Ancient Order of Pilgrims
Installation Ceremony

1912

The ceremony following is the approved order for the installation of the officers of a subordinate sanctuary, and for the officers of the Supreme Home. The titles and duties of the respective officers being practically the same, excepting the fact that the titles of the officers in a Supreme Home carry the prefix "supreme."
In a subordinate sanctuary it is the duty and prerogative _of the retiring Worthy Shepherd to install the officers elect, but any Past Worthy Shepherd in good standing in the Jurisdiction is qualified to perform the ceremony. In the installation of the officers of a Supreme Home, the ceremony must be performed by any one of the following, the preferred order being: the retiring Supreme Worthy Shepherd, the President of the Supreme Council, an active member of the Supreme Council.
Officers whose absence is justifiable, and which has been satisfactorily explained to the sanctuary or to the Worthy Shepherd, and to the Supreme Worthy Shepherd and the Supreme Council, in the case of Supreme Home officers, may be installed by proxy.
The hour having arrived to perform the ceremony, the installing officer occupies a position in the hall similar to that occupied by the Worthy Shepherd in a local sanctuary, calls the members to order and announces the names of two marshals, previously selected, -who will lead the Pilgrim March.


The Pilgrim March

The marshals appointed will arrange the members in couples, forming two columns, each of which is led by one of the marshals. As the music is played the double column passes from the West towards the East, by the way of the North, in review by the installing officer.
As the columns pass the installing officer the second time, they move along the center of the hall toward the West, and there separate, one column returning to the East by way of the North, and the other turning to his left, goes back to the East by way of the South, thus forming two elliptical circles.
As the marshals approach the West the second time, the two circles having been distinctly formed, the two columns intersect in front of the station in the West, a member from each passing alternately, thus each repasses to the East by a different route. This position leaves the members in two parallel columns, extending from West to East, each headed by a marshal, one standing to the right of the installing officer and the other to the left.
The two marshals march down the columns on the inside, observing that the lines are straight, one of which faces the North and the other the South. When the marshals meet in front of the station in the West, they walk hand in hand to the East midway between the two columns, where they salute the installing officer with the public Supreme Honors, thus:
Place the palm of the right hand over the right ear horizontally, carry the right forearm across the breast to the left shoulder, dropping it suddenly to the side, and then bow the head. This is done only once.
Address by Installing Officer.
W.S.: The Marshals will present Brother (sister) …, who has been elected Worthy Shepherd of ... sanctuary for the ensuing term .... At the command just given the marshals salute the installing officer, thus: Raise the right forearm to a horizontal position across the breast, then drop the arm suddenly to the side. The officer elect is escorted to the East, walking hand in hand between the two marshals. The other officers elect are escorted in the same manner.
W.S.: Brother (sister) ..., I welcome you upon your elevation to the highest office within the gift of this sanctuary. It becomes my duty to lay before you the importance of punctuality and regular attendance on your part, which will serve not only to dispatch business, but as an example to the other officers.
Let candor and equity be your distinguishing characteristics in all your proceedings, and your decisions void of partiality.
W.S.: Do you promise faithful obedience and protection to the laws and regulations of the Supreme Home and the orders of the Supreme Worthy Shepherd, and to use every legitimate means that the same may not be violated by the sanctuary under your control, nor by any of its officers and members?
Ans.: I do.
W.S.: Do you agree that no person nor set of persons can be initiated into the mysteries of this fraternity unless the constituted number of duly qualified members is present, or unless authority has been expressly granted by the Supreme Home of the Jurisdiction or by its duly authorized officers to do otherwise?
Ans.: I do.
W.S.: Do you agree that no visitor shall be entitled to a seat in your sanctuary until after due examination he proves himself worthy, or unless he be vouched for by one or more members in good and regular standing, and if there is reason to believe that the presence of such an one will in any way tend to disturb the peace and harmony, said person will be denied admission?
Ans.: I do.
W.S.: Do you promise to maintain the honor and dignity of your position and employ every means for the upbuilding of your sanctuary and the fraternity generally?
Ans.: I do.
W.S.: Officers and members of ... Sanctuary No ..., you have listened to the solemn pledges of our brother (sister), are you still in favor of having him (her) as your presiding officer for the ensuing year?
Ans.: We are.
W.S., prompting the candidate to repeat: I, ..., in the presence of Almighty God and all present, do solemnly pledge that as Worthy Shepherd of this sanctuary, I shall faithfully discharge the duties pertaining thereto, and shall employ every means to preserve the peace and harmony and for promoting the general welfare of the sanctuary and the Order generally throughout the Jurisdiction.
W.S.: The Marshals will now invest the Worthy Shepherd (Supreme Worthy Shepherd) with the badge of office, whom we salute with the public Supreme Honors.
Public Supreme Honors are given by all members, led by the marshals; but after the badge of office has been put on the W.S.
W.S.: You may conduct the presiding officer to the station in the East, and present the Worthy Vice-Shepherd elect.
The marshals salute the installing officer and present the Worthy Vice-Shepherd in the same manner as before.
W.S.: With much pleasure do I welcome you, now that you are about entering upon the duties of so responsible an office. Your duty, from time to time, will be to assist the Worthy Shepherd (Supreme Worthy Shepherd) in upholding the honor of the chair, and maintain order throughout the transaction of the business. Do you realize the importance attached to your office, and do you promise to conform to all the requirements thereof?
Ans.: I do.
W.S.: After investing the Worthy Vice-Shepherd with the insignia of office the Marshals will conduct him (her) to his (her) station in the West and present the next officer in rank.
The marshals execute the order as before and present the Worthy Recorder.
Marshal: Worthy Shepherd, I have the honor to present for installation as Worthy Recorder of ... Sanctuary No. ..., Brother (Sister) ..., who has been elected to serve during the ensuing year.
W.S.: With the utmost pleasure I congratulate you on the eve of assuming the duties of one of the most responsible offices of this sanctuary (fraternity).
Your duty as Worthy Recorder (Supreme Worthy Recorder) is to keep a correct account of the proceedings on all occasions, and thus place this sanctuary (fraternity) in the front rank of progress. The marshal will now invest the Worthy Recorder with the insignia of office, and will present the Worthy Locker after having conducted the Worthy Recorder to his station in the East to the left of the Worthy Shepherd.
The order is executed as before.
Marshal: Worthy Shepherd, I present to you Brother (sister) ..., who has been duly elected Worthy Locker for the ensuing year.
W.S.: Brother (sister) ..., being the choice of a majority of the members of this sanctuary (fraternity) for the position of Worthy Locker shows the high estimation in which you are held. Into your hands will be placed the funds of the Order for safe keeping, which may be called for at any moment to administer to the necessities of such worthy members who may become objects of our charity, and worthy of relief from us in their distress. Do you hereby promise and pledge to maintain the confidence imposed in you, and on retiring from office to surrender to your successor whatever funds and records which may be in your posession and belonging to the Order?
Ans.: I do.
W.S.: The Marshals will invest the Worthy Locker with the insignia of office, conduct him to his station to the right of the Worthy Shepherd in the East, and present for installation the Worthy Senior Usher and the Worthy Patrol.
The order is executed as before, the candidates for installation having a position between the marshals.
Marshal: Worthy Shepherd, with much pleasure we present to you Brother ... and Brother ..., who have been elected to the offices of Worthy Senior Usher and Worthy Patrol, respectively.
W.S.: My ..., your duty is to prepare and conduct candidates through the ceremonies of initiation into the mysteries of our fraternity, as well as to execute such orders about the sanctuary as the Worthy Shepherd may direct. It is of necessity that you be well acquainted with the workings of our Order, that you might rightly present its beautiful truths and lessons to those who come ready and qualified to receive instruction.
Ever bear in mind that the nature of the Impression made upon a candidate depends upon the amount of care exercised in the discharge of your duty. As Worthy Senior Usher and Worthy Patrol, do you sacredly promise to perform creditably the duties devolving upon you?
Ans.: We do.
W.S.: The Marshals will invest these officers with the proper insignia of office.
The Marshals invest each of the officers with the badge of office.
W.S.: Worthy Senior Usher, the scroll and baton within the star, which is your badge of office, is a symbol of well formulated plans and their consummation, and teaches that as the first impressions upon a candidate are lasting, they should in all cases be good. Worthy Patrol, your badge, the baton within the star, is to remind you that the preservation of good discipline is a necessity to the welfare of your fraternity. The Marshals will conduct these officers to their respective stations, and present the Worthy Junior Usher and Worthy Sentinel for installation.
The Marshals execute the order as before.
Marshal: Worthy Shepherd, it is a pleasing duty to present Brother ... and Brother ..., who have been duly elected Worthy Junior Usher and Worthy Sentinel, respectively, of this sanctuary for the ensuing year.
W.S.: My ..., you are the inner and outer guards of the entrance to this sanctuary. To you is intrusted the protection of the secrecy of our proceedings and the prevention of such alarms as will disturb unnecessarily the solemnity of our ceremonies. Do you promise to discharge your duties faithfully and with the utmost zeal?
Ans.: We do.
W.S.: The Marshals will invest these officers with the badge of office.
The Marshals invest each officer with the badge of office.
W.S.: Worthy Junior Usher, the dove within the star symbolizes peace, and indicates that harmony is essential to the prosperity of our Order.
Worthy Sentinel, the crossed-swords within the star is a sign of protection. At your post be ever vigilant, as our safety against intruders rests upon your watchfulness. The Marshals will conduct these officers to their stations and present the Worthy Inspirator and the Worthy Counselor for installation.
The order is executed as before, and as the Marshals conduct the Worthy Inspirator and the Worthy Counselor to the East, the members sing an appropriate hymn accompanied by music when possible. A sacred instrumental selection can be substituted for the same.
Marshal: Worthy Shepherd, I present to you ... and ..., who have been elected to the offices of Worthy Inspirator and Worthy Counselor, respectively, for the ensuing year.
W.S.: My brother (sister), your position is one of marked distinction, as is evidenced by your station in the center of the sanctuary. There is the Holy Bible, the revelation of Divine Truth, and through its sacred pages are taught the lessons of love, faith, hope, holiness and the other Christian graces. It will be your duty to invoke the blessings from on high upon the deliberations of your sanctuary, and to instruct those who seek admonition in those heavenly virtues which are illustrated in the lives and characters you present. May a halo of beauty and sublimity encircle your station, as typified by the crown and stars, the symbol of your office.
Marshal invests Inspirator with badge.
Worthy Counselor, the office to which you have been elected is one of significance. Your badge of office, the anchor, symbolizes the steadfast hope and our assurance of safety in being anchored to the principles and virtues of our ancient mysteries. Your duty will require safe and wise counsel on your part with the officers and members of the sanctuary.
When the trials and sufferings, which mortal man is heir to, arise almost too grieyous to be borne, by wise co-operation between you and your Worthy Inspirator, and your Worthy Shepherd, the membership may realize that the afflictions of this world 'are not worthy of comparison to the joys that await us in the Great Beyond.
The Marshal invests the Worthy Counselor with the badge of office.
W.S.: The Marshals will conduct these officers to their stations and present for installation the board of Worthy Trustees.
The Order is executed as before, and the three Trustees and the Marshals approach the East hand in hand ⸻ one of whom walks between the two Marshals.
Marshal: Worthy Shepherd, we take great pleasure in presenting to you Brothers ..., ..., and ..., who have been elected to the office of Worthy Trustees of this sanctuary for the ensuing year.
W.S.: My brethren, the office to which you have been elected shows the high regard and esteem the members of your sanctuary have in your ability and judgment to look after the material welfare of the sanctuary. Your badge of office, the burning lamp, symbolizes the searching scrutiny to be exercised in the light of truth in reference to all the business transactions, and especially the investment and expenditure of the funds of this sanctuary. Do you pledge yourselves, in the presence of the members here assembled, to faithfully discharge your duties?
Ans.: We do.
W.S.: After investing these officers with the insignia of office, the Marshals will present for installation the Supreme Council.
The order is executed as before, and the members of the Supreme Council are presented.
Marshal: Supreme Worthy Shepherd, we present, with the highest degree of pleasure, the following brethren, as members of the Supreme Council, to-wit ....
S.W.S.: My brethren, though the last to be presented for installation, your position in the Order is one of the most exalted. Your badge of office, the emblem of Justice and the Book of the Law, suggest the spirit and temperament of mind which I should be uppermost in all your deliberations.
There can be no higher duty nor any greater responsibility imposed upon you by our institution than the responsibility of sitting in judgment as a judicial tribunal for the adjudication of grievances, charges, complaints and appeals as they arise throughout the Jurisdiction.
As the Marshals invest you with the insignia of your office, let us impress you that your purpose should be to regard the spirit rather than the letter when vindicating the majesty of the law.