Ohio State Protective Association
Initiation Ritual
Opening Ceremonies
1905
The president takes his chair in the Lodge, gives one rap with the gavel
which calls the members to order, fills vacant offices and says:
PRESIDENT: The members will now come to order and deport
themselves accordingly.
This Lodge is now ready to transact any business that may come before us as
an organization. The Marshal will now exact the pass-word from each member
present and report the same.
Marshal goes to each member and receives password, returns to his station and
gives the following report:
MARSHAL: Mr. President, I have searched the Lodge and find all
present eligible to remain.
PRESIDENT: We will now proceed with the order of business.
1. Roll call.
2. Reading of minutes.
3. Applications for membership
4. Balloting on candidates.
5. Initiation of candidates
6. Installation of officers.
7. Report of standing committees.
8. Report of special committees.
9. General business.
10. Special entertainment.
11. Secretary and Treasurer’s report.
12. Adjournment.
Initiation Ceremonies
Marshal conducts candidate through inner door, where he is stopped by First
Guard.
FIRST GUARD: Halt! Who is this stranger and why does he wish to
enter the Lodge of this Association?
MARSHAL: He is a citizen of the State of Ohio and wishes so aid
all law-abiding citizens to arrest and suppress thieves and other felons, by
becoming a member of this Association.
FIRST GUARD: Has he been well recommended and duly elected to
become a member of this Association?
MARSHAL: He has.
FIRST GUARD: Then let him proceed once around the Lodge to the
Second Guard.
SECOND GUARD: Halt! Who comes here?
MARSHAL: A stranger who has been well recommended and duly elected
to become a member of this Association.
SECOND GUARD: Has he given satins-factory answers so she questions
of the First Guard?
MARSHAL: He has.
SECOND GUARD: Then let him proceed: but with caution: once around
the Lodge to the Third Guard.
THIRD GUARD: Halt! Who is this person that has passed the outer
guards of our Association?
MARSHAL: A law-abiding citizen of this
state, who appreciates the benefits than can be derived by an Association
composed of upright citizens bounded together for the purpose of capturing and
convicting thieves, burglars and other felons.
A THIRD GUARD: Has he complied with all the
requirements necessary to membership?
MARSHAL: He has.
THIRD GUARD: Then let him proceed to the center of the Lodge where
the Detective will obligate him.
Obligation
I, …, in the presence of this company of this Association, do solemnly
promise so obey the call of my superior officers and to give every assistance in
my power to apprehend thieves of any description, and to, recognize in this
Company and Association a true friendship towards all other members.
Furthermore, I will not reveal the secrets of this Association to any one except
he be qualified to receive the same. To all this I give my word of honor as a
man, under the penalty of having my name stricken from the Company’s rolls.
The candidate is now led once around the Lodge and to the President to
receive the final charge and secret work.
Greeting
PRESIDENT: My friend, we are glad to welcome you to our
Association. We are banded together here for the purpose of mutual protection
against loss by thefts that may come to any member. We hope, trust and expect
that the obligation you have just assumed in becoming a member of our order will
be strictly adhered to, and that you will be ready at all times to obey the
orders of the officers, and to give aid to any member that may suffer loss.
I now heartily welcome you into our Association.
President here takes candidate by the hand, at which
token every member speaks the word "Welcome" in a clear, distinct tone
of voice, after which the secret work is given by the President.
Closing Ceremonies
PRESIDENT gives three raps with the gavel, calling members to their fees, on
opposite sides of the Lodge. The right side of the Lodge gives the challenge
sign, which is answered by those on the left, the President giving the final
sign.
PRESIDENT: Members, we are now about to close our meeting. Let me
admonish you to keep secret everything of importance that should not reach the
understanding of those not entitled to the same. Let us ever be on the alert and
guard well the interests of each other, nor fail to act when duty calls for the
purpose of suppression of evil and wrongdoers, especially that of theft,
throughout our hind. I now declare this Lodge of the Mutual Ohio State
Protective Association duly closed.