Royal Foresters - Exaltation

Independent Order of Foresters
Exaltation of a Royal Forester

This ritual is dated 1892.

Opening ceremony

Ill. Com.: Ill. Captain of the Guard, what is the first charge of an Encampment of Royal Foresters?
Ill. C. of G.: Ill. Commander, to see that we are duly guarded.
Ill. Com.: Attend to that charge.
Ill. C. of G.: Ill. Guards, *, to your posts, and guard well this Encampment of Royal Foresters.
As soon as the Ill. Gs have taken their posts the Ill. I.G. will give three loud knocks upon the door, which will be answered by three loud knocks upon the door given by the Ill. O.G.
Ill. C. of G.: Ill. Commander, the Encampment is duly guarded.
Ill. Com.: ’Tis well. Ill. Lieut. Commander, *, what is the next charge of an Encampment of Royal Foresters?
Ill. Lt. C.: To see that all present are Royal Foresters.
Ill. Com.: Direct that that duty be performed
Ill. Lt. C.: Ill. Sword Bearers, *, examine all present in the Countersign and Pass, and make due report.
The Ill. Sw. Bearers will examine in the current S.A. Pass, and in the Countersign and Pass of a Royal Forester; after having examined all present, except the Ill. Com., the Ill. Lt.C. and any distinguished visitors near the Throne, the Ill. Sw. Bearers will report to the Ill. Lt. C.
1st Ill. Sw. B.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, all on your right have given the Countersign and Pass of a Royal Forester.
2nd Ill. Sw. B.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, all on your left have given the Countersign and Pass of a Royal Forester.
Ill. Lt.C.: ’Tis well. Ill. Commander, all present are Royal Foresters.
Ill. Com.: ’Tis well. Ill. Lieut. Commander, are you a Royal Forester?
Ill. Lt.C.: I am, Ill. Commander; try me and prove me.
Ill. Com.: How will you be proved?
Ill. Lt.C.: By my Signs, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Advance the Signs.
Ill. Lt. Com.: I will, Ill. Commander, with the assistance of the Ill. Knights and Sir Knights present.
Ill. Com.: Let it be done in due form.
* *     *     * *.
Ill. Lt.C.: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, attend to giving the Signs.
All, then, in conjunction with the Ill. Lt.C., give the Countersign and the Salutation Sign.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, I perceive that you have all been advanced to the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester; but, before I declare this Encampment duly opened, let us look to God for His blessing.
Ill. C.: Almighty and Everliving God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being, we pray Thee to look with favor upon this assembly of Royal Foresters; endue each of us with a competence of Thy divine wisdom, so that we may ever walk before Thee with acceptance; and to Thee, Immortal, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Father, be all the glory, might, majesty, and dominion now and evermore. Amen
Ill. Com.: Ill. Orator, what is the next charge of an Encampment of Royal Foresters?
Ill. O.: To display God’s Holy Book of the Law, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Attend to that charge.
The Ill. O. then proceeds to the Altar, opens the Sacred Volume, returns to his post, and says as follows: Ill. Commander, that duty is performed.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, what is the next duty?
Ill. Lt. O.: To see that the Guards are alert and at their posts, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Perform that duty.
Ill. Lt. C.: * *.
Ill. Lt.C.: *.
Ill. O.G.: *   *.
Ill. Lt. C.: The Guards are alert and at their posts, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Then, by virtue of the powers vested in me, I declare this Encampment of Royal Foresters duly and legally opened.
* *     *     * *.

Ceremony of Exaltation

Each Sir Knight should he clothed in full uniform if practicable. Those who are not provided with the uniform should at least wear a black suit, with sword belt and sword. Every Officer should know his part thoroughly by heart. The chairs and ballustrade, if any, at the Royal Line should be removed.
Ill. Com., *: Ill. Archivist, you will retire to the outer anteroom, ascertain if there are any suppliants in waiting who have been duly elected to membership in this Encampment, and report to me. The Ill. Inner Guard will permit the Ill. Archivist to retire.
The Ill. Arch. does as directed, and on his return will enter in the usual way, and proceed as follows:
Ill. A., salutes: Ill. Commander, I find in waiting Bro, ... of Court No. ... who has been duly elected to membership in this Encampment, has paid the required fees, and now desires to be advanced to the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester.
Here and throughout the ceremony, if there be more than one suppliant, the necessary words must be changed accordingly, as “have” for “has,” and “desire” for “desires,” etc.
Ill. Com.: Thank you, Sir Knight. Ill. Lieut. Commander, I will thank you to attend to the admission and examination of the suppliant.
Ill. Lt. C.: Ill. Marshal, repair to the Outer anteroom and bring the suppliant before me for examination.
The Ill. M. salutes and retires, sees that the suppliant wears the badge or emblem of the Order, conducts him to the inner door, and gives three loud knocks.
Ill. I. G.: Ill. Captain of the Guard, there is an alarm at the inner door, but not that of a Royal Forester.
Ill. C of G.: Inquire who comes.
Ill. I. G., opens the wicket, if there be one, and says in a loud voice: Who comes here ?
Ill. M., loud enough to be heard within: A suppliant who humbly seeks advancement to the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester.
Ill. I. G.: Ill. Captain of the Guard, the alarm was caused by the Ill. Marshal who stands at the inner gate, accompanied by a suppliant who humbly seeks advancement to the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester.
Ill. C. of G.: Open wide the door and let them enter.
Ill. I. G. does so and closes the door again. As they enter the Ill. C. of G. will proceed as follows:
Ill. C. of G. to Ill. M. and suppliant: Halt! Sir Knights, attention! A stranger is within the Encampment; let the Royal Line be formed.
Whereupon a line will be formed right across the room, at the Royal Line, each facing the Ill. Lt C. The Ill. C. of C. meets the Marshal and suppliant, and proceeds as follows:
Ill. C. of G.: Ill. Marshal what do you know of this suppliant? What claim has he for advancement?
Ill. M.: He is a worthy Forester, a member in good standing in his Subordinate Court, recommended as worthy of Exaltation by Sir Knights of the Royal Degree.
Ill. C. of G.: Conduct him to our Ill. Lieut. Commander, and report to him.
The Ill M. conducts the suppliant directly to the front of the Ill Lt. C’s. seat.
Ill. M.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, by direction of the Ill. Captain of the Guard, I bring before you this suppliant. He is a worthy Forester, a member in good standing in his Subordinate Court, recommended as worthy of Exaltation by Sir Knights of the Royal Degree.
Ill. Lt. C.: Has he, by faithful discharge of his duties, as a man, as a citizen, and as a Forester, fairly merited the honor he seeks?
Ill. M.: The members of this Encampment have so adjudged by their unanimous vote for Exaltation.
Ill. Lt. C.: Before he can be advanced, he must prove his knowledge of the work of our Order. You will examine him in the Semi-annual Password and the Grip of a Forester.
The Ill. M. does so, requiring the suppliant to give the S. A. P. W. in a whisper, and to begin the Grip, and reports to the Ill. Lt. Commander as follows:
Ill. M.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, I find the suppliant to be a worthy Forester.
Ill. Lt. C.: Thank you, Ill. Marshal. Addressing the suppliant: My brother, attend to the following questions:
The Ill Lt. C. then addresses the suppliant. The first three questions may be put to one, two or more of them in turn, the remaining questions are addressed to all, a pause being made for the reply in each case. If the Ill. Lt. C. is not satisfied with the examination of any suppliant, he may require him to withdraw and wait until the next convocation.
Ill. Lt. C.: 1. What is the entering signal at the inner door of a Court Room?
2. What further is required in order to pass the inner door?
3. On being admitted to the Court Room; what do you do?
4. You will (each) give me the Entersign.
5. Show me the Foresters’ Sign of Recognition and its answer.
6. Give the Warning Sign and Danger Signal.
7. Give the Sign of Distress, and the answer to it.
8. What are the Words of Distress?
My Brother, you have passed our scrutiny thus far, but before you can gain advancement you must undergo a further test.
Do you still desire to proceed?
Suppliant answers.
Ill. Lt. C.: Do you promise to submit to all the established usages of the Royal Foresters ?
Suppliant answers.
Ill. Lt. C.: Do you pledge your word that you will never improperly reveal any of the ceremonies or other secrets of this Encampment?
Suppliant answers.
Should any suppliant decline to answer any of these questions in the affirmative, the Ill. Lt. C. will direct the Ill. C. of G. to conduct him beyond the outer door. If the answers are all satisfactory, he will rise and proceed as follows:
Ill. Lt. C.: It gives me pleasure to reward your apparent devotion to our Order, by communicating to you one of the secrets of this Exalted Degree, namely, the esoteric significance of the letters on our emblem. To all who see them, they express the name and motto of our noble Order,
Independent Order of Foresters
Liberty, benevolence and Concord.
Pointing to the initials on a badge or on a chart or banner.
But to us they signify that which you will find to be true of those who meet within the sacred walls of an Encampment of Royal Foresters,
Rnkpmgf okp Mdqpfu oqh Xenquguv Lhgnnqyujkr.
Bear in mind that this phrase is never to be uttered in the hearing of any person whom you do not know to be a Royal Forester, unless it be as at present uttered in presence of one who is about to become a Royal Forester. Before you can fully attain to this Exalted Degree, it will be necessary for you to pass the Royal Line and take a solemn obligation at our sacred altar. You will now retire in charge of our Ill. Marshal that you may be duly prepared.
The Ill. M. conducts the suppliant to the outer anteroom, the Ill. I. G. allowing them to pass, and the door being closed after them. The Sir Knights in the Royal Line then resume their ordinary places.
Ill. Lt. C0., standing: Ill. Commander, the suppliant has been duly admitted and examined, and has now retired to be prepared for the final ordeal.
Ill. Com., seated: Thank you, Ill. Lieut. Commander. Guards, attend to your duty. Let the “triangle of steel” be formed.
The Ill. Sw. Bs arrange themselves about six feet from the door, and about eight feet apart lacing each other. The Ill. C. of G. stands about four or five feet farther from the door and facing toward it; each points his sword straight before him. The Ill. M. meanwhile conducts one of the suppliants into the inner anteroom blindfolds him securely, and then places him close to the inner door. The Ill. O. G. keeps the outer door closed.
Ill. Com.: Let the signal be given.
The Ill. I. G. gives one loud rap on the door.
Ill. M., to suppliant in a low voice: Until you see again, beware! Raise not a hand except as directed; just before you is a door; give two knocks, and when you hear the signal answered, give two more knocks.
The Ill. I. G. answers with one rap, and as soon as the signal is repeated by the suppliant, the Ill. I. G. opens the door wide.
Ill. I. G.: Who comes here?
Ill. M., standing behind suppliant: A suppliant, who has undergone the scrutiny, and been found worthy of advancement, and is prepared for the final ordeal.
Ill. I. G., in a low voice: Enter, but beware! Swerve not!
The Ill. M. places his hands on the suppliant’s shoulders, and causes him to go forward three steps, counting “One—two—three.” This should bring the suppliant directly between the Ill. Sw. Bs.
Ill. M.: You are now in a perilous position. On either side the way is hedged with points of steel. The Ill. Sw. Bs here touch his arms with their swords. Before you the way is guarded, and you go forward at the peril of your life. Backward alone the path stands open; would you escape peril, you must retreat; but bethink you! If you turn back now, your advancement to the Royal Seat is for ever barred. Will you retire or go forward?
Suppliant answers for himself.
Ill. M.: Then advance!
The Ill. C of G. receives the suppliant upon the point of his sword, carefully pointed to his breast.
Ill. C. of G.: You have advanced upon the point of a sword, and thus given proof of your courage and determination. Of such stuff worthy knights are made! But the end is not yet. Be patient!
If there are other suppliants, the one just received should be conducted to a seat near by, to wait until all have been separately received in like manner. The Ill. M. will then arrange the suppliants near the Ill. Lt. C.’s station. facing the Royal Seat. While he is doing this, the following movement will take place.
Note: Should the number of Knights present not be sufficient to form the Royal Line effectively, this order and its execution will be omitted. also the words of the Ill. Com. from “But behold,” down to “inner sanctuary” inclusive; and the giving of the C. S. and P. will be omitted.
* *     *     * *.
Ill. Com., standing: Sir Knights, to your places in the Royal Line.
All the Sir Knights present, except the Ill. Com., the Ill. M , and the Ill. Gs., silently and quickly form a line or lines across the room below the altar facing the suppliants, each with a sword pointed forward from his breast. In order to present a good appearance, the Sir Knights should be arranged according to height, the tallest in the middle. One-half may be in command of the Ill. Lt. C. and the other of the Ill. C. of G. If the Ill. St. Bs can be spared from the line, they may remain at their posts and display the standards when the line opens. If the Sir Knights are not in uniform, then they will hold out their arms as if they were holding out their swords.
Ill. Com., seated: My suppliant brother, you have been tested and tried and found not wanting. Your fidelity and devotion heretofore warrant us in believing you worthy of advancement. You will now be restored to light, after which you may, if you will, pledge your vows at our sacred altar, thence to be conducted to the Royal Seat. The Ill. M. removes the blindfold, or request the wearers to remove them, assisting them if required.
But behold, the way is guarded; yet fear not; go forward without flinching.
The Ill. M, if necessary, prompts them to advance in line, he keeping near them on their right. When within three or four short paces, the Ill. M. gives the C. S., and begins the P.: “Hkp Tvtwvj.” The Sir Knights all wave their swords aloft and exclaim, “Aku Ovjg Prqygt,” upon which the Ill. M. concludes the P.: “Wqh Hhtkgpfujkr.” The line then opens in the centre and each section wheels backward till the sections are parallel, facing the altar.
Ill. Com., seated: Behold the power of the Royal Foresters’ Pass to open the way to our inner sanctuary.
Ill. Marshal, you have my command to proclaim the suppliant.
Ill. M., standing in front of the suppliant, facing the altar: Hear ye, Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, and give heed! By command of the Ill. Commander, I hereby proclaim that Bro. ... has been tested and proved to be a Forester, faithful and true, a man courageous and zealous, and worthy to be advanced to the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester. If any Ill. Knight or Sir Knight present can show cause why this should not now be done, let him speak forth, or for ever afterward hold his peace.
If objection is made against the advancement of any suppliant, he must retire to the anteroom, whereupon the validity of the objection must be forthwith decided by a majority vote of the Encampment, without debate. If there are no objections raised, the Ill. Com. will proceed.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Marshal, place the suppliant at the altar, and thereon lay this sword.
Hands his sword to the Ill. M., who places it on the open Bible, after which he arranges the suppliants before or around the altar.
Ill. M.: Your commands have been executed, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: ’Tis well! Ill. Standard Bearers, take your positions near the altar.
The Ill. St. Bs. station themselves on the right and left of the altar, with standards displayed, or if there are no standards, with drawn swords. In the absence of the Ill. O. the Ill. Com. may administer the obligation, in which case the necessary changes will be made in the directions given.
Ill. Com.: The Ill. Orator will take his position at the altar. Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, attention!
The Ill. Knights and Sir Knights will then draw their swords. The Ill. O. will pass to the side of the altar nearest the Royal Seat and will uncover his head, if chapeaux or fatigue caps have been worn. The ranks will at once close up the gaps left by the Ill. Officers.
Ill. Com., standing: The suppliant will place his left hand on the sword resting upon Gods Holy Book of the Law, and repeat after the Ill. Orator the Sacred Obligation of a Royal Forester.
Ill. O.: You will each say “I,” and then pronounce your own name in full and repeat after me the

Sacred Obligation of a Royal Forester

I, ..., in the presence of High Heaven, and before these Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, do most solemnly and sincerely promise and declare, upon my sacred word, and upon the sword, the symbol of honor, and upon Gods holy Book of the Law, that I will never reveal any of the secrets of or pertaining to a Royal Forester, unless it shall be to a worthy Knight of this degree whom I certainly know to be such, or to a brother duly qualified to receive the same within the sacred walls of an Encampment of Royal Foresters, or as I may be instructed, for the purpose of mutual recognition.
That I will take as the rule of action and the guide of my life the Divine Law, “Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you.”
That I will acknowledge a Royal Forester at all times and in all places, and will visit him in sickness, succor him in distress, and assist him at all times to the full extent of my power.
That I will not speak ill of a Royal Forester, nor suffer others to do so without protest from me; but will, as far as in me lies, protect and maintain his character and honor as I would my own.
I further promise to be an exemplar of temperance, virtue and honor, and to be at all times a true and law-abiding citizen.
And I further promise to cause the mortal remains of a deceased Royal Forester to be decently interred, even at my own expense.
To all and each of these several points I do hereby pledge my sacred word and honor. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights. Present arms!
As a token of your sincerity, and to seal your vows, you will kiss God’s Holy Book of the Law.
When each suppliant has done so, under the guidance of the Ill. M., the Ill. Com. will continue: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, Order arms!
The suppliant will now be conducted, under royal escort, to the foot of the Throne. The Ill. Knights and Sir Knights will resume their accustomed places.
The Ill. M. will arrange a procession as follows: 1st, Ill. M. with sword at shoulder; 2nd, Ill. St. Bs. with Standards displayed; 3rd, the suppliants in single file or in pairs, and the Ill. Sw. Bs. one on each side of the leading file of suppliants, with swords at shoulder. In this order they will march once or oftener around the room, past the Ill. Com., O., Lt. C. and P. C., wheeling squarely at the corners, to the front of the Throne—a grand march being played, if practicable. The Ill. M. then passes to the rear of the suppliants, the Ill. St. Bs. stand on the right and left of the Ill. Com., upon the dais; while the Ill. Sw. Bs. conduct the suppliants, not more than three at a time,to the foot of the Throne and cause each to kneel on both knees.
Ill. Com., standing: By virtue of the high powers in me vested, and in the name of the Independent Order of Foresters, I do hereby proclaim (each of) you a Royal Forester. * Rise, Sir Knight .... The last words are repeated for each one, when all have been Knighted, the Ill. St. Bs. and Sw. Bs. will take their respective stations; the Ill. M. will arrange the newly made Knights in a line for instruction and may then take his seat.
Ill. Com., standing: As you have now taken upon yourself the sacred obligation of a Royal Forester, and been duly advanced to this Exalted Degree, you are entitled to be instructed in our secret work.
The Ill. Com. gives full instructions as to the C. S. and P., the G. and the manner of entering and leaving the room when the Encampment is in session. He will then continue: You will now be conducted to the station of the Ill. Past Commander, who will further instruct you in the significance of the emblems of our Order, our Signet and Token.
Ill. M.: Ill. Past Commander, by command of the Ill. Commander, I present before you this Sir Knight for further instructions.
Ill. P. C.: In a former part of these ceremonies, you were informed that the letters on the emblem or badge of our Order signify to us who have been ADMITTED to an Encampment of Royal Foresters, RECEIVED on the point of the sword, and KNIGHTED at the Royal Seat, that we are ....
These letters form the SIGNET of a Royal Forester, In testing a person who claims to be such, ....
The TOKEN is used by the Ill. Commander only in acknowledging the Royal Salutation, and is given thus, ....
The Moose’s Head, depicted upon our emblem or badge, is significant of the origin of the Foresters brotherhood. The Moose is a lordly ranger of the forest, a king of his kind, and his head is to us a symbol of excellence, and should stimulate us to try and excel in all good works, but especially in those connected with our Order.
The two Female Figures represent Liberty and Benevolence, while the clasped hands symbolize the Concord which should ever exist amongst Foresters.
Upon the seal of an Encampment of Royal Foresters appear the following symbols:
1. The Crossed Swords: emblematical of knightly honor and chivalry;
2. The Crown; appropriate to our ancient title of Royal Foresters;
3. The All-seeing Eye; reminding us of the loving care exercised over us by an Omniscient and Omnipresent God, and of our duty to be ever watchful over the welfare of our brethren.
Brother and Sir Knight, it is now my pleasure to congratulate you upon having attained to this Exalted Degree in our Order, and having been made acquainted with its secret working. The vows you have taken at this time are of a very solemn character, and impose upon you new and increased obligations. Ever be watchful, lest you inadvertently violate any of them.
Ill. Com.: The Sir Knight will be escorted to the Ill. Orator for further instructions.
Ill. M.: Ill. Orator, by command of the Ill. Commander, I present before you this Sir Knight for further instructions.
Ill. O.: Sir Knight I congratulate you on having attained to the Royal and Chivalric Degree of our Order.
As a Forester, you should henceforth be more than ever devoted to the Order. Any society worthy to exist, will grow and prosper in proportion to the interest its members take in its working. We belong to a society of whose principles and of whose history we need not be ashamed.
As a Sir Knight of the Royal Degree, it becomes you to cherish in your heart, and exemplify in all your conduct, those high principles of chivalry and honor, unflinching courage in support of the right, and self-sacrifice on behalf of the weak or distressed, which characterized the noble knights of the olden time. By such qualities as these, the early forest rangers, known in English legends as “Robin Hood and his merrie men”, —robbers and outlaws though they were,— won the admiration of the country folk.
“The ideal Robin Hood is the knight-errant of the lowly, a chief among free men united against despotism, and rejoicing in the virgin freshness and gladness of unsubdued nature. The kindly woods and secret-keeping mountains of all lands with a long history, have sheltered fugitives from injustice, and avengers of wrongs, whom popular love and fancy and faith have transformed and glorified into objects of enthusiastic admiration.”
We modern Foresters, far from being outlaws, are bound by our obligations to be law-abiding citizens. But in all good ways we should emulate our ancient brethren, whose haunts were in the leafy depths of the forest. And not least of all should we imitate their love of Nature, that our more enlightened minds may be led up to Nature’s God. Let us not forget that
“The groves were God’s first Temples Ere man framed
The lofty vault, to gather and roll back
The sound of anthems; in the darkling wood,
Amid the cool and silence, he knelt down,
And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks
And supplication. Ah why
Should we, in the world’s riper years, neglect
God’s ancient sanctuaries?
Be it ours to meditate,
In those calm shades, His milder majesty,
And to the beautiful order of His works
Learn to conform the order of our lives.”
Ill. Com.: The Ill. Sword Bearers will conduct the Sir Knight to the altar, after which the Ill. Marshal Knight will proclaim the exaltation of the Sir Knight.
* *     *     * *.
The Ill. M. having previously provided himself with a list of the names, will proceed to the foot of the throne, stand facing the altar and make proclamation, the new Knights standing in line.
Ill. M.: Hear ye, Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, and take heed! By command of. the Ill. Commander, I hereby proclaim that Bro. ... has been admitted, received, and advanced to the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester, and is now entitled to the honors, privileges and immunities of that distinguished rank.
Ill. Com.: The new Sir Knight will now be welcomed by his older brethren, after which he will proceed to the table of the Ill. Archivist, where he will subscribe his name on our roll.

Closing Ceremony

Ill. Com.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, *, I am about to close this Encampment of Royal Foresters: what is the first charge?
Ill. Lt. C.: To see that all present are Royal Foresters, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, are you a Royal Forester?
Ill. Lt. C.: I am, Ill. Commander; try me and prove me.
Ill. Com.: How will you be proved, Ill. Lieut. Commander?
Ill. Lt. C.: By my Signs, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Advance the Signs.
Ill. Lt. C.: I will, Ill. Commander, with the assistance of the Ill. Knights and Sir Knights present.
Ill. Com.: Let it be done in due form.
* *     *     * *.
Ill. Lt. C.: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, attend to giving the Signs.
All then, in conjunction with the Ill. Lt. C., give the Token and then the Salutation Sign. The Ill. Com, will then give the Countersign and proceed as follows:
Ill. Com.: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, I perceive that you have all received the Exalted Degree of a Royal Forester; but, before I declare this Encampment duly closed, give ear to the words of the Ill. Orator.
The Ill. O. then returns his sword and proceeds to the altar and takes his position just below the altar, facing the throne.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Knights and Sir Knights, attention!
Present Arms!
Ill. O.: And now, to God, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, be accorded all might, majesty, and dominion now and for ever. Amen.
Ill.. Brethren.: Amen. Amen. Amen.
Ill. Com.: Order Arms!
*.
The Ill. Brethren “return” their swords.
Ill. Com.: Ill Orator, what is your next duty?
Ill. O.: To close God’s Holy Book of the Law, Ill. Commander.
Ill. Com.: Perform that duty.
The Ill O. closes the Bible, and after reporting to the Ill. C. as under returns to his post.
Ill. O.: Ill Commander, that duty is performed.
Ill. Com.: Thank you, Ill. Orator.
Ill. Lieut. Commander, what is the next duty of an Encampment of Royal Foresters?
Ill. Lt. C.: To see that all present have received justice, tempered with fraternal love.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Marshal, you have my command to make the closing proclamation.
Ill. M.: Hear ye, and take heed! By command of the Ill. Commander, if any Ill. Knight or Sir Knight present has not received that justice which is due from one brother to another, let him now make known his grievance.
A slight pause takes place, and if any grievance is laid before the Encampment, it must be attended to before closing the Encampment; but if no grievance is laid before the Encampment, the Ill. Lt. C. proceeds: Ill. Commander, every brother present has received his just dues.
Ill. Com.: Ill. Lieut. Commander, what is the last duty of an Encampment of Royal Foresters?
Ill. Lt. C.: To see that the Guards are alert and at their posts.
Ill. Com.: Attend to that duty.
Ill. Lt. C.: *   *.
Ill. I. G.: *.
Ill. O. G.: *   *.
Ill. Lt. C.: Ill. Commander, the Encampment is duly guarded.
Ill. Com.: Then, by virtue of the powers in me vested, I declare this Encampment of Royal Foresters duly and legally closed.
* *     *     * *.

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