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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 575
feeling the candidate gets. Here, the music is simply a means of expressing
harmony, but as we have seen in other orders, striking some wild chords can also
frighten the neophytes, or announce a principal transformation, such as the
"shock of enlightenment." In none of the other orders analyzed here, the
musicians and/or the choir are given a chance to take part in the role-play /
dialogue by explaining their functions.
Now, the Recorder talks about her duty, which is comparable to the duty of
the Secretaries, Recorders, and Scribes of the other orders, and explains it with a
Biblical metaphor: "It signifies that my every act should be as the Recording
Angel would have it in her Book of Life." (p. 33). After the Recorder, the
Treasurer, who also appears in all the other fraternal orders, explains the
meaning of her duty: "It signifies that honesty of purpose is the foundation upon
which to build character." (p. 34). Here, it becomes evident that, like in Craft
Masonry, the Jobs' Daughters try to improve their character (the "rough stone").
The next officer who states her place and duty is the Chaplain: "It signifies
that piety, religion and reverence for sacred things are the beacon lights of life."
(p. 34). The light metaphor used herein underlines the brightness which religion
brings into life. However, it is not said which religion, because of the tolerance
as practiced in Craft Masonry.
Then, the Marshal, stationed at the Northwest entrance, and responsible for
the preparation of the initiation ceremonies and conducting the Pilgrims, explains
that "[i]t signifies that good order, kind words, and noble actions are essential in
our lives" (p. 34). The Guide in the West, who has to lead the Pilgrims through
the three Epochs, reports that her duty "signifies that as God in His wisdom
guided Job to restored health and prosperity so will He guide us to live uprightly
if we follow His teachings" (p. 35). This is the first reference made to the
Biblical legend of the order.
Now follows the roll call of the principal officers, whose duties are
interwoven with the story of Job. Thus, the Junior Princess, whose place is at the
left of the Honored Queen, has to preside during the First Epoch, and gives the
following interpretation of her charges: "In the story of Job's happiness and
prosperity and his loss of family and possessions, we are impressed with the
need of improving our hours of prosperity with acts of kindness to our
companions." (p. 35) The Senior Princess at the right of the Honored Queen
presides during the Second Epoch: "In the story of Job's suffering, his faith in
God and his utterances of wisdom, we learn that we will overcome our
adversities if we put our trust in Him." (p. 35). The Honored Queen herself has
the duty to preside at all convocations and to exercise supervision. To her charge
also belong the essence and climax of the ritualistic ceremonies: "In the
ceremony of the Third Epoch we are taught the triumph of faith in God as we
journey through life." (p. 35).
The roll call being over, the Chaplain leads the members in the Lord's prayer,
and opens the Bible on the altar at Chapter XLII of the Book of Job. Hereafter,
the Honored Queen declares the Bethel "regularly opened" (not "duly" as in
Craft Masonry, but meaning the same).