CHARGE то THE

CHAPLAIN.

E. AND REV. COMPANION:- You are appointed Chaplain of this Chapter; and I now invest you with this circular jewel, the badge of your office. It is emblematical of eternity, and reminds us that here is not our abiding place. Your inclination will undoubtedly conspire with your duty, when you perform in the Chapter those solemn services which created beings should constantly render to their infinite CREATOR; and which, when offered by one whose holy profession is "to point to heaven and lead the way," may, by refining our morals, strengthening our virtues, and purifying our minds, prepare us for admission into the society of those above, whose happiness will be as endless as it is perfect.

CHARGE

то THE

STEWARDS.

COMPANIONS:- - You being elected Stewards of this Chapter I with pleasure invest you with the badges of your office. It is your province to see that every necessary preparation is made for the convenience and accommodation of the Chapter, previous to the time appointed for meeting. You are to see that the clothing, implements, and furniture of each degree respectively, are properly disposed, and in suitable array for use, whenever they may be required, and that they are secured, and proper care taken of them, when the business of the Chapter is over. are to be frugal and prudent in your disbursements, and to be careful that no extravagance or waste is committed in your department; and when you have faithfully fulfilled your stewardship here below, may you receive from heaven the happy greeting of "Well done, good and faithful servants.”

CHARGE то THE TYLER.

You

COMPANION: You are appointed Tyler of this Chapter, and I invest you with the badge, and this implement of your office. As the sword is placed in the hands of the Tyler, to enable him effectually to guard against the approach of all cowans and evesdroppers, and suffer none to pass or repass but such as are duly qualified; so it should morally serve as a constant admonition to us to set a guard at the entrance of our thoughts; to place a watch at the door of our lips: to post a sentinel at the avenue of our actions; thereby excluding every unqualified and unworthy thought, word, and deed; and preserving consciences void of offence towards God and towards man.

I trust that a just regard for the honor and reputation of the Institution will ever induce you to perform with fidelity the trust reposed in you; and when the door of this earthly tabernacle shall be closed, may you find an abundant entrance through the gates into the temple and city of our God.

ADDRESS

TO THE HIGH PRIEST.

M. E. COMPANION: :- Having been honored with the free suffrages of the members of this Chapter, you are elected to the most important office which it is within their power to bestow. This expression of their esteem and respect should draw from you corresponding sensations; and your demeanor should be such as to repay the honor they have so conspicuously conferred upon you, by an honorable and faithful discharge of your duties. The station you are called to fill is important, not only as it respects the correct practice of our rites and ceremonies, and the internal economy of the Chapter over which you preside, but the public reputation of the Institution will be generally found to rise or fall according to the skill, fidelity, and discretion with which its concerns are managed, and in proportion as the characters and conduct of its principal officers are estimable or censurable.

You have accepted a trust, to which is attached a weight of responsibility that will require all your efforts to discharge honorably to yourself and satisfactorily to the Chapter. You are to see that your officers are capable and faithful in the exercise of their offices. Should they lack ability, you are expected to supply their defects: you are to watch carefully the progress of their performances, and to see that the long established customs of the Institution suffer no derangement in their hands. You are to have a careful eye oyer the general conduct of the Chapter; see that due order and subordination are observed on all occasions; that the members are properly instructed; that due solemnity be observed in the practice of our rites; that no improper levity be permitted at any time, but more especially at the introduction of strangers among the workmen. In fine, you are to be an example to your officers and members, which they need not hesitate to follow; thus securing to yourself the favor of Heaven, and the applause of your Brethren and Companions.

ADDRESS то THE

OFFICERS GENERALLY.

COMPANIONS IN OFFICE: Precept and example should ever advance with equal pace. Those moral duties which you are required to teach unto others, you should never neglect to practise yourselves.

Do you desire that the demeanor of your equals and inferiors towards you should be marked with deference and respect? Be sure that you omit no opportunity of furnishing them with examples in your own conduct towards your superiors. Do you desire to obtain instruction from those who are more wise or better informed than yourselves? Be sure that you are always ready to impart of your knowledge to those within your sphere

who stand in need of, and are entitled to receive it. Do you desire distinction among your Companions? Be sure that your claims to preferment are founded upon superior attainments; let no ambitious passion be suffered to induce you to envy or supplant a Companion who may be considered as better qualified for promotion than yourselves; but rather let a laudable emulation induce you to strive to excel each other in improvement and discipline; ever remembering that he who faithfully performs his duty, even in a subordinate or private station, is as justly entitled to esteem and respect as he who is invested with supreme authority,

ADDRESS то THE

COMPANIONS: The exercise and management of the sublime Degrees of Masonry in your Chapter hitherto are so highly appreciated, and the good reputation of the Chapter so well established, that I must presume these considerations alone, were there no others of greater magnitude, would be sufficient to induce you to preserve and perpetuate this valuable and honorable character. But when to these is added the pleasure which every philanthropic heart must feel in doing good, in promoting good order, in diffusing light and knowledge, in cultivating Masonic and Christian charity, which are the great objects of this sublime Institution, I cannot doubt that your future conduct, and that of your successors, will be calculated still to increase the lustre of your justly esteemed reputation. May your Chapter become beautiful as the TEMPLE, peaceful as the ARK, and sacred as its most holy place. May your oblations of piety and praise be grateful as the INCENSE; your love warm as its flame, and your charity diffusive as its fragrance. May your hearts be pure as the ALTAR, and your conduct acceptable as the OFFERING. May the exercise of your CHARITY be as constant as the returning wants of the distressed widow and helpless orphan. May the approbation of Heaven be your encouragement, and the testimony of a good conscience your support: may you be endowed with every good and perfect gift, while travelling the rugged path of life, and finally be admitted within the veil of heaven, to the full enjoyment of life eternal. So mote it be. Amen.

23. The officers and members of the Chapter will then pass in review in front of the Grand Officers, with their hands crossed on their breasts, bowing as they pass.

24. The Grand Marshal will then proclaim the Chapter, by the name of to be regularly constituted, and its offices The ceremonies conclude with an Ode.

duly installed.

CHAPTER IX.

ENCAMPMENT ORDERS.

KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS.

ORIGIN OF THE ORDER.

THE title of this degree is a misnomer. The historical circumstances on which it is founded have no connection with the Cross or Christianity. Knights of the Sword, or Knights of the East and West, (in reference to the mixed Persian and Jewish character of the degree,) would be a more appropriate title. Ignorance has taken from it its good name, and fixed upon it one with which it has no lawful affinity. It is not true, as has been asserted, that the Order was known in Palestine, in the time of the Crusades, by its present title. It had nothing to do with the Crusades, which were exclusively a Christian enterprise. The Knights of the Red Cross, who blazed forth in such splendor during the holy wars, were the Knights Templars, and were scarcely less the enemies of the Jews than of the Saracens. The degree is founded on that portion of Jewish history which narrates the difficulties encountered by the Jews in the rebuilding of the second Temple, commencing immediately subsequent to the death of Cyrus, king of Persia. It is a continuation of the history of the Royal Arch, and ought not, and, in this country, cannot, be conferred on any Brother who has not been exalted to that sublime degree.

A Council of Knights of the Red Cross consists of any con venient number of members, and the following Officers, viz. :— 1. Sovereign Master, whose station is in the East, or at the head of his Conncil. 2. Chancellor, seated on the right of the Sovereign Master. 3. Master of the Palace, on the left of the Sovereign Master. 4. Prelate, on the right of the Chancellor. 5. Master of Cavalry, on the right of the first division, or line of cavalry, when separately formed, and on the right of the whole when formed in line. 6. Master of Infantry, on the right