The candidate is conducted around Martha's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star leaving the Altar to the left, around Ruth's chair to Electa for instruction. During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following: _W. P._ "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died." "But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." "Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again." "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." "Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall ye live." "And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die." _Cond._ Sister Electa. Electa arises and takes her position at the _left_ of her chair. _Electa._ Sister Conductress. _Cond._ I present this sister to be instructed in the commendable virtue of heroic endurance of the wrongs of persecution, when demanded in defense of Truth, as illustrated in the lesson of Electa. _Electa._ The second epistle of John is addressed to "the _elect_ lady and her children." Tradition delineates her as a lady who lived in the days of St. John the Evangelist. Her charity, benevolence, and generous hospitality to the poor entitled her to great distinction. Having been reared a Pagan and afterwards becoming a convert to the Christian religion, she was subjected to severe trials and the most bitter persecution. An edict was issued by the Roman emperor that all followers of the Christ should renounce their faith under penalty of death. She was visited by a band of soldiers, one of whom handed her the cross, with a command to trample it under foot. Electa, looking him steadily in the face, received the cross--precious emblem of her Saviour's blood--pressed it with ardor to her bosom, and cast her eyes upward as a testimony of her love and loyalty to her Christian faith. As Electa I represent this historical heroine, and commend to you the sublime virtue she exemplified through her life, "that we love one another." You may not be called upon to suffer in the same degree from the hand of persecution--but there is always need of loyalty to Truth, and, alas, there is too often persecution. My sister, be loyal to your convictions of truth, and murmur not at another's loyalty. Let truth be spoken, and let it shine through your life. If persecution comes, bear it with heroic endurance, and despair not of the final triumph of Truth. The sign of this degree is given by-- Repeat from secret work. (15.) The pass. (16.) The color appropriate to this degree is red: a symbol of that fervency which should actuate all who are engaged in the service of Truth.