Ancient Order of Scottish Builders Ritual of The Second Degree or Scarlet Men
Ancient Order of Scottish Builders Ritual of The Second Degree or Scarlet Men
Ancient Order of Scottish Builders Ritual of The Second Degree or Scarlet Men
Opening
W.M.: Officers, be upstanding and assist me to open the Lodge in
the Second Degree.
Brothers all, Brother Deputy, what is the first and chief care in a
Lodge of the Second Degree?
D.M.: To see the Lodge is duly tiled.
W.M.: Order that duty to be done and report the case to me.
D.M.: Brother Junior Deacon, see the Lodge is duly tiled.
J.D.: Brother Deputy, the Lodge is duly tiled.
D.M.: Worshipful Master, the Lodge is duly tiled.
W.M.: Brother Senior Deacon, what is the next care in a Lodge of
the Second Degree?
S.D.: To see that every person present prove himself a brother of
the Second Degree by the sign of that degree.
W.M.: Direct that duty to be done, and should you or any brother
present have any doubt, look with an eye of scrutiny.
S.D: Brothers, you are requested to prove yourselves Scarlet Men,
by the sign of that degree.
Rise the Lodge of F.M.
S.D.: Worshipful Master, the brethren present having proved
themselves Scarlet Men, by the sign of that Degree: I, in
conformity with their example, demonstrate the same to you.
W.M.: Brother Deputy, Officers and Brothers all, our Lodge being
duly proved by the sign of the Second Degree let us, before I
declare it opened, Invoke a blessing from the Sublime Power of
the Universe.
Prayer
Can.: H.
W.M.: A.
Can.: and
W.M.: O.
Can.: M.
W.M.: E.
Can.: G.
W.M.: A.
Can.: Alpha and Omega.
W.M.: Is there not a testword given to Entered Scottish Builders?
Can.: Yes, Right Worshipful.
W.M.: Wil1 you give me that word?
Can.: At my initiation I was taught to be cautious, but will letter
or half with you, whichever you please to begin.
W.M.: B.
Can.: O.
W.M.: A.
Can.: Z.
W.M.: Boaz, as he was the Master of all Entered Scottish
Builders.
Brother Senior Deacon, kindly conduct the Candidate to the
Worthy Chaplain.
Chap. Less. 2nd (or 3rd) Chap. Joshua. After which the S.D. is
directed to present the Can. to the W.M.
S.D.: Worthy Master, I present to you Brother ... for further
Instruction.
W.M.: Brother ..., in all difficulties and dangers, in whom do you
put your trust?
Can.: In God.
W.M.: Glad am I to find your find your faith so well founded. Do
you pledge your honor as a man, and your fidelity as a Builder,
that you are not actuated by any improper motives in taking up
the second degree?
Can.: I do. Formalities.
W.M.: Brother, as in every case the degree of Building is to be
kept separate and distinct, another obligation will now be required
of you, in many respects similar to the former:
They are: The Volume of the Sacred Law, the Compasses and
Square.
The volume is to rule and guide our faith, the square to regulate
our actions, and the compasses to keep us in due bounds with all
men, particularly so with a brother.
These are the three lesser lights in Building, they are situated east,
south and west, and are emblematical of the Sun, Moon and
Master of the Lodge. The sun to rule the day, the moon to rule the
night, and the Master to rule, govern, and instruct his Lodge.
You may now be intrusted with the sign of the second degree,
whereby you may detect imposters who feign to be of the same
order.
You will please give me the two-fold sign of the first degree. The
sign is given. Now take another step forward with the left foot:
that is the second step in Building and on the center of the breast
place the first three fingers of the right hand, the meaning of
which will be given in the Scarlet Lecture.
Candidate regaled is taken to the anti-room and resumes his dress
and returns to the Lodge proper and presented by S.D. as
previously done.
Lecture
W.M.: Why do you wear the scarlet ribbon?
A: As a memorial of the tabernacle wherein the Israelites
worshipped when in the wilderness.
W.M.: Of what form and construction was the tabernacle?
A: It was au oblong square executed with the greatest Builders
skill.
W.M.: Of what material was the tabernacle formed?
A: Of gold, silver, brass and imperishable wood, with various
curtains of fine linen.
W.M.: From whence came the materials?
A: They were the free will gifs of those Israelites who loved
virtue rather than vice.
W.M.: By whom was the tabernacle formed?