Escort Ceremony
Job’s Daughters
The Installing Honored queen invites the members of the Order of DeMolay to enter.
The members of the Order of DeMolay and the Honor Guard enter the Bethel Room. The Three Councilors, Marshal, Chaplin, and Senior Deacon enter from the South side, the Honor Guard enters from the North side. Forming a Triangle at the Altar they kneel and silently say a prayer. They rise and the Master Councilor goes to his station. The Installing Honor Queen raps once. The other officers go to their stations. The Honor Guard forms two parallel lines from the altar to the East.
MASTER COUNCILOR: On behalf of ________________ Chapter Order of DeMolay, I should like to express our pleasure in having the opportunity to participate in this, the Installation of officers of Bethel Number _____ International Order of Job’s Daughters. It is fitting that at this time, in keeping with the precepts of our Order, and before embarking on such an important undertaking, we seek the Divine Guidance. Brother Chaplain, you will lead us in prayer. DeMolays will kneel on left, all others will remain standing. (Installing H.Q. gives three rapes.)
CHAPLAIN: Our Heavenly Father we invoke thy divine blessings on the work of this Order. Help us ever to follow the teachings we have learned in our Chapter rooms and carry them to our daily life. We pray that you will guide this young woman in her reign as Honored Queen. Give her strength, courage, and the love of her fellow members and help her that she may be a shining example of Job’s Daughters. We ask this in thy name. Amen. (Installing H.Q. seats group with one rap.)
MASTER COUNCILOR: Brother Marshal, You will conduct the Honored Queen from the ante-room to the symbolic stations of our Order, after which you will take her west of the Altar.
(Marshal escorts the Honored Queen from the ante-room to the East where he stands her directly in front of the Master Councilor, then taking one step back to his side.)
MASTER COUNCILOR: My station in the East is emblematic of the rising sun and the morn of life. As the sun rises in the East, drifts over the meridian heights in the South and sets in the West, so is our life. In the morning years of life we have youth, with cheery smile and sparkling eye, like this rosebud fresh in the morning dew (gives rose) looking upon life with all the hopes of future years before him. From cradle to the crowning years of manhood, we are taught the virtues of Fidelity, Reverence, Cleanliness, and Truth. Following these cardinal virtues and with the guiding hand of parents, school and country, youth can resist the temptations thrust upon him from every source and will, when the morn of life is over, be ready to face the meridian sun or the years of manhood and womanhood unafraid.
(The Marshal escorts the Honored Queen to the South.)
JUNIOR COUNCILOR: The South is a symbol of the meridian sun or the noon of life, emblematic of manhood’s approaching years. It is that period of life when half our years lie behind us and half before, with opportunities still remaining to do good or be better. The sparkle of youth is gone. The rosebud has emerged into a blooming rose. (Gives rose) Those who have remembered their creator in the days of their youth and followed the precepts learned in the morning years of life have discovered that the world has the choicest places waiting for the young man and woman whose character fit them to take these places. Intelligence and industry, without integrity and fraternity, may seem to take some people far, but their apparent success will be found under close scrutiny to be unreal and will in the end bring disappointment and misery. It is integrity and fraternity as exemplified in our Orders added to intelligence and industry that leads us to real success and lasting happiness.
(The Marshal escorts the Honored Queen to the West.)
SENIOR COUNCILOR: The West is symbolic of the eve of life and I bring from the station of the setting sun, the consolation of a journey ended, the joy of life well spent. The rose has withered on the stalk. Its loveliness has vanished and the petals lie scattered on the ground. The search for the end of the rainbow is over for the sun has vanished from view. There is time for meditation and we are face to face with the realization that all that is born must die. If the journey from youth to age has been ill spent, there is doubt, uncertainty and confusion, but to those who knew the joy of looking back upon a life well spent, there comes to them this one great thought: It is not all of life to live. Tour soul, this truth applies, ‘tis not all of death to die.
(The Marshal escorts the Honored Queen to the West)
SENIOR DEACON: The sun has set, the rainbow has vanished and the last faint ray of the sun has turned to darkenss. In our journey from East to West, we have taken a survey of human life in all its thousand blended lights and shades and learned that all on earth is change, and now in the North we face the darkness. We have seen the rose withered and it’s petals scattered on the ground; the winter storms have left their trail of frost and snow and yet when the gentle breeze of springtime blew the deadest branches came to life and beauty. To those who have lived and planned each step of the journey from youth to age and to stand before the great white throne, is but to learn this lesson from the rose. (Gives rose)
(After the Marshal has placed the Honored Queen West of the Altar the installing H.Q. gives three raps. The Master Councilor approaches the altar in front of the Honored Queen.)
Master Councilor: You are placed in a position of great responsibility as Honored Queen of this Bethel, charged with the duty of presiding over its meetings. As has been explained to you, the welfare of your Bethel is now placed in your hands. May I convey every good wish from _______ Chapter, Order of DeMolay for a most successful reign.
(Honor Guard is called to attention and the Master Councilor goes around the Altar and escorts the Honored Queen to the East through the Honor Guard.)
MASTER COUNCILOR: Honored Queen, before you is your Bethel, Members of Bethel Number _____ and guests, before you is your duly installed Honored Queen. You will congratulate her with a hearty clap.