CHAPTER XL.

ROYAL Ar.CAXUM.
This secret society was founded by members of the Masonic Order and prominent people in and around Boston in 18T7 and incorporated as the Supreme Council of the Eoyal Arcanum under the laws of the State of Massachusetts. The Order succeeds in keeping its Eoyal Secret, but by accidental circumstances I have a copy of the ritual and I will quote from it to show the religious character of this Order. A large number of the Order claim to belong to the Catholic Church. Its cliief emblem is a royal crown within a circle, "on the circumference of which are ten small maltese crosses without notches. Among the objects of the Order we read: "to educate its members socially, morally and intellectually." In the by-laws we read that " Fra- ternal orders are a national blessing. They promote thrift, economy, sobriety, without freezing the soul into selfishness, as is apt to be the case in the usual struggle for wealth or high social position. They bring men into closer social relations and cherish those feelings that thrive and put forth blossoms in each other's welfare. They make men thoughtful and helpful, expanding the sentiments of Virtue, ^lercy and Charity. They teach us the religion that breaks bread to the hungry, gives a cup of water to the thirsty, watches at the bed of the sick, visits the imprisoned, the fatherless, and the widowed.
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duties that are sadly neglected, and for a long time were supposed to be confined to the church/^
On page 1 of the Book of Duties, as corrected January 1, 1898 (Ritual), we read: "Sec. 601. The Book of Duties must be adhered to in all respects, unless special authority to use substitutes for portions thereof is granted by the Supreme Council or the Supreme Eegent.''
On page 2 : "Any initiator}'^ ceremony not provided for in the Book of Duties is strictly prohibited, except- in cases where the Supreme Regent shall, by dispensa- tion, authorize definite changes in Part II., etc.^'
From page 5 : "There are ten stations in a Council Chamber, corresponding to the ten points upon the crown, the emblem of the Royal Arcanum. The elev- enth station, at the entrance of the room, is known as the 'Altar or Secret Station.^ This shall be of such dimensions as shall be necessary for the proper exempli- fication of the degree; it shall have a hinged cover pro- vided with a secure lock, having three keys, one of which shall be in the keeping of the Regent, one in that of the
Vice-Regent, and the third in that of the Guide
The interior of the Station shall be of sufficient
depth to hold the Protective Badge, the Royal Secret, the Jewels, the Sash, the Books of Duties; and these must be kept therein when the Council is not occupied with its duties.
"The Protective Badge is a tablet of metal, on which shall be distinctly engraved the letters V. M. C.
"The Royal Secret is a tablet of metal, on v^hich, in distinct figures, shall be the mystical number. This shall always remain in the Secret Station or Cabinet.
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except for the brief period when used in conferring the Degree.
The V-shaped screen and its furniture: A folding screen of two wings, white on both sides. Each wing six feet three inches in height, and three feet ten inches wide; a white stand, tripod or bracket and a basin fitting it.
"Tlie 'M' screen and its furniture: A folding screen with four wings all light blue. Two inner wings six feet three inches high, two feet ten inches wide; outer wjngs same height, five feet wide. A knapsack sixteen inches by eighteen inches, so made as to be easily weight- ed with from twenty to one hundred pounds, and sup- plied with hooks (page 6) of hoop-iron to suspend it from the shoulders, and with a hook at the lower end for quick attachment of additional weight if desired. A small table with a decanter and one or more glasses.
The Sash : A blue cashmere sash without ends, four inches wide and fifty-six inches long to top of crossing, lined with cambric, and having a row of half -inch yellow metal lace on each edge, and a hook at the hip for the Trotective Badge.
The Banner is to be of fawn-colored silk, eighteen by twenty-seven inches, cut swallow-tailed at bottom, and trimmed all around with half-inch gilt lace, and one and a quarter-inch fringe at bottom. *^Royal Arcanum" printed at top in gold, scarlet symbol in centre, and mystic number in gold at the bottom. Cross pole of black walnut with gilt ball at ends. Banner hung to j)ole by gilt lace loops, and pole to have cord and tassel at each end of cord.'^
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From page 9. '^ .The Guide, satisfied that all pres- ent are members of the Eoyal Arcanum, and that the Council chamber is prepared for duty, standing at altar and facing it and Eegent (shall say) : Kegent, the outer and inner door are securely guarded, the secret symbol is properly displayed, the officers are at their sta- tions, properly clothed, and all present are entitled to sit with us. (Guide will then occupy his station.)
Regent — Brothers, let us now assemble around the altar. (Then shall all except the Warden and the Sen- try, form in a circle about the altar. The four principal officers shall stand inside the circle, facing the altar, with their backs towards their respectative stations.) All except the Chaplain give the sign of the Order, and re- main so during prayer.
(Chaplain inside the circle near the altar and facing it and Hegent:)
Our Father, who art in heaven, as we assemble around this altar, we humbly ask Thine aid in performing the duties of this hour. As members of this beneficient Order, with a due sense of our responsibility, may we do to others as we would have them do to us, by practicing Virtue ourselves, by showing Mercy to others, and by exercising Charity for all. Amen.
All — Amen.
Kegent — Give the sifjn. All do so.
(Page 10.)
Regent — The governing principles of the Royal Ar- canum are:
All — ^Virtue, Mercy, Charity.
Regent— And the greatest of these is Charity. ;
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Past Regent — May Virtue lead, Mercy guide, and Charity control us in every thought, word and action. Here may be sung the Opening Ode. Tune, *'Rock of Ages/' -
Band of Brothers, let us be
Bound by cords of Charity, Mercy lend us from above,
Olive branch of peace; 0 love, Plant in all these hearts of ours,
Virtue's ever blooming flowers.
Friendship spread thy sheltering wing;
Let the social joys that spring From our Council meetings start,
Quicker pulls through the heart, May we by our work be brought
Up to higher realms of thought.
By the wisdom of these plans.
By the joining of our hands, Hope's strong anchor here is laid
In unselfish votes w^e made. That our loved ones when we fall
Share the fostering care of all.
From page 15 and fit. "The Mysteries."