Part 14 (2/2)

At the approach of the Council the trumpet sounds. M. C.--”Form avenue (the Council pa.s.s); the Sovereign Master pa.s.ses uncovered; recover arms, poise arms!” Sovereign Master--”Attention, Sir Knights; give your attention to the several signs of Masonry; as I do, so do you.”

[The Sir Knights give the signs from the first to the seventh degree.]

S. M.--”Draw swords, and take care to advance and give the Jewish countersign--recover arms; take care to advance and give the Persian countersign--recover arms.” S.M. to Sir Knight Master of the Palace--”Advance and give me the word of a Knight of the Red Cross; the word is right--receive it on your left.” The word is then pa.s.sed around; when it arrives at the Chancellor he says, ”Sovereign Master of the Red Cross, word has arrived.” S. M.--”Pa.s.s it on to me [he gives it to the Sovereign Master]. Sir Knight, the word is right.” S.

M. to Sir Knight Chancellor--”Advance and give me the grand sign, grip, and word of a Knight of the Red Cross; it is right--receive it on your left.” The word pa.s.ses around as before, as will hereafter be explained, and when arrived at the Master of the Palace, he says, ”Sovereign Master, the grand sign, grip and word have arrived.” S.

M.--”Pa.s.s them on to me; Sir Knight, they are right. Left face--deposit helmets--centre face--reverse arms--to your devotions [the Sir Knights all kneel and repeat the Lord's prayer]--recover arms--left face--recover helmets--centre face--right about face--to your posts--march!”

FIRST SECTION.

Question--Are you a Knight of the Red Cross? Answer--That is my profession.

Q. By what test will you be tried? A. By the test of truth.

Q. Why by the test of truth? A. Because none but the good and true are ent.i.tled to the honors and privileges of this ill.u.s.trious order.

Q. Where did you receive the honors of this ill.u.s.trious order? A. In a just and regular Council of Knights of the Red Cross.

Q. What number compose a Council? A. There is an indispensable number and a const.i.tutional number.

Q. What is the indispensable number? A. Three.

Q. Under what circ.u.mstances are they authorized to form and open a Council of Knights of the Red Cross? A. Three Knights of the Red Cross, being also Knight Templars, and hailing from three different commanderies, may, under the sanction of a legal warrant from some regular Grand Encampment, form and open a Council of Knights of the Red Cross for the dispatch of business.

Q. What is a const.i.tutional number? A. Five, seven, nine, eleven, or more.

Q. When composed of five, seven, nine, eleven, of whom does it consist? A. Sovereign Master, Chancellor, Master of the Palace, Prelate, Master of Cavalry, Master of Infantry, Master of Finance, Master of Dispatches, Standard-Bearer, Sword-Bearer, and Warder.

Q. Warder's station in the Council? A. On the left of the Standard-Bearer in the West.

Q. His duty? A. To announce the approach of the Sovereign Master; to see that the sentinels are at their respective posts, and the Council chambers duly guarded.

Q. Sword-Bearer's station in the Council? A. On the right of the Standard-Bearer in the West.

Q. His duty? A. To a.s.sist in the protection of the banner of our Order; to watch all signals from the Sovereign Master, and see his orders duly executed.

Q. Standard-Bearer's station? A. In the West.

Q. His duty? A. To display, support, and protect the banners of our Order.

Q. Why is the Standard-Bearer's station in the West? A. That the brilliant rays of the rising sun, shedding their l.u.s.tre upon the banners of our Order, may encourage and animate all true and courteous Knights, and dismay and confound their enemies.

Q. Station of Master of Dispatches? A. In front of the Master of the Palace.

Q. His duty? A. To observe with attention the transactions of the Council; to keep a just and regular record thereof, collect the revenue, and pay the same over to the Master of Finance.

Q. Station of the Master of Finance? A. In front of the Chancellor.

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