Royal
Arch Purple Degree
Loyal Orange Association
This ritual is used in the Loyal Orange Association of British America, 1926
No
business connected with the affairs of this Degree shall be transacted except in
open Lodge, guarded by a Sentinel and Tyler, and seven members of this Degree
shall form a quorum.
The
Sentinel and Tyler shall be examined by the Master, before taking their places,
to see if they are properly qualified to report on those applying for admission.
Triple
lights only shall be used in the room, and a proper Arch shall be erected in
front of the Master’s chair.
The
9614 should consist of triangular pieces of wood with rounded edges on top, and
joined together with rope.
The
chair having been taken by the Master and the officers and brethren in their
seats, all the officers and members (except the Master, Sentinel and Tyler)
shall be tested in the Orange Annual and Royal Arch Pass by the Marshal and
Lecturer, who shall report the result of their examination to the Deputy Master.
The
Deputy Master shall then rise and say: Worshipful Master, all members present are in
possession of the Orange Annual and the Pass of this Degree.
If
any brother be present who has not the Annual and Pass, the Deputy Master shall
add:
Except Bro. ….
The
Master shall then say: Who can vouch for Bro. … that he is in good standing
in the Royal Arch Purple Degree?
Note.—A
member without the Annual must be vouched for by a member of the lodge to which
he belongs, or in the event of no member of the
lodge being present, he must
produce a receipt for dues shoving that he is in good standing, and must also
pass an examination in the work of the Degree.
Should
the brother be in possession of the Annual, but without the Pass, he may be
vouched for by some one who has sat with him in a Royal Arch Purple meeting.
Otherwise, he must pass an examination in the work of the Degree.
The
fee for admission to this Degree must be paid in advance.
The
Master shall then give three knocks, the brethren shall rise, give the prayer
sign, and the Chaplain shall say: Now, we command you, brethren, by the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and not after the traditions which he received of us. For yourselves
know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among
you, neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and
travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you.
Prayer
Chaplain:
Gracious
and
Almighty God, Thou who didst raise a wall of water around Thy servants, the
children of Israel, on their right hand and on their left, and who didst save
them from the power of Pharaoh and the perils of the Red Sea; by whose Divine
permission in aftertimes our liberties have been secured and our most holy
religion preserved; continue unto us Thy Almighty favor; may Thy heavenly love
be the arch of our protection, and the increase of Thy Spirit amongst us the
special mark of our seal and covenant with Thee. These, with all other needful
blessings, we humbly beg, through the mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord and
Saviour.
Brethren:
Amen.
The
Master shall then say: I now declare this Royal Arch Purple Lodge open in due
form. God Save the King.
The
Master shall then give one knock, the brethren shalt resume their seats, and the
following Order of Business shall be proceeded with:
Repeating
the Lecture.
Minutes
of last meeting read and confirmed and signed by the Master.
Applications
for Advancement.
Balloting
for Candidates.
Initiation
of Candidates.
General
Business.
Repeating
the Lecture.
Lodge
Closed with Prayer.
Admission
On
the admission of a Candidate the following form shall be used:
The
opening proceedings being completed, the Master shall read the following
admonition to the brethren: The mysteries and solemnities of this Degree require that
the utmost respect, order and decorum be observed by all the brethren. Every
brother shall remain in his place, and shall not leave it on any pretence,
without directions from the Master. No brother shall indulge in any kind of
levity, nor meddle with the form of Initiation, unless specially requested by
the Master. Brethren conducting themselves otherwise may be expelled from the
room by the Master.
The
Master shall then appoint two brethren to proceed to the ante-room and prepare
the Candidate, who shall be divested of his Coat and
Vest, his left breast, and
right leg and right foot bared with a P. on his back, a S. in his right hand,
and B., he shall be brought to the Lodge room door; and the necessary articles
required in the initiation being in their proper places, the Conductors shall
knock for admission. The Tyler, after making the proper inquiries, shall
announce to the Master the Conductors desire for admittance; and if
satisfactory, the Master shall direct the Tyler to open the door and admit them
and the Candidate.
The
Receiver shall meet the Candidate on his entrance and give him . (p.)
Receiver:
What feelest thou?
Candidate:
… (p.)
The
meaning is here to be explained.
The
Candidate, shall then kneel on his right knee, and repeat the Lord’s Prayer;
after which the Chaplain shall read the following portions of Scripture:
Chaplain:
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine-twined linen,
and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and thou shalt make loops of blue upon the
edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling. And thou shalt make
an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, purple and scarlet, and
fine-twined linen. Lord, I cry unto Thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my
voice, when I cry unto Thee. Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense; and
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before
my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to
practise wicked works with men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their
dainties. Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him
reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head; for yet
my prayer also shall be in their calamities. When their judges are overthrown in
stony places, they shall hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are
scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the
earth.
But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave
not my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and
the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
whilst that I withal escape.
The
Candidate is now to be led three times on his journey, bearing his P. and S.,
and get ... (f’s), which are explained to him; he is then led to M. H., which
having ascended, the number of steps are explained to him; then he is brought
to the R. with three solemn steps, where he shall remain
until further orders.
The
Chaplain shall then read: And it came to pass when the people removed from their
tents to pass over Jordan, and the Priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant
before the people; and as they that bear the Ark were come unto Jordan, and the
feet of the Priest that bear the Ark were dipped in the brim of the water here
dip the right finger of the Candidate that the waters which came down
from above stood and rose up upon an heap, and the people passed over right
against Jericho. And the Priests that bear the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord
stood firm on dry ground here
remove Candidate’s
foot from
the R.
in the midst of Jordan.
The
Candidate shall then be directed to take … out of the R. with both hands,
counting aloud as he does so. There shall be no interference with the Candidate
during this part of the ceremony. The count being completed correctly, the
Chaplain shall say: And it came to pass, when all the people had passed clean over Jordan,
that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people,
out of every tribe a man, and command ye them saying: Take you hence out of the
midst of Jordan, out of the place where the Priests feet stood firm, twelve
stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging
place where ye shall lodge this night. That this may be a sign among you; and
these stones shall be for a memorial unto the Children of Israel for ever.
The
Candidate shall then be conducted to the Worshipful Master, where, kneeling
under the Arch, he shall receive the Obligation. Three knocks shall then be
given and the brethren shall rise and present the recognition sign. The
Worshipful Master shall then instruct the candidate to place both hands on the
open Bible, say “I,” give his name in full, and repeat the following
Obligation:
Obligation
I, A. B., solemnly and sincerely promise, in the presence of Almighty God
and of this Worshipful Lodge, erected to God and dedicated to Joshua, that I
will always conceal the whole and every part of the secrets of a Royal Arch
Purple Marksman; that I will not write them, print, stamp, stain, cut, hew,
carve or engrave them, or any part of them, on any substance whatever, nor cause
them to be done, so that they may become legible or intelligible, without due
authority. And further, that I will not, verbally or otherwise, communicate them
even to a brother of the Royal Arch Purple Degree, except after strict trial and
due examination.
I also solemnly promise to keep the secrets of a Royal Arch Purple
Marksman, given to me as such (except they may be contrary to the law of the
land); that I will not wrong or injure any Royal Arch Purpleman, nor know him to
be wronged or injured, without giving him timely notice thereof, and preventing
it, if within my power. I further promise that I will not know a Royal Purple
Marksman to be in want, hardship or distress (which has not been brought upon
him by his own misconduct), without rendering him such reasonable relief and
assistance as may be in my power, without injury to myself or family. I also
further promise that I will not initiate, or be present at the initiation of any
candidate into the dignity of a Royal Arch Purple Marksman, except there be
present at least a quorum of the Royal Arch Purple Degree; nor will I initiate
or be present at the initiation of any candidate into this Degree, without his
first having paid the prescribed fee.
Lastly, I swear that I will use all my influence to promote fellowship and
brotherly love amongst my brethren; and that I will abide by a decision of a
majority of the Lodge upon all business connected therewith: And all this I do
solemnly promise, testify and declare, in the plain words by me spoken —and
without any hesitation, secret evasion, or mental reservation whatever— So
help me God and keep me steadfast in this my Royal Arch Purple Marksman’s
Obligation.
The
Candidate shall then seal his Obligation by kissing the Holy Bible.
After
the Candidate has taken the Obligation and before rising, a mark shall be
inflicted on the left breast with a rubber stamp, which shall be a facsimile of
the lodge seal, after which the Chaplain shall say: And
Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a
certain place, and ‘he tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and
he kook of the stones of that place and put them for his pillow and lay down in
that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth,
and the top of it reached to Heaven, and behold the Angels of God ascending and
descending on it.
Here
lay the Candidate on his back, placing a stone under his head, and covering his
Jody with a canvas sheet; after which the Chaplain shall read: And
behold, the Lord stood above it, and said: I am the Lord God of Abraham thy
father, and the God of Isaac; the land whereon thou liest, to thee will 1 give
it, and to thy seed. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all
places whither thou goest, and I will bring thee again into this land; for I
will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
The
Candidate shall then be placed against the (W.) and underneath the (W.) while
the Chaplain reads the following: cried
unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my
supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my
trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In
the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me; I looked on my
right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed
me: no man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord: I said Thou art my
refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry, for I am
brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name: the righteous shall
compass me about; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
The
Candidate shall then have explained to him the penalties of the Degree. He shall
then be shown the Lights and warrant, which shall be explained to him; and from
thence led to a position immediately in front of the Master.
The
following hymn shall then be sung:
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
Thy people still are fed;
Who through this weary pilgrimage
Hast all our fathers led.
Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.
Such blessings from Thy gracious hand
Our humble prayers implore;
And Thou shalt be our chosen God,
And portion evermore.
The
Lecturer shall then communicate the secret work of the Degree to the Candidate
when all are advanced, and the Candidate shall be invested with the regalia of
the Degree.
The
Master shall then deliver the following charge to the newly-advanced brother: Brother.
You have now been admitted, after strict trial, to this exalted Degree. It must
have proved to you many facts, which, if duly considered, may tend to inform
your mind, and to render less obdurate the propensity inherent in man to sin.
Reflect, and you will see that man is not regarded by Orangemen on account of
his worldly wealth; it is the wealth of the soul that we prize— not that
which, when we perish, can avail nothing. Reflect, and you will have good cause
to remember how much it has become your duty to render assistance to a brother in distress. Reflect, and you will find that much of
your duty is enforced upon you by implication, which a clear mind, seeking for
justice, will at once discover. Remember, then, your duty and your Obligations,
and also how fatal and dark will be your plunge from this to eternal death,
should you neglect them. Remember also, that it is only by obedience to our
Father in Heaven that you can expect to pass from the darkness of this world to
the light of everlasting life; and that prayer, and the practice of all that is
good; together with a strong reliance upon your Saviour, can alone lead to this.
Remember, too, that you prayed as being under the canopy of Heaven; therefore,
take heed and recall to your mind the solemn hour of death, the awful one of
judgment, and lastly eternity. A lesson has been taught you how these may be
overcome; and if you hope to gain eternal life, I warn you that it is essential
that you should have faith in Christ, for no one in his own weakness and
sinfulness can be perfect. If, therefore, you hope for the charitable aid and-
intercession of your Saviour, you should extend charity to others. In every way
you are taught to avoid sin. When least expected the serpent may ‘be in your
path. I therefore entreat you, as you hope to obtain salvation, that you omit no
occasion which you may find to fulfil the vows you have now made.
The
Candidate shall then be conducted in front of the Past Master, who shall say: Brother.
Having attained to the Royal Arch (or third) Degree of the Orange Association,
it is incumbent upon me, to briefly explain the various ceremonies through which
you have passed, and to impress upon your mind the fact that this Degree is not
one of a light or trifling nature, but of high importance and due solemnity.
Your preparation for admission into this Degree is emblematical of an event
which all, sooner or later, must experience. It is emblematical of your final
exit from this world to the world to come. You are doubtless aware that no
matter what a man may possess here on earth, it will not gain him admission to
the celestial Lodge above. Therefore, to impress this more forcibly upon your
mind you were neither naked nor clothed, barefoot nor shod, blindfolded, and
deprived of all money and minerals.
You were neither naked nor clothed, to remind you that if you should ever
meet a Brother, in a distressed condition, you should contribute as liberally to
his relief as his situation requires and your circumstances will permit.
You were neither barefoot nor shod because it was an ancient Israelitish
custom, referred to in the book of Ruth, as being in former times the manner and
mode of changing and redeeming; “and to confirm all things a man plucked off
his shoe and gave it to his neighbor, and this was testimony in Israel.” We do
this as a pledge of our fidelity, and thereby signify that we will in all things
conform to the established laws and customs of our Association.
You were blindfolded to remind you that as you were then in darkness, so
should you keep the world without, as relates to the secrets of Orangeism;
secondly, that your heart might conceive before your eyes beheld the secrets of
the Order; and, lastly, had you refused to submit to the prescribed forms and
ceremonies, and thereby being found unworthy to be taken by the hand as a
brother, you might have been conducted out of the lodge without being allowed to
discover even the form thereof.
You were deprived of all money and minerals because Orangeism regards no
man on account of his worldly wealth or honors. It is the internal and not the
external qualifications of a man that should render him worthy to become a
member of this Degree.
The three distinct knocks were given on entering, first to alarm the lodge
and inform the Worshipful Master that you were prepared for initiation, and
secondly, to remind you of the words of our Lord, “Ask and ye shall receive,
seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.”
You were asked to kneel in prayer because no man should ever enter upon
any great and important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of the Deity. You were then asked in whom you put your trust. This is according to the
laws and usages of our Association because no man can be admitted to membership
unless he be a firm believer in the Christian religion.
You were then taken by the right hand and told to arise, follow your
leader and fear no danger. This was to remind you that as you were then in
darkness and could neither foresee nor avoid danger, you were in the hands of
trustworthy friends in whose fidelity you might safely confide.
The journey through the wilderness and the three great and mighty falls,
were emblematical of our pilgrimage here upon earth, and the many trials and
temptations incident thereto. No matter how great or small, high, or low, rich
or poor, all must meet on the same common level; all must submit to the dominion
of Death, Judgment and Eternity.
You were led under the Arch to remind you, first, that before attaining to
rank or station in the Order, you must submit to be governed by the majority of
the lodge and those placed in authority over you, and, secondly, to recall to
your mind the Divine injunction that he who humbleth himself shall be exalted,
and he who exalteth himself shall be abased.
In
closing the Lodge, the brethren shall rise, and assume she proper position, and
the Chaplain and brethren shall repeat the Lord’s Prayer.
CHAPLAIN
AND BRETHREN: Our Father, which art in Heaven; hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven; give us .this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for Thine is the kingdom
the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
The
Master shall then say: I now declare this Royal Arch Purple Lodge closed in due
form. God Save the King.