of improper persons.
S.M.: Sunbeam Patron, where is the Sunbeam Matron stationed, what are her duties?
S.P.: In the East, Sunbeam Matron. It is her duty to preside over the meetings of the Fraternity and to see that each officer performs the duly assigned him or her, to assist the Counselors in giving us instructions and to do all in her power for the advancement of the Fraternity. To properly perform the duties of her station, she needs to get that strength which comes from prayer to our heavenly Father.
S.M.: Royal Counselors and beloved Sunbeams, realizing that the duty of my station requires constant prayer and that none of us can live properly without prayer, let us join in prayer with our Sunbeam Patron.
Gives two raps of the gavel. All rise, the Sunbeam Patron goes to the altar and prays the following prayer. Attitude for prayer, bowed heads, hands folded across chest:
S.P.: O Lord, our dear heavenly Father, we thank thee that thou hast permitted us to meet once more in our Fraternity. We pray that thou wilt direct our lives that they may be a blessing to us and to all with whom we may come in contact; may we here learn such lessons that will please and honor thee, and bless all mankind.
We entreat thee to help us to heartily join in the prayer which thy dear Son did teach his disciples to pray. All join in the Lord's Prayer.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Sunbeam Patron returns to his station.
S.M.: Beloved Sunbeams, you have all spoken well. May we continue to learn good lessons as we join in our Opening Ode:
Brighten the corner where your are
Do not wait until same deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar,
Tho' into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
 
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and morning star,
Even from your humble hand the bread of life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Refrain
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Same one far from harbor you may guide across the bar,
Brighten the corner where you are.
S.M.: I now declare … Sunbeam Fraternity of … Chapter duly opened in due order for the transaction of business. Sunbeam Warder, so instruct the Sunbeam Sentinel.
S.W.: Sunbeam Matron, your commands have been obeyed.
 

Initiation Ceremony

S.M.: Sunbeam Conductress, you will retire to the outer chamber and find out if there are present any children of the Masonic family who desire to enter our Fraternity to join with us in this good work.
The Sunbeam Conductress bows to the Sunbeam Matron and retires. On finding out if there are candidates awaiting, she returns and gives three raps on the door of the Fraternity Room.
S.W.: Sunbeam Matron, there is an alarm at the door.
S.M.: Sunbeam Warder, find out the cause of the alarm.
S.W.: Sunbeam Matron, the alarm was caused by the Sunbeam Conductress with a candidate who desires to enter with us upon this good work.
S.S.: It has, Sunbeam Matron, and she has been duly elected to become one of us.
S.M.: Sunbeam Warder, you will admit them.
The Sunbeam Conductress enters with the candidate, the Sunbeam Associate Conductress meets them and helps escort the candidate. They make a circle around the room.
S.M.: Sunbeam Secretary, has the petition of this candidate been acted upon by this Fraternity, and has she been duly e1ected to become one of us?
S.C.: Dear little seeker, you have no doubt well considered the step which you have taken, do not complain then at whatever hardship you may have to pass through. The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over his works.
"Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may he long upon the land which the Lord bas given thee."
"Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and in all thy getting, get understanding."
"A wise son maketh a glad father."
They stop before the station of the Sunbeam Patron, who says: Cause the candidate to face the East.
S.C.: Sunbeam Patron, it is my joy to introduce to you the son or daughter of Brother or Sister … of the Masonic Lodge No. … at … or of Sister … of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. … to be introduced by you to our Sunbeam Matron.
S.P.: Sunbeam Matron, it is my pleasant duty to present to you …, the son or daughter of Sister or Brother … of Masonic Lodge No. … at … or of Sister … of the O. E. S. Chapter No. … at …, who has been duly elected by us to become a member of this Fraternity.
Sunbeam Conductress and Sunbeam Associate Conductress conduct the candidate to the East in front of the station of the Sunbeam Matron.
S.M.: My dear friend, I assure you that you are cordially welcome. We rejoice at all times to add another to our number, that we may thereby assist in extending the Kingdom of him who came to earth and took upon himself the form of a man and was born in the lowly manger. It is our joy to learn of him the way of life. Yon will now be conducted to the altar where our Sunbeam Patron will administer to you our obligation.
Sunbeam Conductress and Sunbeam Associate Conductress conduct the candidate to the altar. The S.M. calls up the Fraternity who form a circle around the altar. The Sunbeam Patron goes to the a1tar.
S.P.: Dear friend, it is my duty to give you our obligation, the terms of which you will find to be easy to keep. The Sunbeam Conductress will place the candidate in position. Places a Bible in the hand. You will give your name and repeat after me: I, … giving name, in the presence of our heavenly Father and these witnesses, do solemnly promise and declare that I will never reveal any of the secrets of this body of children to any persons, directly or indirectly, in the world unless it be a member of the Fraternity, and not then until I have satisfied myself that they are worthy to receive the test. I further promise that I will obey the constitution and rules of the Fraternity, I will act in harmony with its members. and do all in my power to secure the unity of membership. I further promise that I will protect my little brothers and sisters wherever I find them doing the right. I further promise to speak the truth, also that I will not recommend to membership in the Fraternity any boy or girl who is not obedient to his or her parents. May the heavenly Father help me to keep these vows in token of which I kiss the Holy Bible.
Members exclaim: We are witnesses!
S.P.: Sunbeam Conductress, please remove the veil from the eyes of our newly adopted brother or sister. Sunbeam Conductress removes the veil and places the Bible on the altar. My beloved Sunbeam, we rejoice to welcome you fully into our band. We note with much pleasure the cheerful manner in which you have taken our sacred obligation. It gives me much pleasure to introduce you to our Counselor who will further enlighten you in the mysteries of our Fraternity.
Counselor: My beloved Sunbeam, you have received a hearty welcome from our Sunbeams and to their welcome I gladly add mine. Your coming into our midst gives us another worker in this good cause. It becomes my pleasing duty to enlighten you on the secret work of our Fraternity.
See syllabus.
And now having given you our secret work, let us bow in prayer.
The Sunbeam Conductress places the candidate in the circle with the members.
S.P., comes to the altar: O Lord, our dear heavenly Father, we thank thee for prayer, that thou dost permit us to approach thee in prayer. We thank thee for this link that has been added to our chain may each of us be stronger for his coming, and when our earthly life is ended may we all meet in that home which thou hast prepared for the faithful. These and all blessings we humbly ask of thee in the name of thy dear Son, Amen.
S.M., gives one rap, a1l are seated: Sunbeam Conductress, you, will now conduct our newly made Sunbeam to the desk of the Sunbeam Secretary where he will sign our By-laws. Royal Counselor and beloved Sunbeams, let us rejoice in this addition to our number and let us so live that we may constrain many more to enter our ranks. Sunbeam Patron, you will call this Fraternity from labor to recreation at which time I trust each Sunbeam will greet our new member and bid him a hearty welcome to our Fraternity.
S.P.: By order of the Sunbeam Matron, we are called from labor to recreation to resume at the sound of the gavel in the East.
The Fraternity being at recreation, a repeat is served.
 

Closing Ceremony

S.M.: Sunbeam Patron, is there any work of charity which we have failed to perform?
S.P.: None, Sunbeam Matron, so far as I know.
S.M.: Beloved Sunbeams, is there any work of charity which we have left undone? Answers are given as the occasion requires.
S.M.: Sunbeam Warder, please inform the Sunbeam Sentinel that we are about to close our Fraternity and tell him to permit no interruptions while we are thus engaged.
S.W.: Sunbeam Matron, no interruptions shall be made from without.
S.M.: Let us unite in prayer. Prayer by the Sunbeam Patron.
Closing ode
Shine for Jesus
When the clouds are hanging low, Shine, shine;
And you know not where to go, Shine for Jesus;
Take your burden la the Lord,
You can take him at his word,
Sing and pray ev'ry day, Shine, shine, shine!
When the world its powers wield, Shine, shine;
Jesus Christ will be your shield, Shine for Jesus;
Seek the Master on your knees,
He's above you and he sees,
Sing and pray ev'ry day, Shine, shine, shine!
When your sins are washed away, Shine, shine;
He'll go with you ev'ry day, Shine, for Jesus;
You are never more alone;
Jesus Christ is all your own,
Sing and pray ev'ry day, Shine, shine, shine!
When your path is black as night, Shine, shine;
Soon he'll bring you to the light, Shine for Jesus;
Tho' the way be hard and long,
Never change from right to wrong,
Sing and pray ev'ry day, Shine, shine, shine!
Chorus
Shine when troubles shake you;
Shine, when friends forsake you;
All the way, ev'ry day,
There's a crown awaiting;
Shine, when foes assail you;
Shine, when others fail you;
Keep your eyes on Jesus,
And shine, shine, shine.
S.M.: Royal Counselors and beloved Sunbeams, let us thank our dear heavenly Father for having blessed us to meet again, and as we go forth from here and mingle with our fellow creatures, let us so talk and act that we may be a blessing to all. I now declare … Sunbeam Fraternity of … Chapter, duly closed. Farewell.
All respond: Farewell.

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