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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 567
candidate learns that "they who give themselves to service are the crowned
queens of every Assembly" (p. 53). She is told that she can never know the
meaning of Love, Religion, Nature, Immortality, Fidelity, or Patriotism, until she
has offered herself as a living sacrifice (p. 53), and having affirmed to do this,
she obtains one end of the violet color streamer to attach it to the altar cloth.
Now, the seventh and final lesson is over, and Sister of Faith reports to the
Worthy Advisor that she has obeyed her command. The latter addresses the
candidate in metaphorical language:
My sister, you have now taken the seven vows representing seven
mileposts in your journey to the end of the rainbow. You stand beside
the Altar. On it is the White Light, representing the crystallization of all
colors. It will shine on your pathway as you journey on. (p. 54)
The Worthy Advisor admonishes the candidate that previously, Faith has
accompanied her in her travels, but that on her journey onward, with the help of
Faith, she must depend on herself, for she "can never know the meaning of the
treasure without individual effort" (p. 54). Then, Sister of Faith escorts her to the
station of the Worthy Associate Advisor, while reciting Ezelkiel, the second part
of verse 27, and 28. The Worthy Associate Advisor steps down from her station,
places her hands firmly upon the candidate's shoulders and reminds her that
[...] thus in olden times did God show Himself to His people. [...] You
seek to find the Pot of Gold; alas, so many do the same, and so few find
it because they are unprepared. Since last you passed this station, many
have gone by, but few have reached the Station of Hope. I have seen
envy, hatred, jealousy, and false pride. I have seen flattery and deceit.
All have failed. Between you and the Station of Hope the way is
difficult. None but the pure in heart can pass. (p. 55)
This almost sounds like a fairy-tale in which many young princes have
sought the treasure and failed. It is meant that a life without envy, hatred, and
jealousy is hard to lead, and that but few achieve to lead a "pure" life. In order to
be pure in heart, the candidate is asked to leave her burden and distress at this
station (p. 55). Sister Faith affirms to the Worthy Associate Advisor that she can
vouch for this girl, that she has heard her vows, and that she will be true, and
thus obtains the permission to conduct the candidate to Sister of Hope. During
this march, Sister of Faith recites a Biblical verse. Sister of Hope steps to the left
from her station, places her left arm lovingly around the candidate shoulders and
tells her that Hope is always there, even in times of doubt. She asks Sister of
Faith to conduct the candidate once more past the station of the Worthy
Associate Advisor, under the sign of the Rainbow as a symbol of victory (p. 56),
and thence to the station of Charity. The Worthy Associate Advisor responds
with the sign of the Rainbow, which gives them permission to pass by. While
Sister of Faith recites the Biblical and Masonic verse ("Now abideth Faith, Hope