Conductress with Candidate on her right facing the East.

WORTHY PATRON—Sister Conductress, whom have you here?

CONDUCTRESS—A sister who has passed the several degrees of the

star, and received instructions in its signs, passes, and heroic

deeds of virtue and renown.

WORTHY PATRON—Then you are members of the Eastern Star.

COND.— * * * *

W.P.- * * * *

COND.— * * * *

W. P.—Sister Conductress, as you are thus instructed you will

further enlighten this sister by inducting her into our

beautiful Floral ceremony.

COND.—In an ancient Jewish ceremony, it was the custom of the

women of Jerusalem at a certain hour of the day to repair to the

Women's Court of the Temple of Herod, to offer their devotions

to the Most High, and give thanks for divine privileges. In

representation of those ancient ceremonies, I now request my

associates to assemble around the altar, that we may exemplify

our earnestness and devotion to the great precepts of our Order.

As Conductress repeats, “In representation,” etc. she passes around

Candidate by the right, turning Candidate at the same time, so that

both face the Atlar. Conductress continuing, repeats, "I now request

my associates" etc. Associate Conductress and Star officers all arise

and form a square, facing Altar as per Stars on diagram. As

Conductress concludes with the words "precepts of our order" Associate

Conductress and Star Officers each advance to Altar and remain in a

reverential attitude until conclusion of chant.

Instructions.

Flowers to be placed upon Altar as follows: A boquet for Associate

Conductress, five smaller ones of colors, appropriate to each point of the

Star, as nearly opposite the position of each officer as practicable so

arranged in shape, that when put together by the Associate Conductress a five

pointed Boquet will be formed. As Adah and Ruth are addressed by the

Conductress, each in turn will step back beyond the line of chairs, face the,

East, and approach Candidate, describing square as per dotted line on

diagram. Esther will do the same, facing the South. Martha and Electa the

same, facing the East. Lastly the Associate Conductress the same, facing the

North. Each officer after having presented offering will return to plane

still describing square. When officers approach with their offering,

Conductress, and Candidate will incline toward the East, forming a triangle

as per Stars on Diagram, turning back as officer returns to her station.

Each officer will take appropriate flower from altar, step back and form

square as before.

COND.—Sister Associate Conductress, this sister has solemnly

pledged herself' to devote a portion of her time to our cause.

"What further assurance can you present of our obligation to

cooperate with her in this glorious work?

Assoc. COND.—Sister Conductress (holding up boquet), these

Floral-Emblems of the Eastern Star are nature's smiles, wrought

from her own hues and materials, and are monitors of truth and

loving kindness. They delight the eye, gratify the sense, and

are eloquent teachers of purity and love. In the Ritual of our

Order they assume an important part, suggesting through their

forms colors, fragrance and beauty the womanly graces and brave

lessons of the five heroines of the Eastern Star. I therefore

suggest, that at this time our Floral Work be introduced with

its appropriate teachings, and that you request the

representatives of these heroines of old to unfold to this

sister their lesson of flowers.

COND.—Sister Associate, you have spoken well. And I cheerfully

comply with your suggestion.

ADAH—I present this Blue flower, a token of Fidelity. It is the

color of the starry-decked heavens, and a Symbol of filial love

and obedience, reminding us that these virtues should find a

constant dwelling place in the hearts of every member of the

Order.

RUTH—I present this Yellow flower, a token of Patient Industry.

Its color is emblematic of Plenty, reminding us that as our

pathway is strewn with abundance, we should be the dispensers of

good deeds, and as we enjoy health and prosperity, may we never

forget the necessity of devotion to religious principles.

COND.—Sister Esther, are you willing to follow the graceful

Sxample of Sisters Adah and Ruth, and present this sister with

your Floral offering, appropriate to the White point of the

Star?

ESTHER.—My offering is this White flower, a token of Light and

Joy. Its color is a Symbol of Purity. May the pure precept of

the Order actuate us to hazard life, if necessary, as did Queen

Esther, to save God's chosen people from destruction.

COND.—Sister Martha, what Foral offering do you present this

sister, appropriate to the Green point of the Star?

MARTHA—I present this Evergreen, a token of Sincerity whose

color never fades and is a Symbol of Faith in the immortality of

the soul. May hope of immortality lighten each burden of sorrow

and incline us to a devoted life.

COND.—Sister Electa, we know of the ardor with which you are

actuated. What is your floral offering appropriate to the Red

point of the Star?

ELECTA—My offering is this Red flower, a token of the final

Triumph of Truth. Its color is a Symbol of Zeal which should

actuate all who are in possession of our mystic science. May

Charity inspire us and every member of the Order, reminding us

that without Charity none can enter Heaven.

COND.—Sister Associate Conductress, Sisters Adah. Ruth, Esther,

Martha, and Electa, have each presented this sister with their

Emblematic flower and its instructive lesson. Will you now

present your Floral Offering, and by it complete our boquet?

Assoc. COND.—My offerings (holding up boquet) are these flowers

whose colors are consecrated to the five heroines of the Eastern

Star, and from each we have received an important lesson. (As

Associate Conductress takes colors from Candidate, she will

elevate each, repeating sentiments and adding to her boquet.)

The Blue takes its tint from the cerulean sky beneath which the

Mountain Maid spent the happy da}*s of her youth. The Yellow

borrows its golden tint from the glowing sun above, and the

ripening grain beneath, between which throbbed the faithful

heart of the Widow of Moab. The White suggests that dignity

which the heroic Queen so cheerfully laid aside to preserve

God's chosen people from extinction. The Evergreen leads the

Chastened Spirit through and beyond the grave to all that is

animating in the thought of a glorious resurrection. The Red

directs our thoughts to the Charity and Hospitality, inculcated

in all teachings of the Order. This Sister Conductress,

completes our boquet, emblematic of sentiments which the purest

and noblest of women may accept (presents boquet to sister) as a

token of all that she can attain in this life, or hope for in

the life to come.

COND.—My sister, you have been presented with the Floral Emblems

appropriate to this Degree and instructed in their divine

teachings. You will now give your attention to the Worthy Matron

whom you will observe approaching from the East.

As the Worthy Matron approaches, ehe will form a Triangle with Conductress

and Candidate, the Associate Matron at the same time approaches, and forms a

Triangle with the Associate Conductress, and -Esther, as per stars on

diagram.

WORTHY MATRON.—My sister, we cherish a hope that the grand and

impressive lessons taught by our Floral ceremonies have made a

deep and lasting impression upon you. That you have become

convinced of our sincerity and devotion. That your zeal for our

cause will actuate you to co-operate with us in an earnest

endeavor to perpetuate the glorious results and noble purposes

of oar Order. Anciently the ceremonies of initiation were as

grand as human mind could devise. Candidates were subjected to

real and severe trials. Long and toilsome journeys were taken

through narrow and rugged paths. As a test of fortitude they

were required to leap from a height into a seeming fiery pit. A

rose was plucked from the hair and cast into aflame as a token

of willing sacrifice to duty, pleasures and superfluities. They

were then crowned with a Laurel wreath, a symbol of perfection

and reward of merit. My sister, Humanity and its progress has

for thousands of years been moved by the hand of Omnipotence,

and will continue for ages to make their record on the scroll of

nations and leave their footprints on the sands of time. We are

commissioned by the Grand Patron on high to contribute our mite.

It is by patient industry, gleaning here a little and there a

little, the gathering together of small effects that end in

grand results. If hearts and hands are expanded by benevolence,

and our united efforts are directed by wise councils to a common

purpose, we can accomplish much, and realize the power and

grandeur of our undertakings. This Order was instituted to

afford a larger opportunity of extending the reign of peace and

love upon earth, to erect a shrine where the burdened heart

could pour out its sorrows, and distress find relief. My sister,

it is for these purposes we have assembled around this sacred

altar, and presented you with our Floral Offerings, tokens of

sisterly affection. Here we renew our vows, and here with our

Associate Matron we now give thanks for divine privileges.

Associate Matron approaches Altar (as the Worthy Matron repeats "here with

our Associate Matron," etc.) kneels, at the same time officers and Candidate

form circle around Altar.when Associate Matron repeats the following:

PRAYER.

A. M. — Our Father who art in heaven, bless, we beseech thee,

this sister to whom we have presented floral tributes of

sisterly affection. Consecrate and adorn her life with these

Symbols of Virtue. Endow each with a just appreciation of their

responsibilities. Keep us mindful at morning, noon, and eventide

of a Father's care, which is always over us, and an all-seeing

eye which is ever upon us. Honor and prosper our beloved Order

whose foundation is the enduring principle of Truth. Direct our

foot-steps in paths of peace, and when the measure of our years

are ended, receive us into thy Chapter on high.—Amen.

The Worthy Patron may sound the gavel, when the officers will resume their

stations, Conductress and Candidate facing the West. Chapter is called up,

and candidate is formally introduced as per Revised Ritual.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the Officers may go through very pretty

evolutions in different forms as may be designed by chapters to the following

—