“ Sisters and brothers, within the city of the dead, we consign to the bosom of mother earth all that was mortal of our departed sister. The body we leave in the grave is but the casket which held the precious jewel of life. We bear it tenderly to its resting-place, because it is the form by which we knew her in our Chapter. ”

“ In token of our hope that such an unfolding of spiritual life may come to us all, I scatter these flowers within the grave of our departed sister. May we cherish her memory and emulate her virtues.
Deposits her tribute, and then, addressing the Worthy Patron, says:
Worthy Patron, within the grave, hallowed by the tenderest ties of human affection, we scatter these floral emblems of Nature's loveliness, and spiritual life. May we not trust all else to the Father's loving care? ”

“ She honors the Brotherhood for its noble work, and seeks through the Eastern Star, to be a co-worker with the Masonic brother; to pay the tribute of her love and labor at the same shrine, and be able to make herself known, throughout the domain of Masonry, as being entitled to its protection.
Into this field of labor, you have now entered. You have taken the solemn Obligation of the Order, and been instructed in those sublime virtues which should adorn our lives, and make this institution worthy of the protection and support of all good Masons. ”

“ Ruth raised her hands to show him how small were her gleanings, and that she had not taken from the sheaves; placed them meekly upon her breast as proof of her willingness to submit to whatever lot she might be called upon to endure, casting her eyes upward, as appealing to God.
He ordered his reapers to drop handfuls of barley that she might gather a supply, and invited her to eat and drink of the provisions he had supplied. Ruth was encouraged; and at evening, returned laden with the fruits of her toil to gladden the heart of Naomi. ”

“ Sisters and brothers of the Grand Chapter, these persons, selected by you, are now ready and willing to take upon themselves the obligations, duties and responsibilities of office. In our beautiful Order, preferment to office should not be sought after, but should come to the individual chosen, as an honor justly merited and freely bestowed. Those only should be chosen, who, by their reputation, their work, and high moral character, command the esteem and confidence of our members, and can give us standing and credit before the world. ”

“ W. P. The Infinite Father's ever watchful care is nowhere more impressively taught, than by His voice speaking to us through the floral kingdom. Over the whole earth where life exists, flowers bloom in endless variety and profusion, there is no place so obscure but that they blossom there and give to the world their beauty and fragrance. Some open with the rising sun, and close with his setting rays. Others open to the full moon and starry firmament, and shrink before the piercing gaze of the king of day. ”

“ Let us be kind, forbearing and forgiving, one towards another. Let us return kindness for hostility. Let us sacredly preserve our lips from slander and evil speaking; and whatever may be our failings, let us throw around each other the broad mantle of charity. And, finally, let us be governed in words and deeds by the golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." ”

“ PRAYER. Our Father who art in Heaven, in whom we live, and in whom are all the issues of life and death. We come to Thee, in this hour of sorrow, and ask that we may so learn the lessons of this hour, that when it shall be our turn to lay aside our mortality, that we may do it with trustful faith in Thee and hope of a glorious immortality. ”

“ Sister Adah, what is the voice and tribute from the Blue point of our emblematic Star?
Adah. Blue symbolizes fidelity, and is appropriate to Jephthah's Daughter, who, in the morning of life, surrendered to the grave the brightest of earthly hopes, that she might be faithful to her convictions of right, and preserve her father's honor. As a token of faithfulness to the memory of our sister, I deposit in her grave this tribute of faithful love.
At the proper time each officer will drop into the grave, or place upon the casket, the flowers provided for that purpose. ”

“ M. Worthy ——, I have the pleasure of presenting Sister ——, who has been appointed Organist for the ensuing year.
I. O. My sister, your duties are embodied in the name of your office. To make the initiation ceremonies as impressive and effective as we desire, it is important that you should be faithful to your trust.
Sister Marshal, you will invest our sister with the badge of her office.
Your badge is the Lyre within the Star, an emblem of music and poetry, admonishing you that by uniting harmony with our mystic rites, the impressions will be more lasting. ”

“ We leave in this lowly bed the earthly form of our departed sister, and may the hallowing influence of this providence go with us in the remaining journey of our life, and when our earthly mission is over, and we are "beyond the smiling and the weeping" of earth, may we gather with the loved ones gone before. ”

“ The rising sun will scatter over the chambers of the dead his gladsome rays, and tint the western sky with the glories of departing day. In the hush of night the feeble rays of countless stars, traveling centuries on their journey here, will finally rest upon her grave. ”

“ Those who have reposed so much confidence in you have reason to expect you to faithfully look after their interests, and zealously work for the welfare of the Order. Let the laws, tenets and professions of the Eastern Star be your constant study, that you may be ready to enforce them by precept and example, and the better enabled to exercise the higher and more exalted position to which you may be called at any moment.
Associate Grand Patron.
You will now be invested with the proper emblem of office, and conducted to your station on the left of the Associate Grand Matron, in the West. ”

“ The high honors attached to the office of Grand Matron are accompanied by weighty and delicate responsibilities. It is expected that you will have a watchful care over the interests of this Grand Chapter, see that its Constitutions, By-Laws and Regulations, orders and edicts are promptly enforced throughout this jurisdiction, that subordinate officers discharge their duties, and that, by your own respect for law and good government, you will cause all others to find the strongest incentive of obedience to all lawful commands. ”

“ They speak to us, "To whisper hope whene'er our faith grows dim." But these floral emblems, with all their exquisite loveliness, are but dim reflections of the glories that may be unfolded to our spiritual vision. ”

“ It is good to consider the experience of others, and profit by their knowledge and example. Having received the degrees of our Order, and therefore being able to assist you, permit me to direct your preparation for the ceremonies of initiation.
She then removes the candidate's hat, gloves and shawl or cloak, prepares and leads her to the
door of the Chapter-room. The Associate Conductress gives five raps upon the door, ** ** *
Cond. Worthy Patron, there is an alarm at the door of the preparation room.
W. P. Sister Conductress, you will ascertain the cause of the alarm. ”

“ In the world where death comes not, may we realize the full happiness of loving and serving Thee forever. Amen.
Response by the Chapter.
So may it ever be.
At the conclusion of the prayer an Ode may be sung while the members are standing around the Altar. After singing the Worthy Patron seats the Chapter. The Conductress leads the candidate to the East, and the Worthy Matron may, at the request of the Worthy Patron, conclude the initiation ceremonies.
W. P. In taking upon yourself the solemn Obligation of our Order, you enter upon a new phase of life ”

“ They arrived in Bethlehem, destitute, weary and worn, and Ruth was compelled to seek through menial labor the means of support for herself and the aged Naomi. Faithful to the duties which adverse fortune had thrown upon her, she became a gleaner in the fields of Boaz, who said to his servant that was set over his reapers, "Whose damsel is this?" Upon being informed of her history, her devotion to Naomi, and present circumstances, advanced to where she was resting and addressed to her kindly words of encouragement. ”

“ Woe unto those who seek to take upon themselves burdens which they cannot bear. Woe unto the faithless and insincere, who assume obligations lightly and forthwith forget them. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. ”

“ As among the objects for which we are associated together is our purpose to protect the widow and orphan, comfort the afflicted, sympathize with the sorrowing, and relieve the destitute and distressed, I trust that no discord will ever rise among us to imperil the success of our efforts to accomplish these charitable purposes, and increase the happiness of ourselves and others. ”

“ A member will be appointed to act as Marshal, who will see that the badges are properly draped, and that the officers and members are in their proper positions.
If a procession is formed, it will march in the following order: Marshal and Sentinel, Members, Warder and Electa, Martha and Esther, Ruth and Adah, Conductress and Associate Conductress, Secretary and Treasurer, Matron and Associate Matron, Patron and Chaplain.
During the services, the officers and members will occupy the following positions around the grave or casket:
Funeral Positions. ”

“ Her badge is the Gavel within the Star, an emblem of authority, admonishing her that the government of this Chapter, and its prosperity, depend greatly upon her judgment and discretion. Her responsibilities to God for the faithful discharge of her duties should ever prompt her to do her work in the spirit of faith and prayer. ”

“ Here the wives, daughters, mothers, widows, and sisters of Masons, may become co-laborers with the great Brotherhood in the service of humanity.
By the laws of that ancient Order, women are not eligible to its degrees. But woman's heart beats responsive to the same inspiration that prompts man to noble deeds. ”

“ The Installing Officer, after assuming the chair, will appoint a Marshal, who will collect the several badges of office, and place them where they will be convenient for use. The Secretary will furnish the Marshal with a list of the officers to be installed. If the installation is a public one, an address may be delivered touching the history and purposes of the Order.
If a Grand officer presides, the Marshal will be Grand Marshal. The officers will be addressed by their titles and such changes made in the language of the following ceremonies as the circumstances require. ”

“ You should be cautious in the execution of your trust, courteous to the members, and ever ready to render a helping hand to sisters or brothers in affliction or adversity. You should set an example of good order and punctuality, for only by so doing can you expect similar attention from others. ”

“ Whatever you would deem praiseworthy in another in your position, you should carefully imitate, and with equal care avoid what would be blameworthy. Within the Chapter it will be your duty to see that its regular meetings are held, and special meetings called, whenever the good of the Chapter demands them; that your subordinates fill their stations with honor and usefulness; that the By-Laws be implicitly obeyed; that the funds, records, rituals, and other property of the Chapter be properly preserved by the officers in whose charge they are placed ”

“ SUBORDINATE CHAPTER. The authority of a Subordinate Chapter is prescribed and limited by the Grand Chapter within whose jurisdiction it exists. Five Subordinate Chapters within any State or Territory where no Grand Chapter exists, may organize a Grand Chapter, possessing all the lawful powers of such a Chapter within said State or Territory.
LANDMARKS. 1. A belief in the existence of a Supreme Being.
2. In the Order of the Eastern Star there are only five degrees, known as Adah, the daughter; Ruth, the widow; Esther, the wife; Martha, the sister; and Electa, the mother. ”

“ The petition must be received at a regular meeting of the Chapter, unless the Grand Chapter of its jurisdiction shall otherwise provide; and when received, must be referred to a committee of three members, one of whom shall be a brother, appointed by the presiding officer. The committee can only report at a regular meeting.
THE BALLOT. The ballot upon petitions for the degrees or membership, can only be taken at a regular meeting. The Associate Conductress shall have charge of the ballot-box, under the direction of the Worthy Matron. ”

“ Officers and members of the Grand Chapter, all things are now ready for you to enter upon the proceedings of a new year. Harmony and good-will prevail, and we start under the most auspicious circumstances. But no one can affirm that another year, or even a single day, will be committed to our trust. ”

“ My sisters, your duties are to attend upon your superior officers, assist in the active duties of this Grand Chapter, introduce and welcome visitors, and aid in exemplifying the rites and ceremonies of our Order upon all proper occasions.
If you attend to these duties aright, throwing sisterly courtesy and dignity around your official conduct, you will acquire the confidence and respect of all and merit promotion to still higher honors and more weighty responsibilities. ”