p. 94Encampment Odd-Fellowship

“Is properly called Patriarchal, and consists of the three degrees of Patriarchal, Golden Rule, and Royal Purple. A part of the dressing of an Encampment room is the Tent and Crook, and tells us that the Patriarchs dwelt in tents or had movable dwellings and were shepherds watching their flocks. The motto of our Order is carried into Patriarchal Odd-Fellowship and exemplified in a different style.”

“Friendship is taught and impressed in the way of hospitality to a stranger and toleration as to religious faith. Abraham entertained angels in the guise of men, and we are taught to entertain strangers because some have entertained angels unaware, and we may do the same. Abraham, under the title of Abram, is represented as driving a man from his tent and out into the wilderness because he did not worship his God. He was reproved and required to call back the stranger and bear with him in his difference of opinion and service.”

“Love is taught and strongly impressed upon the heart by an exemplification of the Golden Rule, ‘Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye also even so to them.’ Those of every nation, clime, kindred and custom, with all their conflicting interests, are ranged side by side, and the moral law is presented as a basis on which they may all meet and unite in service to the Supreme Ruler of the universe and in offices of human benefactions.”

“Truth is taught in the mimic journey of life, and the importance of care as we pass from point to point, and make watch after watch until the end is reached and we pass from labor to rest.”

“The motto of Encampment or Patriarchal Odd-Fellowship is ‘Faith, Hope and Charity,’ and under this motto and guided by these principles, we go forth to do the work of life. They are the three pillars on which the structure rests. An exercise of Faith gives us the groundwork for the Hope and inspires us to the exercise of Charity, that greatest of all the virtues, ‘and now abideth Faith, Hope and Charity, these three, but the greatest of these is Charity.’” (Beharrell—Monitor and Guide.)

The ceremonies in these Encampment Degrees are quite lengthy. I will therefore only copy what refers strictly to the religious part thereof. “The High Priest of an Encampment shall wear a robe made of purple fabric, trimmed with ermine or white fabric, a mitre, breastplate, white surplice of muslin or silk, etc.”

“The Chief Patriarch shall wear a purple gown, yellow belt; turban with black band and yellow top and a crook.”

The High Priest acts, during part of the initiation, as Abraham, in the Patriarchal Degree, and the candidate is given the name of Isaac. After passing through the usual preliminary exercise the candidate is brought before Abraham and this takes place:

Abraham: “You give me great joy, my son. Your footsteps have been led to Beersheba by the finger of God. He has commanded me to make a three days’ journey to the land of Moriah and there offer up to Him a sacrifice.”

Junior Warden (for Isaac): “Let obedience crown your head. Honor the Lord’s behest, and make no delay in fulfilling them.”

Abraham: “My son, you speak wisely, and we will proceed on the three days’ journey.”

(A procession is formed, headed by the High Priest as Abraham and the candidate as Isaac, the latter being blindfolded and carrying a bundle of sticks. A psalm or ode may be sung. The altar is placed to suit. On arriving at the place for the altar the blindfold is removed.)

Abraham: “Here, my son, we will erect an altar, for this is Mount Moriah.”

Junior Warden (for Isaac): “What shall we do for a sacrifice?”

Abraham: “Be patient, my son, and the Lord will provide one.”

(The altar being in readiness, the Watches, one or more, stand near, holding torches.)

Abraham: “We have been blessed hitherto, and we must hasten to serve the Lord, for His will must be done, that we may realize honor and glory. His command that I, Abraham, shall make this sacrifice, is not for an idle purpose, but it may serve as an illustrious example to generations unborn, to show that God ever blesses the obedient, and accords to them prosperity. My son Isaac, be not surprised; it is God’s order that you shall be sacrificed. The angel of the Lord shall gather and keep your ashes in a golden urn as a memorial of your submissive obedience, and of my faith in God.”

(A bowl of water and a towel are provided.)

Abraham: “Patriarchs, let us place the fagots on the altar. Isaac, wash your hands with me in this bowl, which contains pure water. With this white linen dry your hands. (They wash and wipe their hands.) Patriarchs, place Isaac upon the altar.”

(The candidate, as Isaac, is blindfolded and caused to kneel on the altar.)

Abraham: “Let us unite in praise to God.”

(Patriarchs surround the altar. Lights are turned low. Torches are lighted, ready to fire the altar. The High Priest, as Abraham, stands with his left hand on Isaac, right hand elevated, and recites the first four verses of Psalm XXIII, as follows:)

Abraham: “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

“He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil: for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

(The above may be chanted.) A short pause.

Abraham: “Now, let the torch be applied.”

(At a distance from the altar the muffled gong is struck three times. A short pause.)

Abraham: “Let the fagots be fired.”

(Imitation thunder. The gong is again struck three times, followed by a short pause.)

Abraham: “Isaac is not to be sacrificed. Let him be removed from the altar and restored to light, and become a member of the Patriarchal family, and I will return and dwell at Beersheba.”

Here the symbols and emblems of the Degree are explained and the signs and pass-word given.

The second Encampment degree is called “The Golden Rule.” The Patriarch, who is admitted to this degree, is brought by the Junior Warden before the High Priest.

Junior Warden: “Most Excellent High Priest, I present to you Patriarch——, who has taken the obligation of this degree.”

High Priest: “Patriarch, you have been taught to recognize as a cardinal virtue the Golden Rule, which commands us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Here we endeavor to inculcate a just observance of the high moral affections and duties for the enforcement of which society can not enact a code.”

“Here no artificial distinctions of nation, sect or tribe are recognized. All stand upon a common level, and are alike entitled to that consideration and regard which each claims for himself. The rule by which we walk is founded upon the immutable truth that all men are brethren; but the code of society regulates the degree of association. From one common source the existence of all is derived, and we are bound to each other by common ties. A nerve of the same life runs through the human race and gives to each an interest in all that live. Recognizing as we do this bond of union, the evils that afflict our brother-man become in a measure our own, his misfortunes are our misfortunes, and his sufferings do but increase the pains that shoot through our systems, and render life so feverish and fitful. If we smite him we smite a member of our own body, and if we strike for his blood, our own flesh shall feel the wound.”

“From all this vast brotherhood we claim sympathy in distress, truth in intercourse, and free and full toleration. As we claim these for ourselves, and yield them up at the mandate of none, so we are bound freely and fully to accord them to others.”

High Priest: “Junior Warden, you will retire with the candidate.”

(Junior Warden and candidate retire for a time so as to give an opportunity for arranging everything for further proceedings. The members of the lodge assume different costumes representing the different races of men: the White, Brown, Yellow, Red and Black; and the creeds of Jews, Pagan, Christian, Mohammedan. When everything is in readiness both Warden and candidate re-enter.)

Junior Warden (to candidate): “You see before you representatives of the different peoples of the earth. There is the White race, now scattered throughout the world. Its origin was in ancient Asia, the region once occupied by Adam, Noah and Abraham, but now overrun by semi-barbarous hordes as different in religious faith as in manners. Many of them still cling to the ancient worship of Judaism, some to the Crescent and some to the Cross. The religion of the Cross prevails where civilization exists, and yet its devotees are divided into sects as antagonistic in creed as though they were dissimilar in origin.”

“The Brown race inhabits parts of Southern Asia. It is far advanced in the arts and sciences. Its temples of worship are of great splendor, and exhibit architectural skill equalling that of any other people. Its religion is Paganistic, and its social habits are defined by strict and rigid caste.”

“The Yellow race, consisting of the Mongolians of Asia, are votaries of Pagan rites according to the teachings of Confucius. For centuries they have given practical evidence of advanced mental power, by the production of handiwork whose mysteries have remained unfathomed by other races.”

“The Red race consists of unlettered savages, roaming through the pathless wilderness, chasing the fleet deer with the quiver and bow. The sun, moon and the myriads of stars receive their profound adoration as symbols of an eternal Great Spirit.”

“And there you behold the Black race. It inhabits, as hordes, the wilds of Africa. In general they are barbarians and monsters in the practice of the most dire rapine, yet some of them are more gentle—as the Nubians, who dwell upon the burning sands of the Equator and dance to the music of a reed beneath the spreading palm.”

“In recognition of the Benign Power that created all things, man seeks to honor the Creator by ceremonies of adoration. That group embraces men of different creeds, who are followers of the Christian religion, and there is the Pagan, a worshiper of idols, or of the elements of fire. And here are the intolerant and persecuting Mohammedans, who are ever ready to immolate the man of another creed upon the altar of their own peculiar faith.”

(The candidate is again blindfolded and conducted around the lodge, whilst the brethren representing the different nations and creeds seat themselves among the Patriarchs. The lights are turned up and the blindfolding removed.)

Chief Patriarch: “Patriarch, look around you. Behold the change a few moments have wrought, emblematic of that change which shall occur when the Golden Rule shall have asserted its power and obtained its dominion over the world. The high and impassable barriers that separate man from his fellow-man are broken down. All sit together as brothers in harmony and love. The descendants of Abraham and the followers of the Crescent are co-mingled with those of the Cross as one happy family, knowing no diversity of faith or creed, and a calm repose has come upon the elements of strife. The spear of the warrior is broken and the sword of the conqueror lies rusting in the scabbard, and discord and contention shall be known no more.”

(The usual instruction given after each initiation about the emblems, symbols, signs and grip are here given to the new member.)

The Royal Purple or Third Encampment Degree is conferred only upon such Patriarchs as have been apt scholars in the previous degrees. The initiatory ceremonies represent man’s journey through life. The candidate is, as usual, blindfolded, and led over rough roads, hears sweet music, afterwards followed by great noise, clap of thunder, sound of arms, etc., followed by music and then a bridge is crossed, when candidate is brought to a halt before the presiding officer.

Guard: “Most Excellent High Priest, a pilgrim has arrived and desires your blessing.”

High Priest: “Present the pilgrim. (He is presented.) Restore him to light.” (Blindfold is removed.)

High Priest: “Patriarch, I welcome you to this temple of our Order; your progress hither may have appeared tedious, but we trust that the lesson you have gathered by the way will prove profitable. All human excellence is the reward of perseverance, toil and danger, such as we have endeavored to picture to the imagination in the mimic journey of life through which you have been conducted—a scene that has not been rehearsed for idle amusement, but to awaken rational meditation in a mind as mature as yours. …”

The new Patriarch is instructed in all the secrets of the order, its signs, emblems, etc., and the ceremony closed with the following prayer:

“Father of Mercy, God of love, we beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to defend us from peril and danger this night. Let Thy blessing rest upon us; and may all our works—begun, continued and ended—redound to Thy glory and the happiness of all mankind. Amen.”