Royal Knights of King David
Initiation Ritual (Pearson’s Ritual) - Second Degree

 
1924

Second Degree
 
W.SENT.: Worthy Master, there is an alarm at the gate of our vineyard.
W.M.: Attend the alarm.
W.SENT.: Who comes here, interrupting us while we are at peaceful labor?
W.CON.: A brother who, having labored in clearing the vineyard and preparing the soil, now seeks instruction in planting and cultivating.
W.SENT.: He will have to wait until our Worthy Master is informed of his desire.
W.SENT.: Worthy Master, there is in waiting at our vineyard gate a brother, who, having prepared the soil, now comes seeking further instruction in planting and cultivating as master laborer.
W.M.: Has he been duly and truly recommended?
W.SENT.: He has.
W.M.: Has he made the proper proficiency in the preceding degree?
W.SENT.: He has.
W.M.: What further right has he to present that will entitle him to enter our vineyard?
W.SENT.: By bringing good fruit.
W.M.: Does he bring forth good fruit?
W.SENT.: He does.
W.M.: Let him enter.
As the candidate enters, the following ode shall be sung:
All hail the power of Jesus' name,
Let angels prostrate f all;
Bring forth the Royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.
 
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.
 
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng,
We at His feet may fall,
We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all.
W.Con. escorts candidate around the room twice, halting the second time at the W.Sen.'s station.
W.SENIOR: Who comes here, trespassing in our vineyard?
W.CON.: A brother who has served faithfully as a laborer, and is now seeking further instruction.
W.SEN.: Is he honest, diligent and faithful?
W.CON.: He is honest to his brethren, faithful to his pledge and diligent in labor.
W.SEN.: By what further right does he seek advancement?
W.CON.: By doing his duty.
W.SENIOR.: You may pass through the gate of our vineyard unto the Worthy Chancellor, for his instruction.
W.CHAN.: Who trespasses upon our enclosure?
W.CON.: A brother seeking instruction.
W.CHAN.: Brother, the spring seeds teach us benevolence, the growing plants teach us kindness, and every operation of the husbandman begets refinement of feelings and kindly sentiments, bringing us into close communion with our great Creator. Therefore, be unselfish; do good, looking for nothing in return, and your reward shall be sure. Love your brethren, fervently. Impress upon your heart the teaching of St. Paul: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." The candidate has my approval; advance him to the Worthy Master for instruction,
W.M.: Whom bring you here?
W.CON.: A brother seeking instruction.
W.M.: Has he been obligated?
W.CON.: Not in this degree.
W.M.: Conductor, convey the brother to the altar, and place Mm in position to take upon himself the obligation of the second degree.
W.Con. places his right hand upon the Bible and left hand upon his heart, and the candidate kneels upon his right knee, after which the W.Con. announces that the candidate awaits the pleasure of the W.M.
W.M.: Brother, before you advance further, it is necessary that you take upon yourself the obligation of the second degree. If you are willing, repeat after me the obligation.
Worthy Master raps and calls up the Lodge.
 
 
Obligation
 
I, …, do most solemnly swear, before God and this assemblage, that I will never reveal the secrets of this degree, or any business transacted in it, to any person not entitled to know the same. I further promise to protect all members of this degree, and will, should any of them be in distress, contribute to their assistance. I will never talk against a member of this Order, especially of this degree. I promise to shield and warn them of all danger threatening them that may come to my knowledge. I further promise never to undermine a member intentionally or defeat him in any of his plans. I promise to do all in my power for the peace and harmony of the Order. I will support and protect the laws and constitution of this Order. I will not cheat or defraud this Lodge, or any other Lodge of which I may become a member, or any member of the Order. So help me God.
Candidate kisses the Bible twice.
 
 
Ode
 
These are the joys that satisfy
And purify the mind,
Which makes the spirit mountain high,
And leave the world behind.
W.M.: Brother, we will now teach you how to plant the seed. Observe these kernels of corn; they are inanimate, but the future plant
is there. We open the soil, and bury the seed, thus, …. Let these leave an everlasting impression upon your mind of the truth of the soil's immortality. There is no other object in nature in which life and death apparently come so near together as the grains of seed cast into the ground; yet when life seems extinct a richer and fuller existence is beginning.
From this little seed we get first the blade, next the tender shoot, and then the full corn in the ear. And so it is with our minds, wherein we plant the seed of knowledge. As we sow so we shall reap. Let us enrich our minds with the virtues of love, truth and charity, which never fail to add vigor and happiness to life. May you so conduct yourself in this life that when the final harvest shall come you will be gathered as the ripened grain into the garner, and found worthy of the care of your Heavenly Father.
Conductor, escort the brother to the Worthy Chancellor, who will further instruct him.
 
 
Ode
 
Help us to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured, if we our trust betray,
We shall forever die.
W.CON.: Worthy Chancellor, our brother is now ready to be instructed in the use of the tool used in this degree.
W.CHAN.: My brother, the pruning-knife is the working tool of this degree. The pruning-knife is for removing useless and harmful growths from trees, plants and vines. This should remind you of the restraint necessary to enable you to improve the mind and keep your passions within due bounds, letting not fancy lead you astray after the vanities and vices of the world, constantly remembering that, as a laborer and cultivator in the vineyard, mental and moral worth ranks above worldly wealth and honor. May you cut off from your mind all hatred, vice and malice. Those are dead branches, and. will prevent the yield of good fruit.
I will now instruct you in the signals and password:
Grip: Squeeze the right hand once, holding the hand as usual. The test-word is "Hold fast."
The signal is the same as in the first degree.
Signs: The hailing signs and tests in this degree are the same as in the first.
Raps: At the first door give two raps, and the answer will be the same; after which, give half the password. Then advance to the inner door, giving one rap, and the answer will be the same in return; then give the other part of the password.
Salutation: Thus you give the sign of the pruner: Form the left hand as in the act of taking hold of a limb, and the right as if in using the knife.
W.M.: Conductor, escort the brother to our Senior. Inform that officer that it is my will and pleasure for him to dress our newly made brother and introduce him to the members present.
W.CON.: Worthy Senior, it is the will and pleasure of our Worthy Master that you dress our newly-made brother and introduce him to those present.
W.SEN.: My brother, I now present you with this regalia putting it on candidate, which is scarlet red. May you ever wear it with honor to yourself and credit to the fraternity.
It will teach you to keep your heart aglow with love.
W.Sen. gives one rap and calls up the Lodge, saying: Brethren, behold your brother; brother, behold the brethren." All are then seated.
W.M.: Worthy Senior, please call the Lodge from labor to refreshment for the space of twenty minutes.

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