and it will require your utmost attention, wisdom and forbearance. The
members will look to you, not only for counsel in all matters that come
before the Chapter, but for advice and sympathy in their troubles and
sorrows. It should be your constant study, therefore, how best to
cultivate the social virtues, and avoid unpleasant misunderstandings
among the members of your Chapter. You should be cautious in the
execution of your trust, courteous to the members, and ever ready to
render a helping hand to sisters or brothers in affliction or adversity.
You should set an example of good order and punctuality, for only by so
doing can you expect similar attention from others. Whatever you would
deem praiseworthy in another in your position, you should carefully
imitate, and with equal care avoid what would be blameworthy. Within the
Chapter it will be your duty to see that its regular meetings are held,
and special meetings called, whenever the good of the Chapter demands
them; that your subordinates fill their stations with honor and
usefulness; that the By-Laws be implicitly obeyed; that the funds,
records, rituals, and other property of the Chapter be properly
preserved by the officers in whose charge they are placed; that the cry
of the widow and orphan shall never be heard in vain; and that this
Chapter fails in nothing for which it was established. All this you
should strive to accomplish by the zealous exercise of your prerogatives
as Worthy Matron, to which exalted position your associates have been
pleased to elect you.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
The Marshal will invest the officers with their badges as she is
requested to do so by the Installing Officer.
_I. O._ Your badge is the Gavel within the Star, an emblem of authority;
admonishing you that upon your judgment and discretion rests the
government of this Chapter, and, in a great measure, the prosperity of
our beautiful Order.
[Illustration: Matron.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station.
The Worthy Matron will ascend the dais, and, turning towards the
Chapter, stand in her station. The Installing Officer will call up
the Chapter and say:
_I. O._ Worthy Matron, behold your sisters and brothers. Sisters and
brothers, behold your Worthy Matron, and salute her with the Grand
Honors.
The Chapter responds by giving the Grand Honors, after which the
Chapter is seated. The Worthy Matron takes the chair on the left of
the Installing Officer.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Worthy Patron elect for
installation.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting, for installation,
Brother ----, who has been elected Worthy Patron of this Chapter for the
ensuing year. His zeal in our cause, and qualifications for the
position, assure us that he will discharge the duties to the
satisfaction of the Chapter, and the honor and welfare of our Order.
_I. O._ My brother, you have heard the pledges made by the Worthy Matron
previous to her installation. Do you also promise a faithful obedience
to all those regulations?
_Ans._ I do.
_I. O._ My Brother, the station to which you have been elected is one of
the most important within the gift of the members of this Chapter, and
your election thereto the highest honor they can confer upon a Brother.
From the nature of the Order you are not its chief officer, yet you are
expected to have a watchful care over the interests of the Chapter and
see that the Laws of the Order are promptly obeyed.
It is your duty to preside during the ceremony of Initiation and at
other times when requested to do so by the Worthy Matron; to see that
the officers are thoroughly instructed in their duties, and that the
ritual work of the Order is properly rendered. It is also your duty to
have a general supervision over the affairs of the Chapter, and act as
the constitutional adviser of the Worthy Matron. To do this acceptably,
you must make yourself thoroughly familiar with the jurisprudence of the
Order, as promulgated in its established rules and regulations.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our brother with the badge of his
office.
_I. O._ Your badge is the Square and Compasses within the Star, an
emblem of the relationship existing between the Masonic Fraternity and
the Order of the Eastern Star, and admonishes you to be ever mindful of
your obligations to the Order.
[Illustration: Patron.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our brother to his station, at the left
of the Worthy Matron.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Associate Matron elect for
installation.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, who has
been elected Associate Matron of this Chapter for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My Sister, the duties of your position are embodied in the name
of your office. You are the assistant to the Worthy Matron in all
branches of her responsible charge, and, in her absence, will succeed to
all her privileges and prerogatives. It is necessary therefore, that you
should make yourself familiar with the duties of that office, so that
you may fill it with credit to yourself and honor to your Chapter.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
_I. O._ Your badge is the Sun within the Star, an emblem of light,
admonishing you that the principles of our Order should shine with
undiminished lustre through our lives.
[Illustration: Asso. Matron.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the West.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Secretary elect.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, who has
been elected Secretary of this Chapter for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My sister, yours is a difficult and responsible charge. Failure
or neglect on your part will complicate and embarrass all our
proceedings, and give us a disgraceful record on the books of the Grand
Chapter. It is your duty to note in proper order, the business of our
meetings, to collect all moneys due the Chapter, and forward to the
Grand Secretary the necessary returns, as required by the Constitution,
and perform such other duties as properly belong to your office.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
Your badge is the Cross-pens within the Star, an emblem of intelligence,
admonishing you to be faithful to your trust, that the good deeds of
your companions may not go unrecorded.
[Illustration: Secretary.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the
South-East.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Treasurer elect.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, who has
been elected Treasurer of this Chapter for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My sister, the proper preservation of our funds demands honesty
and carefulness on the part of the Treasurer. The money placed in your
hands may be required for charitable purposes at the most unexpected
moment, or to meet the necessary expenses of the Chapter.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
Your badge is the Cross-keys within the Star, an emblem of security,
admonishing you to the strictest fidelity in the discharge of your
important trust, that the Chapter may not be embarrassed in its efforts
to relieve the distressed and meet its necessary expenses.
[Illustration: Treasurer.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the
North-East.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Conductress and Associate
Conductress elect.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, elected
to be Conductress, and Sister ----, elected to be Associate Conductress
of this Chapter for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My sisters, upon you devolves the duty of preparing and
conducting through our ceremonies of initiation those who seek the
privileges of our Order. It is important, therefore, that you should
fully understand and intelligently perform the duties of your office.
The candidates enter our Chapter prepared to receive a favorable
impression of our mysteries and aims; if you present these matters
aright, throwing sisterly courtesy and dignity around your official
proceedings, they will acquire a fond regard for our beautiful Order.
Remember, therefore, that it depends greatly upon the manner in which
you perform your duties whether the candidates receive favorable
impressions from their initiation.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sisters with their badges of office.
Sister Conductress, your badge is the Scroll and Baton within the Star,
an emblem of prepared plans and their fulfillment, admonishing you that
the first impressions made upon candidates are permanent, and should be
for good.
[Illustration: Conductress.]
Sister Associate Conductress, your badge is the Baton within the Star,
an emblem of direction, admonishing you that good discipline is
essential to the success of our Order.
[Illustration: Assoc. Conductress.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sisters to their stations in the
South and North.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Chaplain elect.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting ---- ----, who has
been appointed Chaplain for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My ----, we recognize our dependence upon the Source of all
Wisdom and Strength, and often invoke the blessing of our Heavenly
Father upon our work. It will be your duty to lead the Chapter in its
devotions at the altar, and perform such other duties as are appropriate
to your office.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our ---- with the badge of his office.
Your badge is the Bible within the Star, a symbol of the word of God,
admonishing you to walk circumspectly, that your life may be void of
offense toward God and man.
[Illustration: Chaplain.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our ---- to ---- station in the East,
at the right of the Worthy Matron.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Marshal elect.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, who has
been appointed Marshal for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My sister, the position assigned you is one of honor and
responsibility. It is your duty to superintend and marshal all
processions, assist in all its public and private ceremonies, conduct
and proclaim the officers at the time of their installation, and perform
such other duties as pertain to your office.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
Your badge is the Cross Batons within the Star, an emblem of direction,
admonishing you that courtesy and promptness are essential to the
discharge of your duties.
[Illustration: Marshal.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station in the
South-East.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present for installation the sisters
appointed to represent the five rays of our central Star.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting those who have been
appointed to represent the five rays of our central Star. Sister ----,
to represent the blue ray of Adah; Sister ----, the yellow ray of Ruth;
Sister ----, the white ray of Esther; Sister ----, the green ray of
Martha; and Sister ----, the red ray of Electa.
In the installation of the Star officers, bouquets of flowers,
having the appropriate colors for the several points, may be
introduced with pleasing effect.
_I. O._ My sisters, you are the floral center of this Chapter. In our
ceremonies, the colors and flowers appropriate to the five points of our
Star are endowed with beauty and instruction. To you is assigned the
duty of teaching the impressive lessons which those colors and floral
emblems symbolize, and the sublime virtues illustrated in the lives of
the heroines of our Order. How important, then, that in the discharge of
your official duties, you should strive to throw an air of beauty and
solemnity around all that you have to say and do, so that from you, as
the central Star of this Chapter, may emanate a light that will give
instruction and joy to all who attend our meetings.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sisters with their badges of office.
_I. O._ Sister Adah, your badge is the Sword and Veil within the
Triangle, an emblem of the heroic conduct of Jephthah's Daughter,
admonishing you to be ever faithful to your convictions of right and
duty.
[Illustration: Adah.]
Sister Ruth, your badge is the Sheaf within the Triangle, an emblem of
plenty, admonishing you that patient industry shall not go unrewarded.
[Illustration: ruth.]
Sister Esther, your badge is the Crown and Scepter within the Triangle,
an emblem of royalty and power, admonishing you to emulate the virtues
of the heroic queen Esther.
[Illustration: Esther.]
Sister Martha, your badge is the Broken Column within the Triangle, an
emblem of the uncertainty of human life, admonishing you that the
deepest sorrow is often relieved by trustful faith in God.
[Illustration: Martha.]
Sister Electa, your badge is the Cup within the Triangle, an emblem of
charity and hospitality, virtues inculcated by the teachings of our
Order.
[Illustration: Electa.]
Such, my sisters, are some of the lessons taught by your several badges
of office.
The sublime virtues exemplified in the lives of the distinguished
heroines whom you represent, are worthy of imitation, and I trust that
while you teach those virtues to others, they will be illustrated in
your lives. Thus you may honor the positions to which you have been
appointed, and lay up for yourselves those Heavenly treasures which
shall never fade and which will render you "Fairest among thousands,
altogether lovely."
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sisters to their several stations.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Warder and Sentinel for
installation.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, who has
been appointed Warder, and Bro. ----, appointed Sentinel of this Chapter
for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My sister and brother, you are respectively the inner and outer
guards of the Chapter. Upon you, therefore, we rely to preserve that
secrecy which is essential to our proceedings, and to see that the
solemnity of our ceremonies is not interrupted by untimely alarms. Be
ever watchful in your positions, and allow none to enter or leave the
Chapter without permission of the presiding officer.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister and brother with their badges
of office.
Sister Warder, your badge is the Dove within the Star, an emblem of
peace, admonishing you that peace and harmony are necessary to the
success of our Order.
[Illustration: Warder.]
Brother Sentinel, your badge is the Cross-swords within the Star, an
emblem of protection, admonishing you that upon your watchful care
depends our security from interruption.
[Illustration: Sentinel.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister and brother to their
stations within and without the door.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will present the Organist elect.
_M._ Worthy ----, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ----, who has
been appointed Organist for the ensuing year.
_I. O._ My sister, your duties are embodied in the name of your office.
To make the initiation ceremonies as impressive and effective as we
desire, it is important that you should be faithful to your trust.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
Your badge is the Lyre within the Star, an emblem of music and poetry,
admonishing you that by uniting harmony with our mystic rites, the
impressions will be more lasting.
[Illustration: Organist.]
Sister Marshal, you will conduct our sister to her station.
_I. O._ Sisters and Brothers, such is the nature of all associations,
that some must rule and govern, and others submit and obey.
The officers whom you have selected to preside over your deliberations
during the ensuing year, are, I trust, sufficiently conversant with the
rules of our Order to avoid exceeding the powers with which you have
intrusted them.
All things are now ready for you to enter upon the proceedings of a new
year. But we know not what is before us. No one can affirm that another
year, or even a single day, will be committed to our trust. Therefore,
if we have been faithful heretofore, let us increase our exertions for
the future.
As among the objects for which we are associated together is our purpose
to protect the widow and orphan, comfort the afflicted, sympathize with
the sorrowing, and relieve the destitute and distressed, I trust that no
discord will ever rise among us to imperil the success of our efforts to
accomplish these charitable purposes, and increase the happiness of
ourselves and others.
Let us be kind, forbearing and forgiving, one towards another. Let us
return kindness for hostility. Let us sacredly preserve our lips from
slander and evil speaking; and whatever may be our failings, let us
throw around each other the broad mantle of charity. And, finally, let
us be governed in words and deeds by the golden rule, "Whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the
law and the prophets."
Thus may we confidently hope that in the good providence of God, each of
us will be brought, through a useful and happy life, to a blissful
close, and triumphant entrance upon the joys of celestial life.
The Installing Officer then addresses the Worthy Matron, who, as he
does so, rises.
Worthy Matron, the officers of your Chapter have been installed into
their respective stations, and are prepared to enter upon their duties.
You will now receive in charge the Charter, by the authority of which
this Chapter is held, and which must be present at all its meetings. You
will also receive the Constitution governing the Order in this State,
and the By-laws of this Chapter, both of which you are expected to make
yourself thoroughly acquainted with, and see promptly obeyed. I now
present to you the Gavel, an emblem of your authority; and as none
should disobey it, I confidently hope that you will never use it in an
arbitrary or dictatorial manner, remembering that we should charitably
temper justice with mercy. You will now assume your station as the
Worthy Matron of this Chapter.
The Worthy Matron steps to the center of the dais, and the
Installing Officer to the right. The Worthy Matron calls up the
Chapter.
_I. O._ Sister Marshal, you will now proclaim the officers of ----
Chapter No. --, regularly installed.
_M._ In the name of the Grand Chapter and by order of the Worthy ----, I
proclaim the officers of ---- Chapter No. --, of the Order of the
Eastern Star, for the ensuing year, regularly installed.
CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION
Officers of Grand Chapters.
The Grand Chapter being properly opened, as for work, a Past Grand
Patron or Grand Matron presiding; if none such be present, then the
oldest member being a Past Patron shall take the chair, and, with
such assistance as he may appoint, the ceremony shall proceed, as
follows:
The Grand Secretary shall call the list of officers, elected and
appointed; and, as their names are called, they will form a
semi-circle on the west side of the Altar, facing the East, to
receive the Obligation; the emblems of office and jewels having been
collected at the East; the Worthy Grand Matron on the extreme South,
followed by the Worthy Grand Patron, &c.
[This ceremony may be used to install the officers of the General
Grand Chapter, by prefixing the words, "Most Worthy" to Grand Matron
and Grand Patron, "Right Worthy" to the Associate Grand Matron,
Associate Grand Patron, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, and
"Very Worthy" to Grand Chaplain, and "Worthy" before the rest of the
Grand Officers. Whenever "Grand Chapter" occurs, prefix the word
"General."]
The Grand Marshal will then present the officers to the Grand Matron
or Grand Patron.
_G. M._ Grand ----, I have the pleasure to present to you, for
installation, these sisters and brothers, who have been duly elected and
chosen to preside over us and assist in conducting the business of this
Grand Chapter, and to discharge all other duties appertaining to their
several stations until their successors are lawfully chosen and
installed.
Installing Officer rises and calls up the Grand Chapter, which is
addressed as follows:
_Grand ----._ Sisters and brothers of the Grand Chapter, these persons,
selected by you, are now ready and willing to take upon themselves the
obligations, duties and responsibilities of office. In our beautiful
Order, preferment to office should not be sought after, but should come
to the individual chosen, as an honor justly merited and freely
bestowed. Those only should be chosen, who, by their reputation, their
work, and high moral character, command the esteem and confidence of our
members, and can give us standing and credit before the world. Do you
believe they possess these qualifications, and now desire that they
shall be installed into the offices to which they have been chosen?
The Grand Chapter responds:
We do.
Installing Officer continues:
_Grand ----._ Sisters and brothers-elect, there being no objection
against either of you, gives us full assurance of your competency to
discharge the responsible duties to be assigned you. You have been
chosen to take charge of the affairs of this Grand Chapter for the
ensuing year.
It is no small mark of esteem to be thus selected; let it be your aim to
make the ensuing year the most prosperous in the history of this Grand
Chapter; then you will find in the record of its prosperity the reward
of your faithful service.
You will please give your assent to the obligation of office.
Do you each sacredly promise to support, maintain and enforce the
Constitution, By-Laws, and Regulations of this Grand Chapter, be
obedient to its orders and directions, and, to the best of your
knowledge and ability, impartially and faithfully discharge the duties
of your office, and use your utmost endeavors to make yourself useful,
and your station honorable, in the office with which I am now about to
invest you?
They severally assent, and the Installing Officer will then seat the
Grand Chapter, the officers elect being seated together, and the
ceremonies will proceed, as follows:
_G. M._ Grand ----, I have the honor to present, for installation,
Sister ----, duly elected Grand Matron for the ensuing year. Our sister
is fully aware of the great responsibility she is assuming, in the
acceptance of this important position, yet she is willing to undertake
it, in the belief that, with the aid and assistance of the sisters and
brothers, and by the help of God, she will not fail in the performance
of her duty, and thus prove that the confidence reposed in her has not
been misapplied.
_Grand ----._ Sister ----, you have been elected by the free ballot of
the members of this Grand Chapter, to occupy the most exalted position
in their power to bestow upon a sister; a just and deserving tribute to
your zeal and worth, and I congratulate you upon your preferment.
The high honors attached to the office of Grand Matron are accompanied
by weighty and delicate responsibilities. It is expected that you will
have a watchful care over the interests of this Grand Chapter, see that
its Constitutions, By-Laws and Regulations, orders and edicts are
promptly enforced throughout this jurisdiction, that subordinate
officers discharge their duties, and that, by your own respect for law
and good government, you will cause all others to find the strongest
incentive of obedience to all lawful commands.
Your duties are more specifically set forth in the Constitution, to
which I refer you, with the admonition: Be cautious in your words,
courteous in your actions, sincere in your rulings, governing with
moderation and decorum, trusting that your well-known zeal in the cause
of the Order will lead you to discharge these important trusts with
lasting benefit to this Grand Chapter and great credit to yourself.
[Illustration: Grand Matron.]
You will now be invested with the proper badge of office, and be
conducted to your station in the East.
After she is in her station, the Installing officer will call up the
Grand Chapter, and say:
_Grand ----._ Grand Matron, behold your sisters and brothers! Sisters
and brothers, behold your Grand Matron, and salute her with the Grand
Honors.
Seats the Grand Chapter.
_G. M._ Grand ----, it is with pleasure I introduce to you Brother ----,
who has been duly elected Grand Patron for the ensuing year. I doubt not
but you will find him as willing to discharge the duties as to enjoy the
high honors conferred upon him.