Worthy Matron:
(Enters and stands at the west side of the Altar facing east)
As Worth Matron of Arlington Chapter 249, Order of the
Eastern Star, I am pleased to come here to bring greetings and words of
friendship and love to Arlington Masonic Lodge 438. As an Order founded by Masons for their female
relations to be able to join them in the spirit of Masonic truth and fraternal
relief, we would not exist if the lodge did not. This evening we hope that we
might, guided by the Star in the east, show you our appreciation and affection.
Worshipful Master, May I approach the East?
(The Master gives consent and WM goes to the East and ascends the stairs.)
Worshipful Master and Masons all, this evening we bring a gift but it is yet in many parts. It may only be assembled at the Holy Altar for there is where its parts began.
Adah:
(Enters and stands on the west side of the Altar facing east)
I am Adah, The Daughter of Jephthah. My Story is one of
fidelity. A word given is a word
received, whether it be given by our self or by those to whom we owe obedience
unto. Without Fidelity; oaths, promises,
even nations would all would perish.
(Adah places a blue
flower on the altar at the top right of the bible then steps back to the west)
Ruth:
(Enters and stands on the west side of the Altar facing east)
I am Ruth, the widow of Naomi’s son. My Story is One of Constancy. Without a dedication of purpose the toils of
our lives will come to little. We must
maintain our commitment to God, ourselves, and our fellow man if we are to make
a difference in this world.
(Ruth places a yellow flower on the altar where at the
bottom right side of the bible then walks stands beside Adah)
Esther:
(Enters and stands on the west side of the Altar facing east)
I am Esther, the wife of a King. My story is one of
Loyalty. Without a pure and loyal
spirit, our ideals and good will should fall by the wayside. We must ever be
mind full of who we are and what we are a part of if we should allow ourselves
to help others beyond the thought of personal gain.
(Esther places a
white flower on the altar at the bottom of the bible then walks to and stands in
a line with Adah and Ruth)
Martha:
(Enters and stands on the west side of the Altar facing east)
I am Martha, the sister of Lazarus. My Story is one of
Trustful Faith. Without faith in God,
our prayers are but dust in our mouths. Without faith in ourselves we may never
know how much we can accomplish. Without faith in our fellow man, we can know
nothing but envy and spite.
(Martha places a green
flower on the altar at the bottom left of the bible then walks to and stands in
a line with Adah Esther and Ruth)
Electa:
(Enters and stands on the west side of the Altar facing east)
I am Electa, A mother to my children. My story is one of
Love. Through service to others, to our family, and to God, we show Love. Love
of our nation, our fellow man, and our Creator. Through our order we have a way to express
that love.
(Electa places a red
flower on the altar at the top left of the bible then walks to and stands in a
line with Adah Ruth Martha and Esther)
Worthy Patron:
(Enters and stands on the west side of the Altar facing east,
lay a ribbon across the Bible)
The Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star are one and all
family and relations of Masons.
(Picks up the Blue Flower)
Some of them are Daughters of Masons. They have chosen to join the order and are faithful and obedient to its teachings.
(places the blue flower on the bible and picks up the yellow
flower)
Some are Widows of Masons, ever constant to their love and to the Masonic orders.
(places the yellow flower on the bible and picks up the
white flower)
Some are Wives of Masons, Loyal partners in life and labor; they are the queens of their husband’s hearts.
(places the white flower on the bible and picks up the green
flower)
Some are the Sisters of Masons, Faithfull to God they stand beside their brothers in service.
(places the green flower on the bible and picks up the red
flower)
Some are the Mothers of Masons. Their love and tender grace is a strength we should all remember.
(places the red flower on the bible and then Kneeling at the altar so he can easily reach begins to tie
the ribbons around the stems in a bow)
The Masons who are members of the Order of the Eastern Star
each acknowledges these precious ties and share with them in binding ourselves
to a Solemn Obligation. Every member of our order strives to embody the spirit
of the lessons taught us that our Order may stand side by side with the Masonic
lodge in friendship and affection while sharing in the responsibility of
fraternal relief.
(stands and Picks up the bound Bouquet)
Worshipful Master may I approach the east.
(On consent the WP approaches the east walks up the stairs
and hands the bouquet to the WM)
Worthy Matron:
Each of these flowers on its own has a special meaning, yet
until we bind all five of them together we cannot behold the beauty of whole.
Worshipful Master as Worth Matron and on behalf of Arlington Chapter 249, I
present these to you as a symbolic gift showing our Fidelity, Constancy,
Loyalty, Faith, and of course our Love for Arlington Lodge 438
(After the Master gives any response the WM and WP bow to
the Star points, the points bow in return, the WP escorts the WM out of the
lodge room and the star points file out after.)
