by the General Grand Chapter

“ Enlarge our powers to benefit mankind and to honor Thee, our God. And when, one by one, each link shall fall away in death, may the parting be temporary and the meeting eternal. In the world where death comes not, may we realize the full happiness of loving and serving Thee forever. ”

“ After a few years, Elimeleck and his sons died, leaving Naomi, Ruth and Orphah in mourning. Naomi, aged and dependent, resolved to return to the land of her nativity. She urged Ruth and Orphah to remain with their kindred and friends rather than follow her in poverty to a land of strangers. But Ruth believed it to be her duty to remain with Naomi and assist in her maintenance, saying: "Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge; thy people shall be my people and thy God my God." ”

“ The Broken Column is an expressive emblem of the uncertainty of human life. Sister Conductress, you will present this sister at the fifth point of the Star for further instruction.
The candidate is conducted around Martha's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Ruth's chair to Electa for instruction. During the march, there should be vocal or instrumental music or the Worthy Patron may recite the following:
W. P. "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died." ”

“ The Conductress takes the Bible from the candidate. When the Worthy Patron says : "Arise, my sister," he extends his right hand and assists the candidate in rising, the lights are suddenly turned up at the same time.
W. P. You will now be received into our Order and conducted to the several points of the Star, where you will receive instruction in those sublime virtues exemplified in the lives of Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa. ”

“ That our joy may be full."
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth and knoweth God, is born of God."
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he first loved us. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." ”

“ The Lion is appropriate to Electa, as a symbol of the Courage and Power that sustained the martyr defenders of Truth.
And finally my sister, Jephthah's Daughter, who freely sacrificed her life to preserve her father's honor; Ruth, who, though poor and lowly, was faithful to the demands of honor and justice; Esther, noble queen, who was prepared to sacrifice her crown and life to save her people from destruction; Martha, who exhibited her trustful faith and hope of immortal life ”

“ Life's experiences, coming thick and fast, are the soul's appointed means of growth. To-day, we build our castles, to-morrow, fickle fortune snatches from hope the promised joy. To-day, prosperity or the presence of loved ones fills our cup with joy; to-morrow, adversity or sore bereavement casts us into the valley of sorrow.
My sister, may you have the trustful faith of Martha; it will lighten the burden of sorrow and incline you to the voice of duty.
The sign of this degree is given by ”

“ W. P. The obligation you are about to take is a solemn pledge which you must give to this Chapter, before you can participate in the privileges of our Order. By it you bind yourself to the most solemn secrecy respecting the work of the Order and to the performance of those acts of kindness and forbearance, which are essential to our welfare and prosperity. ”

“ Your relation to the Masonic fraternity and the recommendations presented in your behalf, assure us that you merit the honor we confer and are worthy of the important trust with which we are about to invest you. The Order of the Eastern Star exists for the purpose of giving practical effect to one of the beneficent purposes of Freemasonry, which is to provide for the welfare of the wives, daughters, mothers, widows and sisters of Master Masons. ”

“ That the blessing of our Heavenly Father may rest upon our labor, let us unite in prayer.
The Chapter is called up and a circle is formed around the Altar in the following manner by the officers joining hands: Secretary, between Adah and Ruth—Associate Matron, between Ruth and Esther—Associate Conductress, between Esther and Martha —Treasurer, between Martha and Electa—the Worthy Matron, at the left of Electa. If desired the members may join in forming an outer circle. ”

“ She has, Worthy Patron.
W. P. Sister Associate Conductress, you will retire and prepare the candidate for the ceremonies of initiation.
She gives the sign and retires as before. Taking the candidate into the preparation room, she says:
A. C. Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being? Ans. I do.
My friend, human life is a labyrinth through which we all wander blindly and too often, in ignorance. It is good to consider the experience of others and profit by their knowledge and example. ”