OPENING

COMMANDER: Sir Knight Picket, advance to the altar, sound the trumpet and retire.
COMMANDER: Attention, Sir Knights, At this command all members give ‘token of sincerity' prepare for action.
LT. COMMANDER: Sir Knight R. K., call the roll of officers.
COMMANDER: Sir Knight Sergeant, report to this station, and communicate the passwords.
SERGEANT: Sir Knight First Master of the Guard, take this station.
COMMANDER: The words are correct; return to your station.
LT. COMMANDER: Sir Knight Sergeant, have the Sentinel and the Picket been placed?
SERGEANT: They have, Sir Knight Lt. Commander.
LT. COMMANDER: Are they in possession of the passwords?
SERGEANT: I will ascertain and report. Sir Knight Sentinel, relieve the Picket and instruct him to report to this station.
SERGEANT: Sir Knight Picket, the words are correct. Relieve the Sentinel and instruct him to report to this station.
SERGEANT: Sir Knight Sentinel, the words are correct. Return, guard well the inner door, allow no one to pass without giving the proper signal and password or obtaining permission.
SERGEANT: Sir Knight Lt. Commander, the Sentinel and the Picket are in possession of the proper passwords.
LT. COMMANDER: 'Tis well. See that the approaches are continually guarded. Allow no one to pass the inner door not in possession of the passwords, without permission. You will now ascertain, through the Guards, that all present are qualified to remain.
SERGEANT: Sir Knight Guards, communicate the passwords. The words are correct. You will now ascertain that all present are qualified to remain.
FIRST MASTER OF GUARD: Sir Knight Sergeant, I have examined my charge and find all in possession of the passwords.
SECOND MASTER OF GUARD: Sir Knight Sergeant, I have examined my charge and find all in possession of the passwords.
SERGEANT: ‘Tis well. Return to your stations.
SERGEANT: Sir Knight Lt. Commander, alt present are qualified to remain.
COMMANDER: Attention, Sir Knights, attend the Chaplain's invocation.
CHAPLAIN: Supreme Ruler, strengthen our hands in building up this Order. Aid us in carrying out the great principles of fraternity which underlie it. Assist us in bringing peace on earth and good will toward men. May the deliberations of this body be conducted in that spirit of harmony so necessary to success. May our Order grow and prosper. May its usefulness be enlarged and its protecting arms extended so that we may be better able to provide for the widow, protect the orphan, and care for those dependent upon us. May we so speak and act as not to bring reproach upon the Order nor disgrace any of its humane principles. Make us a power for good in this land, and worthy exponents of the brotherhood of man.
COMMANDER: Sir Knights, join in the opening ode.

Opening Ode [see left]

COMMANDER: Sir Knight Lt. Commander, take this station. Sir Knight Past Commander, Chaplain, and Sergeant, advance to the altar, while all unite in giving the signs and words.
COMMANDER: Step and Salutation sign.
COMMANDER: Recognition sign.
COMMANDER: Its answer.
COMMANDER: Token of Sincerity.
COMMANDER: What is the permanent password?
SERGEANT: URLLRLTXRF.
COMMANDER: When is it to be used?
SERGEANT: When visiting a Tent, if required.
COMMANDER: Give me the test word.
SERGEANT: F; Com., M; Sgt., M; Com., Y; Sgt., R; Com., H; Sgt., H; Com., R; Sgt., U.
SERGEANT: FMM.
COMMANDER: YRH.
SERGEANT: HRU.
SERGEANT: FMMYRHHRU.
COMMANDER: 'Tis well. Return to your stations. The four officers resume their stations, by the way they came.
COMMANDER: In the name of Judas Maccabeus, the liberator of his people, and with a firm belief in the brotherhood of man, I, as Commander of this Tent, now declare it open and ready for action. Commander gives one rap with gavel, and all seat themselves.