Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star

by Order of the Eastern Star. General Grand Chapter

OBLIGATION:

I solemnly and sincerely promise, in the presence of the members of this Chapter, that I will, to the best of my ability, faithfully and impartially perform all the duties belonging to the office for which I have been selected. That I will conform to the By-Laws of this Chapter, and the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Grand Chapter, and do all in my power to promote the welfare and prosperity of our Order.

The Chapter and officers will be seated. The Marshal will present the officers at the altar for installation, approaching the altar between Adah and Ruth and leaving between Martha and Electa.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Worthy Matron elect for installation.

M. Worthy ——, it is with pleasure that I present for installation Sister ——, who has been elected Worthy Matron of this Chapter for the ensuing year. Our sister is fully aware of the important responsibility that rests upon her in the acceptance of this trust, yet she is willing to assume it, in the hope that by the aid of her sisters and brothers, and the favor of God, she will not prove altogether unworthy of the high honor that has been conferred upon her.

I. O. My sister, before proceeding with your investiture, it is necessary that you signify your assent to those Regulations of the Order, upon the strict observance of which its stability and success depend.

You admit that the name, character, and modes of recognition of the Order of the Eastern Star are unchangeable.

Ans. I do.

You admit that a belief in the existence of a Supreme Being is one of the requirements of the Order.

Ans. I do.

You admit that the utmost care should be taken to admit to membership only such persons as possess a good moral character.

Ans. I do.

You admit that no new Chapter can be legally formed without a Charter or Dispensation from the Grand Chapter within whose jurisdiction it is formed; that no countenance should be given to any illegally formed Chapter, its members, or persons initiated therein.

Ans. I do.

You promise to obey the Laws and Regulations of the Grand Chapter; together with the By-Laws of this Chapter, and to permit no violation of them by its members.

Ans. I do.

You promise that no visitor will be admitted to your Chapter, to witness the secret work of the Order, unless found legally entitled to do so; and that none will be admitted who would injuriously effect the peace and harmony of the Chapter.

Ans. I do.

You agree to do all in your power to promote the welfare of this Chapter, and to enforce, to the best of your ability, all the rules and regulations of the Order.

Ans. I do.

Members of —— Chapter, you have heard your Worthy Matron elect in the pledges she has made; do you promise to support her in the performance of her duties?

Ans. We do.

My sister, the office of Worthy Matron is one of great responsibility, and it will require your utmost attention, wisdom and forbearance. The members will look to you, not only for counsel in all matters that come before the Chapter, but for advice and sympathy in their troubles and sorrows. It should be your constant study, therefore, how best to cultivate the social virtues, and avoid unpleasant misunderstandings among the members of your Chapter. You should be cautious in the execution of your trust, courteous to the members, and ever ready to render a helping hand to sisters or brothers in affliction or adversity. You should set an example of good order and punctuality, for only by so doing can you expect similar attention from others. Whatever you would deem praiseworthy in another in your position, you should carefully imitate, and with equal care avoid what would be blameworthy. Within the Chapter it will be your duty to see that its regular meetings are held, and special meetings called, whenever the good of the Chapter demands them; that your subordinates fill their stations with honor and usefulness; that the By-Laws be implicitly obeyed; that the funds, records, rituals, and other property of the Chapter be properly preserved by the officers in whose charge they are placed; that the cry of the widow and orphan shall never be heard in vain; and that this Chapter fails in nothing for which it was established. All this you should strive to accomplish by the zealous exercise of your prerogatives as Worthy Matron, to which exalted position your associates have been pleased to elect you.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.

The Marshal will invest the officers with their badges as she is requested to do so by the Installing Officer.

I. O. Your badge is the Gavel within the Star, an emblem of authority; admonishing you that upon your judgment and discretion rests the government of this Chapter, and, in a great measure, the prosperity of our beautiful Order.

Matron.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station.

The Worthy Matron will ascend the dais, and, turning towards the Chapter, stand in her station. The Installing Officer will call up the Chapter and say:

I. O. Worthy Matron, behold your sisters and brothers. Sisters and brothers, behold your Worthy Matron, and salute her with the Grand Honors.

The Chapter responds by giving the Grand Honors, after which the Chapter is seated. The Worthy Matron takes the chair on the left of the Installing Officer.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Worthy Patron elect for installation.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting, for installation, Brother ——, who has been elected Worthy Patron of this Chapter for the ensuing year. His zeal in our cause, and qualifications for the position, assure us that he will discharge the duties to the satisfaction of the Chapter, and the honor and welfare of our Order.

I. O. My brother, you have heard the pledges made by the Worthy Matron previous to her installation. Do you also promise a faithful obedience to all those regulations?

Ans. I do.

I. O. My Brother, the station to which you have been elected is one of the most important within the gift of the members of this Chapter, and your election thereto the highest honor they can confer upon a Brother. From the nature of the Order you are not its chief officer, yet you are expected to have a watchful care over the interests of the Chapter and see that the Laws of the Order are promptly obeyed.

It is your duty to preside during the ceremony of Initiation and at other times when requested to do so by the Worthy Matron; to see that the officers are thoroughly instructed in their duties, and that the ritual work of the Order is properly rendered. It is also your duty to have a general supervision over the affairs of the Chapter, and act as the constitutional adviser of the Worthy Matron. To do this acceptably, you must make yourself thoroughly familiar with the jurisprudence of the Order, as promulgated in its established rules and regulations.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our brother with the badge of his office.

I. O. Your badge is the Square and Compasses within the Star, an emblem of the relationship existing between the Masonic Fraternity and the Order of the Eastern Star, and admonishes you to be ever mindful of your obligations to the Order.

Patron.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our brother to his station, at the left of the Worthy Matron.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Associate Matron elect for installation.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been elected Associate Matron of this Chapter for the ensuing year.

I. O. My Sister, the duties of your position are embodied in the name of your office. You are the assistant to the Worthy Matron in all branches of her responsible charge, and, in her absence, will succeed to all her privileges and prerogatives. It is necessary therefore, that you should make yourself familiar with the duties of that office, so that you may fill it with credit to yourself and honor to your Chapter.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.

I. O. Your badge is the Sun within the Star, an emblem of light, admonishing you that the principles of our Order should shine with undiminished lustre through our lives.

Asso. Matron.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the West.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Secretary elect.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been elected Secretary of this Chapter for the ensuing year.

I. O. My sister, yours is a difficult and responsible charge. Failure or neglect on your part will complicate and embarrass all our proceedings, and give us a disgraceful record on the books of the Grand Chapter. It is your duty to note in proper order, the business of our meetings, to collect all moneys due the Chapter, and forward to the Grand Secretary the necessary returns, as required by the Constitution, and perform such other duties as properly belong to your office.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.

Your badge is the Cross-pens within the Star, an emblem of intelligence, admonishing you to be faithful to your trust, that the good deeds of your companions may not go unrecorded.

Secretary.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the South-East.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Treasurer elect.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been elected Treasurer of this Chapter for the ensuing year.

I. O. My sister, the proper preservation of our funds demands honesty and carefulness on the part of the Treasurer. The money placed in your hands may be required for charitable purposes at the most unexpected moment, or to meet the necessary expenses of the Chapter.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.

Your badge is the Cross-keys within the Star, an emblem of security, admonishing you to the strictest fidelity in the discharge of your important trust, that the Chapter may not be embarrassed in its efforts to relieve the distressed and meet its necessary expenses.

Treasurer.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the North-East.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Conductress and Associate Conductress elect.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, elected to be Conductress, and Sister ——, elected to be Associate Conductress of this Chapter for the ensuing year.

I. O. My sisters, upon you devolves the duty of preparing and conducting through our ceremonies of initiation those who seek the privileges of our Order. It is important, therefore, that you should fully understand and intelligently perform the duties of your office. The candidates enter our Chapter prepared to receive a favorable impression of our mysteries and aims; if you present these matters aright, throwing sisterly courtesy and dignity around your official proceedings, they will acquire a fond regard for our beautiful Order. Remember, therefore, that it depends greatly upon the manner in which you perform your duties whether the candidates receive favorable impressions from their initiation.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sisters with their badges of office.

Sister Conductress, your badge is the Scroll and Baton within the Star, an emblem of prepared plans and their fulfillment, admonishing you that the first impressions made upon candidates are permanent, and should be for good.

Conductress.

Sister Associate Conductress, your badge is the Baton within the Star, an emblem of direction, admonishing you that good discipline is essential to the success of our Order.

Assoc. Conductress.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sisters to their stations in the South and North.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Chaplain elect.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting —— ——, who has been appointed Chaplain for the ensuing year.

I. O. My ——, we recognize our dependence upon the Source of all Wisdom and Strength, and often invoke the blessing of our Heavenly Father upon our work. It will be your duty to lead the Chapter in its devotions at the altar, and perform such other duties as are appropriate to your office.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our —— with the badge of his office.

Your badge is the Bible within the Star, a symbol of the word of God, admonishing you to walk circumspectly, that your life may be void of offense toward God and man.

Chaplain.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our —— to —— station in the East, at the right of the Worthy Matron.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Marshal elect.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been appointed Marshal for the ensuing year.

I. O. My sister, the position assigned you is one of honor and responsibility. It is your duty to superintend and marshal all processions, assist in all its public and private ceremonies, conduct and proclaim the officers at the time of their installation, and perform such other duties as pertain to your office.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.

Your badge is the Cross Batons within the Star, an emblem of direction, admonishing you that courtesy and promptness are essential to the discharge of your duties.

Marshal.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the South-East.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present for installation the sisters appointed to represent the five rays of our central Star.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting those who have been appointed to represent the five rays of our central Star. Sister ——, to represent the blue ray of Adah; Sister ——, the yellow ray of Ruth; Sister ——, the white ray of Esther; Sister ——, the green ray of Martha; and Sister ——, the red ray of Electa.

In the installation of the Star officers, bouquets of flowers, having the appropriate colors for the several points, may be introduced with pleasing effect.

I. O. My sisters, you are the floral center of this Chapter. In our ceremonies, the colors and flowers appropriate to the five points of our Star are endowed with beauty and instruction. To you is assigned the duty of teaching the impressive lessons which those colors and floral emblems symbolize, and the sublime virtues illustrated in the lives of the heroines of our Order. How important, then, that in the discharge of your official duties, you should strive to throw an air of beauty and solemnity around all that you have to say and do, so that from you, as the central Star of this Chapter, may emanate a light that will give instruction and joy to all who attend our meetings.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sisters with their badges of office.

I. O. Sister Adah, your badge is the Sword and Veil within the Triangle, an emblem of the heroic conduct of Jephthah's Daughter, admonishing you to be ever faithful to your convictions of right and duty.

Adah.

Sister Ruth, your badge is the Sheaf within the Triangle, an emblem of plenty, admonishing you that patient industry shall not go unrewarded.

Ruth.

Sister Esther, your badge is the Crown and Scepter within the Triangle, an emblem of royalty and power, admonishing you to emulate the virtues of the heroic queen Esther.

Esther.

Sister Martha, your badge is the Broken Column within the Triangle, an emblem of the uncertainty of human life, admonishing you that the deepest sorrow is often relieved by trustful faith in God.

Martha.

Sister Electa, your badge is the Cup within the Triangle, an emblem of charity and hospitality, virtues inculcated by the teachings of our Order.

Electa.

Such, my sisters, are some of the lessons taught by your several badges of office.

The sublime virtues exemplified in the lives of the distinguished heroines whom you represent, are worthy of imitation, and I trust that while you teach those virtues to others, they will be illustrated in your lives. Thus you may honor the positions to which you have been appointed, and lay up for yourselves those Heavenly treasures which shall never fade and which will render you "Fairest among thousands, altogether lovely."

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sisters to their several stations.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Warder and Sentinel for installation.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been appointed Warder, and Bro. ——, appointed Sentinel of this Chapter for the ensuing year.

I. O. My sister and brother, you are respectively the inner and outer guards of the Chapter. Upon you, therefore, we rely to preserve that secrecy which is essential to our proceedings, and to see that the solemnity of our ceremonies is not interrupted by untimely alarms. Be ever watchful in your positions, and allow none to enter or leave the Chapter without permission of the presiding officer.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister and brother with their badges of office.

Sister Warder, your badge is the Dove within the Star, an emblem of peace, admonishing you that peace and harmony are necessary to the success of our Order.

Warder.

Brother Sentinel, your badge is the Cross-swords within the Star, an emblem of protection, admonishing you that upon your watchful care depends our security from interruption.

Sentinel.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister and brother to their stations within and without the door.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will present the Organist elect.

M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been appointed Organist for the ensuing year.

I. O. My sister, your duties are embodied in the name of your office. To make the initiation ceremonies as impressive and effective as we desire, it is important that you should be faithful to your trust.

Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.

Your badge is the Lyre within the Star, an emblem of music and poetry, admonishing you that by uniting harmony with our mystic rites, the impressions will be more lasting.

Organist.

Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station.

I. O. Sisters and Brothers, such is the nature of all associations, that some must rule and govern, and others submit and obey.

The officers whom you have selected to preside over your deliberations during the ensuing year, are, I trust, sufficiently conversant with the rules of our Order to avoid exceeding the powers with which you have intrusted them.

All things are now ready for you to enter upon the proceedings of a new year. But we know not what is before us. No one can affirm that another year, or even a single day, will be committed to our trust. Therefore, if we have been faithful heretofore, let us increase our exertions for the future.

As among the objects for which we are associated together is our purpose to protect the widow and orphan, comfort the afflicted, sympathize with the sorrowing, and relieve the destitute and distressed, I trust that no discord will ever rise among us to imperil the success of our efforts to accomplish these charitable purposes, and increase the happiness of ourselves and others.

Let us be kind, forbearing and forgiving, one towards another. Let us return kindness for hostility. Let us sacredly preserve our lips from slander and evil speaking; and whatever may be our failings, let us throw around each other the broad mantle of charity. And, finally, let us be governed in words and deeds by the golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."

Thus may we confidently hope that in the good providence of God, each of us will be brought, through a useful and happy life, to a blissful close, and triumphant entrance upon the joys of celestial life.

The Installing Officer then addresses the Worthy Matron, who, as he does so, rises.

Worthy Matron, the officers of your Chapter have been installed into their respective stations, and are prepared to enter upon their duties. You will now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which this Chapter is held, and which must be present at all its meetings. You will also receive the Constitution governing the Order in this State, and the By-laws of this Chapter, both of which you are expected to make yourself thoroughly acquainted with, and see promptly obeyed. I now present to you the Gavel, an emblem of your authority; and as none should disobey it, I confidently hope that you will never use it in an arbitrary or dictatorial manner, remembering that we should charitably temper justice with mercy. You will now assume your station as the Worthy Matron of this Chapter.

The Worthy Matron steps to the center of the dais, and the Installing Officer to the right. The Worthy Matron calls up the Chapter.

I. O. Sister Marshal, you will now proclaim the officers of —— Chapter No. —, regularly installed.

M. In the name of the Grand Chapter and by order of the Worthy ——, I proclaim the officers of —— Chapter No. —, of the Order of the Eastern Star, for the ensuing year, regularly installed.

CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION
Officers of Grand Chapters.

The Grand Chapter being properly opened, as for work, a Past Grand Patron or Grand Matron presiding; if none such be present, then the oldest member being a Past Patron shall take the chair, and, with such assistance as he may appoint, the ceremony shall proceed, as follows:

The Grand Secretary shall call the list of officers, elected and appointed; and, as their names are called, they will form a semi-circle on the west side of the Altar, facing the East, to receive the Obligation; the emblems of office and jewels having been collected at the East; the Worthy Grand Matron on the extreme South, followed by the Worthy Grand Patron, &c.

[This ceremony may be used to install the officers of the General Grand Chapter, by prefixing the words, "Most Worthy" to Grand Matron and Grand Patron, "Right Worthy" to the Associate Grand Matron, Associate Grand Patron, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, and "Very Worthy" to Grand Chaplain, and "Worthy" before the rest of the Grand Officers. Whenever "Grand Chapter" occurs, prefix the word "General.">[

The Grand Marshal will then present the officers to the Grand Matron or Grand Patron.

G. M. Grand ——, I have the pleasure to present to you, for installation, these sisters and brothers, who have been duly elected and chosen to preside over us and assist in conducting the business of this Grand Chapter, and to discharge all other duties appertaining to their several stations until their successors are lawfully chosen and installed.

Installing Officer rises and calls up the Grand Chapter, which is addressed as follows:

Grand ——. Sisters and brothers of the Grand Chapter, these persons, selected by you, are now ready and willing to take upon themselves the obligations, duties and responsibilities of office. In our beautiful Order, preferment to office should not be sought after, but should come to the individual chosen, as an honor justly merited and freely bestowed. Those only should be chosen, who, by their reputation, their work, and high moral character, command the esteem and confidence of our members, and can give us standing and credit before the world. Do you believe they possess these qualifications, and now desire that they shall be installed into the offices to which they have been chosen?

The Grand Chapter responds:

We do.

Installing Officer continues:

Grand ——. Sisters and brothers-elect, there being no objection against either of you, gives us full assurance of your competency to discharge the responsible duties to be assigned you. You have been chosen to take charge of the affairs of this Grand Chapter for the ensuing year.

It is no small mark of esteem to be thus selected; let it be your aim to make the ensuing year the most prosperous in the history of this Grand Chapter; then you will find in the record of its prosperity the reward of your faithful service.

You will please give your assent to the obligation of office.

Do you each sacredly promise to support, maintain and enforce the Constitution, By-Laws, and Regulations of this Grand Chapter, be obedient to its orders and directions, and, to the best of your knowledge and ability, impartially and faithfully discharge the duties of your office, and use your utmost endeavors to make yourself useful, and your station honorable, in the office with which I am now about to invest you?

They severally assent, and the Installing Officer will then seat the Grand Chapter, the officers elect being seated together, and the ceremonies will proceed, as follows:

G. M. Grand ——, I have the honor to present, for installation, Sister ——, duly elected Grand Matron for the ensuing year. Our sister is fully aware of the great responsibility she is assuming, in the acceptance of this important position, yet she is willing to undertake it, in the belief that, with the aid and assistance of the sisters and brothers, and by the help of God, she will not fail in the performance of her duty, and thus prove that the confidence reposed in her has not been misapplied.

Grand ——. Sister ——, you have been elected by the free ballot of the members of this Grand Chapter, to occupy the most exalted position in their power to bestow upon a sister; a just and deserving tribute to your zeal and worth, and I congratulate you upon your preferment.

The high honors attached to the office of Grand Matron are accompanied by weighty and delicate responsibilities. It is expected that you will have a watchful care over the interests of this Grand Chapter, see that its Constitutions, By-Laws and Regulations, orders and edicts are promptly enforced throughout this jurisdiction, that subordinate officers discharge their duties, and that, by your own respect for law and good government, you will cause all others to find the strongest incentive of obedience to all lawful commands.

Your duties are more specifically set forth in the Constitution, to which I refer you, with the admonition: Be cautious in your words, courteous in your actions, sincere in your rulings, governing with moderation and decorum, trusting that your well-known zeal in the cause of the Order will lead you to discharge these important trusts with lasting benefit to this Grand Chapter and great credit to yourself.

Grand Matron.

You will now be invested with the proper badge of office, and be conducted to your station in the East.

After she is in her station, the Installing officer will call up the Grand Chapter, and say:

Grand ——. Grand Matron, behold your sisters and brothers! Sisters and brothers, behold your Grand Matron, and salute her with the Grand Honors.

Seats the Grand Chapter.

G. M. Grand ——, it is with pleasure I introduce to you Brother ——, who has been duly elected Grand Patron for the ensuing year. I doubt not but you will find him as willing to discharge the duties as to enjoy the high honors conferred upon him.

Grand ——. Brother ——, you have been elected by the free choice of the members of this Grand Chapter to occupy the most exalted position in their power to bestow upon a brother; a just compliment to your zeal and worth, and for which I offer you my sincere congratulations. Your intimate acquaintance with the rules and affairs of our Order justify me in saying that the members have exercised a sound discretion in this selection. You are elevated to a position from which the power and prerogative may depart with the expiration of your term of service, but the honor and dignity, except by your own act, never!

Your duties are to issue dispensations, organize and supervise new Chapters, and assist the Grand Matron in the discharge of her duties. Other duties appropriate to your high office might be named, which will readily suggest themselves to a sensitive mind, imbued with a proper zeal to promote the interests of our Order. The field is broad, and whitening for the harvest; may you be the instrument of gathering many sheaves to our garner, that it may be said of you, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things."

Grand Patron.

You will now be invested with the insignia of office, and be conducted to your station on the left of the Grand Matron in the East.

After he is in his station, the Installing Officer will call up the Grand Chapter, and say:

Grand ——. Grand Patron, behold your sisters and brothers! Sisters and brothers, behold your Grand Patron, and salute him with the Grand Honors.

Seats the Grand Chapter.

G. M. Grand ——, with pleasure I present Sister ——, elected Associate Grand Matron, for installation. I am persuaded she fully appreciates the honor conferred, and will discharge the duties imposed with credit to herself and satisfaction to the Order.

Grand ——. Sister ——, the duties of your honorable station are embodied in the name of your office. You are to assist the Grand Matron, and in case of her death, absence, or disability, you shall act for her and discharge her duties. To you is especially intrusted the supervision of your sister officers, that the paraphernalia of the Grand Chapter be properly preserved, and its Ritual ceremonies performed intelligently. Be ever ready to discharge these duties.

Asso. Grand Matron.

You will now be invested with your badge of office, and conducted to your station in the West.

G. M. Grand ——, I now have the pleasure of presenting to you, for installation, Brother ——, who has been duly elected Associate Grand Patron.

Grand ——. Brother ——, I congratulate you on being chosen to fill so high a station. Your duties are to assist the Grand Patron, and in case of his death, absence or disability, to assume his powers and duties. Those who have reposed so much confidence in you have reason to expect you to faithfully look after their interests, and zealously work for the welfare of the Order. Let the laws, tenets and professions of the Eastern Star be your constant study, that you may be ready to enforce them by precept and example, and the better enabled to exercise the higher and more exalted position to which you may be called at any moment.

Associate Grand Patron.

You will now be invested with the proper emblem of office, and conducted to your station on the left of the Associate Grand Matron, in the West.

G. M. Grand ——, it is my pleasant duty to introduce —— ——, duly elected to serve us as Grand Secretary for the ensuing year.

Grand ——. —— ——, the office to which you have been elected is by far the most important, if not the most honorable, within the gift of this Grand Chapter. Yours is an onerous and most responsible charge. But few are competent to perform it in the thorough manner it demands. Failure or neglect upon your part will complicate and embarrass all our proceedings, and give us a disgraceful record before the world. To you, also, is intrusted the collection of all funds due the Grand Chapter, the custody of the seal, records, books, and papers. You are the correspondent and financial agent of the Grand Chapter, the medium of intercourse between the officers and members thereof, as well as between them and Subordinate Chapters. The faithful discharge of all your various duties requires constant and systematic work, a careful keeping of records and accounts, prompt and discreet action, and the highest integrity of character.

Grand Secretary.

You will now receive your emblem of office, and be conducted to your station in the South-East.

G. M. Grand ——, it is with confidence and pleasure I present to you, for installation, Sister ——, duly elected to serve as Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year.

Grand ——. Sister ——, to you is intrusted the proper care, preservation and disbursement of the funds of this Grand Chapter. This is a trust of the utmost importance, for without money little good can be accomplished. You will, therefore, attend carefully to the financial interests of the Order, receiving the funds, through the Grand Secretary, from the different sources of revenue, keep them safely invested, render a just account thereof, and pay the same out only on proper vouchers, with the consent of this Grand Chapter. Let it be your constant care to be faithful to your trust, and not forfeit the confidence reposed in you by this Grand Chapter.

Grand Treasurer.

You will now receive your badge of office, and be conducted to your station, in the North-East.

G. M. Grand ——, I have the honor to present —— ——, chosen to officiate as Grand Chaplain for the ensuing year.

Grand ——. My ——, our beautiful Order founded upon the moral teachings of the Holy Scripture, everywhere, and on all occasions, acknowledges the existence and providence of God. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. You have been chosen Grand Chaplain, and as such it will be your duty to conduct the devotional exercises of this Grand Chapter, and superintend and promote its charitable and benevolent objects. These will afford a wide field of usefulness, and may you be so successful in pointing to the "Star in the East" that all will be induced to follow it, until they meet in the Grand Chapter above.

Grand Chaplain.

You will now be invested with your badge of office, and take your station on the right of the Grand Matron.

G. M. Grand ——, it is with pleasure I present —— ——, appointed Grand Lecturer.

Grand ——. —— ——, to you is intrusted the work of the Order, its rites, traditions, and ceremonies, and it will be your duty to exemplify the same, whenever called upon by this Grand Chapter, and see that they are intelligently performed by the subordinate Chapters of this jurisdiction. To discharge these duties well, will require much time, study and observation upon your part; but we trust that your attachment to the principles of our Order, and zeal in promoting its interests, will lead you to the faithful discharge of your duties.

Receive the jewel and emblem of your office, and take your station in the South.

G. M. Grand ——, I now have the pleasure of presenting —— ——, for installation, as Grand Marshal.

Grand ——. —— ——, the post assigned to you is one of honor and responsibility. It is your duty to superintend and marshal all processions of the Grand Chapter, assist in all its public and private ceremonies, conduct and proclaim the officers at the time of installation, and perform such other duties as pertain to your office.

Grand Marshal.

You will now be invested with the badge of your office, and be conducted to your station in the South-East.

G. M. Grand ——, I have the pleasure to introduce, for installation, Sister ——, appointed Grand Conductress, and Sister ——, appointed Associate Grand Conductress for the ensuing year.

Grand ——. My sisters, your duties are to attend upon your superior officers, assist in the active duties of this Grand Chapter, introduce and welcome visitors, and aid in exemplifying the rites and ceremonies of our Order upon all proper occasions.

If you attend to these duties aright, throwing sisterly courtesy and dignity around your official conduct, you will acquire the confidence and respect of all and merit promotion to still higher honors and more weighty responsibilities.

Grand Conductress.

You will now receive your respective badges of office, and be conducted to your proper stations in the South and North.

Assoc. Grand Conductress.

G. M. Grand ——, it is with pleasure that I present to you, for installation, these sisters who have been appointed to represent the five distinguished heroines of our Order, Sister ——, as Grand Adah; Sister ——, as Grand Ruth; Sister ——, as Grand Esther; Sister ——, as Grand Martha; Sister ——, as Grand Electa.

Grand ——. My sisters, the most important lessons of our Order are given from the five points of our emblematic Star. It should be your study to most impressively render these lessons during the opening ceremonies of this Grand Chapter, and whenever your services may be needed.

You will now each be invested with the badge of your office, and conducted to your stations.

Grand Officers.

G. M. It is with pleasure that I present, for installation, Sister ——, appointed to be Grand Warder, and Brother ——, appointed to be Grand Sentinel.

Grand ——. My sister and brother, you are, respectively, the inner and outer guards of the Grand Chapter. Upon you, therefore, we rely to preserve that secrecy which is essential to our proceedings, and to see that our ceremonies are not interrupted by untimely alarms, and to discharge such other duties as appertain to your office. A prompt and faithful discharge of these responsibilities will afford the best evidence of your attachment for the tenets and professions of our Order.

You will be invested with your respective badges of office, and conducted to your stations within and without the door of the Grand Chapter.

G. M. It is my pleasant duty to present for installation, Sister ——, appointed to serve as Grand Organist for the ensuing year.

Grand ——. My sister, your duties are embodied in the name of your office, admonishing you that by uniting music and harmony with our mystic lessons the ceremonials of our Order will prove more lasting.

Grand Organist.

You will be invested with your badge of office, and conducted to your station.

G. M. Grand ——, my duties are ended. The several officers of this Grand Chapter have been duly elected, installed, invested with their badges of office, and conducted to their respective stations.

Grand ——. It is well. Officers and members of the Grand Chapter, all things are now ready for you to enter upon the proceedings of a new year. Harmony and good-will prevail, and we start under the most auspicious circumstances. But no one can affirm that another year, or even a single day, will be committed to our trust. Therefore, if we have been faithful heretofore, let us redouble our exertions for the future. Let us continue kindly affectionate, one toward another. Let us walk circumspectly, sacredly preserving our lips from slander and evil speaking, ever remembering our sacred obligations. And may we, each of us, through the good providence of God, be brought, through a useful and happy life, to a blissful close and a triumphant entrance upon the joys of the Heavenly life.

Let us now look to God for his benediction.

Installing Officer calls up the Grand Chapter.