PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

A Guide for Chapter Directors of

Ceremonies

2018

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INTRODUCTION Provincial Grand Chapter has no wish or authority to request private Chapters to alter their own particular working, especially if there are a number of traditions that members wish to continue, but remember, - a mistake repeated for several years is still a mistake. Have you ever thought to yourself “I wonder why we do that” or “that’s not what it says in the book” and you cannot find anyone in the Chapter who can satisfactorily explain why? The chances are it is a mistake that has been perpetuated over the years and now called a tradition! The ritual booklets issued by Provincial Grand Chapter can be considered as a standard and have been adopted by the majority, of Chapters within this Province and may be used in full or in part. The Director of Ceremonies and the Scribe Ezra should work closely together to ensure that the Chapter meetings are interesting and enjoyable. It is important for the well-being of the Chapter that Companions both new and experienced should be asked what their expectations are. Newer Companions may or may not wish to participate in the ceremony depending on many factors, for instance their position in their Lodge. Past Principals may have aspirations to undertake work or hold a Chapter office – or they may not. The DC needs to know. A meeting should never be simply opening, routine business and closing. There are numerous interesting Lectures available which can be given by the Nottinghamshire Sojourners and other Companions which make the meeting a meaningful occasion.

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GENERAL POINTS The DC should arrive in good time for the meeting, 45 minutes is plenty but not

less than 30 minutes before the Opening. Ensure that the room is correctly

prepared for the ceremony (use the checklist later in this document) and that all

your officers are present and fully prepared for the ceremony.

During the ceremony a Director of Ceremonies should always be looking around

to make sure that the participants are in the correct position and that any items

required are to hand. It is suggested that the ADC or IPZ should do the

prompting leaving the DC to carry out his duties.

It is encouraged that the DC plans ahead for meetings, this is mentioned in the

Strategy Document.

White gloves are usually worn in Chapter and the Principals, Scribes and

Sojourners should wear their collars over their robe or surplice.

The Chapter is never ‘squared’ in perambulations and particularly in the

ceremony of Exaltation. The perambulation of the candidate and Sojourner

should form a catenarian arch in the east, as should the entry to that area of the

Principals during the opening.

The Principals should salute their Sceptres and mentally say the words of their

Chair only once at the opening of the Chapter, or when taking their Chair for the

first time at the Installation ceremony. It follows that it is not necessary to

repeat the salute/word at any other time when returning to their Chair.

Companions should only salute the pedestal with the Reverential sign, not the

Principals. They should give a court bow to the Principals. These are two quite

separate and distinct movements and should be treated as such. A Companion

should never salute the pedestal and then bow to the Principals whilst

continuing to hold the Reverential Sign. Therefore, on entering the Chapter a

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Companion should salute the pedestal and then bow to the Principals. When

leaving, the signs are reversed i.e. a Companion court bows to the Principals

first and then salutes the pedestal. The acronym SABBAS (salute and bow, bow

and salute) might help.

It is usual for Scribe Nehemiah and the DC to address the Principals and the

Companions from the ‘point of announcement’, which is a position in the west

between the Principal Sojourner and the kneeling stool. This way he is speaking

to the majority of the Companions rather than having his back to them. On

completion he should give a court bow and return to his chair.

SIGNS No Craft signs are used in Royal Arch apart from the Sojourners when working

with the Exaltee. When giving the signs the thumb is kept parallel to and

touching the fingers – this includes both the sign of Fidelity and Reverence.

The Reverential or Hailing Sign is given by first slightly bending the head forward

and placing the left hand on the forehead with the thumb aligned with the

fingers and then the right hand on the heart. No step is taken. Apart from the

slight bending of the head forward, no other body movement is made. The sign

is directed to the name on the pedestal – never to an individual. It is given only

when entering or retiring from the Chapter. The sign is discharged by dropping

both hands simultaneously – not by cutting them.

During the opening and closing of the Chapter, the Reverential or Hailing sign is

adopted on command of the DC and discharged after the VSL has been saluted

by the Principals.

EXALTATION CEREMONY Sharing of work Sharing work creates interest and allows an opportunity for many Companions

to be involved in the ceremony.

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The Principal Sojourner’s work splits conveniently and can be shared by all

three. The Z’s work can also be shared by the Principals and other Companions.

The scripture readings normally given by the Principals may be given by a more

junior member. However, try to include a run through at rehearsal to ensure

the correct portion of scripture is given in a manner to convey the maximum

meaning.

Haggai should be pronounced ‘hagg-eye’ and Sinai as ‘sign-eye’.

The Setting the Scene readings should be read both inside and outside the

Chapter. Ensure that copies are available for the readings and arrange for

someone to do them.

Manning the staves This point of the ceremony is very important as the Exaltee is about to take his

obligation. Too often it is spoiled by much confusion and shouting of

instructions as the DC tries to get the correct companions in place with the

correct sign. Briefing the Companions who will man the staves before the

ceremony will remove this confusion and allow the Companions to move

quietly into place without disturbing the mood.

Restored to light Please note that the extra two paragraphs now included after the Candidate has

read the scroll and Z has addressed him, give a fuller understanding of the

purpose of the Royal Arch and can be given by Z or split as recommended.

Retiring after the obligation It is preferable that the general lighting of the Chapter should remain off and

the Companions manning the staves remain in place until the Candidate has left

the Chapter room.

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The Sojourners should retire from the Chapter with the candidate taking the

scroll with them. They should remove their Royal Arch regalia and jewel and

dress in craft regalia.

Retiring after the discovery has been reported The three Master Masons should retire from the Chapter leaving the door open.

The Sojourners should dress in their full Royal Arch regalia and jewel. The

candidate should wear a surplice and his new Royal Arch apron.

All three return to the Chapter and the ScN demonstrates the seven steps.

When advancing from west to east, the steps should be of such a length as not

to have passed the pedestal when completed. If salutes are given at the 3rd, 5th

and 7th remember they are to the pedestal not the Principals.

Investiture After the Candidate has been invested, rewarded, decorated and entrusted it is

quite permissible for the ritual to be shared between the PZ’s i.e. the sharing of

the Word, the explanation of the signs and the address to the Candidate.

Consider involving the candidate’s proposer or seconder to deliver the address.

Lectures The newer versions of the Symbolical and Mystical Lectures are optional

alternatives and can still be split over the several convocations during the

season, if that has been your previous method. The dates mentioned in the

Historical Lecture must be deleted.

Consider delaying the delivery of the Lectures until there is a meeting when the

Chapter does not have a candidate to exalt. There can be “ritual overload” for a

new Companion.

INSTALLATION CEREMONY Ensure that the Z presents his Sceptre to the visiting Leader, along with some kind words of well. The Leader will thank the Z and hand the Sceptre back to

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him. Please note that whenever a Leader attends your Chapter he should be offered the Sceptre. At Installation Meetings make sure that a seat is in the southeast on the left of

the Chapter ADC for the Provincial DC who will reserve seats for his leader and

any Acting Provincial Officers attending.

Qualification for a Principal It is now possible to elect a Companion as 3rd Principal who has not been

installed as Master of a Lodge. It therefore follows that due to the qualification

for progression to the 2nd and 1st Principal’s chair, a Companion who reaches

the 1st Principal’s chair may not be an Installed Master, this is quite in order.

Past Principals taking the chairs Difficulties can occur where senior Companions take the chairs. There is very

little, or no preparation and the wrong reading is often started. Try to

incorporate this in the rehearsal. Suggest your Chapter uses a folder of readings

rather than the ritual book (as many do), then mark pages clearly with a “post –

it” type note or similar, to indicate who is doing it, when and to whom.

The scripture readings may be given by any PZ not just those in the chairs.

Remember spread the work and involve as many as possible.

Obligations of Principals It is recommended that obligations are taken in the west and not at the

pedestal, as this can be dangerous near the candles. However, if it is the

Chapter’s tradition to kneel at the pedestal, this is permissible, but the pedestal

should not be treated as an altar and under no circumstances should hands be

placed on it.

Passwords Please ensure you have the correct passwords and the pronunciation

particularly the password to the 3rd Principals chair.

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Sign and word of the chairs Ensure that the incoming Principal copies the signs when given by the Installing

Principal and that he also repeats the word of the chair. When taking the chair,

the new Principal should salute the Sceptre and repeat the word silently.

Censer The censer used in the Installation of 3rd Principal does not have to be lit as it is

purely symbolic. The censer must be handed to the new Principal to copy the

action, and not merely used for demonstration purposes by the Installing

Principal.

Past Principals taking the Chairs These days it is common for a PZ to take the chairs again. However, there seems

to be much confusion about the ceremonial to be used. The ceremony may be

conducted in full as if the PZ were new to the chair. Alternatively, the

incoming Principal may acknowledge and reaffirm the previously taken

obligation by saluting the VSL. The inner workings may then be conducted in

full. If any doubt, please contact either the PrGDC or the Provincial Office.

Re-appointments It is permissible to re-appoint those Companions remaining in the same office.

The ScE should read out the list of re-appointments before the investiture of the

new officers. If the ScE is a new appointment, then he must be invested before

any re-appointments.

Appointments Rule 48 of the Book of Constitutions gives the Three Principals the power to

appoint the officers. The wording should be “We appoint and I invest you

as……………”.

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LAYOUT OF THE CHAPTER

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PRE-MEETING CHECKLIST FOR REGULAR MEETINGS

Charter is in place in the north east

Ensigns are in the correct order

Leading Standards are in the correct position (Ox Man Lion Eagle)

Candles are correctly positioned (see diagram) and lit

Triangle letters are in the correct order on the pedestal

Sword and trowel are in place

5 Platonic bodies are in place if used

Square and compasses are in place

Working implements are correctly positioned

Large and small VSL are correctly positioned

Wand holders are available for the DC’s

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Ballot box is empty, and the balls are available if needed

Readings and prayers are in the correct sequence and marked

Surpluses are available for the Scribes and Sojourners

Three sceptres are on the correct chairs with gloves

Ensure the Principals are wearing the correct robes

ADDITIONAL CHECKLIST FOR INSTALLATION MEETINGS

Charter is in place in the south east

Third wand holder is available for the PrGDC

Cushion pad or kneeling stool is available

IPZ’s collar and all officers’ collars are available

Censer is inside the Chapter

The collar carrier is available

Reserved seat cards

FESTIVE BOARD Ensure that the Principals have been briefed in advance of their duties and if

possible rehearse the procedure.

Grace before the meal

Joshua – Benedictus, Benedicat (pronounced benny dictus, benny deecat) All – So mote it be or Deo Gratias Taking wine

Always take wine with the Provincial Leader/Representative first, before taking wine with other Companions. Restrict the number of wine takings and do them all at once, between courses if possible, when all glasses are charged. Grace after the meal

Joshua – Benedicto, Benedicataur (pronounced benny dictow, benny dicaatur) All – So mote it be or Deo Gratias

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Questions & Answers It is good practice to rehearse the questions and answers. Ideally, they should

be learnt. Particularly rehearse the pronunciation of the Biblical Characters.

The PrSoj should be given exact instructions as to the honouring of the toast

and trained to clearly, slowly and distinctly say:

“Attention Companions point, triangle, circle, 1, 2, 3”

This is given clockwise and done vertically as if writing on a wall: -

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Toasts All toasts are taken with the left hand, with the exception of The Queen and

the Janitor’s toast. The idea of having separate toast cards so that Z can

concentrate on one toast at a time is to be commended. Again, it is

recommended that Z rehearses the toasts before the night.

If only one Grand Officer is present, name him in the preamble to the toasts.

If the Grand Superintendent is present, the toast to the Deputy Grand

Superintendent, 2nd Provincial Grand Principal and the 3rd Provincial Grand

Principal are taken at the same time. Remind the Z that he is expected to say a

few words of welcome to a Provincial Leader/Representative before offering

the toast. After the toast to Provincial Grand Chapter has been taken, anyone

who then proposes a toast may say: -

Most Excellent, Excellent Companions and Companions.

Please refer to the latest Provincial Toast List for the names

Provincial Leaders The titles of the Provincial Leaders are: -

Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Deputy Grand Superintendent 2nd Provincial Grand Principal 3rd Provincial Grand Principal

Note that the word Provincial does not appear in the titles or the Grand or Deputy Grand Superintendent - and the word is ‘Provincial’ not ‘Provisional’. Leaders Visiting Chapters (Non-official Visits) When a Leader is at a Chapter as a visitor, the MEZ must offer his Sceptre to him. This is done after the opening of the Chapter, but before any business of the Chapter. When doing so the MEZ will say a few kind words of welcome. The Leader will take the Sceptre, respond and then return it to the MEZ.

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NOTES