Order of DeMolay
DeMolay
Degree
1997.
General
Instructions
This Ritual of Secret Work of the Order of
DeMolay is the official standard for all ceremonial work of the Order. It
presumes the existence of ideal conditions for the presentation of the work. In
those instances in which the Chapter room or meeting hail impose physical
limitations, the Chapter may make the adjustments necessary, so long as they
adhere as closely as feasible to this official standard.
All DeMolays, Chapters, and Advisors are
reminded that a full officer corps is the best and proper manner in which to
confer all degrees and present all Ritual work of the Order. Only in exceptional
circumstances, and with the expressed approval of the Executive Officer, are
Chapters to use a reduced officer corps for the duration of time where it is
absolutely necessary. A reduced officer corps was never intended to replace the
full officer corps. All Chapters are encouraged to work toward the complete
ritual.
Room
arrangements and Paraphernalia
Room Arrangement: The Altar, the
Councilors’ seats and pedestals, the stations of the Officers and chairs for the
members should be arranged as shown on Diagram One or as close to that
arrangement as the circumstances of the room permit. For example: Some Chapters
may find it necessary to place the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Preceptors on the South
side of the room and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Preceptors on the North side. If
the door through which most Officers, members and others normally enter the
Chapter room is not located at the point indicated as “A” on Diagram One, the
Junior Deacon and Sentinel would necessarily be relocated to that door to enable
them to control access.
Required Paraphernalia: A Chapter room
should be furnished with the following paraphernalia: Crown of Youth with seven
detachable jewels, two gavels, seven candlesticks with candles, Bible, school
books, National flag in standard and gong.
Optional Items: Altar cloth, flowers,
Chapter banner, baton for Marshal, Bible marker and gavel for the Junior
Councilor.
Candles: The candles should be arranged
about and to the East of the Altar.
Flag and Banner: The National flag and the
Chapter banner should be placed in standards at the positions shown on diagram.
Gavels: A gavel should be on the pedestal
at the stations of the Master Councilor and Senior Councilor.
Altar: In a Chapter meeting, only the Holy
Bible and school books must be placed on the Altar. If desired, only an Altar
cloth, Bible marker and flowers may be added.
Prior to the entrance of the Officers, the
closed Holy Bible should be lying near the center of the Altar and the school
books should be at the Junior Steward’s station. If flowers are used, they
should be placed around the Holy Bible, but not on it. If a Bible marker is
used, the DeMolay emblem upon it, if any, should be toward the West side of the
Altar, whether the Bible is open or closed. If there is a DeMolay emblem on the
Altar cloth, it should be on the West side.
Robes: The uniform robe adopted by DeMolay
International for use by Chapter Officers is a black cape robe lined with red
with the DeMolay emblem on the wearer’s right breast. That robe is for use by
all Officers in the Opening Ceremonies, the Closing Ceremony, the Initiatory
Degree, and the Fourth Section of the DeMolay Degree.
Pronunciations and Definitions: Appendix A
contains a brief dictionary of words used in DeMolay ceremonies, including
correct pronunciations. DeMolay members preparing a ritual part should consult
Appendix A for a thorough understanding of the meanings of the words and correct
pronunciations so they may more effectively teach the lessons contained in the
degrees.
Music: The use of music in all DeMolay
Ritual work is strongly recommended. Throughout the text, blanks for the entry
of suggested music are provided. A standard cassette tape of musical selections
is available from the DeMolay Service and Leadership Center
Conduct
in the Chapter Room
Floor Movements: After the Master
Councilor has called the Chapter to order, no person shall pass between the
Altar and the East except when this Ritual expressly requires it.
All floor movements should be made in a
clockwise direction
except when specifically nosed otherwise. The shaded area on Diagram One
represents a walking band which is always wide enough for two Officers to walk
side by side. All Officers’ movements about the Chapter room are directed by the
letters on Diagram One. X is the station of the Officer(s) being directed. Z is
the point on the walking band nearest the station of the Officer(s) being
directed.
An Officer directed
to move X Z moves directly forward from his station to the walking band, except:
the Councilors, Scribe and Treasurer will move by the most direct route to the
walking band, but around the pedestals or desks in their paths. An Officer
directed to move Z X returns to his station by retracing his X Z route.
Floor Movement Examples: Movements of the
Chaplain and Marshal from their stations by way of the South to the West side of
the Altar would be noted thus: Ch. and Mar. move X Z I J. Their return from the
West side of the Altar by way of the North to their stations would be noted: Ch.
and Mar. move J K V Z X.
Recognition: When a person wishes to be
recognized by the
Master Councilor, he should rise, face the Master Councilor, and remain silent
until he is recognized. When a person is addressed by the Master Councilor by
name, or an Officer by title, he shall rise immediately and face the Master
Councilor. No other salute of any kind is to be given to the Master Councilor.
Except during prayers, all Officers (including the Master Councilor) and all
other persons stand when speaking.
Gavel Raps: Except when this Ritual
expressly requires otherwise,
when a gavel is rapped once, all Officers standing at stations and all others
standing will go to appropriate seats and sit down; when rapped twice, all
Officers sitting will stand; when rapped three times, all persons sitting will
stand.
Marshal Conducts: When the Marshal
conducts an Officer or any other person, he shall use his right arm and hand to
take hold of the Officers or person’s left forearm and wrist.
The Marshal may carry a baton. If he does so, one end of the baton should be in
his left hand; the other end should be tucked under his left arm. These
instructions do not apply to the Marshal of the Commission in the DeMolay
Degree. “Conduct” in that Degree may mean “escort” of “accompany”.
Prayers: During prayers, all Active
DeMolays (except the Chaplain and Marshal) kneel facing the Altar. An Active
DeMolay kneels on his left knee, his right elbow resting on his right knee, his
forehead resting in his right hand as shown, his left hand around his right
elbow. The Chaplain kneels at the Altar on both knees both hands palms down on
the Holy Bible, body erect, and head slightly turned up; eyes may be opened or
closed. The Marshal, all Senior DeMolays, Advisors, and all Master Masons (who
are not Active DeMolays) remain standing facing the Altar. Active DeMolays kneel
and rise
in unison with the Chaplain. Special rules are here set forth for two Officers:
The Marshal and the Standard Bearer, in particular instances: (1) the Marshal in
the formation of the Triangle kneels with the other Officers. If the Marshal is
carrying a baton, he kneels placing the baton across his right leg, behind his
right elbow; (2) the Standard Bearer does not kneel during the prayer in the
Initiatory Degree Opening Ceremony.
At the close of prayers and before rising,
Active DeMolays respond “Amen”, except after the Nine O’Clock Interpolation
prayer, when they respond “God bless mother. God bless father. God bless the
purposes of DeMolay. Amen.”
Forms of Address: An Active DeMolay who is
not an Officer of the Chapter is addressed by the title “Brother” followed by
his last name. An Officer of the Chapter is addressed by the title “Brother”
followed by the title of his office. An Advisor is addressed by the title “Dad”
followed by his last name. A Senior DeMolay who is not an Advisor is addressed
by the title “Brother” followed by his last name. A Master Mason who is not an
Advisor or an Active DeMolay is addressed by the title “Mister” followed by his
last name.
Parts: Any Active DeMolay may perform the
part of Master Councilor in an initiation, the part does not necessarily have to
be performed by the regularly installed Master Councilor.
Room
arrangement, Floor movements
Room arrangement
The Ritual of Secret Work of the Order of
DeMolav is the official standard for all ceremonial work of the Order. It
presumes the existence of ideal conditions for the presentation of the work. In
those instances, in which the Chapter room or meeting hall impose physical
limitations, the Chapter may make the adjustments necessary, so long as the
adhere as closely as feasible to this official standard.
For example: Some Chapters may find it
necessary to place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Preceptors on the South side of the room
and 4th, 5th, 6th arid 7th on the North side.
If the door through which most Officers,
members and others normally enter the Chapter room is not located at the point
indicated as “A” on Diagram One, the Junior Deacon and Sentinel would
necessarily be relocated to that door to enable them to control access.
Floor movements
All floor
movements
should be made in a clockwise direction except when specifically noted
otherwise. The shaded area represents a walking
band which is always wide enough for two Officers to walk side by side. All
Officers’ movements about the Chapter room are directed by the letters on the
diagram. X is the station of the Officer(s) being directed. Z is the point on
the walking band nearest the station of the Officer(s) being directed.
An Officer directed to move X Z, moves
directly forward from his station to the walking band, except The Councelors,
Scribe and Treasurer will move by the most direct route to walking band, but
around the pedestals or desks in their paths. An Officer directed to move Z X
returns to his station by retracing his X Z route.
Floor movement examples: Movements of
Chaplain and Marshal from their stations by way of the South to the West side of
the Altar would be noted thus: Gh. and Mar. move X Z I J. Their return from the
West side of the Altar by way of North to their stations would be noted:
Ch. and
Mar. move J K V Z X.
Opening Ceremony
M.C.:
Brethren, I am about to open this Chapter on the DeMolay Degree.
DeMolays who
have not received the same will please retire.
DeMolays who have received only the
Initiatory Degree assemble West of the Altar; give step, sign and token in three
separate movements which are returned by the M.C. in three separate movements,
and retire by door A.
M.C.:
Brother Senior Councilor, you will see that all Active DeMolays present have the
password of a DeMolay.
S.C.:
Brother Deacons...
Deacons rise.
S.C.: . ..you will approach the Altar.
S.D. moves X Z K J. Simultaneously, J.D.
moves X Z I J. Both face West. They should be standing within approximately 3
feet of each other.
S.C.:
Brother Deacons, you will collect the password of a DeMolay.
Suggested music cue.
Deacons face respectively North and South.
S.D. moves I K to S.B.; J.D. move J I to Ch. They then collect the password and
grip (not sign) of the DeMolay Degree from each Active DeMolay except the
Councilors, starting with those Officers mentioned. The password is given by the
Active DeMolays to the Deacon and is not exchanged in syllables. The J.D.
collects from those on the South side; S.D. collects from those on the North
side. Deacons keep watch on each other’s pace so that they arrive at the West of
the room at the same time. When Deacons have finished collecting the word, J.D.
moves to door A, S.D. moves to door B. J.D. moves A I J; Simultaneously S.D.
moves B K J; both face West, standing within approximately 3 feet of each other
S.C.:
Brother Deacons, are you in possession of the password of a DeMolay?
S.D.:
Brother Senior Councilor, we are.
S.C.: You
will advance and communicate it.
S.D. advances J D, ascends dais, faces
S.C. and whispers password to S.C.. He returns to position West of Altar. J.D.
advances J D, ascends dais, faces S.C. and whispers password to him. He then
returns to position West of the Altar While in the West, the Deacons do not
exchange the grip or sign with S.C.; but after J.D. has returned to his place at
the Altar and both are facing S.C., Deacons give the sign of the DeMolay Degree
which S.C. returns, all drop sign together S.D. moves I K Z X and faces West;
simultaneously J.D. moves J I Z X and faces East.
S.C. * (rap)
S.C.:
Brother Master Councilor, the password of a DeMolay is in my possession.
M.C.: You
will communicate it.
S.C.: Fi
M.C.: de
S.C.: li
M.C.: tas
S.C.:
Fidelitas.
M.C.:
Fidelitas, my Brothers, is the password of a DeMolay.
S.C. and M.C. do not exchange sign while
communicating password.
M.C. * (rap)
S.C. sits down
M.C.: In the
name and under the authority of DeMolay International, whose See is at Kansas
City in the State of Missouri, and by virtue of the power in me vested as Master
Councilor of ... Chapter, sponsored by ..., I declare this Chapter duly open on
the DeMolay Degree.
* (rap)
Brother
Junior Deacon, you will so inform the Sentinel.
J.D. moves to A.
J.D. * * (2 raps)
Sen. *: * (2 raps)
J.D. opens door:
Brother Sentinel, this Chapter is open on the DeMolay Degree.
J.D. closes door.
J.D. * (rap)
Sen. * (rap)
J.D. moves to X faces M.C.:
Brother Master Councilor, the Sentinel is on guard and we are safe from
interruption.
M.C. * (rap)
J.D. sits down
Nine
o’clock interpolation
All Chapter meetings, whether public or
private, require the giving of the Nine O’Clock Interpolation if the meeting
includes the hour of nine o’clock in the evening. The Nine O’Clock Interpolation
may also be given on other public DeMolay occasions which include the hour of
nine o’clock in the evening when the circumstances are appropriate to the nature
of the ceremony.
When the hour of nine o’clock arrives--or
as soon thereafter as the proceedings will not be too greatly disturbed--all
lights except the candles are dimmed. A gong is struck nine times. The striking
of the gong and the dimming of the lights may be omitted at public occasions if
the circumstances are such that that would be more appropriate.
M.C.:
Brethren, at this hour, all over our land, mothers are bending above the beds
wherein lie the children they love. At this hour also, the guests in homes and
hospitals are preparing for the hour of rest. Let us
pause a moment in our deliberations while the Chaplain offers a prayer.
M.C. * * * (3 raps).
All stand.
M.C.: Brother Chaplain, you will lead us in
prayer.
Suggested music cue.
Ch., conducted by Mar, moves X Z I J. As
Ch. and Mar leave their stations, all Active DeMolays in the East and the S.C.
and J.C. descend to the floor level. Lights are dimmed.
Mar and Ch. halt at point J. Mar takes one
further step North; both face East. Ch. takes one step toward Altar;
simultaneously Mar takes one step backward awayfrom Altar At public occasions
outside the Chapter room where no Altar is available, M.C. will proceed directly
to next speech.
M.C.: Active
DeMolays will kneel on left knee. All others will remain standing.
Active DeMolays except Mar kneel as Ch.
kneels.
Ch.: Our Father, as sons of loving and
indulgent parents, we invoke Thy divine blessing upon all the fathers and
mothers of our country and of all the world, and wilt Thou pour out a special
blessing for our mothers who have watched over us with unceasing care during all
the years of out lives. We ask Thy benediction upon all who labor for the relief
of suffering and need. May we ever realize that we are brothers of the helpless
and suffering and rejoice in every call to the relief of pain or the alleviation
of sorrow. Wilt Thou help us to lead upright and patriotic lives worthy of the
devotion of all who have labored for our beloved country in every field of
sacrifice and service. Amen.
All, in unison:
God bless mother, God bless father, God bless the purposes of DeMolay. Amen.
Suggested music cue.
Active DeMolays rise as Ch. rises. Lights
raised to full. Ch. takes one step backward away from Altar; simultaneously Mar
takes one step forward. Both face North. Ch. takes one step forward to Mar’s
side. Ch. conducted by Mar moves I K V Z, Ch. crosses in front of Mar and moves
X, stands facing his station. Mar moves Z X and both Ch. and Mar simultaneously
face West. As Mar and Ch. leave Altar all Active DeMolays who were in the East
and S.C. and J.C. return to daises.
M.C. * (rap)
All sit down.
DeMolay
Degree
DeMolay
before the commission
First
Section
The text of this Degree must be followed
to the letter. No words may be added or deleted from those here printed.
Positively no additional scenes can be used not included here. Chapters are
encouraged to make the Degree more impressive by employing effective and
appropriate scenery, costumes, equipment and staging and reasonable latitude is
given in these areas as well as an interpretation of the way the lines may be
delivered. Certain explanatory phrases are placed in italics and in parentheses
at the beginning of some speeches to indicate a suggested way to deliver the
lines. Non-speaking characters such as extra Inquisitors and Guards may be
added. If extra Inquisitors are added, seats must be provided for the other
members of the Commission at each side of the speaking Inquisitors. The foremost
point to be remembered is to portray Jacques
DeMolay as the hero and to select an interpretation for the DeMolay Degree which
will enhance the lessons of fidelity and toleration. The scene is lighted by
candles or a combination of candles and electric lights, but there must be
sufficient light to discern the features of all the characters easily.
Chamber Guards are primarily security
guards and are not particularly concerned with the prisoners. Prisoner Guards
are those who enter with the Senior Guard and are primarily
concerned with the prisoners.
Suggested music cues are listed and it is
strongly recommended that music be used. A standard cassette may be obtained
from the DeMolay Service and Leadership Center.
Speaking Characters (required): Orator
(Or.), Master Inquisitor (M.I.), Senior Inquisitor (S.I.), Junior Inquisitor (J.I.),
Jacques DeMolay (J.D.), Guy of Auvergne (G.A.), Marshal of the Commission (M.C.),
Senior Guard (S.G.), Lord Constable (L.C.)
Non-speaking Characters (optional):
Godfrey de Goneville (G.G.), Hughes de Peralde (H.P.), Prisoner Guards (P.G.),
Chamber Guards (C.G.), Candle Lighter (C.L), Scribes (Scr), others as desired.
If Godfrey de Goneville and/or Hughes de
Peralde are not used, reference to him/them by the Senior Guard, Marshal of the
Commission, and the Master Inquisitor should be omitted.
Stage Set-up
If the Degree is conducted on a stage, the
Master Inquisitor should sit in the center of the Northeast corner of the stage,
as in the illustration, with the Junior Inquisitor at his left and the Senior
Inquisitor at his, right. A long table can be used, if desired, with the Master
Inquisitor at the center, the Junior Inquisitor at the left end and the Senior
Inquisitor at the right end. Downstage, toward the Southwest corner should be
the Scribes of the Inquisitors. Seats must be provided for DeMolay and his three
preceptors. These are to be placed at the right and left of the Scribes. The
Orator should stand in front of the curtain, and at stage center to begin his
lecture. After the Orator has given his lecture and all is in readiness, the
curtain is raised showing the Council Chamber with one or more Chamber Guards
stationed at convenient points. The scene is almost dark. An attendant is going
about lighting candles.
The scene gradually lightens so that the
characters ate discernible and fairly easy to recognize. The Inquisitors are
escorted in by the Marshal of the Commission and they take their places. The
Inquisitors confer in silence for a few moments, examining their documents, etc.
Lodge Set-up
All the Inquisitors may sit in the East or
the M.I. may sit in the East with the J.I. and S.I. at floor level or all three
may sit at floor level. They may be seated at a long table as described in Stage
Set-up. In any case, M.I. is at center, J.I. is to M.I.’s left and S.I. is to
M.I.’s right. The Altar may be moved to enlarge the available space. The Orator
should stand near and in
front
of M.I.’s Chair to begin his lecture. After the Orator has delivered his
lecture, the Candle-lighter will enter the room and light the candles The
Chamber Guard(s) will enter with the Candlelighter or while he is lighting the
candles. Candlelighter and Chamber Guards must be in the room before any other
character enters.
There must be sufficient light from candles or a combination of candles and
electric light so that the characters are discernible and fairly easy to
recognize. The Scribes of the Inquisitors should sit at a table in
front of the Senior Councilor’s
station in the Initiatory Degree. Seats must be provided for DeMolay
and his three Preceptors on either side of the Scribe’s table. The Inquisitors
are escorted in by the Marshal of the Commission and they take their places. The
Inquisitors confer in silence for a
few moments, examining their documents,
etc.
Though the Degree is conducted in a lodge
room, the arrangements described in the stage instructions, above may be used.
If so, the Orator will stand in the same position as he would if there were a
curtain.
Pledge of
Secrecy for Adults not Masons and not Senior DeMolays
The following Pledge of Secrecy shall be
given to all adults who are not Master Masons, advisors or Senior DeMolays
immediately before witnessing the Secret Work. After the pledge of secrecy has
been given and non-Masonic adults have been seared, the Master Councilor shall
proceed. If there are no non-Masonic adults present, this portion may be omitted.
From the East, the Master Councilor shall
perform the following.
M.C.: Before
proceeding with our Ceremony, we request all adults who are not Master Masons,
Advisors, or Senior DeMolays, and who are attending a DeMolay meeting for the
first time to assume a Pledge of Secrecy. You will please rise for the pledge.
Unobligated non-Masonic adults and
non-Senior DeMolays rise. The Chapter Advisor rises and repeats pledge with
visitors.
M.C.: You
will place your right hand over your heart and repeat after me. In the presence
of God and these witnesses, I solemnly affirm on my honor, that I will never
divulge, the transactions of any Chapter, of the Order of DeMolay, or the
Ceremonies of the Order, to anyone not entitled thereto; that I will encourage
the fidelity, of every member of the Order of DeMolay, by faithful observance of
this pledge.
* rap.
M.C.: You
may now be seated.
Suggested music cue.
Or.: My
Brothers, the Degree which you are about to receive represents the tragic climax
in the career of Jacques DeMolay, the hero and martyr who is the exemplar of our
Order.
History has
placed upon Philip the Fair of France the brand of Cain for the murder of
DeMolay and thousands of brave members of the Order of the Temple, of which
DeMolay was the last Grand Master. These events occurred nearly seven centuries
ago.
Tyranny
teaches the need of toleration. Bigotry sounds the call to brotherhood. We seek
to emphasize the magnificent heroism of DeMolay, his unfaltering fidelity to the
trust reposed in him, his loyalty unto death. These and other virtues, which
belong to no age or time, we have infused into our teachings as the most
enduring basis of broadly built human character. We believe that if we build our
lives as young men on such a foundation, we shall be stronger and better men
when the greater duties of citizenship become ours.
DeMolay and
his principal officers were subjected to a number of trials and many frightful
persecutions marked the closing years of DeMolay and the Order of the Temple.
We have been
compelled to condense all this into one scene, historically the final hearing
before a Commission in its Council Chamber. Into this
scene has been crowded much that, it is logical to assume, took place at one or
another of the hearings which preceded it.
DeMolay and
his three Preceptors, Guy of Auvergne, Godfrey de Goneville and Hughes de
Peralde, were condemned to life imprisonment.
But so
incensed was the king at the noble defiance and defense of DeMolay and Guy of
Auvergne that he overrode the Commission’s verdict and hurried DeMolay and
Auvergne to the stake on an island near the
Cathedral,
where they were barbarously burned.
Whether the
scene is considered approximately accurate from a historical standpoint, or
whether it is interpreted merely as a symbolic scene inculcating the virtues of
fidelity and toleration, the paramount purpose is to impress the
cardinal tenets of the Degree, which harmonize with the general teachings of our
Order. If from it you receive a more graphic conception than you would otherwise
secure of the fidelity which is loyal unto death, then the purpose of the Degree
will have been attained.
Suggested music cue.
M.I.: My
Brothers of the Commission, we have met to pass judgment upon Jacques DeMolay
and three of his Preceptors, Guy of Auvergne, Godfrey de Goneville and Hughes de
Peralde, who have been subjected to several previous trials and are now to be
brought before us for final decision
At this time S.G. stationed with the
prisoners without gives * * (2 raps).
M.C. rises, and with a deep bow of
salutation.
M.C.: Sir
Master Inquisitor, one knocks at the door of the Inquisition Chamber.
M.I.: Sir
Marshal of the Commission, learn who dares to interrupt our conference.
Suggested music cue.
M.C. goes to door and without raps opens
it: Guards, whom have you in custody?
S.G.:
Jacques DeMolay and three of his Preceptors, Guy of Auvergne, Godfrey de
Goneville, and Hughes de Peralde, who have been subjected to several previous
trials and cast into dungeons because they have defied the commands of the
Inquisition, and are now brought hither for judgment.
M.C.: Bring
the prisoners before the Master Inquisitor.
Suggested music cue.
S.G. escorts prisoners into Council
Chamber with DeMolay in advance and seats them with guards standing immediately
back of prisoners.
M.C.: Sir
Master Inquisitor, here are Jacques DeMolay, Guy of Auvergne, Godfrey de
Goneville, and Hughes de Peralde who, having been removed from their rank and
honors as heads of the Templars and cast into dungeons because they have defied
the commands of the Inquisition, are now brought before you for final judgment.
M.I.:
Jacques DeMolay, thou art brought before us with these three high officials of
thy Order for final judgment. Thou art charged, with these thy followers and
others, with being the head of an Order that has practiced many abominations.
Thou art charged with hypocrisy and treachery in conducting the crusades in the
Holy Land. Thou art charged with betraying the King and with heresy toward the
Church. Thou art charged with living in wealth while the poor have starved. Thou
art charged with conniving with the infidel to make the crusades fail of their
holy purpose.
What answer canst thou make? These documents
brandishing them teem with evidence to support these charges. They
show as the last proof of all that thou, with these companions, hast confessed
to the charges brought against thee.
J.D., springing to his feet:
The charges are monstrous, and if any confession appears among thy papers, it is
perjured, forged and false. Sir Master Inquisitor, the valor of my brave
companions has been proved by their bones that rest in distant Palestine. Our
Order is pledged to the relief of need and our wealth was ever held at its call
until it was wrested from us by an avaricious King.
S.I.: Sir
Master Inquisitor, shall we listen to further treason against our King?
J.D.: Nay,
Sir Senior Inquisitor. If the valiant knights who have been slain by order of
this King of ours could speak, they would condemn him with a thousand tongues.
We bow the knee of fealty to our sovereign Lord, and we have ever been loyal
servants of the Mother Church. But our souls’ allegiance is to the ‘King of
Kings” and to Him Who wears the miter of eternity.
J.I., addressing the Master Inquisitor:
If this be not heresy and defection, by what name shall we call it?
M.I.:
DeMolay, thy denials are useless, but we have listened to them with what
patience we might command. Thine Order, it is true, hath been destroyed and thy
riches for the most part taken from thee. Thou and thy companions are almost all
that are left. But there are others and there still remains treasure thou art
withholding from us. Thou hast defied the commands of thy King and Church to
reveal the secrets of thy rich and powerful Order, to surrender all its property
and disclose the identity of all thy brethren Thou hast been high, DeMolay, but
now thou art low. Thou hast been all powerful, but now thou art impotent
Thou hast been free, but now thou art in chains. Thou hast been surrounded by
mighty friends, but now thou art alone. There is none to whom thou canst appeal
for aid.
J.D.: Nay,
Master Inquisitor, there is one higher than thou.
M.I., angrily:
His name? Who is higher than we?
J.D.: The
ever-living God.
M.I., sneeringly:
Thy appeal to Him is vain as thou shalt see. Thy fate is in
the hollow of our hands. We have seized thy riches, but thou canst reveal the
secrets of thine Order and disclose the identity of the brethren who have eluded
us. We can force others of thy brotherhood who are in our power to do this, but
we prefer to deal first with thee Accede to our demands and thy life is saved.
What is thine answer?
J.D.: Master
Inquisitor, thou hadst thine answer ere thou didst conclude thy first infamous
and impious words. I have sworn on mine honor to defend the secrets of my Order
with my life. I have sworn on the hills of bright unstained swords and on the
clasped hands of brave comrades to keep their names locked in my heart. Thy
threats are vain. I cannot resist thy power, but I can and do defy it. That is
mine answer, Inquisitor, though it were made with my final breath.
M.I., more conciliatingly:
Nay, DeMolay, we do not desire thy life and we hold it only us the pawn of thy
prudence. Thou hast been a brave foeman, thou hast a powerful following, but
they are enemies of our Inquisition and we must know their names. We offer thee
a rich share in the confiscated property of thine Order if thou wilt hand it
over to us though we can hunt it out for ourselves in time. We will cover thee
with honors as the reward of thy discretion. Why wilt thou reject this golden
opportunity when we can punish without let or hindrance? Why wilt
thou refuse a share when we can hold all? Why protect for a time those whom we
shall in due season ferret out to the last man? Be sensible and recognize not
only the futility of resistance, but the opportunity to save for thyself the
prosperity, if not the rank and power, thou hast possessed.
J.D.: Master
Inquisitor, thy temptations are more infamous than thy threats. The gold thou
wouldst pay as my share of betrayal would burn my soul forever. The spirits of
my brave comrades would haunt me through all eternity if I surrendered them to
thy vengeance. Where I defied thee before, I despise thee now and fling back thy
vile offers with my contempt.
M.I., in a rage:
Jacques DeMolay beware! We are not wont to listen to insolence, from those
unreservedly in our power. We shall give thee, however, another opportunity for
reflection. Marshal of the Commission, you will conduct this stubborn
fool to the Junior Inquisitor.
J.I., ingratiatingly:
Jacques DeMolay, we would fain spare thy life, but our decrees are unalterable.
Our purpose is fixed. Thou must realize thy helplessness before us. Thou must
know how vital it is to our safely that thine Order should be rooted up and
destroyed. Thou mayest call it betrayal, yet self-preservation is the first law
of nature. Men could not blame thee didst thou purchase thy life with thy
prudence, and in addition be richly rewarded.
J.D.: Junior
Inquisitor, men might applaud my cowardice, though I doubt and deny there are
any so base. Did I accede to thy demands, not only would I fall beneath mine own
contempt, but by being false to my vows, I would deserve and receive the
everlasting condemnation of my God. My answer is still the same and would be so
didst thou give me ten thousand opportunities to change my mind.
J.I., furiously:
To the rack with him! Sir Marshal, conduct this
incredible fool to the Chamber of Torture and there give him a taste of the
vengeance which he shall sup to the final bitter dregs if he still defies us.
When the rack hath broken his bones, return him hither and we shall see if it
hath rent his spirit.
Suggested music cue.
G.A., rising and stepping forward:
Master Inquisitor, before the vote is taken, I crave thy indulgence. Lest any
doubt exist, I take my stand with my comrade and Grand Master, with whom I have
fought as well as I might in behalf of our Holy Church and under the banner of
our Sovereign. Whatever fate awaits Jacques DeMolay I not only accept, but claim
for myself I deny each and all of the infamous charges that have been brought
against our Order and ourselves, and I denounce, with our Grand Master, the
barbarity that has slaughtered thousands of our brave comrades, rifled our
riches to fill the coffers of our King and turned France into a shambles reeking
with the blood of noble men.
M.I.: Guy of
Auvergne, methinks thou hast placed thyself on a rack, if not on a gibbet, or
worse, by thy treason and denance. Godfrey de
Goneville and Hughes de Peralde, hath either of you anything to say?
Suggested music cue.
Each rises, steps forward and bows in
silence, accepting the verdict in advance. They, with G.A., then return to their
former seats.
DeMolay is brought back supported between
guards. The M.C presents him to the J.I.
M.C.: Sir
Junior Inquisitor, your mandate has been obeyed. The accused has been subjected
to the will of the torturer.
J.I., mildly:
Jacques DeMolay, hast thou repented thee of the folly of thy defiance? Thou hast
tasted the bitterness of the rack, but it is only one of the fangs wherewith our
vengeance hath power to rend thee. Conic then, what is
thine answer now?
J.D.: My
answer, Inquisitor, is still the same. Thou art indeed
brave to taunt a broken enemy. But though the rack may rend my bones, it cannot
break the soul.
J.I.: Thy
folly is so stupendous that I know not whether to admire or pity thy fortitude.
Thy brethren cannot forever escape the trap wherein thou thyself hast been
netted. Why not save thyself further anguish of the body
by giving
them up to the fate that is surely theirs? All men save their lives at the cost
of others. The enemy that opposes them in private quarrel or on the field of
combat, the robber that waylays them, the very wolf that attacks them, they will
slay to save themselves...
J.D., interrupting:
Inquisitor, thou dost well to name the wolf and the robber, for they are guises
thou and thy wolfish, robber brotherhood wear when they despoil the prosperous
and ambush the defenseless...
J.I., interrupting:
Jacques DeMolay, tempt us not too far! Art thou wholly a fool?
J.D.: Aye,
Inquisitor a fool as thou dost look on wisdom. To thee and thy fellow
conspirators against innocence and justice, it is folly to be true, unwise to be
faithful, weak to be loyal and honorable. To thee and such as thou the bravest
are the cruelest, the most honored the most treacherous, the most successful the
most rapacious. Wreak thou thy will upon me for I despair of the Justice of men
and even the face of God doth seem to be turned away. But with my latest breath
I will still refuse to betray my comrades, or reveal the secrets of our Order,
or fill thy coffers with our rightful riches.
J.I.:
DeMolay, for the last time thou shalt have an opportunity to revise thine
answer. Attend to my brother at the right of the Master Inquisitor.
S.I.:
Jacques DeMolay, I could find it in my heart to admire thy steadfastness, but
thy folly sweeps away my admiration. What incredible stubbornness is it that
bids thee to defy the resistless, to resist the all
powerful, to oppose thy puny will against thy King? Thou hast been
stretched upon the rack, but there are other beds upon which we can make thee
lie, and perchance thy rest shall be brief For the last time, wilt thou reveal
the secrets of thine Order, hand over its undiscovered wealth and disclose the
identity of thine unsuspected brethren?
J.D.: Senior
Inquisitor, though it were with my final breath my answer would be the same. Thy
taunts pass me by. The pangs of the body are sharp, but they are as nothing to
the anguish of a soul that hath betrayed a brother.
The rack may rend and break my body, but my spirit it cannot tear. My blood thou
canst shed, but mine immortal soul is beyond thy bloody grasp.
It cannot be
reached by dagger, rack or sword. I defy and despise thee and all thy bloody and
rapacious conspirators who would tempt men to betray their manhood and sink
their souls to the level of the beasts that are thy mates. Even the gibbet and
the stake...
L.C. enters in time to hear DeMolay’s last
full sentence beginning “I defy and despise..”
L.C., breaking in furiously:
Well dost thou name those last red fangs in the jaws of our vengeance. The King
trusts not the toleration of the inquisition. The gibbet shall not be thine, but
the stake shall claim thee and Guy of Auvergne within the hour. Mayhap its
flames shall purge thee of thy stubbornness ere they have made ashes of thy
flesh.
J.D.: Nay,
Lord Constable, they shall purge my soul of all the weaknesses and defections of
the flesh and on the bright red wings of fire my soul shall mount like the
phoenix to Heaven, there to be judged by the everlasting God whom thou and thine
impious brotherhood blaspheme With death’s fiery breath about me, I defy thee
for the final time. Farewell!
L.C.: To the
stake with them!
Suggested music cue.
Chapters should devise a method for
characters to exit whether the degree is performed on the stage or in a Lodge
room. If on a stage, it is suggested that the curtain be lowered; if in a Lodge
room, it us suggested that a short exit be devised, but the exit does not have
to be a reversal of the order in which the characters entered. This will prevent
the ending from being anticlimactic.
Second
Section
If desired, a tableau depicting the burning of DeMolay and
Guy of Auvergne at the stake may be used here. If a stake scene is used, it is
suggested that both DeMolay and Auvergne be tied to the same stake in a final
symbol of their brotherhood.
Third Section
Chapters are encouraged to create an
impressive setting for the presentation of the Third Section. Two suggested
scenes are here set forth.
1. Chapter room is arranged as on Diagram
One. Such sceuiery or equipment as necessary to represent a monument to Jacques
DeMolay should be placed on the dais in the East or on the level in front of the
East. Lights are dim. Officers, except Mar, enter and form Triangle. They do not
kneel at this point Orator leaves Triangle, goes to monument, faces West. Orator
kneels but with head not bowed; other Officers kneel when Orator does. At
conclusion of speech, Officers rise. Orator returns to his position in the
Triangle. The scenery or monument is removed. As Orator enters Triangle, Mar
enters Chapter room by door A, moves A I turns toward I and continues as shown
on Diagram Four, Officers Taking Stations From Triangle, and proceeds with
Fourth Section.
Suggested music cue.
2. Chapter room should be cleared of the
equipment from the First and Second Sections and arranged as on Diagram One, and
darkened except for Altar spot if any, and candles. Two attendants carrying
candles enter the room, followed by the Orator, who carries an urn. The three
advance to the center and the first two separate and take positions on either
side of the Altar, facing West. The Orator goes to the Altar and places the urn
on it but not on the Bible. He then steps back, kneels on left knee but with
head not bowed and delivers speech. At conclusion, Orator rises, steps forward
and picks up urn. Attendants and Orator leave the room in the same order as upon
entering.
Suggested music cue.
Or.: We hail
thee, noble martyr. May the light of thy funeral fires shine upon our lives and
purify them by their radiance. As thou didst salute us and these times of ours,
so we salute thee through the centuries that have gone. For nearly seven
centuries, men have revered thy matchless heroism, thine unfaltering fidelity,
and for countless years thy virtue shall inspire them. We, who have taken thy
great name, pray that we may be ever worthy to bear it. May we translate into
lives of reverence, of patriotism and toleration, lives of comradeship, of
loving sonship, of manliness and of service to our community, state and nation,
the lessons we learn from thy heroic life and thy martyr’s death. May we draw
from cruelty the lesson of kindness; may avarice teach us generosity; treachery
and betrayal, fidelity, Great son of France, farewell! May we live as nobly as
thou hast died.
Fourth
section
If they have not already done so in Third
Section, Officers form outside Chapter room, enter and form triangle and assume
stations.
M.C.:
Brother Senior Deacon, you will conduct the candidates to the Altar.
S.D. and Stewards move X Z then to places
where candidates are seated and conduct them to point I. When class is small
enough all candidates should kneel at the Altar
Suggested music cue.
M.C.: My
Brothers, you knocked at the door of our Chapter as strangers. You were admitted
as friends when you expressed your approval of our purposes. You were greeted as
Brothers when you bound yourselves to us by the solemn vows you have taken.
You have
passed through ceremonies which we have performed with only one purpose in view,
and that was to impress upon you our earnest desire that you should enter
unreservedly upon the performance of the duties we have inculcated. Let me
assure you once more, in the most solemn manner in my power, that we are
profoundly in earnest in carrying out our purpose. You have solemnly declared
upon your honor that you were not actuated by idle curiosity in seeking
admission to our Order; that you were not inspired by an unworthy desire to be
exclusive by belonging to a secret body; and that you would enter wholeheartedly
upon the work we have outlined to you during our ceremonies.
You must
have been impressed during the degree which you have just received with the fact
that fidelity and toleration are the supreme lessons this degree teaches.
Jacques DeMolay was faithful unto death to the trust reposed in him, but the
trials he endured with such fortitude would not have been necessary had he
encountered toleration instead of superstitious fanaticism, courtesy from an
enemy instead of brutal persecution from an unrelenting foe, appreciation of his
exemplary qualities instead of cruelty which springs only from the exercise of
irresponsible power working through unrestrained passion. You may never, my
Brothers, be called upon to endure such persecutions as his, but toleration and
fidelity are lessons which all must learn. We can accept among us only those who
are willing to be tolerant in their opinions, courteous to their opponents, and
above all things faithful to every trust reposed in them.
Before,
therefore, we will receive you into the fellowship of lasting fraternity, you
must kneel at the Altar and bind yourself to us by a final vow taken in the
light of experiences unknown to you when you first entered our Chapter room,
M.C. moves X Z R
M.C.: Brother Senior Councilor, you will call the
Officers to line.
S.C. *(rap)
S.C. *: * (2 raps)
All Officers rise.
S.C. *: * * (3 raps)
All in room rise.
Suggested music cue.
Lights should be extinguished, leaving
only candles burning and Altar spot, if any, on full Officers except Stewards
begin moving to form Shield. Stewards do not move into Shield positions until
after candidates have been assisted to kneel at instruction from M.C.
M.C.: My
Brothers you will kneel on both knees.
Stewards assist candidates to kneel,
M.C.: You
will place your right hand on the Holy Bible or on the shoulder of the one in
front of you.
S.D. and Stewards assist candidates to
place their right hand on the Holy Bible or on the shoulder of the one in front
of them, then take positions in Shield.
M.C.: You
will say ‘I’
M.C. pauses while this is done.
M.C.: Speak
your name...
M.C. pauses while this is done.
M.C.: and repeat after me.
M.C. pauses after each phrase of
convenient length in the Obligation to give candidates an opportunity to repeat
it. A diagonal is placed at suggested points for pausing but M.C. should
understand that he may phrase as he chooses.
M.C.: Do
solemnly reaffirm every vow I have taken, every pledge I have made, and every
promise I have given during the progress of the ceremonies through which I have
passed.
I promise
that I will be tolerant in my opinion, giving to others the same
right to
their belief which I expect from them; that I will not be hasty
in my
judgment of others, but will give them .the benefit of the doubt, realizing that
they may be actuated by worthy motives unknown to me, and that under the same
circumstances I might have acted even more unwisely than I judge them to have
acted.
I promise
that I will be faithful to every trust committed to me, to every promise I shall
make so far as is humanly possible; and that I will hold ever before me as a
glorious example, the heroic fidelity of Jacques DeMolay and that of every other
martyr who gave his life rather than betray a friend or be false to a trust.
So help me
God!
Stewards move from shield positions to assist
candidates to rise.
M.C.: You will arise.
M.C. pauses while this is done.
M.C.: You will seal your vows by kissing the Holy
Bible.
Deacons and Stewards see that each
candidate kisses the Holy Bible. When all candidates have kissed the Bible,
lights are slowly raised to full.
M.C.: I now
extend to you the right hand of lasting fraternity.
M.C. moves around South side of Altar and
shakes hand of each new Brother M.C. then moves from approximately I to K V U Z
X, faces West.
M.C. * (rap)
Officers break Shield. Stewards stand by
candidates. When all other Officers are back at stations,..
M.C. * (rap)
...all Officers except Deacons and
Stewards sit down.
Deacons move from positions to S R and Q
R, respectively, until they are approximately 3 feet from each other and stand
facing each other, but at an angle which makes it easy for the
new
Brothers to see their demonstration
M.C.:
Brother Deacons, you will communicate the password of a DeMolay.
S.D.: Fi
J.D. : de
S.D.: li
J.D. : tas
S.D.:
Fidelitas.
M.C.: My
Brothers, fidelitas is the password of a DeMolay. It should only be communicated
in the manner you have received it, except during the opening of the Chapter.
Fidelity, of which fidelitas is merely the Latin equivalent, is the supreme
lesson of this degree, fidelity to your ideals, to your country, to your
obligations and especially to your Brethren of this Order.
The grip of
this degree is given by taking the hand in the usual manner and pressing firmly
on the base of the wrist with the index finger.
Deacons illustrate the grip, then drop it.
M.C.: The
sign is made by placing the left hand upon the heart in token of fidelity...
Deacons illustrate first move.
M.C.:
...then placing it upon the other’s heart to remind him of his own obligation to
be faithful.
Deacons illustrate second move, then drop
if.
M.C.: In
communicating the sign in open meeting, only the first move will be employed
Deacons illustrate first move again, then
drop it.
M.C.:
Brother Senior Deacon, you will conduct the Brothers to the East.
J.D. moves R Q Z X, faces East. S.D. moves
R S K toward I until he is near candidates, faces North.
M.C. * (rap)
J.D sits down. S.D., Stewards and
candidates move toward K, thence V U, face M.C.
Suggested music cue.
M.C.: My
Brothers, this concludes your admission into our Order. Henceforth, you are
bound to us by indissoluble ties in a fellowship for service and into that
fellowship we welcome you most heartily.
I cannot
make it too clear to you that ours is an Order based upon service and not mere
empty forms. We have failed completely, and you have been false to the teachings
we have tried to make plain, if you still believe that your duties and
responsibilities begin and end in the Chapter room; that you are a worthy member
of this Order merely because you are punctual in attendance at our meetings,
decorous in your conduct while among us, or proficient in the ritualism of our
work. Your merit will be measured not by these standards, but by the extent to
which you carry into your daily lives the lessons and the examples we have set
before you, and by the extent to which you translate those lessons and examples
into service among your fellows. That will be the benefit which you will derive
from membership in DeMolay and that will be our reward for admitting you into
our Order.
Brother
Senior Deacon you will afford our Brothers seats within the Chapter room.
M.C.: * (rap)
Closing
Ceremony
M.C.:
Brethren, is there anything further to come before this Chapter?
M.C. pauses ro give Brethren opportunity
to bring up further business. When further business, if any, has been disposed
of he repeats the foregoing question. When there is no further business...
M.C. * * (2 raps)
Officers rise.
M.C.: None
appearing, I shall proceed to close. Brethren, sitting in the East, symbol of
the rising sun and the morn of life, I have learned the great lesson that we are
at the threshold of the years of preparation when we must lay the foundation on
which the future must be built. Brother Junior Councilor, what have you learned
sitting in the South?
J.C.: With
my eyes on the meridian sun, I have learned that we are approaching the noontime
of life, when half our years lie behind us and half before, with
opportunities still remaining to do good and to be better.
M.C.:
Brother Senior Councilor, what have you learned sitting in the West?
S.C.: With
my eyes on the setting sun, symbol of the evening of life, I have learned that
the night of life is but the herald of the everlasting day.
M.C. * * * (3 raps)
All stand.
M.C.: Brother Chaplain, you will lead us in
prayer.
Ch., conducted by Mar, moves X Z I J. As
Ch. and Mar leave their stations, all Active DeMolays in the East and S.C. and
J.C. descend to the floor level. Lights are dimmed.
Mar and Ch. halt at point J. Mar takes one
further step North.
Both face East: Ch. takes one step toward
Altar; simultaneously
Mar takes one step backward away from
Altar
M.C.: Active
DeMolays will kneel on left knee. All others will remain standing.
Active DeMolays except Mar kneel as Ch.
kneels.
Ch.: Our
Father, Who art in Heaven, we thank Thee for the many blessings our Order has
received at Thy hands and pray that Thou wilt help us to carry with us outside
this Chapter the great lessons we have learned while we have been together. Help
us so to live always that we may be worthy of this comradeship to which we have
pledged ourselves and always conduct ourselves so that we shall bring no
discredit upon it. Amen.
All: Amen.
Suggested music cue.
Active DeMolays rise as Ch. rises. Lights
raised to full. Ch. takes one step backward away from Altar, simultaneously Mar
takes one step forward. Both face North. Ch. takes one step forward to Mar’s
side. Ch. conducted by Mar moves I K V Z, Ch. crosses in front of Mar and moves
to X, stands facing his station. Mar moves Z
X
and both Ch. and Mar simultaneously
face West. As Ch. and Mar leave Altar; all Active DeMolays who were in the East
and S.C. and J.C return to daises.
M.C.:
Brother Senior Steward, you will close the Holy Bible on the Altar.
S.S. moves X Z G I; kneels on both knees;
closes the Holy Bible reverently and slowly, leaving the Bible marker unfolded
and showing; rises and takes one step back; does about-face and moves I G Z X;
faces East.
M.C.:
Brother Junior Steward, you will remove the school books from the Altar.
J.S. moves X Z C I; without kneeling picks
the school books up from the Altar; takes one step back; does about-face; moves
I G Z X; faces East. If Altar is too large for J.S. to reach across it
comfortably, he may step to the North side of the Altar to pick up the school
books He should return to point I before following the foregoing instructions
for returning to his station.
M.C.:
Brother Senior Deacon, you will attend at the Altar.
Suggested music cue.
S.D. moves X Z M Candle I extinguishes it
and then extinguishes the other candles in order; crossing between the Altar and
the East as he does so S.D. goes around the West side of the Altar to I; faces
North and moves I K Z X and faces West.
M.C.:
Brethren, let us prove to all men that our ceremonies are not empty forms, but
that we are dedicated to purposes that are worthy of the martyred hero whose
name we have taken on our lips. I now declare this Chapter closed on the step of
greeting, the sign of welcome, the token of brotherhood, and the word of
emulation “DeMolay.”
Step, sign, and token in three separate
movements and word are given by each Active DeMolay (including M.C.) as M.C.
refers to it.
M.C. * (rap)
All sit down, except J.D., who remains
standing.
M.C.:
Brother Junior Deacon, inform the Sentinel that this Chapter is closed.
JD. moves to A.
J.D. *: (2 raps)
Sen. * (2 raps)
J.D opens door: Brother Sentinel, this Chapter is
closed.
J.D. leaving the door open, moves to X,
faces M.C.
J.D.:
Brother Master Councilor, the Sentinel is informed.
J.D. remains standing.
M.C. * * (2 raps)
Officers rise.
M.C.: The Officers will now retire.
Officers form Triangle, Mar moves X Z U R,
nods head slightly and all Officers, including Mar, kneel for a few moments of
silent prayer
M.C.: Amen.
All officers rise. Mar faces South; moves R Q I J as Mar makes
corner at L. M.C. faces North and takes one step to his right, thereby leaving
an opening for Mar Officers retire.
