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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
placed at the right and in front of the Senior Princess, has the duty to assist the
Marshal in caring for the properties of the Bethel, and the Senior Princess during
initiation ceremonies: "It signifies that the humblest service merits the same
attention as one of greater importance and should be promptly and cheerfully
performed." (p. 31).
The First Messenger is stationed in the Messengers' semi-circle to the
extreme Southeast, and she has to obey the Junior Princess and to assist her in
the ceremony of the First Epoch: "It signifies that obedience to the wishes of our
Parents and Guardians is a virtue to be cherished and practiced in our homes and
daily lives, and that we should strive to so live that we shall be standards for our
companions." (p. 31).
The Second Messenger, stationed in the semi-circle back of the altar between
the First and Fifth Messenger, also has the duty to obey the Junior Princess and
assist her in the First Epoch: "It signifies that as we journey around the world
gathering knowledge here and there, we must always be mindful of the pitfalls of
human life." (p. 31).
The Third Messenger has her pedestal in the semi-circle at the extreme
Northeast, and her duty is to obey the Senior Princess and to assist the latter
during the Second Epoch: "It signifies that however lowly may be our stations in
life, our responsibility to God and to all mankind should ever prompt us to noble
deeds." (p. 32).
The Fourth Messenger's station in the semi-circle is back of the altar between
the Third and Fifth Messengers, her duty consisting in obeying the Senior
Princess and assisting her during the ceremony of the Second Epoch: "It signifies
that righteous service will lead to life eternal." (p. 23).
The Fifth and last Messenger is stationed at the center of the semi-circle
immediately back of the altar, facing the altar and the Honored Queen. Her
duties consist in obeying the lawful orders of the Honored Queen, and in
assisting the latter in the ceremony of the Third Epoch: "It signifies that we
should reflect on past actions and thoughtfully review our surroundings so that
we may reach the highest attainments in life." (p. 32).
The next officer to explain her duties is the Librarian, a rather unusual officer
with regard to fraternal orders. She is stationed at the right and in front of the
Senior Princess, and her duty is to encourage a desire for "good literature, arts
and sciences" (p. 33): "It signifies that since the Open Book is the foundation
upon which this Order is built, we should develop our intellect so that we may be
of the greatest use to ourselves and others as we assume our position in such
duties as it may please God to call us." (p. 33). We remember that in the Order of
DeMolay, schoolbooks were put on the altar. These youth orders emphasize the
importance of a good education and make this one of their aims or tenets.
Then, the Musician, who is stationed at the piano or organ, explains the
meaning of her duty: "It signifies that harmony is essential to all organizations
and is a virtue for which we should all strive." (p. 33). This is a crucial point; the
enactment of a ritual imparts knowledge through a mystical action that is lived
through by the candidates. Music and noise intensify the solemnity and the