[Illustration: Frontispiece.] Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star Ritual of The Order of the Eastern Star. Published by Authority of The General Grand Chapter. Chicago, Illinois: FIRST REVISED EDITION. January, 1890. COPYRIGHT, 1890. PREFACE. In pursuance of a call, issued and endorsed by several Grand Chapters, a convention of representatives was held at Indianapolis, Indiana, November 16th, 1876, and the General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized. A Ritual Committee was appointed, and in 1878 the General Grand Chapter adopted the work, and it was published by its authority. At the session in 1883, a committee on Ritual was appointed, with instructions to receive all proper amendments, and report the same at the next meeting. In 1886, the Committee was continued. At the session in 1889, the Ritual Committee, consisting of Jerome Spaulding, Mary A. Hepler and Lorraine J. Pitkin, presented the following Ritual as the result of their labors, which was adopted. We hereby certify the following to be the Ritual as revised at the session of the General Grand Chapter, September, 1889. _Nettie Ransford, M. W. Grand Matron._ _Benjamin Lynds, M. W. Grand Patron._ _Lorraine J. Pitkin, R. W. Grand Secretary._ CONTENTS. Preface v General Regulations 1 Opening 15 Closing 31 Initiation 35 Installation, Subordinate Chapter 69 Installation, Grand Chapter 97 Funeral Ceremonies 117 GENERAL REGULATIONS. TITLE. This organization shall be known as "THE ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR." MEMBERSHIP. Master Masons in good standing in a Masonic Lodge, and their wives, daughters, mothers, widows, and sisters, who have attained the age of eighteen years, are eligible to membership in this Order. GOVERNMENT. The government of the Order is vested in three bodies, named respectively, in the order of their rank, General Grand Chapter, Grand Chapter, and Subordinate Chapter. GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER. The authority of the General Grand Chapter is supreme when exercised within the limits defined and prescribed by its Constitution. It has no jurisdiction over matters not specifically given to its control by that instrument. GRAND CHAPTER.