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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
is catechized by the Vice Grand or a Past Grand in the anteroom. Having
answered several questions, e.g. if he is in good health, and whether he believes
in a "Supreme, Intelligent Being, the Creator and preserver of the Universe" (cf.
p. 48), the candidate has to pledge his sacred honor to keep secret whatever may
transpire during his initiation. While the Outside Conductor remains in the
anteroom with the candidate, inside the lodge room the preparations are going
on. A scarlet curtain hides the chair of the Noble Grand from view. The
Venerable Warden puts on a long gray beard, a long gray wig, and a long black
robe which shall give him the appearance of a very old man. The Right and Left
Scene Supporters wear white robes and provide themselves with two flambeaus
which they will light at a certain time. The Conductor wears a long black robe.
All other members provide themselves with semi-masks over their faces. As in
the Third Degree of Freemasonry, where a coffin is drawn on the Master's
Carpet, there is a coffin containing a skeleton or an imitation placed in the center
of the room, which is usually kept under the dais on which stands the Noble
Grand's chair.
The Outside Conductor leads the blindfolded candidate to the door of the
lodge and gives the alarm. The Inside Guardian asks who comes there, and the
response is "a stranger" who desires to be initiated. Thus, we see that according
to most of the fraternal orders analyzed here, the Odd Fellows also name their
candidates "strangers" prior to their obligation. The Inside Guardian reports to
the Vice Grand, and the candidate and his conductor are let in. The Conductor
now gives his charge by fist stating the change of environment:
You are now within a lodge of Odd-fellows - here the world is shut out -
you are separated from its cares and distinctions, its dissensions [sic!]
and its vices. Here Friendship and Love assert their mild dominion,
while Faith and Charity combine to bless the mind with peace and
soften the heart with sympathy. (p. 49)
The Conductor further promises to the candidate that he will pass through an
initiatory ceremony that "will ultimately lead you to primary truth" (p. 49/50).
This is the same object as Freemasonry outlines for its candidates. However, the
scene changes and becomes less serene, but rather macabre: The Conductor
admonishes the candidate to be patient and firm, because the mystic rites await
him. Suddenly, the Right Scene Supporter calls out: "Then, at once, the chains
prepare," whereupon the Left Scene Supporter shouts: "They are here! entwine
their links about him!" (p. 50), while a chain is put around the candidate's
shoulders, brought around under his arms and tied behind. This is to resemble the
Masonic cable tow procedure, however, while in Masonry it is a symbol of the
Mason's "distance to the lodge," and of course a symbol of bondage, in Odd
Fellowship it gets out of control and degenerates into a violent action. The
climax is the exclamation by the Left Scene Supporter, "Now! bind him to the
stake!," whereupon the Conductor pacifies the band by calling: "Hold, brothers!