KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS 
 CEREMONIES 
 
 . ... OF ... . 
 
 Laying Corner-Stones 
 
 and 
 
 Dedicating Castle Halls 
 
 SUPREME LODGE 
 
 / JURISDICTION 
 
 N. A., S. A., E., A., A, & A. 
 
 C K. R03INSON PRINTING CO.. 8T. LOUIS. MO, 
 1918 
 
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS 
 CEREMONIES 
 
 .... OF .... 
 
 Laying Corner=Stones 
 
 AND 
 
 Dedicating Castle Halls 
 
 SUPREME LODGE 
 
 JURISDICTION 
 
 N. A., S. A., E., A., A, & A. 
 
 C. K. ROBINSON PRINTING CO., ST. LOUIS. MO, 
 1918 
 
GENERAL DIRECTIONS 
 
 w 
 
 The officer for laying a cornerstone or dedicating a 
 Castle Hall shall be a Supreme or Grand Chancellor or 
 a Deputy appointed by him. If the Supreme or Grand 
 Chancellor officiates, the ceremonies shall be declared to 
 be in "Knightly and Chivalric Form." 
 
 If a Deputy officiates it shall be declared to be in 
 "Knightly Form." 
 
 The Supreme or Grand Chancellor's expenses and 3 
 Dollars per day shall be paid by the lodge for which the 
 ceremonies are performed. A Deputy's expenses shall 
 be paid and 2 Dollars per day, and he shall be entitled 
 to the honors of a Grand Chancellor while officiating in 
 the ceremonies. 
 
 All officers and Knights when addressing the Supreme 
 01 Grand Chancellor, or addressed by him, shall make 
 a military salute with the hand, and if in uniform, with 
 the sword. 
 
 At public dedications the use of the Signs and Pass 
 words shall be dispensed with and the doors of the Cas- 
 tle Hall may be opened. 
 
 COMPANIES OF UNIFORM RANK 
 
 If a Company of the Uniform Rank attends the cere- 
 rionies, they shall be an escort to the Lodge and Grand 
 Officers. 
 
At all consecrations the Lodge and Sir Knights si-All 
 meet at the Castle Hall at the appointed time, and open 
 in the Knight Rank and receive the Supreme or Grand 
 Chancellor with the proper honors due him. 
 
 The Supreme or Grand Chancellor shall be accom- 
 panied by a Grand Master-at-Arms. 
 
 GRAND ENTERING 
 
 The Dedicating Officers enter the ante-room in the reg- 
 ular way and clothe themselves in the proper regalia, 
 uniform or insignia of their Rank. The Grand Master- 
 at-Arms works his way into the Lodge room in the ordi- 
 nary manner, and advancing to the altar will salute the 
 Chancellor Commandner in the usual manner; or, if in 
 public with a military salute. . In case the Officer is spec- 
 ially appointed the Grand Master-at-Arms will read the 
 commission. He will say: 
 
 G. M. at A. — '-'Chancellor Commander, as Grand Mas- 
 ter-at-Arms, I am here to inform you that the Grand 
 Chancellor is in readiness here in the ante room, for the 
 purpose of performing the ceremonies of Consecration 
 in behalf of this lodge; you will therefore hold yourself 
 and the Lodge in order so as to receive him in proper 
 form and with due honors. 
 
 C. C. (Rising and returning the salute) — "Grand Mas- 
 ter-at-Arms, I thank you for your courteous notifica- 
 tions, and will see that the appropriate honors are 
 given." 
 
 (The G. M. at A. salutes and retires. The C. C. gives 
 one rap and sayat 1 
 
C. C. — "Brother Master-at-A rms." 
 
 M. A. (rising and salutes. — "Chancellor Commander." 
 
 C. C. — "You will retire to the ante room and inform 
 the Grand Chancellor that the Lodge awaits his pleas- 
 ure.' - 
 
 (The Master-at-Arms retires, delivers messages and 
 returns. The Grand Chancellor heing ready to enter, 
 tl.e G. M. A. will give the usual alarm with the hilt of 
 fit's sword.) 
 
 I. G. — "\V|ho comes here?" 
 
 G. M. at A. (with drawn sword.) — "The Grand Chan- 
 cellor and his escort." 
 
 I. G. — "Vice Chancellor, the Grand Chancellor de- 
 mands admission to this Castle Hall." 
 
 V. C. (rising) — "Chancellor Commander, the Grand 
 Chancellor demands adniission." 
 
 C. C. — "Let him he admitted without further chal- 
 lenge." 
 
 As the Grand Chancellor enters the C. C. calls up the 
 Lodge the Grand honors are given, while the G. C. is be- 
 ing escorted to the Chancellor's station. The C. C. pre- 
 sents the Gavel to him, who then assumes control of the 
 Lodge, orders them to recover and then seats the Lodge. 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "By authority of the power of the 
 
 Grand Lodge of the Jurisdiction of 1 now assume 
 
 control of this Lodge for the purpose stated. Therefore 
 you will please govern yourselves accordingly." 
 
 I will now appoint Bro. as Grand Master of 
 
 Ceremonies. Bro. you will now arrange, and 
 
 form the procession as follows, to proceed to the place of 
 the dedication. 
 
ORDER OF PROCESSION 
 
 1. Company of Uniform Rank. 
 
 2. Outer Guard (with drawn sword) 
 ;•». Pages two and two. 
 
 4. Esquires two and two. 
 
 5. Knights two and two. 
 
 G. Inner Guard with a Battle Axe. 
 
 7. K. of R. and S. and Master-at-Arms. 
 
 8. Master of Finance and Master of Exchequer. 
 
 9. V. C. with small Blue Banner, and Prelate with 
 the Holy Bible. 
 
 10. C. C. with a small Red Banner — P. C. with a 
 small Yellow Banner. 
 
 11. P. C.'s two and two. 
 
 12. P. G. C's two and two. 
 
 13. Grand Chancellor supported by two Knights witr 
 drawn sword. 
 
 On arriving at the pla.ce for laying the Corner Stone, 
 the procession halts and opens order. The company and 
 all Knights in Uniform will cross swords and uncover 
 while the Grand Chancellor and Officers pass through to 
 the place of laying the stone. All the members of the 
 Order will then form a half circle. 
 
 A hymn will be sung, or Sacred music after which the 
 Stone will be presented on an elevated stand. 
 
G. C. (will sprinkle with pure water on the stone) — 
 "Let the beginning be pure as this water." 
 The Prelate will ask Divine Blessing. 
 
 PRAYER-PRELATE 
 
 O Almighty God who has built Thy Temple upon the 
 foundation of thy almighty power and word, the Messiah 
 himself being the chief head of the Corner Stone, the 
 rock and Keystone of our faith, Grant that we may be so 
 joined together in the unity of spirit by the teachings, 
 that this may be made an Holy Temple acceptable unto 
 Thee, and as pure as the water which has been here ap- 
 plied to the Cornerstone, through our Lord and Savior, 
 Amen. 
 
 (All respond. Amen.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "The occasion for which we here 
 aseiuble, is to consecrate the foundation stone of this 
 C astle, dedicated to the Order of Knights of Pythn%s. 
 The three principal steps of the Order upon which we 
 advancd are inculcated in the colors of the Order emb- 
 lematical of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. In 
 Friendship as a Page, advancing upon the first step of 
 Knighthood; and with charity, we stand as esquire upon 
 the second step, ready to advance upon the Third, a val- 
 iant Knight, extending the hand of Benevolence. U^on 
 these principles the foundation stone of this edifice is 
 laid. Brother Vice Chancellor, what is the color of your 
 Banner?" 
 
 V. C. — "Blue." 
 
 G. C. — "Present it, and give its historical principles." 
 
V. G. ( Holds Banner over stone and waves it while h e 
 reads) — "The color of my hanner is one of the most 
 durable and beautiful in nature. It is the appropriate 
 color adopted, by our ancient brethren, and is the pe- 
 culiar characteristic of an institution which has stood 
 the test of ages, and which is as much distinguished by 
 the durability of its materials of principles and by the 
 beauty of its superstructure. It is an emblem of univer- 
 sal "Friendship," and instructs that in the mind ot a 
 Knight those virtues should be as expansive as the blue 
 arch of Heaven itself." (Lays the Banner on the stone.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "What implement do you pos- 
 sess?" 
 
 V. C. (Drawing his sword strikes the stone once with 
 the blade.) — "The sword for the defense of a friend and 
 the protection of myseir and family." (Lays his sword 
 on the stone.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "Brother Past Chancellor what is 
 fhe color of your Banner?" 
 
 P. C. — "Yellow." 
 
 Grand Chancellor.-—- Present it and give its historical 
 pi inciples." 
 
 P. C. (Holds the Banner over the stone and waves it 
 while he reads. y^-"The color of my Banner is that 
 which warns a Brother of approacning danger, and to 
 prepare for the soothing of distressed widows and help- 
 less orphans. " 
 
 fcssion. Happy is the brother who hath sown in his 
 heart the seed of Friendsnip, which will spring forth 
 that Charity and Love, wnich will produce the fruit of 
 Benevolence. 
 
It teaches us to envy not our neighbor. Believe not a 
 tale when reported by a slander. To forgive the inju- 
 res of our fellow men. Whoever would emulate the 
 character ot a good Knight ought ever to be ready to 
 assist the needy as far as lies in his power, and if in the 
 most pressing time of necessity, he does not withhold a 
 liberal hand, the most heartfelt pleasure will reward his 
 labors, and the products of Love and Charity will-, most 
 assuredly follo\^^*<Lays Banner on stone.) ^ 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "Brother Past Chancellor, what 
 implement do you possess?" 
 
 Vice Chancellor. (Drawing his sword strikes the 
 stone twice.) — "The sword to protect the widows and 
 orphans."^ (Lays sword on stone.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "Brother Chancellor Commander 
 what is the color of your Banner?" 
 
 Chancellor Commander. — "Red." 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "Present it and give its historical 
 principles." 
 
 Chancellor Commander. ( Waves Banner over stone and 
 the trumpet will sound tnree times.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "Sir Knights, present sworus." 
 (All Knights in Uniform will come to present; those not 
 in Uniform will uncover at this command.) 
 
 Prelate. — "Glory to God in the highest. Peace on 
 forth good will to all men." 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "Carry swords; rest. — "Brother 
 
—10— 
 
 Chancellor Commander what are the Chivalric and 
 Knightly Principles of Chancellor Commander. 
 
 "The rich and beautiful color of my banner is emble- 
 matical of fervency and zeal. It teaches us to be fer- 
 vent in the exercise of our devotions to God, and zeal- 
 ous in our endeavors to promote the happiness of man. 
 Th oldest version n ow extant is that of Cicero, who lived 
 about three hundred years after Damon and Pythias, 
 during the first century before Christ. His version is 
 that Damon and Pythias, two of the flowers of Pytha- 
 goras, were so closely attached to each other that when 
 Dionysius, th e tyrant king, ordered one of them to be put 
 lo death on a certain day, the condemned, which was Da- 
 mon, begged for a respite of a day so that he might go 
 home to attend to his own affairs, and see his wife and 
 child before he should die. To this the King refused. 
 But Pythias voluntarily offered himself as a pledge, and 
 became his substitute to die in his place if his friend 
 Damon did not return. But at the time appointed for 
 tbe execution, Damon returned to meet his fate. There- 
 upon the tyrant King was so much amazed at their ex- 
 traordinary fidelity, coupied with that knightly confi- 
 dence, that he sought to De admitted as a third." 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "What implement do you possess 
 Chancellor Commander?" 
 
 Chancellor Commander, (Draws his sword and holds 
 a shield over the stone.) — "The sword and shield to 
 protect and defend the laws of our Order." (Lays the 
 shield on the stone.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. (Strikes the stone three times with 
 
—li- 
 
 the gavel.) — "And now, with this gavel I dedicate this 
 
 foundation stone as the Castle of — Lodge, 
 
 Knights of Pythias, in the Jurisdiction of the State of 
 
 — , to the true principles of Friendship." (One 
 
 rap; sound trumpet,) "Charity" (one rap; sound trump- 
 et) "and Benevolence." (one rap; sound trumpet.) 
 
 The following Ode will be sung, during which a col- 
 lection will be taken up: 
 
 (Air. — America) 
 
 God bless our Knightly band, 
 
 Firm may it ever stand 
 
 Through storm and night; 
 When the wild tempests roar, 
 
 Ruler of wind and wave, 
 Do thou our order save 
 
 By Thy great might. 
 
 For this our prayers ascend, 
 God bless, protect, defend; 
 God, guard our rights. 
 
 Thou who art ever nigh, 
 Viewing with watchful eye, 
 
 To Thee aloud we cry 
 God save the Knights. 
 
 (After taking up the collection, the Grand Chancellor 
 will deliver the following charge:) 
 
 Grand Chancellor.— "My dear Brethren, when this 
 Temple is finished, and you shall gather within its 
 sacred walls and from time to time encircle around its 
 holy Altar, you should never forget its teachings, but 
 
—12— 
 
 keep forever bright the ever beautiful principles of our 
 Order. Those of you who are here guarding the works 
 of the Order, should require of those asking admittance, 
 true, immortal honor. Let the Order become more 
 unanimously established and regulated than it has been. 
 Your delicacy in admitting new members into the Order 
 should bring about a higher degree of respect, as \he. 
 merit of each candidate will be an important thing paid 
 attention to. With the true principles of a Pythian 
 Knight instilled into their minds, many of them will be 
 made grand workers in this grand and noble Order. 
 
 Notwithstanding these precautions and the beautiful 
 ceremonies here impressed, the Order is still on the in- 
 crease all over this land. We should, with veneration to 
 God, lhank him for the dedication of this Temple to His 
 holy name. Therefore, Brethren, let us offer up our 
 prayers to the Throne of Mercy, that we may never be 
 divided. Amen. 
 
 (All respond — Amen and Amen.) 
 
 Grand Chancellor. — "The Prelate will offer up the 
 following prayer." 
 
—13— 
 
 PRAYER 
 
 Prelate. — "Almighty God, Father of light and life 
 and love, who from Thy throne above bestowest Thy in- 
 numerable blessings upon the human race, we implore 
 Thy bounteous mercy upon this assemblage, impart to us 
 the knowledge of Thy word. Protect this order and its 
 works, and cement us together in this foundation stone. 
 Grant us strength to continue our journey through life 
 in the propagation of truth and justice, that we may be 
 enabled to benefit those oppressed by the wokers of in- 
 iquity; enlighten the ignorant, strengthen the wo«ik, 
 and comfort the suffering; and to Thee, the most power- 
 ful, the most holy, the everlasting God, be the honor 
 and glory, forever and ever. Amen. 
 
 (All respond. Amen and Amen. 
 
 All join in singing "Praise God from whom all bless- 
 ings flow." 
 
 The Lodge and Knights will proceed back to their Cas- 
 tle Hall in the same order they came. After arriving at 
 the hall they will proceed to close in due form. 
 
—14— 
 
 CEREMONIES FOR DEDICATING CASTLE HALLS. 
 
 General Directions. 
 
 The ceremonies used in laying a Corner Stone shall al- 
 so be used in dedicating a Castle Hall, with the excep- 
 tion that, wherever the words "cornerstone" or "foun- 
 dation stone" appears, use the word "Altar" or "Castle." 
 
 After the ceremonies the Lodge will proceed to close 
 in due form. 
 
 When used to dedicate buildings and lay Corner Stones 
 for other than Pythian structures substitute the proper 
 words.