Sons (and Daughters) of
Saint George
The Order of Sons of St. George
were first established in Scranton,
Pennsylvania in 1871. It was originally founded for the purpose of
resisting attacks by the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish immigrant
laborers working in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. The Molly Maguires were
founded after the predominately Irish Catholic union called the Workingmen's
Benevolent Association was broken up the mine owners and officials.
The Molly Maguires operated in secret, and used the signs, passwords and grips
of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (see CATHOLIC
ORDERS for more information on the A.O.H.) to conceal their criminal
activities, which consisted of raiding mine officials homes, beating them up
and threatening them with death, and destroying mine owners property during
the labor disputes in the 1860s-1870s.
The Order of the Sons of St. George evolved into an ethnic fraternal benefit
society for Englishmen residing in the United States of America, and their
sons and grandsons. It offered sick and death benefits to members, benefits,
and social activities such as dances, picnics and other lodge activities.
Membership was limited to first-, second- and third-generation Englishmen.
There was a female auxiliary called the Daughters of St. George. Both
organizations are long defunct.
A special "Thanks" to Brother
Burke Gray who provided the pictures of the above jewelry and to
Brother Denis P. McGowan who provided the history of these Orders.
Brother Denis P. McGowan is a dedicated fraternalist and student of the
history of American fraternal organizations.
1904 Sons
of St. George Past President Jewel and Membership Credential
A special
"Thank You" to Sandy Krin for donating her Great, Great Uncles PP Jewel and
Credentials!
Captain Thomas Teed (1815-1892)
Red Rose Lodge, Sons of St. George No. 144
Here is what a
uniformed rank Member of the Son's of St. George looked like.
A special Thank
You to Ann Tice of Michigan for submitting the picture of her anscester.
Order Sons of St. George
Initiation Ritual
1931
Opening
W.P.: Officers and Brothers: Clothe yourselves in regalia.
Officers take your stations. Worthy Inside Sentinel, notify Brothers in the
ante-room to enter, secure the door, and allow no Brother to enter until I
declare this Lodge regularly open.
Worthy Inside Sentinel admits Brothers, closes inner door and returns to
station.
W.I.S.: Worthy President, I have secured the inner door.
W.P.: Worthy Messengers. Messengers rise
and face the W.P. Advance and give me the current password.
Messengers advance, give password to W.P. and return to
stations facing W.P. Proceed on the right and left, see that all
present have on their regalia, and are in possession of the password; if not,
immediately report to the Past Worthy President.
Messengers collect the password, members rising, and while giving the
password, give the Messenger the grip. If a member is without the password,
the Messenger will refer him to the P.W.P., who will give him the password if
he is entitled to receive it. A visiting Brother without the password must
show his due book or other official receipt. The P.W.P. is in charge of the
password in the Lodge room, and only during Lodge meetings. The password
should always be given in a whisper.
Worthy Messengers return to stations, facing the W.P.
W.M.: Worthy President, I find the Brothers on your right are in
possession of the password and have on their regalia.
W.A.M.: Worthy President, I find the Brothers on your left are in
possession of the password and have on their regalia.
Messengers face altar.
Call up officers.
W.P.: Worthy Inside Sentinel, direct the Worthy Outside Sentinel to
present himself, and you remain in his station until relieved.
W.I.S. and W.O.S. change stations.
W.O.S.: Worthy President, I report for instruction.
W.P.: Worthy Outside Sentinel, your duty is to guard the outer
door; upon you depends the privacy of this Lodge. Return to your station and
relieve the Worthy Inside Sentinel.
After W.I.S. returns to his station, the Worthy President proceeds.
W.P.: Past Worthy President, what are the duties of your office?
P.W.P.: It is my duty to pass upon the right of all Brothers to
remain in, or be admitted to the Lodge.
W.P.: Worthy Vice-President, what are the duties of your office?
W.V.P.: It is my duty to perform the ceremonies intrusted to me;
support the Worthy President in the discharge of his duties; assist him in
maintaining order in the Lodge room; and appoint a minority of all committees
unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge.
W.P.: Worthy Secretary, what are the duties of your office?
W.S.: It is my duty to keep a true and accurate account between the
Lodge and its Members; receive all moneys and pay the same over to the Worthy
Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor; attend to all the correspondence of
the Lodge; and, in conjunction with the Worthy Assistant Secretary, keep a
true and complete record of all the proceedings of this Lodge.
W.P.: Worthy Messenger, what are the duties of your office?
W.M.: It is my duty to examine the Brothers prior to the opening of
the Lodge; assist the Worthy President as he may direct; prepare the Lodge
room for the meetings of the Lodge; and see that all Lodge properties are
collected at the close of each meeting.
W.P.: Worthy Inside Sentinel, what are the duties of your office?
W.I.S.: It is my duty to admit every Brother in possession of the
password, or inform the Past Worthy President that the Brother wishing to
enter is without the password, and await his commands.
Call up.
W.P: Worthy Chaplain, you will please lead us in prayer.
W.C.: Let us pray.
W.P.: Officers and Brothers, all unite in singing our Opening Ode.
Opening Ode
Tune: Duke Street
1. Here we as faithful brothers meet,
United still in heart and hand;
And once again our vows repeat.
To firmly by each other stand.
2. In sickness, health, in weal or woe,
Misfortune or prosperity,
Our sympathies will ever flow.
In deeds of love and charity.
3. To cheer a Brother’s aching heart,
To soothe him on a bed of pain;
To take th’afflicted widow’s part,
The orphan’s cause e’er to maintain.
4. Be this our object and our aim,
As onward through the world we move;
So may we hope, at last to claim
The password to the realms above.
W.P.: Officers and Brothers: It is my duty to open this Lodge for
the transaction of such business as may be in order and properly brought
before it. While we are together let no animosity hold an influence over our
hearts, no unseemly conduct mar the pleasure of our meeting. Unity of opinion
cannot be expected on all subjects, but the harmony of this Lodge will not be
disturbed if the members will submit to the will of the majority. These
principles and motives actuating us, we shall not fail in our objects―the
advancement of our Order, and the welfare of all worthy Brothers.
Floor Work Instructions
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Note: The Bible, Sword and Shield are
placed on altar, prior to opening ceremony.
W.P.: Worthy Messengers and Worthy Chaplain.
Messengers and Chaplain arise and face Worthy President. Messengers draw,
present and then carry swords.
W.P.: Adjust the altar.
Messengers again present and carry swords, right about face and proceed with
the Worthy Chaplain, stopping three paces from altar.
Messengers present and sheathe swords.
Worthy Messenger advances to altar, removes and places shield on left forearm
at position to defend body, then steps back to his position in line.
Worthy Assistant Messenger advances to altar, removes and presents sword, then
to position Carry; then steps back to his position in line.
Worthy Chaplain advances to altar, opens and places Bible in proper position,
then steps back to his position in line.
Worthy Messenger advances and places shield in proper position, then steps
back to his position.
Worthy Assistant Messenger then advances, places sword in proper position,
then step, back to his position.
After the altar has been adjusted the W.P. will say.
W.P.: Officers and Brothers, by virtue of the power invested in me
as Worthy President, I declare the Lodge legally open.
Messengers and Chaplain approach altar and salute, right about face and then
return to their stations.
Note: In closing, the same procedure is carried out; Leaving the Bible, Sword
and Shield in the same position on the altar as prior to opening ceremony. No
member should pass between the altar and dais of the W.P. while the altar is
adjusted.
Call down.
W.P.: Worthy Inside Sentinel, admit any Brother wishing to enter.
Ceremony of Initiation
Instructions and Suggestions
To make the initiatory degree as effective and instructive as possible, each
officer is expected to commit his lecture or charge to memory.
Lodges are at liberty to allow their degree teams to use soloists, quartettes,
or choirs, to sing appropriate selections between the lectures. They may
introduce other features for effect, which must in no way alter the proper
form of initiation.
When there is a class initiation (over three), to simplify the marching and to
save time, the following method may be used. All candidates will proceed to
the end of the obligation, when one candidate will be selected to represent
the whole in the lectures; the others being seated in the Lodge Room. All
will, however, take the charge of the W.P. and the ceremony of Knighthood.
The degree is written as for one candidate, but when there are more than one
candidate, the plural form should be used in the proper place.
There are two higher degrees, which were adopted by the Supreme Lodge in
session at Cleveland, Ohio, October, 1922, known as the Degree of Patriotism
and the Rank of Knighthood. These degrees may be given by following the
instructions in the ritual books of these degrees, which can be obtained from
the Supreme Secretary.
When in the proper order of business, degree work has been reached, the Worthy
President will call the Lodge to order, and address the Inside Sentinel.
W.P.: Worthy Inside Sentinel, ascertain if any candidate is in
waiting for initiation.
The Worthy Inside Sentinel inquires through the Outside Sentinel, and if a
candidate is waiting, will report the name or names of the candidates from his
station.
W.I.S.: Worthy President, Mr. … is in waiting for initiation.
W.P.: Worthy Secretary, has Mr. … been constitutionally elected to
membership, and has he paid the required fee?
W.S.: Worthy President, Mr. … has been constitutionally elected,
and the required fee has been paid.
W.P.: Worthy Messenger, retire to the outer room, prepare the
candidate in proper form, and conduct him to the altar of the Lodge.
The Worthy Messenger retires in due form, and after fully preparing the
candidate, and in the required manner, enters the Lodge room with hi-s charge
in the usual form. They march once around the room, and advance to the altar,
while the members sing the Initiation Ode.
Call up.
Initiation Ode
Enter, Stranger, freely enter;
In our midst no cause for fear:
Each true friend of our dear Order
Meets a hearty welcome here.
Enter, Stranger, freely enter,
None but friends around thee stand,
Off’ring thee, with manly frankness,
Entrance to our noble band.
W.M.: Worthy President, I have brought before you a stranger, who
testifies that it is his earnest desire to become a member of our beloved
Order. He claims to be of our blood and kin, with the necessary qualifications
entitling him to admission. I have therefore brought him before you, that he
may join with us in the obligations and privileges of our Order.
W.P.: My Friend, you are now in the presence of those of your own
blood and kin; who have pledged themselves to promote peace and good will
between the United States and England, and to be just and true in their
relations with all mankind, and to give aid to their fellow members in times
of sickness and distress. Are you willing to join us, and take unto yourself a
like obligation?
Candidate: I am.
W.P.: With this assurance on your part, we will proceed, first
calling on our Worthy Chaplain to invoke the Divine Blessing. Brethren, you
will give reverent attention to the prayer of the Worthy Chaplain.
Worthy Messenger causes candidate to kneel on both knees at the altar, the
Worthy Chaplain approaches and faces the candidate.
W.C.: Let us invoke the blessing of Almighty God upon this
candidate.
Prayer
W.C.: O Thou Great and Loving Father, the Creator of the Universe,
we approach Thee with reverence and humility. We thank Thee for the manifold
blessings Thou has bestowed upon us, and especially for the privilege of
meeting together in this brotherhood, banded together for the promotion of
each other’s welfare and the mitigation of suffering in time of sickness or
distress. Look now in tender compassion on this candidate, who now seeks to
join with us in this our noble purpose. Give him wisdom and understanding;
purge his mind of every selfish and evil desire; may he seek his greatest
happiness in doing good to others; strengthen his every noble purpose; and
suffer no evil or misfortune to befall him. Seal Thou the consecration he now
makes on bended knee at this altar; and may he be ever true to the solemn vows
he here may take; and when he has fought the last good fight, may he be found
rejoicing with the angelic host in the Heavenly Home of our Father, amidst the
joys of reunited Brotherhood. Amen.
Call down.
Soft instrumental music with candidate still kneeling. After the last strain
dies away, the Worthy Chaplain returns to his station. The candidate is caused
to arise, when the Worthy Messenger conducts him to the station of the Worthy
President.
W.P.: My Friend, before you can further advance, it is required
that you take a solemn and binding vow; one which I assure you will not
deprive you of any liberty that you now or should hereafter enjoy; nor will it
embarrass you in the performance of your future duty to God, your country,
family or yourself. Do you now cheerfully volunteer to take this vow?
Candidate: I do.
Call up.
W.P.: Worthy Messenger, proceed with our friend to the altar, and
place him in the required form. The Officers and members will assemble in
position around the altar.
Candidate is caused to kneel on both knees at the altar, right hand resting on
the shield and sword, supported by the Holy Bible. The Worthy Messenger stands
beside and to the left of the candidate. The Worthy Vice.
President directly behind the candidate and Messenger. The Worthy Past
President and Chaplain stand on either side of the altar and help form an
inner circle, the brethren forming an outer circle around the altar, each with
his right hand upon the shoulder of the other, leaving room for the Worthy
President to come from his station into the inner circle.
W.M.: Worthy President, the candidate is in position to take the
obligation.
The Worthy President advances to the inner circle around the altar.
W.P.: My Friend, you are now in the presence of those who are about
to accept you as a Brother. The vows you are about to take are serious and
lifelong in duration. Place your right hand on the Bible, sword and shield of
St. George; raise your left hand with the index finger pointing upward; and
pay strict attention to the vows you are about to make.
The Worthy Messenger will assist the candidate to place his hands in the
proper position.
W.P.: You will repeat after me: I, in the name of God and St.
George, and in the presence of the Brethren here assembled, do solemnly and
sincerely promise that, regardless of the circumstances in which I may be
placed, I will never reveal any of the signs, grips, passwords, or any of the
secret work of this Order. I will keep secret any business of a private nature
transacted in this Lodge or any Lodge I may attend. I will faithfully uphold
and obey the constitution and laws of the Supreme Lodge, the Grand Lodge of
this jurisdiction, and the bylaws of this Lodge; and I will show due respect
to all Officers constitutionally installed. I will not speak ill of a Worthy
Brother, but will defend his character as I would my own. I will, to the best
of my ability, help a Brother in need of assistance, and will exercise my best
efforts to promote the welfare of my fellow members. I will be loyal to the
established government in the United States of America. And I will, with every
power at my command, help to maintain peace between the two great families of
the English speaking race. I will not discuss sectarian, religious, or
partisan p0litical subjects during a session of this Lodge, nor introduce any
subject foreign or harmful to the interest of this Order. I make these
promises and vows with full knowledge of my responsibility, and will keep this
vow inviolate as long as life shall last. So help me God; and may He help me
to keep this solemn obligation and be faithful to the promises and vows I here
have made.
Worthy Messenger will remove hoodwinks; all members drop hands to sides, and
join in singing the Obligation Ode.
O may you now and ever keep
Your obligation true!
And faithful be to all of us
Then we will be true to you.
All Officers and Members will return to their stations, excepting the Worthy
Messenger.
W.P.: Worthy Messenger, assist the candidate to arise, and conduct
him to the station of the Worthy Vice-President for instructions.
Call down.
W.M.: Worthy Vice-President, by the direction of the Worthy
President, I have the pleasure of presenting to you our newly obligated
Brother, who now awaits your instructions.
W.V.P.: My Brother, having made your solemn vows, it is my duty as
well as privilege to in-form you that the American Order, Sons of St. George,
was founded in the year eighteen hundred and seventy, in Scranton,
Pennsylvania, primarily for the purpose of enforcing civil law and order, at a
time when the regularly constituted authorities for the enforcement of law had
suffered a regional lapse, and misguided enmity towards those of English
descent had resulted in cowardly and willful murder. A Gideon band of noble
souls, from the coal mining district in and around Scranton, responding to the
call of humanity, covenanted together, each pledging to the other that, for
each innocent life taken in violation of the law, the guilty should be justly
punished under the law; pledging themselves also to the restoration of that
God-given right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, guaranteed to
all alike under the constitution of the United States. From this beginning was
evolved a mutual benevolent fraternity, for the administration of financial
benefits in sickness; comfort for the dying; the assurance of a befitting
funeral for the dead; and to encourage the economic, social and intellectual
uplift of its members. While the Order is of American origin, one of our
important principles is to cultivate the closest friendship, and to do
whatever lies within our power, calculated to strengthen the bonds of
Brotherhood between the two great families of the Anglo-Saxon race. The Worthy
Messenger will now conduct you to the station of the Past Worthy President for
further instructions.
W.M.: Past Worthy President, by the direction of the Worthy
Vice-President, I present to you our Brother for further instruction.
P.W.P.: My Brother, as you were instructed at the last station, our
Order is of American origin. It is therefore fitting that we should foster and
cultivate a spirit of true patriotism, a reverence for the memory of our
forefathers, and a devotion to the high ideals of our constitution. While
enjoying the opportunities and liberties guaranteed to all who live here, we
must jealously guard the liberties of others. The history of this country
teaches that the Cavaliers of England who settled at Jamestown, Virginia, in
the year sixteen hundred and seven, and the English Pilgrims who founded the
first colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in sixteen hundred and twenty,
founded the ideals of a true democracy, out of which grew the United States.
The great and illustrious names of those who have been leaders before and
since we became a sovereign nation will always embellish the pages of history.
Not alone in this country great in its ideals of democracy, but also in
science, in art, in literature, in mechanical ingenuity, and invention. But
its greatest attribute is its humanitarian principles: offering equal rights
and opportunities to all who come under the protection of its flag: the Stars
and Stripes. A helpful interest is also taken in all peoples, of any nation,
who may need help in times of calamities, of whatever nature. My Brother,
these principles of Americanization have been enumerated that you may engender
a true feeling of patriotism and pride in this great country.
Worthy Messenger, you will now conduct our Brother to the Worthy Chaplain, for
further instruction.
W.M.: Worthy Chaplain, by direction of our Past Worthy President I
present to you for further instruction our Brother, who has taken the
obligation and received the instruction of the Worthy Vice-President, and that
of the Past Worthy President.
W.C.: My Brother, your desire to join us as a Son of St. George, is
an indication that your inspirations and ambitions are in sympathy with the
best traditions of the Mother Country, and that you seek fraternal communion
with us. It is fitting, therefore, that we emulate not only the life of St.
George, the patron saint of Old England, but that we exercise in our everyday
life those principles which have caused England and the British Empire to be
synonomous with honor and obedience to law. You have just cause to be proud of
your ancestry. For near a thousand years the flag of St. George has been the
emblem of freedom. When King John, in the year twelve hundred and fifteen, at
Runnymede, was compelled by free Englishmen to sign the great Magna Charta,
true democracy was born, not alone to England, but to the entire world. The
great men and women whose names embellish the history of England have been
instrumental in advancing the theory of sound government and the highest
ethics of those principles which are beneficial to mankind.
My Brother, let me impress upon you the ever growing importance of holding
fast to all the great attributes of the English character; so that this great
country may never lose the high ideals of the forefathers, always remembering
that the people of England and the United States come largely of one common
heritage.
Worthy Messenger, you -will conduct our Brother to the Worthy President;
inform him that he has been instructed at the several stations, and is now
well qualified to receive the high honor of Knighthood and such further
instruction as only one of his rank can give.
W.M.: Worthy President, I am directed by our Worthy Chaplain to
present to you our newly-made Brother. He has been instructed at our several
stations, and is well qualified to receive the high Honor of Knight, and such
other instruction as only one of your degree can give.
W.P.: My Brother, I congratulate you on your advancement; and it is
to be hoped and expected that the lessons already imparted to you will
profoundly impress your mind and rightly influence your future conduct. It
becomes my duty, as Worthy President of this Lodge, to give you such further
instruction as will enable you to properly fulfill the duties you have now
assumed by your obligation.
The words used as the motto of our Order are "Fraternity, Concord and Love",
the initials of which, "F., C. and L." you may use when addressing a
communication to one of your Brethren. This is the grip: … Should you wish to
make a test to make sure that the man whom you have met is a member of our
Order you will ... and he will return by ... The position of the fingers will
always remind you that we are one in heart and hand for the welfare of our
Brotherhood. This is the Salutation Sign ... Placing of the ... thus is
intended to remind you of the obligation we all have taken. Raising the ...,
thus, is to impress upon you the absolute necessity of forever keeping secret
all that takes place in the Lodge Room; and returning the . ... thus, is the
open hand of fellowship, which we offer to all Worthy Brothers. This ... is
the salute to be given in honor of a visit by a Grand Lodge Officer (when
announced as such). This ... is the salute in honor of a visit by a Supreme
Lodge Officer (when announced as such). This ... is the voting sign.
I will instruct you how to gain admittance to a Lodge of this Order. If the
Lodge is not in session, you will clothe yourself in proper regalia, enter the
room and take your seat. If the Lodge is in session, you will approach the
outer door and give such an alarm as will attract the attention of the Outside
Sentinel. He will raise the wicket and you will give him the first half of the
current password, which is ... You will then be admitted to the ante-room,
where you will clothe yourself in proper regalia, advance to the inner door,
where you will … If your alarm is returned, you will know there is business
before the Lodge, and must await its conclusion. When the wicket is raised by
the Inside Sentinel, you will give your name, and the name and number of your
Lodge, in this way: Brother ... of ... Lodge No. …, (that being the name and
number of this Lodge). You will also give the second half of the password,
which is ... You will then be admitted, and must at once proceed to the front
of the altar, facing the Worthy President, and salute by giving the Salutation
Sign ..., which the Worthy President will return, when you may be seated.
Should you forget the Password, you will so report to the Sentinels, and upon
being admitted you will salute the Worthy President; and, before taking your
seat, present yourself at the station of the Past Worthy President, who will
give you the password if you are entitled to receive it. Should you wish to
retire while the Lodge is in session, you will approach the altar and give the
Salutation Sign …; and if returned by the Worthy President you may retire.
I will now explain to you the use of the gavel. … commands order in the Lodge
room and seats the Lodge when standing: ... the officers will rise: ... the
entire Lodge will rise.
All members rise.
W.P.: Worthy Messenger, you will place the Brother in position to
receive the high Honor of Knighthood.
The Worthy Messenger assists the Brother to kneel on right knee on stool or
platform, the Worthy President, with sword in hand, steps in front of the
Brother and says:
W.P.: By virtue of the trust reposed and power vested in me by my
Brother Knights, I now invest you with the degree of Knighthood, and with this
good sword I dub thee Knight; in the name of God taps
Brother with sword over left shoulder, our country
taps again
and St. George taps. Rise, Brother Knight,
and may you prove to be true and worthy.
The Worthy Messenger will assist the Brother to rise.
W.P.: I will now decorate your breast with the badge of our Order,
which should be hereafter worn by you during Lodge session only; unless
otherwise directed by the Worthy President.
Worthy President hands badge to Worthy Messenger, who adjusts it; following
which ceremony the Worthy President continues:
W.P.: This badge when on your breast is a symbol of your membership
within the Order; likewise of your devotion to its principles and teachings.
It is also an outward sign of your inward pledge that, as far as in you lies,
you will keep pure the channels of your thoughts as required in the motto,
thereon inscribed, "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense": the English translation of
which is, "Evil be to him who evil thinks". Worthy Messenger, you will present
our Brother to the Worthy Chaplain, who will give him the closing words of
advice and instruction.
Call down.
W.M.: Worthy Chaplain, I am directed by our Worthy President to
present this Brother, who has just received the high Honor of Knighthood, for
final advice and counsel, which you are well qualified to impart.
W.C.: My Brother, I will now present you with this official button,
bearing the imprint of the emblem of our Order; as the Knights of old wore on
their armor the insignia of their Knightly vows, we trust you will wear this
emblem as the insignia of your Knightly vows; and may its presence ever
inspire you to attain every Knightly virtue. In closing, My Brother, let me
remind you that the motto of our Order is the three words, "Fraternity,
Concord and Love". Fraternity has a meaning stronger and more beautiful in its
relative value than friendship: it is the uniting of men in the bonds of
Brotherly interest. While Concord means union, there can be no Concord unless
there be Fraternity. These two virtues are inter-blended. The last of the trio
of words cherished by our Order is Love: it is the greatest and best of all
virtues. Fraternity and Concord without Love are void and without meaning. The
unseen power which rules and regulates the highest human impulses is Love.
My Brother, we sincerely hope that the solemn vows you have taken will be to
you no idle ceremony, to be forgotten as a passing dream, but a pleasant
reality of manly duties assumed. Longfellow tells us in one of his poems that:
"Life is real, life is earnest,
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not written of the soul.
"Not enjoyment and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way;
But to act that each tomorrow
Finds us farther than today."
Worthy Messenger, you will conduct our Brother to the Worthy Secretary, that
he may sign our constitution; then proceed to the Worthy President.
Worthy Messenger conducts Brother to the desk of the Worthy Secretary, from
there to the Worthy President.
W.M.: Worthy President, the Brother in my charge has received the
closing instruction from our Worthy Chaplain, and now awaits your commands.
W.P., taking newly-made Brother by the right hand: My Brother, in
behalf of our beloved Order, and for myself, I welcome you into the fellowship
of ... Lodge, No …, whose sacred words, "Fraternity, Concord and Love" should
cause you to become stronger and firmer in the ties of Brotherhood and the
advancement of our Order. Worthy Messenger, you will place our Brother in
position at the altar to receive the grip of welcome from the Brethren here
assembled.
Worthy Messenger places the Brother in position front of the altar, facing the
Worthy President.
W.P.: Officers and Brothers, I have the pleasure of introducing
Brother ... I commend him to your good offices. Let us give him the grip.
Call up.
The grip may be given by Officers only, Degree Staff only, or the, whole
Lodge, as the Lodge may direct. Meanwhile, all join in singing the Welcome
Ode.
Here’s the grip; Brother take it;
‘Tis a Freeman’s true grasp,
With the pledge of his honor
As thy hand he doth clasp.
‘Tis the promise he gives thee
That, true to his creed,
He will help a true Brother,
In the time of his need.
Here’s the grip; Brother take it;
‘Tis a Patriot’s true sign
That his heart goes out with it
To mingle with thins.
Then take, and return it,
Wherever you be,
To each Son of St. George
That may give it to thee.
When all have returned to their stations, the Worthy President will say:
W.P.: Worthy Messenger, you will escort our Brother to a seat in
the room.
Call down.
Business may be resumed or a recess may be declared to welcome the newly-made
Brother.
Closing
Call up.
W.P.: Officers and Brothers, all unite in singing our CLOSING ODE.
1. And now, the hour once more has come
when, Brothers, we must part
Let us remember, ev’ry one
The cause we have at heart.
God prosper still our glorious cause,
And bless the grand design,
Till Brothers in fraternal love
Their hands together join.
2. Till link’d fast by the golden chain
Of love and sympathy
A mighty hand of Brotherhood,
St. George’s sons will be
Thus, as we give our parting word
Once more our vows we plight,
To live in peace and harmony
Good night, good night, good night.
W.P.: Worthy Messengers and Worthy Chaplain
W.Ms. and W.C. rise and face the W.P.,
dismantle the altar and when the Lodge is closed the Worthy Messengers will be
careful to collect all Lodge property. The W. Ms. and
W.C. will return to their stations and the W.P. will say:
W.P.: Officers and Brothers, I now declare this Lodge closed, and
bid you to retire in Faith, Hope and Love, Faith in our principles, Hope in
our Future, and Love for our cause.
