The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
At the beginning of the Opening Ceremony, the Worthy Matron orders the
Warder to see that the doors of the Chapter are "secure" (p. 16; instead of the
Masonic expression "properly tiled"). After the Warder has reported that the
doors are secure, the Worthy Matron states the time ("the hour has arrived for us
to resume our labors," p. 16/17) and asks the Associate Matron to ascertain that
all present are members of the Order. When this is done, the Warder instructs the
Sentinel that the Chapter is going to be opened. Then, the Worthy Matron asks
the Associate Matron how many officers constitute a Chapter, as it is done in
Craft Masonry. The Associate Matron names the fourteen officers. In the
following, the officers describe their station according to the four points of the
compass, as well as their duties, in conformity with the procedure of the Craft
ritual.
Further, the officers' badges are explained. Thus, the Sentinel's station is
outside the door to protect the Chapter against improper intrusion, and his badge
is the "Cross-swords within the Star, an emblem of protection," admonishing him
that upon his watchful care depends the Chapter's security (p. 19). The Warder's
station is at the South-west entrance to the Chapter, and Sister Warder has to act
in conjunction with the Sentinel, permitting members to enter or retire only after
accordance of the presiding officer. Her badge is the "Dove within the Star, an
emblem of peace," (p. 19/29) which admonishes her that she should labor for the
peace and harmony of the Chapter. The station of the Associate Conductress is in
the North; her duty is to prepare and receive candidates and to assist the
Conductress. Her badge is the "Baton within the Star, an emblem of direction,"
(p. 20), admonishing her that good discipline is essential to the success of the
Order. The station of the Conductress is in the South, and she has to assist the
Associate Matron, to conduct the candidates through the ceremony, and to obey
the Worthy Matron's instructions. Her badge is the "Scroll and Baton within the
Star, an emblem of prepared plans and their fulfillment," (p. 21) which is to
admonish her that it depends greatly upon the manner of how the candidates are
led through the initiation ceremony, to make their first impressions permanent.
The Treasurer's station is in the North-east, and her duty is to receive all moneys
from the Secretary and paying them out upon proper authority. The badge
depicts the "Cross-keys within the Star, an emblem of security," (p. 21) in order
to admonish the Treasurer to strictest fidelity. The Secretary is stationed in the
South-east and has to make proper record of the Chapter's proceedings, and to
receive all moneys to pay them to the Treasurer. The Secretary's badge is the
"Cross-pens within the Star, an emblem of intelligence," (p. 22) reminding her to
be faithful to her trust. Adah's station is at the first point of the Star. She explains
her duty thus:
To make known to all proper inquirers the light, knowledge and beauty
of the Blue ray, which represents the sky when all clouds have vanished,
and symbolizes Fidelity. My badge is the Sword and Veil within the
Triangle, an emblem of the heroic conduct of Jephthah's daughter. (p.
22/23)