p. 134Knights of the Maccabees

The modern Order of the Maccabean Knighthood is built upon the tradition and history of the ancient Maccabean dynasty, the achievements of which are recorded in the books of the Maccabees in the Old Testament. It has all the characteristics which make it fall under the ban of the Church. It is a secret oath-bound society, has a ritual of its own, as will be seen by extracts, etc. The Order was founded in 1878, by members of the Order of Foresters, Freemasons, etc., at London, Ontario, and extends today nearly all over the northern states. Among the different objects of the organization, paragraph 6 says: “to educate the members socially, morally and intellectually.” A ritual was prepared, adopted, and prescribes: “The altar is to stand in the center of the hall covered with drapery, as follows: The top black, the sides red, six inches deep, and four inches of white added to the red; or four inches of white fringe may be used. On this will be placed the Bible and circle, upon which the obligation is taken.”

Among the different officers the Chaplain is sixth in order. The constitution says: “He shall perform such duties as the ritual prescribes, and as may be ordered from time to time by the Supreme Tent.”

“The hat for the Chaplain shall be plain black, in shape of a tent, with the addition of a scarlet mitre in front of the hat, and maltese cross in front of mitre.” His jewel is “Bible open with inscription ‘2d book’ on top, and in the center the word ‘Chap.’”

At the opening of a tent, as the meetings are called, the Chaplain is called upon by the Sir Knight Lieutenant Commander: “The Prelate will now perform his all-important duty.”

Prayer of the Prelate:

“Almighty and eternal God, the creator of all, we implore Thee to look down upon us at this time and give us Thy divine assistance in furthering Thy holy will among our fellow men. Assist us, we pray Thee, to build up our Order for the benefit of ourselves, and the protection of the widow and orphan, wherever dispersed over this Thy footstool, and may all mankind learn to walk in the paths of righteousness. Amen.”

Response by all: “Amen! Amen! Amen!”

The candidate for admission is partly undressed, a large pack is placed on his back, a hoodwink over his eyes, a girdle around the waist, a staff in hand, with novice hat on for the first reception. He has to pass through several mock examinations as to his physical ability, etc.

The Sir Knight Commander examines the candidate carefully, testing his pulse, sounding his chest, feeling the muscles of his arms and legs and whirling him around quickly. The Past Commander examines him in the same manner, after which he is commanded to “pass on.” As the candidate passes the Record Keeper’s station, that officer holds him and examines him in the same manner, but with more care; testing his pulse, measuring his chest and sounding his lungs. The examination is not satisfactory, and the Sir Knight Commander says: “Guards, it is my orders that you at once conduct the stranger to the ante-room, and turn him over to the executioner, who will inflict the severest penalty prescribed by our laws. Away with him. Let justice be done.”

The candidate is hurried to the ante-room, the Sir Knights crying out as he passes down the hall: “Away with him, execute him—he must die,” making great noise at the same time.

The order for expulsion is revoked, and the candidate is conducted to the Prelate, who addresses him thus:

“Whereas, our forefathers, the Maccabees, were bound together in holy bonds of brotherhood to protect their members and families from persecution and want, so we, the members of this illustrious Order, will, so far as in our power lies, imitate their glorious example by supporting and defending the helpless and innocent throughout the whole inhabitable globe. As kinsmen, we greet you, but to prove your sincerity and courage, you must pass through three years of warfare, when, if you prove faithful and escape the dangers of war, we will receive you in——tent, No.——, there to partake of equal share and part in the spoils of all our victories.”

The candidate is led several times around the room, during which time an ode is sung, a portion of which reads thus:

The candidate is then brought before the Sir Knight Commander and the following takes place:

Sir Knight Com.: “Halt, stranger, from whence come you?”

Candidate (by Master-at-Arms): “From a far country, to unite with our kinsmen, the Knights of the Maccabees.”

Sir Knight Com.: “What is your object?”

Candidate: “To assist in the protection of humanity, and more particularly the widows and orphans.”

Sir Knight Com.: “Your object is divine, and if we find you worthy we will give you a glorious reception. You will now proceed to the field of battle and report at the end of the second year. If you are a man of iron nerve and indomitable will, you will return unscathed and unharmed; but if you show a craven, cowardly spirit, not having the courage to assert your rights, and a daring to maintain them, the officers and members of this tent cannot, nor will they be responsible for your fate. You have passed through one year of light warfare. The second year will be more sanguinary, testing to a still greater degree your physical and moral courage. You will therefore arm yourself as becomes a valiant Knight, and march again to the battle field. There you will meet with an overpowering force, who will dispute your rights to pass through their territory, which you will find strongly fortified at every point. None but a brave, lion-hearted man can possibly overcome them. You must win or you must die. There will be no chance for retreat, no avenue open for escape. Should you falter, you will fall on a desolate and barren field. Your body will become food for vultures, whilst your bones will be left to bleach in the heat of a torrid sun. Your name ever after will be a stench in the nostrils of brave men the world over, and your posterity will have to bear the disgrace of your cowardice for all times to come. You stake your honor, your happiness, nay, your life in the struggle. Be courageous, firm and unyielding, ever ready to protect humanity, especially the widows and orphans, and all will be well. Forward, march.”

(The guards then conduct the candidate rapidly three times around the hall; obstructions should be placed in his path. This can be done with bags filled with shavings or other light substance. The guards are to keep the candidate from falling when he stumbles. Commands should be given as “Charge down on the right,” “Charge on the left,” “Form in line on the left flank,” “About face, charge,” and keep on tramping with the feet and clashing with spears, to represent as much as possible a battle going on. The last time around, the candidate is brought to the Sir Knight Commander’s station, and at the command “Halt” every Sir Knight should be seated and remain perfectly quiet.)

Sir Knight Com.: “Halt, my soldier, we greet you. Have you been successful in your wars the past year?”

Candidate (by Master of Arms): “We have, and now return after many long marches and hard fought battles in protecting humanity, and especially the widows and orphans.”

Sir Knight Com.: “Your deeds are glorious. You have been successful in your second year’s struggle. You bear the scars of honorable warfare. So far you have proven yourself to be a man of iron nerve, with a daring and a courage truly commendable. You bid fair to win the glorious battle of life through which you are now passing, and leave your posterity a protection for which they will ever bless you. It becomes my painful duty, however, to inform you that the great struggle in which you have been engaged has but just commenced. The opposing forces are rallying their entire strength. They have gathered together the strongest and bravest men in the domain. They have added to their munition of war. They are armed and equipped with the most deadly weapons known to modern warfare. The greatest danger is yet to be encountered. Your courage and valor is yet to be put to the severest test. I would to heaven that you could escape this fearful encounter. But the decree of the Sir Knight Commander has gone forth. His fiat is the law of the land. His commands must be obeyed throughout the realm, by every inhabitant thereof, even at the cost of life itself. Steel your heart, gird on your armor, be sure of foot and strong of nerve, for another long year you must battle day and night. Though footsore, weary and hungry, your strong arm must not weaken. Grasp firmly your weapon of defense; every obstacle must be removed by your own hands; there will be none to aid you. Let not the din or noise of battle, or the hardship you will have to encounter, shake your courage. Face death. Drive your foes before you like chaff before the wind, and at the end of this year’s struggle should you return covered with battle scars, and grim with the smoke of battle, you will be received by the valiant knights of this tent, and the honors you will then have so dearly earned will be meted out to you. The strong arms of brave men will forever after protect you and those dependent upon you for all that makes life a blessing. Hark!”

(At this stage of the proceedings one Sir Knight with a small snare drum, one with a brass drum or large piece of sheet iron with a drum stick, stands in the rear of the hall; another with a drum stands in the rear of the candidate. Small arms or anything to imitate them should be distributed among the members, and twelve Sir Knights, six in line, on each side of the hall, with spears, to be in position. All perfectly quiet. When the Sir Knight Commander says: Hark, the drums will beat, the trumpet blow quick and sharp, the arms to be fired, the spears clashed together, and the Sir Knights passing to and fro and tramping heavily with their feet. This is continued for a moment. When the Sir Knight Commander raises his hand as a signal, quiet will be immediately restored and he will proceed):

Sir Knight Com.: “Do you hear the rumbling of artillery, the clash of arms and the tread of brave men ready to give battle? They wait your coming. Again I command you, forward, march.”

(The candidate will then be rapidly conducted around the hall three times. Obstructions are again to be placed in his path, the drums beat, arms discharged, spears clash, military commands to be given, and heavy tramping of all the members. The last time around the bags are to be piled up, one upon another, at the farther end of the hall, so as to make a fortification as high as the hips of the candidate. The guards move the candidate quickly against the obstructions, holding him from falling, but taking him from his feet. He is then brought to the Sir Knight Commander’s station.)

Sir Knight Com.: “Halt, my war-worn kinsman, we greet thee. Have you protected the homes of the widows and orphans the past year?”

Candidate (by Master of Arms): “We have, and now return every one.”

Sir Knight Com.: “Sir Knight Guards, our kinsman having served three years of warfare, and having performed many chivalrous acts in protecting humanity, and especially the widows and orphans, prepare him for the grand reception he so justly merits.” (Remove pack and staff, leaving hoodwink on.) The guards then conduct the candidate to the altar, facing the Sir Knight Commander. The twelve Sir Knights, holding spears, are masked with false faces, comic or otherwise, with long black cambric cape over shoulder or gown and hood or turban on the head. They fall into line on one side of the hall. Another Sir Knight armed with the worst-looking mask, scarlet cape or blouse, red hood or turban, armed with a large battle axe (wood, imitation of iron), takes his place on the left of the masked Sir Knight. All the members pull down their vizors over their faces. The Sir Knight Lieutenant Commander commands: “Attention,” the twelve Sir Knights fall into line and bring their spears to a carry by their right side.

Sir Knight Lieut.: “Right face, forward, march.”

They march once and a half around the hall and then twice around the altar, forming a circle around the candidate. When the Sir Knight with battle axe is opposite the left side of the candidate, the Sir Knight Lieut. Commander commands, “Halt, inward face, charge spears.”

(At the last command the Sir Knights raise their spears, with both hands above their right shoulders, as if making a thrust, bringing the points of the spears to the breast and back of and nearly touching the candidate. The Knight with battle axe raises it over the left arm of the candidate. The lights are now nearly turned off. A little to the rear and left of the altar, a Sir Knight ignites a red fire—alcohol and salt can be used instead, if red fire cannot be obtained. As the red fire blazes up the Sir Knight Commander says):

Sir Knight Com.: “The battle is over, the victory is won, let the clouds disperse; bring the brave and intrepid stranger from darkness to light.”

The hoodwink is immediately removed by the guards. As soon as the red fire burns out the lights are turned up, and the Sir Knight Lieut. Com. says: “Attention, Sir Knights, carry spears, ground spears.”

The twelve Sir Knights remain in this position until after the obligation is given. The Sir Knight with the battle axe keeps it raised over the left arm of the candidate until the penalty is reached.

The Past Sir Knight Commander now advances within the circle and administers the following obligation:

Past Sir Knight Com.: “My kinsman from a far country, are you still desirous of joining with your fellows of——tent, No.——of the Knights of the Maccabees? (Candidate will answer, ‘I am.’) Then you will place your hand on the volume of the Sacred Word, on which is laid the Circle, and be bound in the compact. Repeat your name in full, and say after me: I,————, do solemnly and voluntarily promise in the presence of Almighty God and this duly convoked tent of the Knights of the Maccabees, that I will be faithful and true to the tent denominated——tent, No.——, of which I am now to become a member; that I will maintain and uphold the constitution and by-laws of the Order, or of any tent to which at any time I may belong; that I will be true to all Sir Knights of the Order, and will forever keep and conceal all the secrets, signs, passwords, grips and other private work of the Order, and that I will not, under any circumstances, make them known to anyone in the world, or suffer others to do so, if in my power to prevent it, unless it be a Sir Knight of the Order who I know is entitled to the same, or in a body of a tent while at work; that I will not defraud a member or tent of anything, or allow it to be done by others, if in my power to prevent it; that I will not become a member of any society of men who claim to be a branch of this Order unless they are chartered by the executive of this Order, and that I will respect and protect the relatives of all Sir Knights, especially the widows and orphans. To all this I most sincerely promise and swear with a fixed, solemn and determined resolution to keep and perform the same, binding myself under no less a penalty, for the willful violation of any of these provisions, than that of having my left arm cut off above the elbow (the Sir Knight on the left draws battle axe across the candidate’s left arm) so that I would forever be unable to prove myself a Knight of the Maccabees. So help me the Most High, and keep me steadfast in the same until death.”

The Sir Knight Lieut. Commander then steps up and takes the candidate by the hand, saying: “My beloved kinsman, indeed, you have been obligated on the Bible and the Circle. The Bible, that divine light, sent to poor humanity from above, we shall all take as our rule and guide while on this sublunary abode. These sacred writings are a symbolical chain by which we all are united in the bonds of brotherly love and universal philanthropy. Without them no tent is perfect. The Circle has ever been considered symbolical of the Deity, for as a circle appears to have neither beginning nor end, it must justly be considered a type of God, without either beginning of days or ending of years. It also reminds us of a future state, where we hope to enjoy everlasting happiness.”

Sir Knight Lieut. Com.: “Attention, Sir Knights, carry spears, forward, march.” The Sir Knights march once around the altar to their places on one side of the hall, removing their masks and spears and taking seats. The candidate is then conducted to the Sir Knight Commander, who proceeds to instruct him in all the signs and other secrets of the Order and gives him the following admonition:

“My kinsman, you have been advanced through a severe struggle to this beautiful degree of the Order. You have been tried and not found wanting. The ceremonies through which you have passed teach you a lesson that should be remembered as long as you live. The great object of this Order is to provide for the widows and orphans of those who are morally and physically qualified to become members. Upon your admission your qualifications were thoroughly tested. The utmost caution was exercised by the members before you were allowed to proceed. You then passed through three years of warfare, representing childhood, manhood and old age. Your first year’s struggle was light, you found no obstructions placed in your pathway, illustrating childhood days, when all is happiness, and life is full of hope and song. In your second year’s struggle, you met with frequent obstructions, representing manhood. Being full of energy and courage, you overcame them and won a victory over all opposition. The third year’s struggle represented old age. You found all the obstacles in your path more difficult to surmount, and had it not been for the trustworthy guides who supported and assisted you in the battle of life, you would have fallen and been left by the wayside, to perish unprotected and alone. This beautifully illustrates the benefits to be derived from a membership in this Order. When death overtakes you, you will have the consolation of knowing that you have brothers who will provide for those dependent upon you, and this urges upon you the necessity of providing for those that you may at any moment leave behind in a cold, cold world, and we trust you will place your entire trust in the Great Architect of the Universe, who alone is able to pull down or build up your destiny here and hereafter. The tower of Babel, a work of the greatest magnitude, undertaken and carried on with the greatest skill of the time, but without the sanction of the Almighty, fell to the ground, and the workmen were confounded and scattered to the corners of the earth, while others of like magnitude, under his guidance have been raised within the shortest space of time, and become the wonders of the whole earth. The Maccabees in ancient days, under His all-powerful guidance, accomplished the most difficult tasks with the greatest ease, and in war were enabled to conquer enemies ten times their own number. The same God rules today, and if we place like trust in His divine word, we shall receive the same assistance and support. As you have been deemed worthy to share the privileges of this chivalrous Order, you must be sensible that your responsibilities are increased in proportion to your advantages. Let it ever be your desire and constant aim to prove yourself worthy of the confidence that the Sir Knights of this tent have entrusted you with. Let uprightness and integrity be your guide. Let justice and mercy attend your steps. Let fervency and zeal stimulate you in the discharge of the various duties incumbent upon you. Be ever zealous for the prosperity and welfare of the Knights of the Maccabees. Be faithful to the members of your tent and the Order. Let your conduct be such as will entitle you to the esteem of them all. If misfortune assail you while you remain true to the obligations which you have of your own accord assumed, have confidence that among the Knights of the Maccabees you will find friends who will comfort you in your sorrow, ever remembering as a consolation under the frowns of fortune, and as a hope for better prospects, that the stone which the builders rejected became the chief stone of the corner.”

The candidate is conducted to the Sir Knight Commander’s station and made to kneel on left knee in front of that officer, who dubs him a Knight of the Order of the Maccabees in these words:

“My kinsman, I now dub and create you a Knight of the Maccabees, and a member of this chivalric Order, and of——tent, No.——We hail you as a Sir Knight, and accept you as a kinsman.”

Who will dare to say that this is not a religious ceremony?