ritual For OPENING The lodge (long version)

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At the hour appointed, a quorum being present, the Chancellor Commander shall take his station, invest himself with the jewel of his office and call the lodge to order. The other officers will at once invest themselves with the proper jewels and take their respective stations; and the members will take their seat.

Chancellor Commander: (standing) It is my will that Sam Davis Lodge, No. 158, Knight of Pythias, now come to order in the rank of Knight, for the dispatch of such business as may be brought before it.

Inner Guard, order the Outer Guard to clear the ante-room, close the door and allow no one to enter. (takes his seat)

Inner Guard: (standing at the door) Outer Guard, it is the order of the Chancellor Commander that you clear the ante- room, close the door, and allow no one to enter.

Outer Guard: (from his station) The order of the Chancellor Commander shall be obeyed.

Inner Guard: (closes the door) Chancellor Commander, the Outer Guard has received you order.

Chancellor Commander: (Two Raps) Master at Arms, approach my station and communicate to me the semi-annual password and the password of the rank of Knight, and examine all present in the same.

Master at Arms: Chancellor Commander, I have obeyed your order, and have found all present to be in possession of the semi-annual password and the password of the rank of Knight.

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Chancellor Commander: (standing)

(Two Raps) What is the duty of every member of this order?

All: (take the position in which the obligation of the Rank of Knight was assumed, and respond) To avoid anger and dissension; the work together in the spirit of fraternity; to exemplify the friendship of Damon and Pythias. (resume ordinary position)

Chancellor Commander: To aid us in this work, the Prelate will invoke divine assistance.

Prelate: Supreme ruler of the Universe, we humbly ask thy blessing upon the officers and members of this lodge and any visiting brothers. Aid us to avoid anger and dissention; help us to work together in the spirit of fraternity; and inspire us to exemplify the friendship of Damon and Pythias.

All: Amen

Chancellor Commander: Master at Arms, display the shield and arrange the alter.

Inner Guard: (opens the inner door)

Master at Arms: (places upon the inner door a shield of the emblematic order of the rank, places the sword of defense in proper position, salutes the Chancellor Commander, and says:) Chancellor Commander, your order has been obeyed.

Chancellor Commander: I now declare Sam Davis Lodge No. 158 duly opened for the dispatch of such business as shall legally come before it.

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(One Rap) Attention! Raise your visors. (all give the sign of courtesy of the rank of Knight)

Chancellor Commander: Master at Arms, you will retire to the ante-room and present the flag of our country. (the Master at Arms then retires to the ante-room where he will procure the flag, previously prepared on a staff, bringing it unfurled into the castle hall. The Master at Arms will advance to the center of the castle hall in front of the alter, facing the Chancellor Commander. The Chancellor Commander will then command:)

Attention! Join me in saluting the flag of our country and giving the pledge of allegiance to the same. (all members then salute the flag in unison with the Chancellor Commander and recites the pledge of allegiance to the flag of our country)

Chancellor Commander: Inner Guard, inform the Outer Guard that this lodge is now open in the rank of Knight, and direct him to admit all who are qualified to enter.

Inner Guard: (standing in the door) Outer Guard, this lodge is now open in the rank of Knight, and it is the order of the Chancellor Commander that you admit all who are qualified to enter. (closes the door)

Chancellor Commander, the Outer Guard has received your order.

Chancellor Commander: (Three Raps) The lodge will be at ease, and the members will join me in extending a fraternal welcome to our visiting brother(s).

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