Independent
Order of Odd Fellows
Ritual
of the First Degree – Degree of Friendship
Instructions
1989
The
King and his attendants may occupy any position in the lodge-room during the
dramatic part of the work.
The
brothers assuming the characters of Jonathan, David, Saul, Jesse, Herald, and
Lad should be selected because of dramatic ability. It is not necessary that any
one be a Past Grand, or an officer.
The
costumes worn should be consistent with Bible history. Saul should be
represented as a man of kingly bearing, afflicted at times with an evil spirit,
but not completely broken, either physically or mentally; Jonathan, a vigorous,
manly Prince; David, first a ruddy youth——a shepherd lad afterward a
soldier; Jesse, a venerable man.
At
no time should Goliath be admitted to, or be visible from the lodge-room and the
representation of his head should not be of a burlesque character.
The
house of Jesse should be at a point in the lodge-room furthermost from the
King's station. The inn used in 'second degree may be employed.
In
conferring this degree, it is permissible to introduce such dramatic action and
pantomine as will illustrate the degree, provided that no speaking characters
except those named in the ritual shall be introduced, nor shall the language of
the ritual be changed.
When
David and Jonathan, Conductor and candidate kneel, members should be assigned,
one to each of the other candidates (should there be more than one) who shall
kneel with him and clasp hands in proper form, and recite the covenant.
Appropriate
music, including the use of trumpets, bugles, or similar instruments, may
precede or accompany the entrance and exit of King and attendants, and may be
introduced in any portion of the degree, but all music must be consistent with
the ritual.
In
no part of the first degree shall the candidate be blindfolded.
Before
the candidate is taken into the lodge room to participate in the degree, the
Conductor shall advise him that he represents the character of David, although
the dramatic feature of the work will be taken by another.
Noble
Grand: Brother
…, are you ready to receive the first degree?
If
the brother answers in the affirmative.
Noble
Grand: Conductor,
present the candidate for examination.
The
Conductor presents the candidate to the Noble Grand who examines him as follows:
Noble
Grand: My brother,
What is the entersign?
What is
the password of the initiatory degree?
For
working purposes, how is it given?
Demonstrate
the countersign.
What
does the first motion signify?
What
does the second motion signify?
What
does the third motion signify?
Give me
the Odd Fellow's grip.
Demonstrate
the voting sign.
Demonstrate
the Interfraternal sign.
Noble
Grand: Brother,
you will retire to the anteroom and await further instructions.
Candidate
retires— after addressing Vice Grand.
If
the examination has been satisfactory, the lodge will proceed to open in the
first degree.
Noble
Grand calls up the lodge.
Noble
Grand: Warden,
declare the lodge closed in the initiatory degree.
Warden:
I declare the lodge closed in the initiatory degree.
Noble
Grand: We are
about to open the lodge in the first degree. Warden, ascertain that all present
are qualified to sit in the first degree.
After
the examination has been made.
Warden:
Noble Grand, I find all qualified.
Noble
Grand: Brothers
advance the sign of the first degree.
The
Noble Grand will give the answer.
Noble
Grand: Warden,
proclaim the lodge open in the first degree.
Warden:
I proclaim the lodge open in the first degree.
Noble
Grand seats the lodge.
Noble
Grand: Inside
Guardian, inform the Outside Guardian that the lodge is open in the first
degree.
If
officers retire to robe, the following form —between lines— may be used.
Noble
Grand: The
officers will proceed to robe for the first degree. During their absence Brother
…, Past Grand, will officiate as Noble Grand; Brother …, Past Grand, as Vice
Grand; and Brother …, as Inside Guardian. The officers will retire.
The
lodge is called up when the officers retire and re-enter,
Officers
retire and re-enter in procession.
Noble
Grand seats the lodge.
Sufficient
opportunity should be given brothers in the anteroom to enter the lodge room in
form. The ceremony shall then proceed, and no brother shall be permitted to
enter or leave until the degree has been completed, except as provided.
Part I
Noble
Grand: Conductor,
retire to the anteroom, receive and introduce the candidate.
The
Conductor retires in form, hearing staff.
The
Conductor will approach the inner door with the candidate, and give the alarm.
Inside
Guardian, opening wicket:
Who comes there?
Conductor
speaks in a low tone to Inside Guardian.
Conductor:
A brother who seeks the mysteries of the first degree of Odd Fellowship.
Inside
Guardian to Conductor:
Why does he seek these mysteries?
Conductor:
Because he wishes to be more fraternal.
Inside
Guardian advances to center of floor.
Inside
Guardian: Noble
Grand, a brother, wishing to be more fraternal, seeks the mysteries of the first
degree.
Noble
Grand: Admit him,
in friendship, the bond of fraternity.
Inside
Guardian returns to his station, and opens the door.
Inside
Guardian: You have
permission to enter, in friendship, the bond of fraternity.
Being
admitted, the Conductor will proceed with the candidate to the center of the
floor and present him to the Noble Grand.
Conductor:
Noble Grand, I present to you Brother … giving
name in
full,
who seeks the mysteries of this degree.
Noble
Grand: My brother,
it is my duty to remind you of the importance of the step you are taking, and to
caution you against making engagements that you may be unwilling to fulfill; or
entering into a covenant which may prove burdensome. Have you considered the
subject, and are you prepared to advance?
If
the candidate answers in the affirmative and Parts II and III are not used, the
Noble Grand will proceed directly to Part IV.
If
the candidate answers in the affirmative, and Parts II and III are used; the
Noble Grand continues:
Noble
Grand to the Conductor:
Let the brother be seated that he may take his next step in fraternity.
Part II
The
Conductor and candidate will be seated where they may witness the following
work.
Parts
II and III may, or may not, be used in conferring the first degree. If used at
all they must be given in complete form, as printed, and no change is
permissible.
The
King and his attendants enter. The King may assume the Chair of the Noble Grand,
or occupy any other station in the lodge room.
Herald
stands at right of King. Guards are stationed near and about the King. Jonathan
at outer edge of guards.
King,
seated: Jonathan,
my son, I need to talk to you.
Jonathan
advances and stands before the King.
King:
My son, I am deeply troubled. Pause.
I think the days of Saul, the King, are numbered. Evil spirits beset me, and I
fear that I am going mad!
Jonathan:
Father, only yesterday, one of your guardsmen told me of a shepherd lad of
King:
Of what use! But, if it pleases you, I will send for him. What is his name?
Jonathan:
David, the son of Jesse.
King
to Herald: Go to
King to
Jonathan: Leave me, my son, I would be alone — alone.
When
directed, the Herald goes to Jesse's house and raps on door, or with staff on
floor. Jesse appears.
Herald:
Peace! Are you Jesse, the shepherd?
Jesse:
Yes. Peace be with you.
Herald:
I am from Saul, the King.
Jesse:
Sit down and rest.
Jesse
and Herald are seated.
Herald:
Jesse, Saul, the King: says "Send your son David, to stand before me."
Jesse:
David! My youngest son! Send David to the King! He alone is left to tend the
flocks, and comfort me in my old age. His brothers even now are under arms. O
gentle stranger, go to Saul, and beg him to spare me my youngest born.
Herald:
Tis the King's command!
Jesse,
after pause: The
King's command must be obeyed. Pause
then, as if speaking to himself, but so as to be heard distinctly. No
evil can befall him, since the prophet Samuel has anointed him with Holy Oil.
Jesse
enters house.
Herald,
aside: Samuel
anointed David? Then David is chosen to rule over
Jesse
comes out of house and blows horn. Sound of someone singing or playing harp in
distance. Music finished, David enters from anteroom.
David:
Your blessing, father. Kneels for blessing. Jesse
lays hand upon his head. David rises. Peace be with you sir. Pause. Did you signal, father?
Jesse:
Yes. David, this stranger bears a message from the King. Saul commands me to
send you to him,
David:
The King sends for me?
Herald:
You play the harp, I am told.
David:
For my own amusement.
Herald:
Your ability has reached the ears of the King and for that you are summoned.
David:
But I cannot leave my father alone.
Herald:
It's the King's command!
David,
after pause: All
right! I am ready.
Jesse:
Farewell, my son! Find your brothers in the army and give them their father's
blessing.
David
kneels. Jesse blesses him:
The peace of God be with you.
Herald:
The peace of God rest on this house and all that dwell therein.
David,
carrying harp, starts with Herald on the journey. Near the Vice Grand's station,
they are met by Jonathan.
Jonathan
to David: Who are
you?
David:
David, son of Jesse,
Jonathan:
The shepherd lad. I am Prince Jonathan. David
begins to
kneel.
Kneel not to me. David, my father, the King, is troubled with evil spirits and
your music may soothe him.
David:
I am not clothed to appear before the King.
Jonathan:
I would not have you different. Come, don't be afraid.
Herald
returns to his station. David and Jonathan proceed to presence of the King.
David kneels and plays on harp.
Jonathan
assumes position with guards. Saul is apparently beset with an evil spirit, is
restless and perturbed, but the music soothes him. Music finished, Saul speaks.
King:
Lad, who are you?
David:
David, son of Jesse. Upon the hills of
King:
Come here, lad. You have found favor in my eyes, Sit here at my feet.
David
seats himself on dais at foot, and at one side, of King.
King
to David: I would
have you with me always.
David
plays a few chords on harp, then kneels and speaks to King.
David:
O King, one favor I ask, that I may visit my brothers who serve you in the
field.
King:
Go then, but soon return.
David
rises, bows to the King, and starts away as if to leave the room, but stops to
investigate the guards in search of his brothers. Jonathan is in position with
the guards on opposite side, so that each is about equal distance from the King,
and opposite to each other. David locates one brother in the line of guards to
the King's left, greets him affectionately, and escorts him to a position just
in front of the guards near the center of the floor. Through suitable gestures
and pantomime this brother indicates that another brother is in the other guard
to the King's right. David searches for and finds him, greets and affectionately
escorts this second brother to the place where the other brother is standing.
David
examines with curiosity, and is much enthralled with the fine raiment which they
wear, and the weapons which they bear. Following suitable pantomime in this
respect, he faces his brothers and the audience and announces:
David:
My brothers, I have come from
Upon
hearing this the brothers immediately kneel and remove their head gear. David
raises his arms over them, and, with eyes uplifted, blesses them.
David:
The peace of God be with you always.
The
brothers then rise, replace their headgear, and after friendly and affectionate
visitations in pantomine, David escorts each of them to their former positions
in the Kings guards, in such manner that he again returns to a position with the
guards opposite that of Jonathan. Shortly after David's return to this position,
Goliath is heard speaking from the anteroom. At no time is he permitted to enter
the lodge room, or show himself.
Goliath,
from anteroom: Ho!
Pause. Ho ye! Pause. Choose the greatest man among
you, and let him come out to fight me. If he be able to fight with me, and kill
me, we will be your servants; but if I kill him, you shall be our servants. I
defy the armies of
Consternation
among staff and attendants.
King,
Guards, and Staff:
The giant Goliath!
Goliath,
from anteroom: O
Saul, son of
King,
in sorrow and anger:
King of slaves! Woe is me! I am accursed! Three times has this braggart reviled
me— and beneath the spell of this evil spirit, I am powerless!
To
guards and attendants:
Is there not one among you who will go and fight this cursed Philistine?
Jonathan
places hand on hilt of his sword, and advances a pace or so. pauses a moment,
then, as if reconsidering, returns to former position. All wait for champion to
appear. After pause, and none appearing, David timidly, yet confidently, steps
before the king.
David:
O King, let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight
with this Philistine.
King,
contemptuously:
You are but a stripling, and he a mighty warrior!
David:
The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and the bear, will deliver
me out of the hand of this Philistine.
King:
Enough! Array him in armor.
The
armor-bearer clothes David with helmet, shield and sword, David starts to go,
but being unable to adapt himself to armor—- he returns to the King.
David:
Most gracious King, I prefer my shepherd's dress. This sword I have not proved.
King:
What do you want?
David:
This sling producing
it and
a stone.
King,
after meditation: Go, then, and if you are victorious, you shall be given riches
and your father's house made free. David
returns
helmet, shield,
and sword to attendant. He then walks around room, selecting stones from floor
and then proceeds toward anteroom, where Goliath is in waiting. Jonathan
accompanies David a short distance.
Jonathan:
David, you are no match for this giant.
David:
Have no fear. The Lord is with me.
Jonathan:
The Lord be with you! Farewell.
David:
Farewell.
David
goes to partially-opened door of anteroom, remaining in view of lodge, and in
position where he can sec Goliath.
Goliath,
from anteroom:
Boy—begone! Am I a dog, that you come to me with stones? I will give your
flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.
David:
You come to me with a sword and a spear, but I come to you in the name of the
Lord, whom you have reviled. This day will I smite you and take your head from
you, that all Philistia may know there is a God in
Goliath,
from anteroom: Ha!
Ha! Ha! With a sling and a stone!
David
throws the stone and enters anteroom to attack Goliath. Sound of an attack is
heard. Goliath groans. After proper pause, David returns with head of Goliath.
He takes but a few steps inside the lodge room, when he drops head upon the
floor, and runs to meet Jonathan. Jonathan hurries to David. They meet near Vice
Grand's station, and hasten, hand in hand, to presence of King. David kneels and
salutes King afterward pointing to head of Goliath.
David:
O King, your enemy is dead!
King
is unnerved, but soon recovers.
King:
My enemy dead? Pause.
To
attendants: Array
him!
Attendants
accompany David to anteroom, one of them removing head of Goliath as they leave
the lodge room.
David
is clothed in the anteroom as a commander in the army, and is then in readiness
for Part III.
King
to Jonathan: What
manner of man is this, that single handed he fought and killed this Philistine?
Jonathan:
My father, I know not, but my heart goes out to him in a great love, for he has
this day saved
Herald
saluting King: O
King, David has been anointed with Holy Oil by the prophet Samuel.
King,
angrily: How know
you this?
Herald:
From Jesse, his father.
King,
slowly: It must
then be so! With
increasing anger.
David, my successor? My kingdom to be rent from me and given to him?
After
meditation: True,
he killed Goliath, and saved my people. Pause.
And I have made him a commander of a thousand men! Pause. With energy: I have done well!
He shall
fight my wars, but he shall not come back alive!
The
Conductor will retire with the candidate to the anteroom.
Part III
The
King and attendants are in position as in Part II.
During
Part III the Conductor shall act as escort for the candidate. The Conductor and
candidate shall accompany David and participate in the following work of the
degree. Conductor shall advance with him to the inner door, and give the usual
alarm.
Inside
Guardian, opening the wicket:
Who comes there?
Conductor,
in low tone:
David, the son of Jesse.
Inside
Guardian, from station, cries loudly in surprised tone:
David, the son of Jesse, comes!
Officers
and brothers at Vice Grand's end of room immediately cry out: Hail to David! Ten thousand praises are his due!
King,
angrily: What
sound is that?
Herald:
It is the people.
They rejoice with David.
King:
I like it not! Pause. Aside. Oh, that he were dead! Pause.
To Inside Guardian: Why comes he here?
Inside
Guardian, opening
wicket—to Conductor: Why comes he here?
Conductor,
low tone:. To
visit Saul, King of
Inside
Guardian advances to center of floor and salutes King with sword.
Inside
Guardian: To visit
Saul, King of
King,
after pause: Admit
him to the presence of the King.
Inside
Guardian salutes King, returns to his station, and opens the door.
David,
Conductor, and candidate enter and proceed to center of floor, facing King.
David,
kneeling, and reverently saluting King:
Hail to the King!
King,
after pause:
Welcome, son of Jesse. You have smitten my enemies and brought me the spoils of
victory!
Herald:
Saul has slain his thousands!
The
staff, with exception of King's retinue:
And David his tens of thousands!
The
Lodge, with exception of King's retinue:
And David his tens of thousands!
King,
frantically: This
is treason to the King! I will smite him with the sword!
Snatches
sword from armor-bearer and rushes at David.
Conductor
hurries candidate to lower end of room.
Jonathan
steps in between King and David, and catches the blow on his shield, at the same
time saying:
Jonathan:
Father, this shall not be!
King
steps back a pace, lowers sword, and speaks in surprise and indignation.
King:
And would you defend this Judean who would be King—, to whom the people
ascribe tens of thousands, while to me they give but thousands?
Jonathan:
Even so, my father, for who shall stand against the Lord's anointed?
King:
Defend him not, for while he lives your kingdom is not safe. He shall surely
die!
Jonathan:
I will defend him with my life!
King:
False Prince! Unfilial son!
Saul
fights with Jonathan, who simply acts on the defensive. Saul is disarmed and,
rushing back to his station, calls:
King:
Ho, my guards! My guards!
Guards
endeavor to rush Jonathan back, so as to reach David, but he throws them off,
saying:
Jonathan:
Hold! Hold, I say! Stand back— on my command!
Guards
return to station.
Jonathan
walks about room and, when near the stone ezel, which should be as far as
possible from the King's station, calls:
Jonathan:
David!
David,
Conductor, and candidate proceed to Jonathan. Jonathan places his hands upon the
shoulders of David and Candidate.
Jonathan:
David, I am your friend. My father seeks to kill you, wait here. I will go to my
father and plead for you, and what I see I will tell you. Hide by the stone
ezel. I will shoot three arrows on its side as though I shot at a mark, and will
send a lad, saying: "Find the arrows that I shoot." If I say to him:
"The arrows are on this side of you," then come, for there is peace to
you. But if I say to the lad: "Are not the arrows beyond you?"
Go away!
David,
Conductor, and candidate hide by the stone Ezel, while Jonathan, after a few
moments of meditation, goes before his father and, upon his knees, pleads for
David.
Jonathan:
Father, I come to plead for David.
King:
Begone! I will not hear you! Begone!
Jonathan:
Father, have you forgotten your promise made before the people, that he who
should slay the giant, whom no man in all Israel dared stand before, to him
would you give riches, and make him great in the land of Israel? Have you, my
father, forgotten this? Pause. If so, let me no longer live!
King:
Curse you as an unnatural son! I will do as you wish.
King
draws sword and attempts to kill Jonathan. Jonathan bows head to receive blow,
but Saul's hand is stayed— as if by act of God— even as he is about to
strike, and he falls back into his chair. Jonathan rises, looks with pity upon
his father, then slowly walks down the room. After a short pause, King recovers
and, at a signal from him, the guards form in procession, and the King and his
retinue, with the exception of Jonathan and the lad, retire from the lodge room.
The Noble Grand and his supporters resume their stations, if same have been
occupied by the King and his attendants.
Jonathan:
Here, lad, find the arrows that I shoot.
Jonathan
loudly twangs a bow several times and then shoots three blunt arrows.
Jonathan
to lad: Make
haste!
Lad,
running: Where are
they?
Jonathan:
Are not the arrows beyond you? Pause.
Make haste! Pause.
Speed! Short
pause. Stay not!
Lad
picks up arrows and returns them to Jonathan.
Jonathan:
Here, lad, take this bow and arrows: handing
them to lad go, carry them to the city.
Lad:
I go, most noble Prince.
Lad
salutes Jonathan and retires from lodge room. In retiring he should not pass in
front of Jonathan. As Lad retires, David, the Conductor, and candidate start on
journey as if to leave the room, and at center of floor are met by Jonathan.
Jonathan:
David, my father would kill you! And yet I love you as my own soul!
David:
Jonathan, what is my problem?
Jonathan:
The King is angered and sore beset. He knows not what he does. O David, you are
as dear to me as life itself! Even should you become ruler over
David:
Jonathan, more than brothers, whether or not it shall come to pass that I rule
over
Jonathan:
Let us swear, the one to the other, in friendship forever!
Jonathan
and David each kneel upon their right knees, facing each other; their left knees
touching and their right hands clasped. Conductor and candidate assume similar
position.
Jonathan
and David, and Conductor: The
Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed, from this day
forever!
Jonathan,
David, Conductor, and candidate continue kneeling.
Noble
Grand calls up the lodge.
The
Lodge, led by the Chaplain: The
Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed, from this day
forever!
Jonathan,
David, Conductor, and candidate will rise.
Jonathan:
David, go in peace!
David:
Farewell, Jonathan. Peace be with you!
David
retires to anteroom. Jonathan retires by different exit.
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing the Chaplain.
Chaplain:
Hail to the
covenant of friendship!
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing the Past Grand.
Past
Grand: Hail to the
covenant of friendship!
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing the Vice Grand.
Vice
Grand: Hail to the
covenant of friendship!
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing Noble Grand from center of floor.
The
Lodge, led by the Warden:
Hail to the covenant of friendship!
Noble
Grand seats the lodge.
Part IV
Part
IV shall be omitted if parts II and III have been given. If parts II and III
have not been given, Part IV must be given in complete form, as printed, and no
abbreviation, or addition thereto, is permissible.
Noble
Grand: My brother,
the first link in the chain of Odd Fellowship is friendship. We have chosen from
the pages of Holy Writ the most striking example of friendship in history.
Noble
Grand: Conductor,
present the candidate to the Chaplain for the lecture of this degree.
Conductor
presents candidate to the Chaplain.
Conductor:
Worthy Chaplain, I present the candidate for the lecture of this degree.
Chaplain
to candidate:
Saul, the first King of Israel, had disobeyed God. He was disturbed in mind,
believed that he was possessed of an evil spirit and feared that he was going
mad. Learning that David, a son of Jesse, the shepherd, was famed for his skill
in playing upon the harp and believing that music had power to cast out evil
spirits, he sent a messenger to Jesse, commanding David to come before him.
After receiving his father's blessing, David appeared before the King. He played
sweetly upon the harp and Saul was soothed. David remained in the household of
Saul and found favor in his sight. Prince Jonathan, the son of Saul, formed a
strong attachment for the shepherd lad.
David
went to and fro to tend his father's flock. Returning one day he passed where
the armies of
David
had faith in God and spurned the sword. Armed with only a sling and a stone,
clothed only in his shepherd's dress, he went forth to battle and won. There was
great rejoicing in the camp when he returned bearing the giant's head as a
trophy of the conflict.
David
became popular in
The
friendship of Jonathan for the shepherd lad prompted him to go to his father and
plead for David. This further angered the King, who, in his rage, attempted to
kill Jonathan.
'Twas
then that Jonathan proposed to enter into a solemn covenant of friendship with
David, and in a field, where none but the eye of God might see, each kneeling,
these two men solemnly pledged eternal friendship.
Such a
covenant with all Odd Fellows, you are now privileged to enter.
Are you
willing to proceed?
Candidate
answers.
Chaplain:
The Conductor will proceed with the ceremony.
The
Conductor and candidate will kneel upon their right knees, facing each other;
their knees touching and their right hands clasped. The Conductor will prompt
the candidate to repeat after him the covenant.
The
Noble Grand calls up the lodge.
Conductor:
The Lord be between me and thee,
Candidate
repeats.
Conductor:
And between my seed and thy seed,
Candidate
repeats.
Conductor:
From this day forever!
Candidate
repeats.
The
Lodge, led by the Chaplain:
The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed, from this day
forever!
Conductor
and candidate arise and take a position facing the Chaplain.
Chaplain:
Hail to the covenant of friendship!
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing the Past Grand.
Past
Grand: Hail to the
covenant of friendship!
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing the Vice Grand.
Vice
Grand: Hail to the
covenant of friendship!
Conductor
and candidate will take a position facing the Noble Grand from center of floor.
The
Lodge, led by the Warden:
Hail to the covenant of friendship!
Noble
Grand seats the lodge.
Part V
Part
V is to follow Part III, or Part IV, whichever one is used.
Noble
Grand: My brother, I will now instruct you in the mysteries of this degree.
The
Noble Grand instructs, according to the unwritten work. In this degree there is
an alarm at the Inner Door, a password, an explanation of the password, a sign,
an answer to the sign, and a memento.
Noble
Grand: Wishing to
visit a lodge which is open in the first degree, you will proceed as instructed
in the initiatory degree, except that you will give to the Inside Guardian the
password of this degree and address the Vice Grand with the sign of this degree.
Wishing
to leave the lodge before it is closed in the first degree, you will address the
Vice Grand with the sign of the first degree, and that officer will answer you
with the proper sign. The Inside Guardian will then permit you to depart.
You will
now give me the sign of the first degree, and I will respond with the answer.
After
a satisfactory rehearsal, the Noble Grand shall proceed with the concluding
charge.
Noble
Grand: My brother,
by the consent of your brothers you have been advanced to a position of great
responsibility. The most ancient as well as the most true and beautiful example
of earthly friendship has been presented before you, and you have in your own
person illustrated a noble history. In that touching drama, you stood in the
presence of royalty and listened to the voice of praise, but your merit provoked
enmity, and you were hunted down as a traitor, when you were full of truth and
honor. You have thus enacted a part of the common life.
Envy is
the malicious foe of virtue, and is ever ready to destroy what it cannot imitate
or surpass; it is the vice of the weak and the vain, and the weapon of an
ignoble mind. In suffering its persecution you have learned a lesson never to be
forgotten. Man is prone to selfishness, and thus to live for himself alone; in
this isolation he has but little sympathy with his fellow-man. In such a mind
envy takes possession and hatred follows with its horrid brood. But there is
also a divinity in man which weds him to lofty motives and honorable actions.
The good have an affinity for each other which grows up into confidence and
affection.
Generous
deeds and unselfish purposes are the strongest bonds of union— in his high
estate, no man lives to himself. You have acted a part where all was oppression
upon the one hand, and all was love and protection on the other. You have seen
the picture on both sides.
It is
possible that men should combine for the common good; hence we have societies,
communities, states, and nations united by a compact which protects their
members. The bond is stronger when individuals are united by personal contact
and held together by a personal covenant. Such a covenant we have all entered
into, and you have been solemnly added to our fraternal union. By such a tie has
God bound Himself to His creatures on the scroll of heaven, with the rainbow as
His seal.
Such
obligations have come down to us from every age and country; by these, the
mystic rites of all nations have been protected and men everywhere brought into
fellowship. By your solemn pledge you are now entitled to give and receive the
tokens of a deathless friendship. Every Odd Fellow is your brother, and his
family the sacred object of your fraternal care. You have become one of a
brotherhood which extends to many peoples, and in their assemblies you will
always be welcome.
The
mysteries you have learned will insure you an honorable reception in strange
cities and distant lands, where you will be the subject of tender attentions,
because you are an Odd Fellow.
Noble
Grand: Conductor,
clothe the candidate in the regalia of this degree, the emblematic color of
which is pink.
Conductor
advances to chair of Noble Grand, receives regalia, returns and places it on the
candidate.
Noble
Grand calls up lodge.
Noble
Grand: Brother …
giving name in full, I welcome you to
the degree of friendship; to which, in the name and by the authority of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, I declare you admitted.
Noble
Grand seats the lodge.
Conductor
escorts candidate to a seat.
If
officers retire to disrobe, the following form —between lines— may be used:
Noble
Grand: The
officers will retire. During their absence, Brother …, Past Grand, will
officiate as Noble Grand; Brother …, Past Grand, as Vice Grand; and Brother
…, as Inside Guardian.
The
lodge is called up when the officers retire and when they re-enter.
The
officers retire and re-enter in procession, without form.
Noble
Grand calls up lodge.
Noble
Grand: Warden,
declare the lodge closed in the first degree and open in the initiatory degree.
Warden:
I declare the lodge closed in the first degree and open in the initiatory
degree.
Noble
Grand seats the lodge.
Noble
Grand: Inside
Guardian, inform the Outside Guardian that the lodge is open in the initiatory
degree.
Inside
Guardian retires and re-enters without form.