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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
before they are initiated into the secret work that binds them together as brethren.
The Marshal and the Stewards are told to prepare the candidates, and as in Craft
Masonry, the Marshal asks the candidates several questions, such as whether
they were not prompted to seek admission out of curiosity, whether they were
not inspired by an unworthy desire to be exclusive, whether their purpose is to
join in trying to improve each other and do good, etc. The candidates have to
declare upon their honor that they will follow all instructions and keep the
secrets, and they are assured that nothing will be asked of them "contrary to the
demands of honor, justice and patriotism" (p. 25). In contrast to Craft Masonry,
in the ritual of the DeMolays, as well as in the rituals for girls, patriotism plays
an important role. The young people are thus trained in being good citizens, and
we cannot fail to notice the American way of life here, with its pledging
allegiance to the Flag and its pride and affection for country and administration.
The candidates are led to the altar, where they have to kneel, place their right
hands on the Bible or on the shoulder of the candidate in the front row, and
deliver the obligation. Hoodwinks may be used. The pledge is indeed very noble,
containing the endeavor to become better sons, to "live a clean and moral life,"
keeping the body "free from dissipation" and the mind "free from the
uncleanness that defiles and debauches youth" (p. 27). It also includes the
promise to serve God and to defend the civil, religious, political, and intellectual
liberty, and to honor womanhood. And, of course, it demands loyalty to the
brethren and reverence to the memory of Jacques DeMoly, who is seen as an
example as someone "who gave up his life rather than betray his brethren and the
trust they reposed in him" (p. 28).
Parallel to Craft Masonry, the candidates are "raised" by the highest officer
when the Master Councilor extends to them "the right hand of comradeship" (p.
28). Having sealed their vows by kissing the Bible, the candidates are invested
with the secret work, which will not be given here. It suffices to say that the
DeMolays also have a Sign of Distress, as in Masonry. After the investiture, the
candidates are conducted "on a journey which will symbolize the labor of a day
and the pathway of human life" (p. 29). This corresponds to the Masonic travels,
both in Craft Masonry and in the female and girls' orders. Hereby, the East
symbolizes the beginning of life, and the South its height, and the West its end.
Thus, it is a journey from youth to manhood, on which knowledge is gained, and
also from life towards death. Now begins the real ritualistic and symbolical
action. We will find a very close similarity to the Order of the Rainbow for Girls,
which was invented some years later, leaning strongly on the example of the
Order of DeMolay, and which also uses the symbolism of the number seven,
standing for the personification of seven tenets or virtues.
The Senior Deacon and the Stewards conduct the candidates to the East, and
the Master Councilor places into the hands of the Deacon a golden crown (not on
the head of a candidate!), with the words:
I place in your keeping this symbolic Crown of Youth which you will
wear until you exchange it for the crown of manhood. You are starting