The cup is an emblem of charity and hospitality, and teaches us to extend generous aid to the victims of poverty and distress. Sister Conductress, you will present this sister to the Worthy Patron for further instruction. The candidate is conducted around Electa's chair, leaving the chair to the right, then across the Star, leaving the Altar to the left, around Esther's chair, leaving the labyrinth between Adah and Electa, then to the right once around the Altar, outside the Star to the Worthy Patron. During the march there should be vocal or instrumental music, or the Worthy Patron may recite the following: _W. P._ "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father." "And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another." "And this is love, that we walk after His commandments." "By this we know that we walk in the truth. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." "That we should be called the children of God. That our joy may be full." "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth and knoweth God, is born of God." "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he first loved us. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." _Cond._ Worthy Patron, I present to you this sister, who has passed through the labyrinth of our Star, and been instructed in those sublime virtues exemplified by the heroines of our Order. _W. P._ We hail with pleasure your coming among us. The work of our Order is worthy of our earnest labor; and we shall rejoice to find you excelling in zeal our most devoted members. You will now give attention to the address of the Worthy Matron. _W. M._ My sister, the Eastern Star is closely related to the Masonic fraternity; and although related to it by the dearest ties, yet it is no part of that ancient institution. Here the wives, daughters, mothers, widows, and sisters of Masons, may become co-laborers with the great Brotherhood in the service of humanity. By the laws of that ancient Order, women are not eligible to its degrees. But woman's heart beats responsive to the same inspiration that prompts man to noble deeds. She hears the cry of the orphan, the call of want, and the piteous wail of sorrow. She honors the Brotherhood for its noble work, and seeks through the Eastern Star, to be a co-worker with the Masonic brother; to pay the tribute of her love and labor at the same shrine, and be able to make herself known, throughout the domain of Masonry, as being entitled to its protection. Into this field of labor, you have now entered. You have taken the solemn Obligation of the Order, and been instructed in those sublime virtues which should adorn our lives, and make this institution worthy of the protection and support of all good Masons.