THE EMPTY CHAIR DEGREE - 1875
From the Frontier Army Lodge of Masonic Research #1875
This unofficial ritual may be exercised at a regularly tyled Lodge, or may
be utilized as part of an open Lodge or similar setting among Masons, friends
and family. Great ceremony during Veteran's Day or Memorial Day.
The Vacant Chair
A vacant chair may be brought into the Lodge or meeting room by processional,
or may be placed in advance between the Altar and the chair in the west; or in
any appropriate place in a non-Masonic meeting or banquet room. In an outdoor
setting, it may be brought to the assembly preferably accompanied by appropriate
music or again, in an appropriate position among those gathered.
Opening the Degree
At the appropriate time, the SW or appropriate officer would announce,
+ W.M., there is an alarm at the outer door.
+ W.M., ___________ (Appropriate officer by title), you will attend to
that alarm and see who seeks admission at this (Lodge ... Assembly of Brethren).
+ (Appropriate officer), Worshipful Master, Comrades and Brothers who
have fallen in service of their country seek admission here, not in person, but
through their spiritual presence that they seek our continued remembrance. It
also through the special memory of our fallen Brother, John Holt Beever,
Lieutenant, United States Army, that Brethren fallen honorably in all wars be
remembered.
W.M., My Brother, bid the entry of our fallen Brothers and the opening
of our hearts to their memory.
(If a processional, a color party carrying the empty chair enters the room.
The perambulation of the Lodge, room or meeting space is from the west to the
north, across even between the WM and an altar, if there be one; before the
Junior Warden, then to place it before the Worshipful Master in the east, and
facing west.)
(If there be no processional with color guard, the chair, draped in black, is
placed by appropriate Brothers at the verbal request of the Worshipful Master)
W.M., + (Raps gavel) Brother Senior Warden
SW, (Stands) Worshipful Master
WM, Brother Senior Warden, it is my order that in recognition of our
fallen Brother's presence, and his status as a Master Mason, that the apron of a
Brother Master Mason be positioned as it would be were our Brothers present in
body as well as spirit. You, or a Brother who has honorably served his country
in uniform, will aproach the seat of our Brothers' memory, and perform the
honor.
(The SW or appointed Brother shall approach the East to receive the Member's
Apron from the W.M. The Brother so designated, as well as the WM and SW, should
all be wearing such white gloves as would be used by the Lodge in Masonic
funeral rites.) (If a designated Brother, he marches at funeral pace to the
chair, standing to the north side, facing the Senior Warden.)
SW: The Lambskin, or white apron, was the first gift of Masonry to our
departed Brother. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. It is
more ancient than the Golden Fleece, or Roman Eagle, more honorable than the
Star and Garter. This emblem I now offer and secure for the seat of our deceased
Brother, in recognition of his, and his Masonic companions dedication to the
highest ideals of the Craft in the greatest of viccissitudes in service to their
fellows.
(Apron is placed on on the seat of the chair, turns again to the West.)
SW: By this act we are reminded of the Masonic ideals of our fallen
Brother and his fellows. We see in clear vision the Noble thoughts, generous
impulses, words of truth, acts of love and deeds of mercy. The Masonic Apron
represents these highest aspirations of a Brother in all ways, as each Brother
knows they give to man his only genuine happiness, his lasting satisfaction. To
these precepts our Brother willingly and gladly subscribed.
(The appointed Brother or SW now marches at funeral pace to his own seat.)
WM: +(Rap to seat officers all but himself) WM: Our Brother
_________________ (Lt. John Holt Beever), having given himself freely not only
to the obligations of the Degrees of Masonry, but also to the obligations of
service to his ideals as his lights showed them, thereby garnered the honors of
his peers in service, his superiors and those who looked to him for leadership.
I now place these honors as decorations to his Masonic Apron. It is said a Man
is made a Mason first in his heart. The Mason may have earned honors before, or
after he is raised to the Sublime Degree. But as the world sees, those honors do
not decorate his Masonry, but but rather highlight the spirit which made both a
Mason and a man of service.
(W.M. may posit the medals on the apron, or call up an appointed brother as
above to place the medals.)
(After medals are placed, the WM or appointed Veteran faces West.)
W.M.: These honors of mankind for our Brother, whether in material or
purely from the heart, represent mankind's decoration upon a life of honor and
service.
(W.M. or appointed Brother returns to his place.)
Chaplain repeats the following prayer:
Most Gracious God, Great Architect of the Universe, Author of all good, and
Giver of all mercy, pour down, we implore Thee, Thy blessings upon us, and grant
that the solemnity of this occasion may bind us yet closer together in the bonds
of Brotherly Love. May the present instance of mortality forcibly remind us of
our approaching and inevitable destiny, and weaning our affections from the
things of this world, fix them more devotedly on Thee, our only safe refuge in
the hour of need, and grant, O God, that when the summons shall come for us to
leave our transitory Lodge on earth, the light which is from above shall dispel
the encircling gloom: and that departing hence with faith in Thee, in full hope
of a resurrection and in charity with all men, we may, through Thy favor, be
admitted to Thy Celestial Lodge on high, to partake in everlasting reunion with
the souls of our departed friends and Brethren, the just rewards of a pious and
virtuous life. Amen
Brothers: So Mote it Be
(-- Here comes a short recognition of the Brother's life: by the appropriate
officer)
W.M.: As we have recognized our Brother(s), and especially ___________
(Our Brother Lt. John Holt Beever, let us take this also as both an affirmation
of his virtue and recognition of our own frailty.
W.M.: Brothers, will you reenact with me the Masonic Service to a
Brother raised to a higher Lodge by first forming a circle around the vacant
chair of our Brother and Brothers?
(The WM walks to the chair to head a circle of Brothers around the chair, as
circumstances permit, each with an evergreen sprig in his hand.)
(The Worshipful Master will then take the Evergreen in his hand and say:)
WM: This Evergreen is an emblem of immortality. Beyond this world of
shadows, man has a glorious destiny, since, within this earthly tabernacle of
clay, there abides an imperishable immortal spirit, over which the grave hath no
power nor death dominion.
(After the WM has deposited his evergreen on the Apron, the other Brethren in
order of rank if appropriate, or simply in moving the circle as a line at the
order of the W.M., each places his evergreen with his right hand as he passes on
the south upon the apron, and returns to his place in the circle, facing
inward.)
W.M.: Brethren, prepare for the Funeral Honors.
(FUNERAL HONORS will then be given in the following manner: The Brethren will
extend their hands toward the grave, palms up,
W.M.: We consign his body to the earth.
(The Brethren then cross their arms on their breast, the left uppermost, the
open palms resting on their shoulders;
W.M.: We cherish his memory here. (The Brethren will then raise their
hands above their heads, looking upward,
W.M.: We commend his spirit to God who gave it.
Worshipful Master: Gracious God, rest this our Brother, who has walked here
with us. Everlasting life give unto him, and if it be Thy will, lead him through
the gates into the Eternal City. Amen.
(Response:) "So mote it be."
W.M. informally dismisses the Brothers, and returns to the Oriental Chair or
podium.
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