conductress with candidate on her right facing the east.charity inspire us and every member of the...
TRANSCRIPT
Conductress with Candidate on her right facing the East.
WORTHY PATRON—Sister Conductress, whom have you here?
CONDUCTRESS—A sister who has passed the several degrees of the
star, and received instructions in its signs, passes, and heroic
deeds of virtue and renown.
WORTHY PATRON—Then you are members of the Eastern Star.
COND.— * * * *
W.P.- * * * *
COND.— * * * *
W. P.—Sister Conductress, as you are thus instructed you will
further enlighten this sister by inducting her into our
beautiful Floral ceremony.
COND.—In an ancient Jewish ceremony, it was the custom of the
women of Jerusalem at a certain hour of the day to repair to the
Women's Court of the Temple of Herod, to offer their devotions
to the Most High, and give thanks for divine privileges. In
representation of those ancient ceremonies, I now request my
associates to assemble around the altar, that we may exemplify
our earnestness and devotion to the great precepts of our Order.
As Conductress repeats, “In representation,” etc. she passes around
Candidate by the right, turning Candidate at the same time, so that
both face the Atlar. Conductress continuing, repeats, "I now request
my associates" etc. Associate Conductress and Star officers all arise
and form a square, facing Altar as per Stars on diagram. As
Conductress concludes with the words "precepts of our order" Associate
Conductress and Star Officers each advance to Altar and remain in a
reverential attitude until conclusion of chant.
Instructions.
Flowers to be placed upon Altar as follows: A boquet for Associate
Conductress, five smaller ones of colors, appropriate to each point of the
Star, as nearly opposite the position of each officer as practicable so
arranged in shape, that when put together by the Associate Conductress a five
pointed Boquet will be formed. As Adah and Ruth are addressed by the
Conductress, each in turn will step back beyond the line of chairs, face the,
East, and approach Candidate, describing square as per dotted line on
diagram. Esther will do the same, facing the South. Martha and Electa the
same, facing the East. Lastly the Associate Conductress the same, facing the
North. Each officer after having presented offering will return to plane
still describing square. When officers approach with their offering,
Conductress, and Candidate will incline toward the East, forming a triangle
as per Stars on Diagram, turning back as officer returns to her station.
Each officer will take appropriate flower from altar, step back and form
square as before.
COND.—Sister Associate Conductress, this sister has solemnly
pledged herself' to devote a portion of her time to our cause.
"What further assurance can you present of our obligation to
cooperate with her in this glorious work?
Assoc. COND.—Sister Conductress (holding up boquet), these
Floral-Emblems of the Eastern Star are nature's smiles, wrought
from her own hues and materials, and are monitors of truth and
loving kindness. They delight the eye, gratify the sense, and
are eloquent teachers of purity and love. In the Ritual of our
Order they assume an important part, suggesting through their
forms colors, fragrance and beauty the womanly graces and brave
lessons of the five heroines of the Eastern Star. I therefore
suggest, that at this time our Floral Work be introduced with
its appropriate teachings, and that you request the
representatives of these heroines of old to unfold to this
sister their lesson of flowers.
COND.—Sister Associate, you have spoken well. And I cheerfully
comply with your suggestion.
ADAH—I present this Blue flower, a token of Fidelity. It is the
color of the starry-decked heavens, and a Symbol of filial love
and obedience, reminding us that these virtues should find a
constant dwelling place in the hearts of every member of the
Order.
RUTH—I present this Yellow flower, a token of Patient Industry.
Its color is emblematic of Plenty, reminding us that as our
pathway is strewn with abundance, we should be the dispensers of
good deeds, and as we enjoy health and prosperity, may we never
forget the necessity of devotion to religious principles.
COND.—Sister Esther, are you willing to follow the graceful
Sxample of Sisters Adah and Ruth, and present this sister with
your Floral offering, appropriate to the White point of the
Star?
ESTHER.—My offering is this White flower, a token of Light and
Joy. Its color is a Symbol of Purity. May the pure precept of
the Order actuate us to hazard life, if necessary, as did Queen
Esther, to save God's chosen people from destruction.
COND.—Sister Martha, what Foral offering do you present this
sister, appropriate to the Green point of the Star?
MARTHA—I present this Evergreen, a token of Sincerity whose
color never fades and is a Symbol of Faith in the immortality of
the soul. May hope of immortality lighten each burden of sorrow
and incline us to a devoted life.
COND.—Sister Electa, we know of the ardor with which you are
actuated. What is your floral offering appropriate to the Red
point of the Star?
ELECTA—My offering is this Red flower, a token of the final
Triumph of Truth. Its color is a Symbol of Zeal which should
actuate all who are in possession of our mystic science. May
Charity inspire us and every member of the Order, reminding us
that without Charity none can enter Heaven.
COND.—Sister Associate Conductress, Sisters Adah. Ruth, Esther,
Martha, and Electa, have each presented this sister with their
Emblematic flower and its instructive lesson. Will you now
present your Floral Offering, and by it complete our boquet?
Assoc. COND.—My offerings (holding up boquet) are these flowers
whose colors are consecrated to the five heroines of the Eastern
Star, and from each we have received an important lesson. (As
Associate Conductress takes colors from Candidate, she will
elevate each, repeating sentiments and adding to her boquet.)
The Blue takes its tint from the cerulean sky beneath which the
Mountain Maid spent the happy da}*s of her youth. The Yellow
borrows its golden tint from the glowing sun above, and the
ripening grain beneath, between which throbbed the faithful
heart of the Widow of Moab. The White suggests that dignity
which the heroic Queen so cheerfully laid aside to preserve
God's chosen people from extinction. The Evergreen leads the
Chastened Spirit through and beyond the grave to all that is
animating in the thought of a glorious resurrection. The Red
directs our thoughts to the Charity and Hospitality, inculcated
in all teachings of the Order. This Sister Conductress,
completes our boquet, emblematic of sentiments which the purest
and noblest of women may accept (presents boquet to sister) as a
token of all that she can attain in this life, or hope for in
the life to come.
COND.—My sister, you have been presented with the Floral Emblems
appropriate to this Degree and instructed in their divine
teachings. You will now give your attention to the Worthy Matron
whom you will observe approaching from the East.
As the Worthy Matron approaches, ehe will form a Triangle with Conductress
and Candidate, the Associate Matron at the same time approaches, and forms a
Triangle with the Associate Conductress, and -Esther, as per stars on
diagram.
WORTHY MATRON.—My sister, we cherish a hope that the grand and
impressive lessons taught by our Floral ceremonies have made a
deep and lasting impression upon you. That you have become
convinced of our sincerity and devotion. That your zeal for our
cause will actuate you to co-operate with us in an earnest
endeavor to perpetuate the glorious results and noble purposes
of oar Order. Anciently the ceremonies of initiation were as
grand as human mind could devise. Candidates were subjected to
real and severe trials. Long and toilsome journeys were taken
through narrow and rugged paths. As a test of fortitude they
were required to leap from a height into a seeming fiery pit. A
rose was plucked from the hair and cast into aflame as a token
of willing sacrifice to duty, pleasures and superfluities. They
were then crowned with a Laurel wreath, a symbol of perfection
and reward of merit. My sister, Humanity and its progress has
for thousands of years been moved by the hand of Omnipotence,
and will continue for ages to make their record on the scroll of
nations and leave their footprints on the sands of time. We are
commissioned by the Grand Patron on high to contribute our mite.
It is by patient industry, gleaning here a little and there a
little, the gathering together of small effects that end in
grand results. If hearts and hands are expanded by benevolence,
and our united efforts are directed by wise councils to a common
purpose, we can accomplish much, and realize the power and
grandeur of our undertakings. This Order was instituted to
afford a larger opportunity of extending the reign of peace and
love upon earth, to erect a shrine where the burdened heart
could pour out its sorrows, and distress find relief. My sister,
it is for these purposes we have assembled around this sacred
altar, and presented you with our Floral Offerings, tokens of
sisterly affection. Here we renew our vows, and here with our
Associate Matron we now give thanks for divine privileges.
Associate Matron approaches Altar (as the Worthy Matron repeats "here with
our Associate Matron," etc.) kneels, at the same time officers and Candidate
form circle around Altar.when Associate Matron repeats the following:
PRAYER.
A. M. — Our Father who art in heaven, bless, we beseech thee,
this sister to whom we have presented floral tributes of
sisterly affection. Consecrate and adorn her life with these
Symbols of Virtue. Endow each with a just appreciation of their
responsibilities. Keep us mindful at morning, noon, and eventide
of a Father's care, which is always over us, and an all-seeing
eye which is ever upon us. Honor and prosper our beloved Order
whose foundation is the enduring principle of Truth. Direct our
foot-steps in paths of peace, and when the measure of our years
are ended, receive us into thy Chapter on high.—Amen.
The Worthy Patron may sound the gavel, when the officers will resume their
stations, Conductress and Candidate facing the West. Chapter is called up,
and candidate is formally introduced as per Revised Ritual.
At the conclusion of the ceremony the Officers may go through very pretty
evolutions in different forms as may be designed by chapters to the following
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