First Section
Question—Are you a Knight of the Red Cross? Answer—That is my profession.
Q. By what test will you be tried? A. By the test of truth.
Q. Why by the test of truth? A. Because none but the good and true are entitled to the honors and privileges of this illustrious order.
Q. Where did you receive the honors of this illustrious order? A. In a just and regular Council of Knights of the Red Cross.
Q. What number compose a Council? A. There is an indispensable number and a constitutional number.
Q. What is the indispensable number? A. Three.
Q. Under what circumstances are they authorized to form and open a Council of Knights of the Red Cross? A. Three Knights of the Red Cross, being also Knight Templars, and hailing from three different commanderies, may, under the sanction of a legal warrant from some regular Grand Encampment, form and open a Council of Knights of the Red Cross for the dispatch of business.
Q. What is a constitutional number? A. Five, seven, nine, eleven, or more.
Q. When composed of five, seven, nine, eleven, of whom does it consist? A. Sovereign Master, Chancellor, Master of the Palace, Prelate, Master of Cavalry, Master of Infantry, Master of Finance, Master of Dispatches, Standard-Bearer, Sword-Bearer, and Warder.
Q. Warder’s station in the Council? A. On the left of the Standard-Bearer in the West.
Q. His duty? A. To announce the approach of the Sovereign Master; to see that the sentinels are at their respective posts, and the Council chambers duly guarded.
Q. Sword-Bearer’s station in the Council? A. On the right of the Standard-Bearer in the West.
Q. His duty? A. To assist in the protection of the banner of our Order; to watch all signals from the Sovereign Master, and see his orders duly executed.
Q. Standard-Bearer’s station? A. In the West.
Q. His duty? A. To display, support, and protect the banners of our Order.
Q. Why is the Standard-Bearer’s station in the West? A. That the brilliant rays of the rising sun, shedding their lustre upon the banners of our Order, may encourage and animate all true and courteous Knights, and dismay and confound their enemies.
Q. Station of Master of Dispatches? A. In front of the Master of the Palace.
Q. His duty? A. To observe with attention the transactions of the Council; to keep a just and regular record thereof, collect the revenue, and pay the same over to the Master of Finance.
Q. Station of the Master of Finance? A. In front of the Chancellor.
Q. His duty? A. To receive in charge the funds and property of the Council, pay all orders drawn upon the Treasurer, and render a just and regular account when called for.
Q. Station of the Master of Infantry? A. On the right of the second division when separately formed: on the left of the whole when formed in line.
Q. His duty? A. To command the second division or line of infantry, teach them their duty and exercise; also to prepare all candidates, attend them on their journey, answer all questions for them, and finally introduce them into the Council chamber.
Q. Station of the Master of Cavalry? A. On the right of the first division when separately formed, and on the right of the whole when formed in line.
Q. His duty? A. To command the first division or line of cavalry, teach them their duty and exercise; to form the avenue at the approach of the Sovereign Master, and prepare the lines for inspection and review.
Q. Prelate’s station? A. On the right of the Chancellor.
Q. His duty? A. To preside in the Royal Arch Council; administer at the altar; to offer up prayers and adoration to Deity.
Q. Station of Master of the Palace? A. On the left of the Sovereign Master in the East.
Q. His duty? A. To see that the proper officers make all due preparations for the several meetings of the Council; to take special care that the Council chamber is in suitable array for the reception of candidates and the dispatch of business; to receive and communicate all orders issued by the Sovereign Master through the officers of the line.
Q. Chancellor’s station? A. On the right of the Sovereign Master.
Q. His duty? A. To receive and communicate all orders and petitions; to assist the Sovereign Master in the discharge of his various duties, and in his absence to preside in the Council.
Q. Sovereign Master’s station? A. In the East.
Q. His duty? A. To preside in the Council; confer this order of knighthood upon those whom his Council may approve; to preserve inviolable the laws and constitution of our Order; to dispense justice, reward merit, encourage truth, and diffuse the sublime principles of universal benevolence.
S. M.—“Sir Knight Chancellor, it is my will and pleasure that a Council of Knights of the Red Cross be now opened, and to stand open for the dispatch of such business as may regularly come before it at this time, requiring all Sir Knights now assembled, or who may come at this time, to govern themselves according to the sublime principles of our Order. You will communicate this to the Sir Knight Master of the Palace, that the Sir Knights present may have due notice thereof, and govern themselves accordingly.” [The Sir Knight Chancellor communicates it to the Sir Knight Master of the Palace, and he to the Knights.] S. M.—“Return arms—right about face—to your posts—march—center face—Sir Knights, this Council is now open for the dispatch of business.”