Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star

by Order of the Eastern Star. General Grand Chapter

OBLIGATION.

* * * (2.) * * *

W. P. Arise, my sister, we accept the pledge you have given, and share with you in this solemn Obligation.

The Conductress takes the Bible from the candidate, when the Worthy Patron says: "Arise, my sister," he extends his right hand and assists the candidate in rising, the lights are suddenly turned up at the same time.

W. P. You will now be received into our Order and be conducted to the several points of the Star, where you will receive instruction in those sublime virtues exemplified in the lives of Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa.

The Worthy Patron returns to the East, and seats the Chapter.

The Conductress and candidate will leave the Altar on the right, passing out between Electa and Adah, leaving Adah on the right, all around the outside of the Star to Adah for instruction.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

W. P. "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding."

"She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her."

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

Cond. Sister Adah.

Adah rises and takes her position at the right of her chair; after each lecture the Star Officer will remain in her position, standing until the Conductress and candidate have passed her, then be seated.

Adah. Sister Conductress.

Cond. I present this Sister, who, having assumed our Obligation, will receive from you such lessons respecting fidelity to convictions of right and duty, as may properly be drawn from the history of Jephthah's Daughter.

Adah. Jephthah was the ninth judge and one of the mightiest men in Israel. Being called upon, in the extremity of his country's trials, to go at the head of its armies, he prepared his household for a campaign that would perhaps cost him his life; and then "Jephthah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, 'If thou shalt deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands then it shall be that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace shall surely be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.'" Jephthah went forth to battle, the victory was gained, and the victorious warrior returned to Mizpeh. The door of his house opened, and, "behold! his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances," and she was his only child. Jephthah, when he saw her, rent his clothes, and in the anguish of his heart, cried aloud, "Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back." Adah replied, "My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do to me according to that which has proceeded out of thy mouth." She asked that she might go among the mountains for two months, and there prepare her mind for the solemn surrender of her life to preserve her father's honor.

When the two months had expired, she was seen, followed by her friends, winding her way down the mountain's side to the altar, where her father with an almost broken heart was prepared to fulfil his vow.

She approached her father with a kiss of affection and bade him farewell. Taking hold of the veil she wore, he threw it over her face, and drew his sword. But she unveiled herself, and said she need not have her face covered for she was not afraid to die. Her father replied that he could not strike the blow while she looked upon him, and again cast it over her. She threw it off the second time, and said she would look upward, that his arm might not be unnerved by her gaze. A third time, however, he insisted, and a third time she as resolutely cast it off, this time holding the ends of it firmly in her hands and casting her eyes upward, invited the fatal blow. And a deed was consummated which has rendered the name of Jephthah's Daughter famous in the annals of Scripture.

The sign of this degree is given by—

Repeat from secret work. (3.)

The pass. (4.)

The color appropriate to this degree is blue, which symbolizes fidelity, and teaches us to be faithful to all moral obligations.

The emblems are the Sword and Veil. By the sword Adah was slain. The veil alludes to her determination to die in the light, suffering no stain to rest upon her memory.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the second point of the Star for further instruction.

The Conductress will lead the candidate around Adah's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Martha's chair, passing to Ruth for instruction. After each lecture the labyrinth is followed in a similar manner, always leaving the chairs to the right and the Altar to the left. From Ruth around Electa to Esther; from Esther around Adah to Martha; from Martha around Ruth to Electa; from Electa around Esther to the Worthy Patron.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

W. P. "And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and behold, his daughter came out to meet him, with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter."

"And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back."

Cond. Sister Ruth.

Ruth rises and takes her position at the right of her chair.

Ruth. Sister Conductress.

Cond. I present this sister to be instructed in the duty of obedience to the demands of honor and justice in all conditions of life, as illustrated in the history of Ruth.

Ruth. About eleven hundred years before the Christian era, Elimeleck and his wife Naomi, with their two sons, were driven by famine from Bethlehem to the land of Moab. The sons married women of Moab named Ruth and Orphah. After a few years, Elimeleck and his sons died, leaving Naomi, Ruth and Orphah in mourning. Naomi, aged and dependent, resolved to return to the land of her nativity. She urged Ruth and Orphah to remain with their kindred and friends, rather than follow her in poverty to a land of strangers. But Ruth believed it to be her duty to remain with Naomi and assist in her maintenance, saying, "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

They arrived in Bethlehem, destitute, weary and worn, and Ruth was compelled to seek through menial labor the means of support for herself and the aged Naomi. Faithful to the duties which adverse fortune had thrown upon her, she became a gleaner in the fields of Boaz, who said to his servant that was set over his reapers, "Whose damsel is this?" Upon being informed of her history, her devotion to Naomi, and present circumstances, advanced to where she was resting and addressed to her kindly words of encouragement. Ruth raised her hands to show him how small were her gleanings, and that she had not taken from the sheaves; placed them meekly upon her breast as proof of her willingness to submit to whatever lot she might be called upon to endure, casting her eyes upward, as appealing to God.

He ordered his reapers to drop handfuls of barley that she might gather a supply, and invited her to eat and drink of the provisions he had supplied. Ruth was encouraged; and at evening, returned laden with the fruits of her toil to gladden the heart of Naomi. My sister, be faithful to the duties of your station; ever teaching that honor and justice which Ruth portrayed in the touching and beautiful incidents of her life.

The sign of this degree is given by—

Repeat from secret work. (6.)

The pass. (7.)

The color appropriate to this degree is yellow, whose golden hue symbolizes constancy, teaching faithful obedience to the demands of honor and justice.

The Sheaf is an emblem of plenty, and from its collection of minute parts, teaches that by patient industry, gathering here a little and there a little, we may provide for the infirmities of age.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the third point of the Star for further instruction.

The candidate is conducted around Ruth's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Electa's chair to Esther for instruction.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

"And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you: and they answered him, The Lord bless thee."

"Then said Boaz unto his servant, that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?"

"And the servant, that was set over the reapers, answered and said: It is the damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab."

Cond. Sister Esther.

Esther rises and takes her position at the right of her chair.

Esther. Sister Conductress.

Cond. I present this sister to be instructed in the commendable virtue of fidelity to kindred and friends as exemplified in the history of Esther.

Esther. Esther was a Jewish damsel, living about five hundred years before the Christian era. The Jews were then held in captivity within the Persian empire. After the divorce of Queen Vashti, the king caused search to be made throughout the empire for the most beautiful woman, to be her successor. The choice fell upon Esther, who, amid national rejoicing and royal magnificence, became the queen of Persia.

The knowledge of her descent from the captive race was carefully concealed from the king and his court. In due time the enemies of the Jews, being powerful and numerous, persuaded the king to issue a royal edict commanding that upon a given day the entire Hebrew race should be destroyed.

Queen Esther, when informed of the cruel edict, resolved to risk the loss of royal favor and life itself, to save her people from death.

It was a law of the palace that no one, not even the queen, should enter the king's presence unsummoned, under penalty of death, unless the king should extend the golden sceptre as a signal of pardon.

Esther, attired in her queenly apparel, with heroic purpose, sought the presence of the king. It was the day of the grand council of governors, princes and officers of Persia. The royal guards held all avenues of approach to the council chamber. The king sat upon his throne of gold and ivory, surrounded by the highest officials of his empire. The queen approached. The guards and palace officials were stricken with terror at the unbidden advance of the queen. The king's countenance flushed with anger when he beheld her intrusion. Queen Esther, fixing her eyes, now eloquent with her soul's heroic purpose upon the king, firmly advanced to the foot of the throne, at once reminding him of his former pledges by touching her crown and robe in which he had desired her to appear when claiming his promise. She secured pardon by laying her hand upon the golden sceptre which he extended to her. Graciously, said the king, "What wilt thou, Queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom." Esther's perilous adventure was successful.

The king relented from his cruel purpose, and spared the chosen people.

The sign of this degree is given by—

Repeat from secret work. (9.)

The pass. (10.)

The color appropriate to this degree is white; a symbol of light, purity, and joy, and should teach us that a pure and upright life is above the tongue of reproach.

The Crown and Sceptre united is an emblem of royalty and power.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the fourth point of the Star for further instruction.

The candidate is conducted around Esther's chair, leaving the chair to the right across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Adah's chair to Martha for instruction.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

W. P. "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."

"Then said the king unto her, 'What wilt thou, Queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.'"

Cond. Sister Martha.

Martha rises and takes her position at the left of her chair.

Martha. Sister Conductress.

Cond. I present this sister to be instructed in the sublime virtue of a trustful faith, in the hour of trial, and hope of immortal life, as illustrated in the history of Martha.

Martha. The history of Martha is that of a young woman oppressed with grief at the loss of an only brother.

The family, consisting of Martha, and Mary, and their brother Lazarus, were residents of Bethany. They were known among the people of the country as followers of Christ. During the absence of Jesus, Lazarus was taken ill, and in a short time died. At the close of the fourth day, intelligence reached them that Jesus was returning to Bethany. Martha hastened to meet him, raising her hands imploringly towards his face, looking upward with suppressed emotion, cried aloud, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."

"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again."

"Martha saith unto him, 'I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.'"

"Jesus saith unto her, I am the Resurrection and the Life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" Here is the record of her unfaltering trust; here the record of her hope, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, that beyond the grave, the loved ones gone before are waiting to welcome us to our eternal home.

In the measureless realm of time, how brief is our earthly life; yet how momentous and eternal its issues! Life's experiences, coming thick and fast, are the soul's appointed means of growth. To-day, we build our castles, to-morrow, fickle fortune snatches from hope the promised joy. To-day, prosperity or the presence of loved ones fills our cup with joy; to-morrow, adversity, or sore bereavement casts us into the valley of sorrow.

My sister, may you have the trustful faith of Martha; it will lighten the burden of sorrow, and incline you to the voice of duty.

The sign of this degree is given by—

Repeat from secret work. (12.)

The pass. (13.)

The color appropriate to this degree is green; an emblem of nature's life and beauty, and a symbol of Martha's trustful faith and hope of immortality.

The Broken Column is an expressive emblem of the uncertainty of human life.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the fifth point of the Star for further instruction.

The candidate is conducted around Martha's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star leaving the Altar to the left, around Ruth's chair to Electa for instruction.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

W. P. "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died."

"But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."

"Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again."

"Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

"Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall ye live."

"And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die."

Cond. Sister Electa.

Electa arises and takes her position at the left of her chair.

Electa. Sister Conductress.

Cond. I present this sister to be instructed in the commendable virtue of heroic endurance of the wrongs of persecution, when demanded in defense of Truth, as illustrated in the lesson of Electa.

Electa. The second epistle of John is addressed to "the elect lady and her children." Tradition delineates her as a lady who lived in the days of St. John the Evangelist. Her charity, benevolence, and generous hospitality to the poor entitled her to great distinction.

Having been reared a Pagan and afterwards becoming a convert to the Christian religion, she was subjected to severe trials and the most bitter persecution. An edict was issued by the Roman emperor that all followers of the Christ should renounce their faith under penalty of death. She was visited by a band of soldiers, one of whom handed her the cross, with a command to trample it under foot. Electa, looking him steadily in the face, received the cross—precious emblem of her Saviour's blood—pressed it with ardor to her bosom, and cast her eyes upward as a testimony of her love and loyalty to her Christian faith. As Electa I represent this historical heroine, and commend to you the sublime virtue she exemplified through her life, "that we love one another." You may not be called upon to suffer in the same degree from the hand of persecution—but there is always need of loyalty to Truth, and, alas, there is too often persecution.

My sister, be loyal to your convictions of truth, and murmur not at another's loyalty. Let truth be spoken, and let it shine through your life. If persecution comes, bear it with heroic endurance, and despair not of the final triumph of Truth.

The sign of this degree is given by—

Repeat from secret work. (15.)

The pass. (16.)

The color appropriate to this degree is red: a symbol of that fervency which should actuate all who are engaged in the service of Truth.

The cup is an emblem of charity and hospitality, and teaches us to extend generous aid to the victims of poverty and distress.

Sister Conductress, you will present this sister to the Worthy Patron for further instruction.

The candidate is conducted around Electa's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Esther's chair, leaving the labyrinth between Adah and Electa, then to the right once around the Altar, outside the Star to the Worthy Patron.

During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:

W. P. "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father."

"And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another."

"And this is love, that we walk after His commandments."

"By this we know that we walk in the truth. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us."

"That we should be called the children of God. That our joy may be full."

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth and knoweth God, is born of God."

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he first loved us. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

Cond. Worthy Patron, I present to you this sister, who has passed through the labyrinth of our Star, and been instructed in those sublime virtues exemplified by the heroines of our Order.

W. P. We hail with pleasure your coming among us. The work of our Order is worthy of our earnest labor; and we shall rejoice to find you excelling in zeal our most devoted members. You will now give attention to the address of the Worthy Matron.

W. M. My sister, the Eastern Star is closely related to the Masonic fraternity; and although related to it by the dearest ties, yet it is no part of that ancient institution.

Here the wives, daughters, mothers, widows, and sisters of Masons, may become co-laborers with the great Brotherhood in the service of humanity.

By the laws of that ancient Order, women are not eligible to its degrees. But woman's heart beats responsive to the same inspiration that prompts man to noble deeds.

She hears the cry of the orphan, the call of want, and the piteous wail of sorrow. She honors the Brotherhood for its noble work, and seeks through the Eastern Star, to be a co-worker with the Masonic brother; to pay the tribute of her love and labor at the same shrine, and be able to make herself known, throughout the domain of Masonry, as being entitled to its protection.

Into this field of labor, you have now entered. You have taken the solemn Obligation of the Order, and been instructed in those sublime virtues which should adorn our lives, and make this institution worthy of the protection and support of all good Masons.

We extend to you a fraternal love, and shall rejoice to learn that your devotion to the great moral and social purposes of our Order, is earnest and persistent.

That the blessing of our Heavenly Father may rest upon our labor, let us unite in prayer.

The Chapter is called up and a circle is formed around the Altar in the following manner by the officers joining hands: Secretary between Adah and Ruth—Associate Matron between Ruth and Esther—Associate Conductress between Esther and Martha—Treasurer between Martha and Electa—the Worthy Matron at the left of Electa. If desired the members may join in forming the circle.

The Worthy Patron or Chaplain will take position at the west side of the Altar. The Conductress with the candidate at her right, will advance to the open space at the left of the Worthy Matron; and when the words "golden chain thus lengthened" in the prayer are being pronounced, the Worthy Matron will extend her left hand and take the right hand of candidate and the Conductress will join the circle at her left, thus making it complete. At the words "each link shall fall away in death," the hands will be unclasped. If a Chaplain officiates, the Worthy Patron will remain in his station.