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

First, or Degree of Friendship
Opening Ceremonies
Chapter 7 - Rituals 603
First, it should be pointed out that there are two different kinds of lodges
which can confer the degrees, the already mentioned "Subordinate Lodges," and
the regularly constituted "Degree Lodges," in which the titles of the officers vary
a bit: thus, the principal officer is called "Degree Master" instead of Noble
Grand, the Vice Grand is called "Deputy Degree Master," and the Supporters at
the right and left sides of these officers are named "First, Second, Third and
Fourth Assistant Degree Masters" (cf. p. 77/78). The other officers retain their
titles from the Subordinate Lodge.
The Opening Ceremonies in the three degrees are almost the same; therefore,
we will but touch this topic briefly. The Noble Grand (or Degree Master) gives
one rap with his gavel and asks any person not qualified to leave the lodge room,
whereupon the Inside Guardian closes the door and the brethren put on their
regalia. The Warden examines the brethren, and the Vice Grand and the
Secretary are asked to define their duties. Hereafter, the Noble Grand (Degree
Master) defines his own duty, which is to preserve order and obedience to the
laws of the Grand Lodge. Then, the brothers rise and advance the sign of the
First Degree, and the Warden is asked to declare the lodge opened.
As in Freemasonry, sometimes it becomes necessary to close the lodge in one
degree, in order to open it in another one for the transaction of a special business.
This is called "raising or reducing the lodge" (cf. p. 81), depending on whether it
is re-opened in a higher or lower degree, and it is executed by the Noble Grand,
who, for example, with three raps of the gavel declares that he is about to close
the lodge in a certain degree, for the purpose of conferring the same (or to ballot
for the degree). Law has it that for balloting, the lodge must be opened in the
particular degree applied for (cf. p. 76).
Initiation
The Degree of Friendship, as the name suggests, enacts the friendship
between David and Jonathan.
The Noble Grand directs the Outside Conductor to retire to the anteroom to
receive and introduce the candidate, who is not blindfolded. The Outside
Conductor has to "salute the chair" (i.e. the Noble Grand ) as it is done in
Freemasonry on his way out. Coming back with the candidate, he gives three
raps on the door, the Inside Guardian attends to the alarm, opens the wicket and
then reports to the Noble Grand that an initiated brother "seeks to obtain the
mysteries" of the First Degree of Odd Fellowship. The Noble Grand demands a
reason therefore, which is given to him as follows: "Because he wishes to be
more fraternal" (p. 84). Then, the candidate is obligated, whereupon the Noble