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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
7.3.2.1.3 The Three "High Degrees" of Odd
Fellowship
The patriarchal branch of the Order is, in the estimation of many, far
more desirable than the initiatory branch. Every Odd-fellow should
make it his aim to reach the 'topmost round of the ladder of Oddfellowship,'
the Royal Purple Degree. 1558
Like the Masons, the Odd Fellows also have their higher degrees, but not
such a large scale of them. There are three altogether, called Encampment
Degrees: 1. Patriarchal Degree, 2. Golden Rule Degree, and 3. Royal Purple
Degree. The I.O.O.F. Encampment ritual claims in a footnote taken from Grosh's
Manual that it assumes military forms:
Though teaching peaceful lessons, the Encampment assumes military
forms. The candidate is therefore met with a more rigid scrutiny and in a
sterner manner than on his entrance into the Subordinate Lodge. He
need not wonder, then, at the strict watch which will be kept over him,
nor the restraints that will be imposed on him until he has passed the
ordeal, and proved himself to be no enemy in disguise, but a true Oddfellow.
(p. 151)
The reader will have difficulties to find the slightest resemblance to a military
order, like the Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, for
example.
The Encampment has always to be opened in the Third, viz. the Royal Purple
Degree, and all business must be transacted in that degree (cf. p. 152). The
officers, as has been stated before, assume new names, and are clothed
correspondingly. Thus, the Chief Patriarch wears a purple gown with a yellow
belt, and a turban with a black band and a yellow top, and bears a crook. The
Senior and Junior Wardens, as well as the subordinate officers, all wear the same
clothes but do not carry a crook. The High Priest wears a robe made of royal
purple fabric, trimmed with ermine or white fabric, with a white surplice of
muslin and a mitre and breastplate (cf. p. 158). To the furniture of the
Encampment room belongs a tent, in front of which two Guards are placed, who
are clothed with a pilgrim's blouse and a cap, and each of them bears a spear and
shield.
There is one interesting linguistic parallel to Freemasonry as far as the
vocabulary of admission is concerned. Masonic candidates are "entered" as
Apprentices, "passed" as Fellow Crafts, and "raised" as Master Masons, while
Odd Fellows are "admitted" to the Patriarchal Degree, "advanced" to the Golden
1558 P. 161; quoted from Donaldson's Pocket Companion.