I.U.O.M. – Red Knight Degree
Dit rituaal dateert uit de jaren zestig en wordt gebruikt door
de I.U.O.M. in de Verenigde Staten.
Opening
W.M.:
Officers be upstanding and assist me to open the Lodge in the Red Degree.
Brothers all, brother deputy, what is the first and chief care in a Lodge of the
Red Degree?
D.M.:
To see the Lodge is duly tiled.
W.M.:
Order that duty to be done, and report the case to me.
D.M.:
Brother Junior Deacon, see the lodge is duly tiled.
J.D.:
Brother Deputy, the Lodge is duly tiled.
D.M.:
Worshipful Master, the Lodge is duly tiled.
W.M.:
Brother Senior Deacon, what is the next care of a Lodge of the Red Degree?
S.D.:
To see that every person present proves himself a brother of the Red Degree by
the word and sign of that degree.
W.M.:
Direct that duty to be done; and should you or any brother present, have any
doubt, look with an eye of scrutiny.
S.D.:
Brothers, you are requested to prove yourselves of the Red Degree by the word
and sign of that degree.
S.D.:
Worshipful Master, as the brethren present have proved themselves of the Red
Degree by the word and sign of that degree: I, in conformity with their example,
demonstrate the same to you.
W.M.:
Brother Deputy, Officers and
Brothers all, our Lodge being duly proved by the word and sign of the Red
Degree, let us, before I declare it open, invoke a blessing from the Supreme
Grand of the Universe.
Prayer
Chap.:
May the favour of the Almighty he upon this Lodge and meeting, as it is happily
begun, may it be conducted with order and closed with harmony.
All:
Amen.
W.M.:
Brother Deputy, Officers and Brothers all, I declare this Lodge duly open for
the purpose of the Red Degree.
All:
It stands opened accordingly.
Preparation and Initiation of the Red
Knight
During the opening
of the Lodge, the Candidate is taken to the ante-room. and prepared by the
Senior Deacon in the following manner, viz. his coat taken off, his left arm and
right knee made bare and left heel slip-shod. The Senior Deacon will advance to
and announce at the door by three distinct raps. The J.D. or Inner Guard will
report in the following manner: Worshipful Master,
there is an alarm at the door of the Lodge.
W.M.:
See to the cause, Brother Junior Deacon.
J.D.:
Who is there! who is there! who is there?
Immediately opening the wicket: he is
informed: Brother ..., who has passed in the fourth or Blue Degree of Mechanism,
now comes prepared to take the Red Degree or fifth degree.
J.D.:
Wait while I report.
Closing the
wicket, the J.D. reports addressing the W.M.: Most
Worshipful, the cause of the alarm is Brother ..., who is at the door seeking
admittance; he has, from good reports, passed in the fourth or Blue Degree, has
made such progress as we hope will recommend him for this degree.
W.M.:
How does he hope to obtain the privileges of this degree?
J.D.:
By the help of God, the united aid of the square and compasses, and the benefit
of a password.
W.M.:
We acknowledge the powerful aid by which he seeks it: Do you, brother Junior
Deacon, vouch that he is legally in possession of that password and that he is
duly and properly prepared?
J.D.:
I do, Most Worshipful.
W.M.:
Then let him be admitted in due form.
The door is here
opened and the lodge called up and the Candidate conducted around the lodge
three times, when some suitable Ode may be sung, and at the third round he is
brought at the right of the W.M. and is presented by the S.D. or Conductor:
Worshipful Master, I present to you Brother ..., who has passed in the fourth or
Blue Degree and now is wishful of taking up the Red Degree or fifth degree.
W.M.:
Brother Senior Deacon, kindly conduct the Brother to our worthy Chaplain for his
instruction.
The Candidate will
be instructed to kneel on both knees at the foot of the altar while the Chaplain
invokes the blessing of this degree.
Prayer
Bless, O Heavenly Father, the Order; of
which we are members, aid the good work of benevolence and charity to
which we are pledged, and give direction and success to our efforts. Bless this
member now before Thee, let Thy protecting care be over him, keep his feet upon
the right path, and guide him by Thy power in the way everlasting Make us
faithful to our duties, and zealous in every good word and works: and unto Thee,
our God and Father, be ascribed glory and dominion and power, world without end.
All:
Amen.
The Candidate is
now raised and conducted once more, three times around, that he should be seen
properly prepared during which time an appropriate Ode may be sung, and et the
third round again presented to the W.M. by the S.D.:
Worshipful Master, I present to you Brother ..., for further Instruction.
W.M.:
Your representation I acknowledge, brother Senior Deacon.
Addressing the Candidate, he says: Brother
..., are you wishful to take up the Fifth or Red Degree?
Can.:
I am.
W.M.:
It is necessary, before you are initiated to the Fifth degree, that you prove
yourself a brother of the Fourth degree, which you cannot better demonstrate
than by dividing or lettering the password of the Fourth degree.
Have you the password of the Fourth
degree?
Can.:
I have.
W.M.:
Will you give it to me?
Can.:
No, I will divide or letter it with you.
W.M.:
Proceed, brother.
Can.:
No, you proceed.
W.M.:
S.
Can.:
O.
W.M.:
L.
Can.:
O.
W.M.:
M.
Can.:
O.
W.M.:
N, Solomon.
W.M.:
Will you give me sign of the Blue Degree?
Can.:
I was taught to be cautious, but as I have proved you to be a brother, I will
show it to you.
The sign is: by taking hold of the left
arm above the elbow which forms a square, at the same time standing erect with
your body, your feet forming a square.
W.M.:
Of what is it a token?
Can.:
My body in this position is considered an emblem of my mind and my feet the
rectitude of my actions.
W.M.:
Have you a test grip?
Can.:
I have.
W.M.:
Advance it.
The test grip is
given by three distinct pressures of the thumb of the right hand between the
first and middle finger
of the right hand
of brother.
W.M.:
Is there not a test-word given when the test grip is received?
Can.:
Yes, Right Worshipful, Shibboleth.
W.M.:
Why is Shibboleth used as a test-word?
Can.:
Because the word Shibboleth dates its origin from the time that an army of
Ephramites crossed the river Jordan and the test-word was put to them. The
Ephramites, through a defect in aspiration peculiar to their dialect could not
pronounce it properly but called it Sibboleth, which discovered their country
and cost them their lives, and as Shibboleth was used as a test-word to
distinguish a friend from a foe, King Solomon afterwards caused it to be adopted
as a test-word in a Fellow Mechanic’s Lodge of the fourth degree in memory of
Jeptha, a Master of the Order of Mechanics.
W.M.:
Brother Senior Deacon, you will present our brother to the Worthy Chaplain.
Chap. will read
Less.: lst Kings c. 7, v. 13-23.
After which the
S.D. will be instructed to present the Can. to the W.M.
S.D.:
Worshipful Master, I present to you Brother ..., for further instruction.
W.M.:
Brother ..., in all cases of difficulty and danger in whom do you put your
trust?
Can.:
In God.
W.M.:
Glad am I to find your faith so well founded. Do you pledge your honour as a
man, and your fidelity as a Mechanic, that you are not actuated by any improper
motives in taking up the fifth degree?
Can.:
I do.
W.M.:
Brother, before you can be entrusted with the secrets of this degree you must
enter with us into another obligation: Are you willing to take it?
Can.:
I am.
W.M.:
Then you will kneel on your right knee with your left foot in the form of a
square, your body erect, and place your right hand oh the volume of the Sacred
Law, calling your name in full and repeat after me.
Obligation
I, ..., in the presence of the Most High
and of this Worshipful and Warranted Lodge of Fellow Mechanics, duly
constituted, regularly assembled and properly dedicated, of my own free will and
accord, do hereby and hereon most ,solemnly promise and swear, that I will
always hall, conceal and never reveal any or either of the secrets or mysteries
of or belonging to the fifth degree of Mechanism known by the name of Fellow
Mechanics, no more than I would to any other person who is not initiated.
I further solemnly pledge myself to act
as a true and faithful Mechanic, obey signs and maintain the principles
inculcated in the first degree: All these points I most solemnly swear to obey,
under no less a penalty than to have my left breast cut open, my heart torn
therefrom and given to the ravenous birds of the air, or the devouring beast of
the field as a prey. So help me, Almighty God! and keep me steadfast in the due
performance of this my solemn obligation of a Fellow Mechanic.
W.M.:
As a pledge of your fidelity and to render this solemn obligation, which would
otherwise be but a serious promise, I will thank you to seal it with your lips
twice on the Volume of the Sacred Law.
Rise, newly obligated.
The candidate is
conducted to the ante-room with the necessaries for carrying out his labours and
undergoing the formalities subsequent to his being presented to the W.M. to
receive the sign, password, etc., etc.
W.M.:
I shall now entrust you with the sign, password, test-grip and test word of the
fifth degree. The sign is given by placing the left hand on the left hand on the
right breast, the thumb and fingers forming a square and the right hand thrown
up horizontally from the shoulder to the elbow and perpendicularly from the
elbow to fingers, with the thumb and fore-finger forming a square.
The first part is called the sign of
fidelity, or the first part of the three-fold sign: And the second part called
the hailing sign, which you must have explained, because it took its rise at the
time when Joshua fought the battles of the Lord in the Valley of Rephidem and
from the memorable event of Moses having his hand supported by his brother
Aaron, whilst Joshua was fighting the Amalikites: and Moses also when he came
down from the Mount, hailed his brethren with the double sign.
The third part is called the penal sign,
and is given by drawing the hand across the breast and dropping it to side:
thus. This is an allusion to the penalty of your obligation.
The Password of this degree is
Fellowship.
The test-grip to this degree is given by
a distinct pressure of the thumb on the second joint of the middle finger which
demands a word, and which is Jachin.
The candidate
being regaled is conducted to the anteroom and resumes his dress, returning to
the lodge in order and be presented to the W.M. as previously done.
Lecture
W.M.:
Have you received the order of the Red Knight?
A.:
I have.
W.M.:
How did you gain admission to a Lodge of Fellow Mechanics?
A.:
I was, by consent of the brethren, prepared, admitted and obligated in due
form.
W.M.:
In what manner were you presented?
A.:
In a state of due preparation: my left arm and right knee were made bare, left
heel slip-shod, and made to kneel on my right knee with my left foot forming a
square.
W.M.:
What next?
A.:
I was led thrice around the lodge that the Master and Fellow Mechanics might see
that I was properly prepared and no imposter.
W.M.:
Do you know anything about the construction of the temple of Solomon?
A.:
I do.
W.M.:
Where was it built?
A.:
On Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered his son Isaac.
W.M.:
Of what form was the temple?
A.:
An oblong, similar to the tabernacle which Moses built in the wilderness, and at
the front was a porch, whereby the Israelites entered to worship.
W.M.:
When was it begun and finished?
A.:
It was begun in the month of Zif, in the 4th year of King
Solomon's reign AL 2992, and finished in the month of Bul, or eighth month in the
11th year of his reign AL 3000.
W.M.:
How was it dedicated?
A.:
King Solomon celebrated the feast of dedication with prayer and sacrifice in the
presence of all the people of Israel, and the feast lasted for 14 days.
W.M.:
What supported the porch of the Temple?
A.:
Two great pillars,: that on the left was called Boaz, which denotes strength,
that on the right Jachin, which denotes beauty, but conjointly they denote
wisdom.
W.M.:
What was their heights?
A.:
So many diameters proportioned to their dimensions next above the base.
W.M.:
By whom were they cast, of what form and if what kind of metal?
A.:
The superintendent of the casting was Hiram Abiff, the widow’s son; they were
cast hollow on the plains of Jordon, in clay ground, and were cast of molten
brass.
W.M.:
By what were the pillars adorned?
A.:
On the top of each stood a sphere or globe, on which were delineated maps of the
celestial and terrestrial worlds. They were also enriched with network, lily-work
and pomegranates.
W.M.:
What did the network lily-work and pomegranates denote?
A.:
The network, from the connection of its meshes or links, denotes unity, the
lily-work from its whiteness, peace, and the pomegranates from the exuberance of
its seed, plenty.
W.M.:
What are the peculiarities connected with the building of the temple?
A.:
The peculiarities are manifold, inasmuch as there was not the sound of axe,
hammer, or any other kind of metal to be heard within the precincts of the
mount, to disturb the peaceful sanctity of the holy place.
W.M.:
How was so magnificent a pile erected without the sound of those implements?
A.:
The stones were hewn in the quarry, there ornamented, carved and made to fit
their respective places. The timbers were felled and prepared in the forest of
Lebanon and floated by rafts from Tyre to Joppa. The metals were fused and cast
on the plains of Zeradetha, After which the whole were conveyed by mechanical
means to Mount Zion, there set up by the use of wood mauls and other mechanical
implements made for the occasion.
W.M.:
Why were the materials prepared so far off?
A.:
The better to distinguish the excellence of the members of this order, for,
although the materials were prepared at so great a distance, when they came to
be set up at Jerusalem the whole appeared more like the work of the Great
Architect of the Universe, than of mortal bands.
W.M.:
Have you the password of the Red Knight?
A.:
I have.
W.M.:
Will you give it to me?
A.:
I was taught to be cautious in these matters, but I will divide or letter it
with you, if you will please to begin.
W.M.:
F.
A.:
E.
W.M.:
L.
A.:
L.
W.M.:
O.
A.:
W.
W.M.:
S.
A.:
H.
W.M.:
I.
A.:
P.
W.M.:
Fellowship
W.M.:
Will you give me the sign of the Red Order?
A.:
I was taught to be cautious in giving that, but, as I have found you to be a
brother, I will show it to you. Done.
W.M.:
Of what is it a token?
A.:
Of the sign of fidelity on the first part, of the three-fold, on the second
part: hailing sign.
W.M.:
Have you a test-grip to this degree?
A.:
I have. Given.
W.M.:
Is there not a test-word given when the test-grip is received?
Can.:
Yes, Right Worshipful. Jachin.
W.M.:
Why is Jachin used as a test-word?
A.:
Because Jachin was perfect Master Mechanic and was elected, as Master of the
Fellow Mechanics’ Lodge, he was much esteemed and respected by King Solomon, who
did him the honour of calling the right hand pillar after his name, and at which
place he paid the Fellow Mechanics their wages.
W.M.:
What is emblematical of Fellowship?
A.:
The five points.
W.M.:
I will thank you briefly to explain.
A.:
I cannot better explain than by referring to the means by which I was advanced
from the first to the fifth degree, viz., hand to hand, foot to foot, knee to
knee, breast to breast and hand over back.
W.M:
What do you mean by hand to hand?
A.:
Hand to hand teaches me always to put forth my hand to assist a brother when in
distress if I find him worthy thereof as far as my means will allow, not to
injure myself or connections.
W.M.:
What do you mean by foot to foot?
A.:
By foot to foot, that I will support a Brother in all his just and laudable
undertakings: Indolence shall not cause my footsteps to hault, nor wrath to turn
them aside, but forgetting every selfish consideration, I will be ever swift of
foot to save, serve and help a brother in necessity and to execute benevolence
to him if worthy.
W.M.:
What do you mean by knee to knee?
A.:
Knee to knee being the posture of my supplication should remind me of my
brother’s wants and that when I offer up my prayers to the Great Grand and
Universal Benefactor I should not forget my brother’s welfare.
W.M.:
What do you infer from breast to breast?
A.:
That my breast shall be safe repository for every brother’s just and lawful
secrets, as though they were my own; for to betray a brother’s trust is like the
villainy of an assassin, who lurks in darkness to stab his adversary. when he is
not armed and least prepared to meet his enemy.
W.M.:
What do you mean, by hand to back?
A.:
That I will support the character of a worthy brother in his absence as though
present; and I will not wrongfully revile him myself nor allow the same to be
done by anyone, if in my power it lies to prevent it.
W.M.:
Thus is the Independent Order of Mechanics linked together by the Five Points of
Fellowship in one indivisible chain of sincere affection, brotherly love, relief
and truth.
I thank you, worthy brother, for the
explanation you have given, and may the Five Points of Fellowship be the
governing principles of every Independent Mechanics’ Heart.
I shall now request from you the sign of
the Red Knight.
A.:
Knowing you to be a brother of the Red Knight Order, by the question you have
put to me, I will give it to you. Done.
The candidate
being regaled is conducted to the anteroom and resumes his dress, returning to
the lodge in order and presented to the W.M. as previously done.
Charge
The Worshipful
Master to the Candidate: Brother, when you were to
take the fifth degree were told that your progress in Mechanism
was marked by the position of the square and compasses; when you were made an
Entered Mechanic, both points were hidden, in this degree one is yet disclosed,
implying that you are yet in the middle of Mechanism superior to an Entered
Mechanic, but inferior to what I trust will hereafter be communicated to you;
you have taken the solemn obligation of a Fellow Mechanic for the fourth time,
and have been entrusted with the secrets of these degrees, you will advance
towards me, as at your initiation, now take another pace with your left foot as
in the second degree of Mechanism, and as this is the crowning point of a Fellow
Mechanic you will now place the right heel into the hollow as before. That is
the regular step in Mechanism of the fifth degree and it is in this position
that the secrets of the degree are communicated, they consist as in the former
instances of sign, token and words, but with this difference, ‘viz., the sign,
is of a three-fold nature, the first part is called the sign of fidelity,
emblematically, to shield the repository of your secrets from the attacks of cowan. The sign you received is made by passing the left band to the right
breast, extending the thumb perpendicularly to form a square The second part is
called the hailing sign, and is given by throwing the right hand up in this
manner horizontally from the shoulder to the elbow, to the ends of the fingers
with the thumb and forefinger forming a square: it took its rise from the time
when Joshua was fighting the Amalakites, it was also the position of Joshua when
ho preyed fervently to the Almighty to continue the light of the day that be
might completely overthrow his enemy and Moses also, when he came down the
Mount, hailed his brethren with this double sign, first and second, in order to
arrest their attention, and as a signal for them to attend to what he was about
to deliver, and as a pledge of his sincerity, and truth, and also, of the
importance of what he was about to disclose. This was the origin of the sign;
and on the morning that the foundation stone of the temple was laid, King
Solomon adopted the same sign, the left hand as a token of sincerity of his
holiness and piety towards God, and the right hand as a token of an upright
heart in earnest prayer imploring the blessings of the moat High en their pious
undertaking in the temple of Jerusalem to his holy service. This is an
allusion
to the penalty of your obligation, implying that as a man of honour and a Fellow
Mechanic you would rather have your breast torn open, your heart torn therefrom,
than to improperly divulge the secrets of that degree.
The grip or token is given by a distinct
pressure of the
thumb on the second joint of the hand of
a brother, this demands
a test-word which is Jachin, a word to be given and
received with the same strict caution as one in he former degrees, either by
letter or syllable.
The password is Fellowship, the same is
also divided in five parts to distinguish a Red Knight from a newly-made Fellow
Mechanic of the previous degrees.
These five points, viz.: hand to hand
foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast and hand over back have been ably
described to you already this evening.
Thus by the five points of Fellowship we
are linked together in one indivisible chain. Sincere affection in this degree
represents the password of the second degree or beginning of a Fellow Mechanic
which was Ark because Ark prepared the way of the Israelites, before they passed
over Jordan; and brotherly love represents the password of the third degree or
second part of a Fellow Mechanic, which is Jordan, as his memorial of dividing
the water of the River Jordan for the Israelites to pass over, which waters
separate the lands of Moab from the land of Canaan and here relief represents
the password of the fourth degree or the third part of a Fellow Mechanic, which
is Solomon and is memorial of a Mechanics’ Lodge, supported by its three grand
pillars: wisdom, strength and beauty: wisdom, to contrive, strength to support
and beauty to adorn; wisdom to conduct us in all undertakings, strength to
support us in all our difficulties and beauty to adorn the inward man. Truth
here represents the password of this Degree, being the last or finishing
ceremony of a Fellow Mechanic, which is Fellowship and represents the two great
pillars of the porch of King Solomon’s Temple called Boaz, which denotes
strength, and that on the right Jachin, but conjointly they denote wisdom. The
height of those pillars was 35 cubits, the circumference 12 and the diameter 3;
they were formed hollow, the outer rim of shell was 4 inches or a hand’s breadth
in thickness, they were made of molten brass, and were cast on the plains of
Jordan in clay ground between Succoth and Zeradetho. The superintendent of the
casting was Hiram Abiff; this extraordinary man was the son of a widow of the
Tribe of Naphthalie, and his father was a man of Tyre; he was elected by the
King of Tyre, an ancient friend of King David. Under his direction was the
Glorious Temple completed in little more than seven years.
My Brother, this is all the instruction
that I can give you on this degree this evening, but if I am permitted to give
you the sixth degree of this Noble Order, I shall relate to you further of that
extraordinary man, Hiram Abiff.
Closing
W.M.:
Officers be upstanding and assist me to close the Lodge in the Red Degree.
Brother Deputy, Officers and Brothers
all, our Lodge being of a due form, let us, before I declare it dosed, express
our gratitude to the Supreme Grand above
Prayer
Chap:
We pray Thee, O Lord to grant Thy blessing on every Instruction which we are
ready to give and to receive; and grant that the Instructions which we hare all
heard may be graffed inwardly in all our hearts, that we may bring forth fruit
unto righteousness and true holiness.
All the Officers
respond: Amen.
W.M.:
I declare this Lodge
duly
closed, strictly forbidding all cursing, swearing, or any profane language, so
long as we are assembled together.
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