Part 2

_W. M._ What is your duty, and explain your badge of office.

_A. M._ To assist the Worthy Matron, and preside over the Chapter during her absence. My badge is the effulgent Sun within the Star, an emblem of light, admonishing me that the principles of our Order should shine with undiminished lustre through our lives.

_W. M._ Where is the Worthy Patron's station?

_A. M._ At your left, Worthy Matron.

_W. M._ What is his duty, and explain his badge of office.

_A. M._ To preside during the conferring of the degrees, and at other times when requested to do so by the Worthy Matron; to act as her adviser, see that the officers are proficient in their work, and exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the Chapter. His badge is the Square and Compasses within the Star, an emblem of the relationship existing between the Masonic Fraternity and the Order of the Eastern Star.

_W. M._ Where is the Worthy Matron's station?

_A. M._ In the East, Worthy Matron.

_W. M._ What is her duty, and explain her badge of office.

_A. M._ To preside at the meetings of the Chapter, see that its business is properly conducted, and secure obedience to the laws and regulations of the Order. Her badge is the Gavel within the Star, an emblem of authority, admonishing her that the government of this Chapter, and its prosperity, depend greatly upon her judgment and discretion. Her responsibilities to God for the faithful discharge of her duties should ever prompt her to do her work in the spirit of faith and prayer.

_W. M._ It is in this spirit that I desire to open this Chapter, and perform whatever duties may devolve upon me. That we may have the needed grace to do our work well, let us unite in prayer.

The Chapter is called up, and the following Prayer is offered by the Worthy Patron or Chaplain at the Altar, approaching between Martha and Esther.

PRAYER.

Bless, O Lord, we beseech Thee, our humble labors in the promotion of truth and love, unity and peace. Dispel whatever spirit of discord may here arise. Enrich our hearts with that most excellent gift of charity, so that our acts may be full of the spirit of kindness and forbearance one towards another. Give us strength to continue in every good work, and faith to believe that we shall reap if we faint not; and at last may we enjoy the blessedness which Thou hast prepared for those that love Thee. AMEN.

Response by all the members.

So may it ever be.

The Worthy Patron or Chaplain steps back into the circle of Star officers, between Esther and Martha facing East, remaining in that position until the Worthy Matron seats the Chapter when he returns to his station.

_W. M._ Let us unite in singing our Opening Ode.

SINGING.

_W. M._ Sister Conductress, you will attend at the Altar.

Conductress approaches the Altar between Ruth and Esther, makes a slight bow, opens the Bible, gives the sign of salutation, and steps back into the circle of Star officers between Ruth and Esther, remaining there, until seated by the Worthy Matron.

_W. M._ I now declare ---- Chapter, No. -- Order of the Eastern Star, duly opened for the transaction of business. Sister Warder, you will so instruct the Sentinel.

The Warder in due order ** ** * * opens the door, informs the Sentinel, and after closing the door, says:

_War._ Worthy Matron, your order has been obeyed.

The W. M. seats the Chapter.

Closing of the Chapter.

_W. M._ Sister Associate Matron.

_A. M._ Worthy Matron.

_W. M._ Do you know of any further business to come before the Chapter at this time?

_A. M._ Worthy Matron, there is none within my knowledge.

_W. M._ Sister Warder.

_War._ Worthy Matron.

_W. M._ You will inform the Sentinel that we are about to close the Chapter, and direct him to permit no interruption while we are thus engaged.

The Warder in due order ** ** * * opens the door and informs the Sentinel.

_War._ Worthy Matron, your order has been obeyed.

_W. M._ It is well; let us unite in singing our Closing Ode.

Calls up the Chapter.

SINGING.

The prayer will be offered at the Altar as in opening.

_W. M._ Let us unite in prayer.

PRAYER.

Holy and merciful God! who answereth prayer and doth not scorn the petition of the humblest of Thy children! Bestow upon us in our parting that spirit of affection which can resist the selfishness of the world, and cause us to remember our obligations to each other and to Thee. Grant that we may all be permitted with loving hearts to assemble here again, for our instruction, for Thine honor, and for the good of our fellow men. All of which we ask for Thy name's sake. AMEN.

Response by all the members.

So may it ever be.

The Worthy Patron or Chaplain steps back into the circle of Star officers between Esther and Martha facing East, remaining in that position until the Worthy Matron closes the Chapter.

_W. M._ Sister Conductress, you will attend at the Altar.

Conductress approaches the Altar as before, with the Sign of Salutation, closes the Bible, makes a slight bow, steps back into the circle of Star officers between Ruth and Esther, remaining until Chapter is closed.

_W. M._ Sisters and Brothers, we go forth into the world not knowing what trials may await us in the journey of life. Let us not be dismayed, for our Heavenly Father has promised to strengthen and uphold us by the right hand of his power. Farewell.

Response by all the members.

Farewell.

_W. M._ I now declare ---- Chapter, No. --, closed. Sister Warder, you will so instruct the Sentinel.

The Worthy Matron gives one blow with the gavel. The Warder informs the Sentinel that the Chapter is closed.

Initiation Ceremonies.

The Initiation Ceremony is the same for gentlemen as for ladies, and both may receive the degrees at the same time. The necessary changes in language must be made as circumstances require. The time having arrived for initiation, and it being probable that candidates are in waiting, if robes are used, the officers retire, and prepare for the ceremony of initiation.

_W. M._ Sister Associate Conductress.

_A. C._ Worthy Matron.

_W. M._ You will retire and ascertain if there are candidates in waiting to receive the degrees.

The Associate Conductress advances to the west of the Altar, gives the Sign of Salutation, and (the Warder having given the usual raps and opened the door,) retires. Ascertaining the name of the candidate, she returns, and standing west of the Altar, gives the Sign of Salutation and says:

_A. C._ Worthy Matron, I find in waiting -- -- who is desirous of being initiated into our Order.

The Worthy Matron invites the Worthy Patron to preside for the purpose of conferring the degrees. The Worthy Patron, taking the chair, says:

_W. P._ Sister Secretary.

_Sec'y._ Worthy Patron.

_W. P._ Has this candidate been elected to receive the degrees of the Order?

_Sec'y._ She has, Worthy Patron.

_W. P._ Sister Associate Conductress, you will retire and prepare the candidate for the ceremonies of initiation.

She gives the sign, and retires as before. Taking the candidate into the preparation room, she says:

_A. C._ Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being? _Ans._ I do.

My friend, human life is a labyrinth through which we all wander blindly, and too often, in ignorance. It is good to consider the experience of others, and profit by their knowledge and example. Having received the degrees of our Order, and therefore being able to assist you, permit me to direct your preparation for the ceremonies of initiation.

She then removes the candidate's hat, gloves and shawl or cloak, prepares and leads her to the

door of the Chapter-room. The Associate Conductress gives five raps upon the door, ** ** *

_Cond._ Worthy Patron, there is an alarm at the door of the preparation room.

_W. P._ Sister Conductress, you will ascertain the cause of the alarm.

The Conductress goes to the door, answers the alarm, ** ** * * and opening the door, says:

_Cond._ Who knocks at the door of our Chapter?

_A. C._ The Associate Conductress with a candidate, who desires to be initiated into our Order.

_Cond._ Is she properly prepared?

_A. C._ She is.

_Cond._ My friend, you will wait until further orders are received from the Worthy Patron.

The Conductress closes the door, and, advancing to a position in front of the Associate Matron, facing the East, says:

_Cond._ Worthy Patron, the alarm was caused by the Associate Conductress with a candidate, who desires to receive the degrees of our Order.

_W. P._ Is the candidate properly prepared?

_Cond._ She is.

_W. P._ You will admit her.

The Conductress returning to the door, opens it wide, and says:

_Cond._ It is the order of the Worthy Patron that you be admitted to our Chapter.

Before the door is opened to receive the candidate the lights may be turned down, and soft music played during this lecture by the Conductress. The candidate is led inside the door and stopped. The Conductress then says to her:

_Cond._ You have doubtless well considered the step you have taken in seeking admission to this Order, dedicated to Charity, Truth, and Loving-kindness. You came here of your own free choice. Complain not, therefore, at any trial. A seal is here set upon your lips. Let it warn you to be ever silent and secret, as to all that may be made known to you here. Be not weary in well-doing. Woe unto those who seek to take upon themselves burdens which they cannot bear. Woe unto the faithless and insincere, who assume obligations lightly and forthwith forget them. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths."

Conductress offers her right arm to the candidate. If there are two the Associate Conductress offers her left arm to the candidate and in like manner follows with the second. The Associate Conductress assists only when necessary to form couples. The candidate is conducted once around the room to the Associate Matron. Officers and members always observe square corners.

During the march, vocal or instrumental music is furnished, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

_W. P._ "Though I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal."

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind: charity envieth not."

"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."

"And now abideth Faith, Hope and Charity, but the greatest of these is Charity."

Having arrived at the West, the candidate is introduced to the Associate Matron.

_Cond._ Sister Associate Matron.

_A. M._ Sister Conductress.

_Cond._ I have the honor of introducing -- -- who is to be presented by you to the Worthy Matron.

_A. M._ My friend, you are heartily welcome. Sister Conductress, you will cause the candidate to face the East.

Conductress and candidate face the East.

_A. M._ Worthy Matron, I have the honor to present -- --whose petition has been approved by this Chapter, and who is now ready to assume our Obligation.

The Worthy Matron rises and addresses the candidate.

_W. M._ It is with pleasure that I welcome you into this Chapter. Your relation to the Masonic fraternity, and the recommendations presented in your behalf, assure us that you merit the honor we confer, and are worthy of the important trust with which we are about to invest you. The Order of the Eastern Star exists for the purpose of giving practical effect to one of the beneficent purposes of Freemasonry, which is to provide for the welfare of the wives, daughters, mothers, widows, and sisters of Master Masons.

Here they may share with the Masonic brother in promulgating the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

Here we may aid, comfort, and protect each other in our journey through the labyrinth of human life, and by cheerful companionship and social enjoyments, lighten the burdens of active duty.

By means of secret signs, and other work of the Order, we are able to make ourselves known to each other wherever we may meet.

We are governed by the laws and regulations of the Grand Chapter, and by a code of By-Laws framed by ourselves. These we are bound to obey so long as we remain members of the Order, and in this obedience, we shall expect you to share.

Addressing the Worthy Patron, the Worthy Matron says:

Worthy Patron, it is with pleasure that I introduce to you this candidate, who is prepared to assume the Obligation of the Order.

_W. P._ The obligation you are about to take is a solemn pledge which you must give to this Chapter, before you can participate in the privileges of our Order. By it you bind yourself to the most solemn secrecy respecting the work of the Order, and to the performance of those acts of kindness and forbearance, which are essential to our welfare and prosperity.

With this knowledge of its requirements are you willing to proceed?

_Cand._ I am.

_W. P._ Sister Conductress, you will cause the candidate to be in proper position at the Altar to receive the Obligation. (1.)

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music.

_Cond._ Worthy Patron, the candidate is in proper position.

The Chapter is called up, and the Worthy Patron takes his position on the east side of the Altar, and causes the candidate to repeat after him the following. Soft music may be played during obligation.

OBLIGATION.

* * * (2.) * * *

_W. P._ Arise, my sister, we accept the pledge you have given, and share with you in this solemn Obligation.

The Conductress takes the Bible from the candidate, when the Worthy Patron says: "Arise, my sister," he extends his right hand and assists the candidate in rising, the lights are suddenly turned up at the same time.

_W. P._ You will now be received into our Order and be conducted to the several points of the Star, where you will receive instruction in those sublime virtues exemplified in the lives of Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa.

The Worthy Patron returns to the East, and seats the Chapter.

The Conductress and candidate will leave the Altar on the right, passing out between Electa and Adah, leaving Adah on the right, all around the outside of the Star to Adah for instruction.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

_W. P._ "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding."

"She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her."

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

_Cond._ Sister Adah.

Adah rises and takes her position at the right of her chair; after each lecture the Star Officer will remain in her position, standing until the Conductress and candidate have passed her, then be seated.

_Adah._ Sister Conductress.

_Cond._ I present this Sister, who, having assumed our Obligation, will receive from you such lessons respecting fidelity to convictions of right and duty, as may properly be drawn from the history of Jephthah's Daughter.

_Adah._ Jephthah was the ninth judge and one of the mightiest men in Israel. Being called upon, in the extremity of his country's trials, to go at the head of its armies, he prepared his household for a campaign that would perhaps cost him his life; and then "Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, 'If thou shalt deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.'" Jephthah went forth to battle, the victory was gained, and the victorious warrior returned to Mizpeh. The door of his house opened, and, "behold! his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances," and she was his only child. Jephthah, when he saw her, rent his clothes, and in the anguish of his heart, cried aloud, "Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back." Adah replied, "My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which has proceeded out of thy mouth." She asked that she might go among the mountains for two months, and there prepare her mind for the solemn surrender of her life to preserve her father's honor.

When the two months had expired, she was seen, followed by her friends, winding her way down the mountain's side to the altar, where her father with an almost broken heart was prepared to fulfil his vow.

She approached her father with a kiss of affection and bade him farewell. Taking hold of the veil she wore, he threw it over her face, and drew his sword. But she unveiled herself, and said she need not have her face covered for she was not afraid to die. Her father replied that he could not strike the blow while she looked upon him, and again cast it over her. She threw it off the second time, and said she would look upward, that his arm might not be unnerved by her gaze. A third time, however, he insisted, and a third time she as resolutely cast it off, this time holding the ends of it firmly in her hands and casting her eyes upward, invited the fatal blow. And a deed was consummated which has rendered the name of Jephthah's Daughter famous in the annals of Scripture.

The sign of this degree is given by--

Repeat from secret work. (3.)

The pass. (4.)

The color appropriate to this degree is blue, which symbolizes fidelity, and teaches us to be faithful to all moral obligations.

The emblems are the Sword and Veil. By the sword Adah was slain. The veil alludes to her determination to die in the light, suffering no stain to rest upon her memory.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the second point of the Star for further instruction.

The Conductress will lead the candidate around Adah's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Martha's chair, passing to Ruth for instruction. After each lecture the labyrinth is followed in a similar manner, always leaving the chairs to the right and the Altar to the left. From Ruth around Electa to Esther; from Esther around Adah to Martha; from Martha around Ruth to Electa; from Electa around Esther to the Worthy Patron.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

_W. P._ "And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him, with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter."

"And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back."

_Cond._ Sister Ruth.

Ruth rises and takes her position at the right of her chair.

_Ruth._ Sister Conductress.

_Cond._ I present this sister to be instructed in the duty of obedience to the demands of honor and justice in all conditions of life, as illustrated in the history of Ruth.

_Ruth._ About eleven hundred years before the Christian era, Elimeleck and his wife Naomi, with their two sons, were driven by famine from Bethlehem to the land of Moab. The sons married women of Moab named Ruth and Orphah. After a few years, Elimeleck and his sons died, leaving Naomi, Ruth and Orphah in mourning. Naomi, aged and dependent, resolved to return to the land of her nativity. She urged Ruth and Orphah to remain with their kindred and friends, rather than follow her in poverty to a land of strangers. But Ruth believed it to be her duty to remain with Naomi and assist in her maintenance, saying, "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

They arrived in Bethlehem, destitute, weary and worn, and Ruth was compelled to seek through menial labor the means of support for herself and the aged Naomi. Faithful to the duties which adverse fortune had thrown upon her, she became a gleaner in the fields of Boaz, who said to his servant that was set over his reapers, "Whose damsel is this?" Upon being informed of her history, her devotion to Naomi, and present circumstances, advanced to where she was resting and addressed to her kindly words of encouragement. Ruth raised her hands to show him how small were her gleanings, and that she had not taken from the sheaves; placed them meekly upon her breast as proof of her willingness to submit to whatever lot she might be called upon to endure, casting her eyes upward, as appealing to God.

He ordered his reapers to drop handfuls of barley that she might gather a supply, and invited her to eat and drink of the provisions he had supplied. Ruth was encouraged; and at evening, returned laden with the fruits of her toil to gladden the heart of Naomi. My sister, be faithful to the duties of your station; ever teaching that honor and justice which Ruth portrayed in the touching and beautiful incidents of her life.

The sign of this degree is given by--

Repeat from secret work. (6.)

The pass. (7.)

The color appropriate to this degree is yellow, whose golden hue symbolizes constancy, teaching faithful obedience to the demands of honor and justice.

The Sheaf is an emblem of plenty, and from its collection of minute parts, teaches that by patient industry, gathering here a little and there a little, we may provide for the infirmities of age.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the third point of the Star for further instruction.

The candidate is conducted around Ruth's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Electa's chair to Esther for instruction.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

"And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you: and they answered him, The Lord bless thee."

"Then said Boaz unto his servant, that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?"

"And the servant, that was set over the reapers, answered and said: It is the damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab."

_Cond._ Sister Esther.

Esther rises and takes her position at the right of her chair.

_Esther._ Sister Conductress.

_Cond._ I present this sister to be instructed in the commendable virtue of fidelity to kindred and friends as exemplified in the history of Esther.

_Esther._ Esther was a Jewish damsel, living about five hundred years before the Christian era. The Jews were then held in captivity within the Persian empire. After the divorce of Queen Vashti, the king caused search to be made throughout the empire for the most beautiful woman, to be her successor. The choice fell upon Esther, who, amid national rejoicing and royal magnificence, became the queen of Persia.

The knowledge of her descent from the captive race was carefully concealed from the king and his court. In due time the enemies of the Jews, being powerful and numerous, persuaded the king to issue a royal edict commanding that upon a given day the entire Hebrew race should be destroyed.

Queen Esther, when informed of the cruel edict, resolved to risk the loss of royal favor and life itself, to save her people from death.