SentLetters

(Note: the images above overlap a little, because they dont fit in the scanner!)

Paper:

1- The Condictress leads the canidate to the west side of the Alter, by

entering the Labyrinth from the east,between Adah and Electa, leaving theAlter to the right;causing her to kneel,and places a small Bible in her hands,in the following manner; Both hands clasp the book, with thumbs across the front edge.

2. In the presence of xxx Almighty God and of these witnesses, I

xxxxxxxx solemnly and sincerely promise, that I will never unlawfully reveal to any person the secret work of the Order of the Eastern Star.

That I will always maintain a discret silence respecting the transactions of the chapter of which I may be a member or visitor, when in the presence of those who are not members of the order;

That I will obey the Constitution and laws of the Grand Chapter within whose jurisdiction I may be, and the bylaws of the Chapter of which I may be a member;

That I will so far as in my power, give to my sisters and brothers advice in their troubles, sympathy in their sorrows, and aid in their misfortunes;

That I will not speak evil of a sister or brother,or preform any act of injustice or xxxxxx unkindness towards them.

That I will cherish and defend the character of all members of the Order, so far as truth,honor and justice will warrant;

That I will consider this obligation binding upon me, although my membership in the Order may cease;

To this Solemn obligation I promise faithful obediance, under the xx penalty off suspension or expulsion from the Order;

3. W.P.Raising the veil as high as the eyes twice,raising it a third X

time,throwing it up over the head , retaining hold of the ends, and casting the eyes upward.

4. Cond. - Alas my daughter!

5. W.P. - Being Jepthah’aexclamation when his daughter came out to

meet him on his return to Mizpeh.

6. W.P. Extending the hands forward from the elbows, closed, as

though holding clums of barley, then drawing them to the breasts, casting the eyes upward.

7.- Cond. Who is this?

8. - W.P. -Being Boaz’sinquiry concerning Ruth.

9. - W.P. With the right hand first touching the crown of the head

then the left shoulder, then extending it foward, palm downward, as though touching the scepter.

10. Cond. - What wilt thou.

11. W.P. -Being the Kings inquiry of her.

12. W.P. -Forming a triangle with the thumb and forefinger of each

hand, then raising them above the head, and casting the eyes upward.

13. Cond. - Believest thou this?

14. W.P. Being the inquiry of which Jesus made of Martha, when he

had declared, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

15. W.P.Crossingthe arms over the breast , the left over the right and

casting the eye upward.

16. Cond. –Love one another.

17. W.P. - Are you a member of the Eastern Star?

Cond– I have seen his^ star in the East.W.P. - Why have you come here?

Cond. I have come here to worship Him.

W.P. Have you the Cabilistic word?

Cond. — I have .

W.P. - Will you give it to me ?
Cond. I will, with your assistance.

W.P. . Begin

Cond. F.

W.P. - A.

Cond. -T.

W.P. -A.

Cond. -L. fatal.

W.P. -What signification has the word?

Cond. First that it would be fatal to the character of any one for truth
to divulge the secret work of the Order unlawfully. Second, xxxx each letter stands for a word, and these words compose the Cabalistic Motto?

W.P. -Have you the Cabalistic Motto?

Cond. - I have.

W.P. Will you give it to me?

Cond.- I will with your assistance.

W.P. -Begin

Cond. - Fairest.

W.P. -Among

Cond. Thousands

W.P. Altogether

Cond. Lovely.

18.W.P. Fairest among thousands, altogether lovely.

19. W.P. Facing the east, placing their hands in the position they were when

holding the book at the Alter, and, with a slight bow, retire or be seated, as the case may me. The response from the chair to this sign is made by placing the right hand upon the ceter of the left breast, them moving it slowly palm xxxxxxxx upward, and forward to the full length of the forearm.

20. W.P. Taking the hand in the ordinary manner, and passing the thrumb to the

fleshy part ofthe hand, between the thumb and forefinger, with a slight pressure.

21. W.P. Cabalistic Word.

Notes:

(from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Eastern_Star)
W.P. - Worthy Matron - “a Master Mason who provides general supervision”
Conductress - “Leads visitors and Initiations” (misspelled above and in the original letter as Condictress)

(From wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabal)
Cabalistic - From Cabal - “The term cabal derives from Kabbalah (a word that has numerous spelling variations), the mystical interpretation of the Hebrew scripture, and originally meant either an occult doctrine or a secret. It was introduced into English in the publication of Cabala a curious medley of letters and papers of the reigns of James and Charles I that appeared in 1654.”

More information: http://www.saintsalive.com/freemasonry/estar.htm

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