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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 507
her refusal, she and her family were crucified. Dying, she exclaimed "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do!" 1463
The lecture being completed, the candidate receives the sign and the pass of
the fifth degree, whose color is red as a symbol of fervency (p. 58), according to
the Manual represented by a red rose. The cup, the emblem of this degree, is a
symbol of charity and hospitality, teaching the members to extend generous aid
to victims of poverty (p. 58). The Manual, dated 1869, contains another emblem,
the clasped hands, certainly as a symbol of extending welcome and aid to the
poor, which is also visible on the original signet of the Order illustrated in this
work. In the ritual published in 1912, the clasped hands are not found any longer.
Now, the lectures are over, and the Conductress leads the candidate in a
prescribed march ("[...] leaving the labyrinth between Adah and Electa, then to
the right once around the Altar, outside the Star ...", p. 59) to the Worthy Patron.
The Conductress presents to him the candidate, who "has passed through the
labyrinth of our Star, and been instructed in those sublime virtues exemplified by
the heroines of our Order" (p. 59). The Worthy Patron welcomes the candidate as
a new member and refers him/her to the Worthy Matron, who addresses the
candidate with a speech. Therein, she underlines that the Eastern Star, although
closely and by dearest ties related to the Masonic fraternity, is no part of that
ancient institution (p. 60), because by the laws of that ancient Order, women are
not eligible. The Worthy Matron explains the need of women for an institution
like the Order of the Eastern Star:
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. (p. 60/61)
In order to unite for prayer, the officers form a circle around the altar, joining
hands, and the ritual suggests that the members may join in by forming an outer
circle. At a certain time of the prayer, when the words "may the golden chain
thus lenghtened become the brighter for this link" are pronounced, the Worthy
Matron extends her left hand and takes the right hand of the candidate, and the
Conductress joins the circle at her left, making it complete. The hands are all
unclasped at the end of the prayer, when the words are uttered "each link shall
fall away in death." (p. 62). This "golden chain" composed of the single
members reminds us of the "chain of brotherhood" or the Craft's "Mystic Chain."
After the prayer, an ode may be sung.
The candidate is led to the East, where the Worthy Matron or the Worthy
Patron explains the signs once again. They remind the new member that the
1463 Ibid, p. 64.