CHAPTER XXV.

ENCAMPMEXl ODO-Fi: LLOWSllIP
Is properly called Patriarchal, and consists of the three degrees of Patriarchal, Golden Kule, and Royal Pur- ple. A part of the dressing of an Encampment room is the Tent and Crook, and tells lis that the Patriarchs dwelt in tents or had movable dwellings and were shepherds w^atching their flocks. The motto of our Order is carried into Patriarchal Odd-Fellowship and exemplified in a different style.
Friendship is taught and impressed in the way of hospitality to a stranger and toleration as to religious faith. Abraham entc^rtained angels in the guise of men, and we are taught to entertain strangers because ?ome have entertained auijels unawares, and we may do the same. Abraham, under the title of Abram, is rep- resented as driving a man from his tent and out into the wilderness because he did not worship his God. He was reproved and required to call back the stranger and bear with him in his difference of opinion and service.
Love is taught and strongly impressed upon the heart hy an exemplification of the Golden Pule, ^'Whatso- ever ye would that others should do to you, do ye also even so to them." Those of every nation, clime, kin- dred and custom, with all their conflictinar interests are
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ranged side by side and the moral law is presented as a basis on which they may all meet and unite in service to the Supreme Kuler of the universe and in offices of human benefactions.
Truth is taught in the mimic journey of life, and the importance of care as we pass from point to point, and make watch after watch until the end is reached and we pass from labor to rest.
The motto of Encampment or Patriarchal Odd-Fel- Jowship is "Faith, Hope and Charity,'^ and under this motto and guided by these principles, we go forth to do the work of life. They are the three pillars on which the structure rests. An exercise of Faith gives us the groundwork for the Hope and inspires us to the exercise of Charity, that greatest of all the virtues, "and now abideth Faith, Hope and Cliarity, these three, but the greatest of these is Charity." (Beharrell — Mon- :!tor and Guide). The ceremonies in these Encamp- ment Degrees are quite lengthy. I will therefore only copy what refers strictly to tlie religious part thereof. "The High Priest of an Encampmv?nt shall wear a robe made of purple fabric, trimmed with ermine or white fabric, a mitre, breastplate, white surplice of muslin or silk. etc.
The Chief Patriarch shall wear a purple gown, yel- low belt : turban with black band and yellow top and a crook."'
_ The High Priest acts, during part of the initiation, as Abraham, in the Patriarchal Degree, and the can- didate is given the name of Isaac. After passing through the usual preliminary exercise the candidate is brought before Abraham and this takes place :
Abraham: "You give me great jo}^ my son. Your
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footsteps have been led to Beersheba by the finger of God. He has commanded me to make a three days' journey to tlie hmd of Moriah and there offer up to Him a sacrifice/'
Junior Warden (for Isaac) : "Let obedience crown your head. Honor tlie Lord's behest, and make no dc- Jay in fulfilling them."
Abraham : ''^My son, you speak wisely, and we will ^3roceed on the three days' journey."
(A procession is formed, headed by the High Priest as Abraham and the candidate as Isaac, the latter be- ing blindfolded and carrying a bundle of sticks. A psalm or ode may be suno-. The altar is placed to suit. On arriving at the place for the altar the blindfold is removed).
Abraham : '^Here, my son, we will erect an altar, for this is Blount ^roriah."
Junior Warden (for Isaac) : ^'What shall we do for a sacrifice?''
Abraham : *'Ee patient, my son, and the Lord will provide one."
(The altar l;)ein,2' in readiness, the Watches, one or more, stand near, holding torches).
Abraham : ^'We have been blessed hitherto, anil we jnust hasten to serve the Lord, for His will must be done, that we may realize honor and glory. His com- mand that T. Abraham, shall make this sacrifice, is not for an idle puposo, b t i^ ^^lay serve r.s an illi:s*r!ons example to generations unborn, to show that God ever blesses the obedient, and accords to them prosperity. My son Isaac, be not surprised : it is God's order that you shall be sacrificed The angel of the Lord shall gather and keep your ashes in a golden urn as a mem-
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orial of your submissive obedience, and of my faith in God."
(A bowl of water and a towel are provided).
Abraham: 'Tatriarchs, let ns place the fagots on the altar. Isaac, wash your hands with me in this bowl which contains pure water. With this white linen dry your hands." (They wash and wipe their hands). Patriarchs, place Isaac upon the altar."
(The candidate, as Isaac, is blindfolded and caused to kneel on the altar).
Abraham: "Let us unite in praise to God."
(Patriarchs surround the altar. Lights are turned low. Torches are lighted, ready to fire the altar. The High Priest, as Abraham, stands with his left hand on Isaac, right hand elevated, and recites the first four verses of Psalm XXIII, as follows:)
Abraham : "The Lord is my shepherd : I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still waters..
"He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. •
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil : for Thou are with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."
(The above may be chanted.) A short pause.
Abraham : "Xow, let the torch be applied."
(At a distance . from the altar the muffled gong is struck three times. A short pause. )
Abraham: "Let the fagots be fired."
(imitation thunder. The gong is again struck three times, followed by a short pause).
Abraham: "Isaac is not to be sacrificed. Let him
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be removed from the altar and restored to light, and be- come a member of the Patriarchal family, and I will return and dwell at Beersheba."
Here the symbols and emblems of the Degree are ex- l^lained and the signs and pass-word given.
The second Encampment degree is called "The Golden Rule." The Patriarch, who is admitted to this degree is brought by the Junior Warden before the High Priest.
Junior Warden: "^Most Excellent High Priest, I
present to you Patiiarch , who lias taken the
obligation of this degree.
High Priest: "Patriarch, you have been taught to recognize as a cardinal virtue the Golden Rule, which commands us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Here we endeavor to inculcate a just ob- servance of the high moral affections and duties for the enforcement of which society can not enact a code.
"Here no artificial distinctions of nation, rcc^ or tribe are recognized. All stand upon a common level, and are alike entitled to that consideration and regard which each claims for himself. The rule by which we walk is founded upon the immutable truth that all men are brethren; but the code of society regulates the de- gree of association. From one common source the ex- istence of all is derived, and we are bound to each other by common ties. A nerve of the same life runs through the human race and gives to each an interest in all that live. Recognizing as we do this bond of union, the evils that afflict our brother-man become in a measure our own, his misfortunes are our misfortunes, and his suf- ferings do but incn^ase the pains that shoot through
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our systems, and render life so feverish and fitful. If we smite him we smite a member of our own body, and if we strike for his blood, our own flesh shall feel the wound.
"From all this vast brotherhood we claim sympathy in distress, truth in intercourse, and free and full tol- eration. As we claim these for ourselves, and yield them up at the mandate of none, so we are bound freely and fully to accord them to others."
High Priest : "Junior Warden, you will retire with the candidate."
(Junior Warden and candidate retire for a time so as to give an opportunity for arranging everything for further proceedings. The members of the lodge as- sume different costumes representing the different races- of men: the White, Brown, Yellow, Eed and Black; and the creeds of Jews, Pagan, Christian, Mohamme- dan. When everything is in readiness both Warden and candidate re-enter).
Junior ^Warden (to candidate) : "You see before you representatives of the different peoples of the earth.. There is the White race, now scattered through- out the world. Its origin was in ancient Asia, the re- gion once occupied by Adam, Noah and Abraham, but now overrun by semi-barbarous hordes as different in religious faith as in manners. Afany of them still cling to the ancient worship of Judaism, some to the Crescent and some to the Cross. The religion of the Cross prevails where civilization exists, and yet its de- votees are divided into sects as antagonistic in creed as though they were dissimilar in origin..
"The Brown race inhabits parts of Southern Asia.
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It is far advanced in tlio arts and sciences. Its temples of worship are of great splendor, and exhibit architect- ural skill equalling that of any other people. Its re- Jigion is Paganistic, and its social habits are defined by vstrict and rigid caste.
"The Yellow race, consisting of the Mongolians of Asia, are votaries of Pagan rites according to the teach- ings of Confucius. For centuries they have given prac- tical evidence of advanced mental power, by the pro- duction of handiwork whose mysteries have remained unfathomed by other races.
"The lied race consists of unlettered savages, roam--" ing through the pathless wilderness, chasing the fleet deer with the quiver and bow. The sun, moon, and the myriads of stars receive their profound adoration as symbols of an eternal Great Spirit.
"And there you behold the Black race. It inhabits,. {IS borders, the wilds of Africa. In general they are barbarians and monsters in the practice of the most djre rapine, yet some of them are more gentle — as the ^'ubians, who dwell upon tlie burning sands of the Equator and dance to the music of a rex^d beneath the spreading palm.
"In recognition of the Benign Power that created all things, man seeks to honor the Creator by ceremonies of adoration. That group embraces men of different there is the Pagan, a worshiper of idols, or of the ele- ments of fire. And here are the intolerant and perse- tuiting Mohammedans, wlio are ever ready to immolate the man of another creed upon the altar of their own peculiar faith."
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(The candidate is again blindfolded and conducted around the lodge, whilst the brethren representing the different nations. and creeds seat themselves among the Patriarchs. Tho lights are turned up and the blind- folding removed).
Chief Patriarch : ^Tatriarch, look around you. Be- hold the change a few moments have wrought, emblem- atic of that change which shall occur when the Golden Eule shall have asserted its power and obtained its do- minion over the world. The high and impassable bar- riers that separate man from his fellow-man are broken down. All sit together as brothers in harmony and love. The descendants of Abraham and the followers of the Crescent are co-mingled with those of tho Cross as one happy family, knowing no diversity of faith or creed, and a calm repose has come upon the elements of strife. The spear of the warrior is broken and the sword of the conqueror lies rusting in the scabbard, and discord and contention shall be known no more."
(The usual instruction given after each initiation about the emblems, symbols, signs and grip are here given to the new member) .
The Eoyal Purple or Third Encampment Degree is conferred only upon such Patriarchs as have been apt scholars in the previous degrees. The initiatory cere- monies represent man's journey through life. The candidate is, as usual, blindfolded, and led over rough roads, hears sweet music, afterwards followed by great noise, clap of thunder, sound of arms, etc., followed by music and then a bridge is crossed, when candidate is brought to a halt before the presiding officer.
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Guard : "Most Excellent High Priest, a pilgrim has arrived, and desires 3-our blessing/^
High Priest: "Present the pilgriyi. (He is pre- sented.) Restore him to light/^ (Blindfold is re- moved ) .
High Priest: "Patriarch, T welcome you to this temple of our Order; your progress hither may have appeared tedious, but we trust that the lesson you have gathered by the way will prove profitable. All human excellence is the reward of perseverance, toil and dan- ger, such as we have endeavored to picture to the imag- ination in the mimic journey of life through which you have been conducted — a scene that has not been re- hearsed for idle amusement, but to awaken rational meditation in a mind as mature as yours. * * * ?>
The new Patriarch is instrncted in all the secrets of the order, its signs, emblems, etc., and the ceremony closed with the following prayer:
"Father of Mercy, God of love, we beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness to defend us from peril and dan- ger this night. Let Thy blessing rest upon us; and may all our works — begun, continued and ended — re- dound to Thy glory and the happiness of all mankind. Amen."
Surely it is evident that Odd-Fellowship is a relig- ious organization. The women branches of the Order have a similar ritual with an oath, etc.