TABLE CHAPTER RITUAL Revised 10.2016 Cntents Purpse and Symblism f the Table Chapter... 2 Table Cnfiguratin... 2 Order f Business Tiled Table Chapter... 3 Order f Business Open Table Chapter... 4 Opening Ritual... 5 Intrductins... 8 The Meal... 8 Ceremny f the Tast... 9 Clsing... 11 Purpse and Symblism f the Table Chapter The Purpse f the Table Chapter is t give the symblic Chapters an pprtunity t cnduct the business f a Stated Cnvcatin in a different setting, t further fellwship, t Hnr ur Cuntry and thse persns wh have exulted the ideals f this great fraternity, and t create interest amng the Cmpanins, in the setting f a Festive Bard. The American Flag is given a place f hnr in the East and at the right f the High Priest, as is the custm f ur cuntry, and the Banners f the Fur principal tribes f Israel, s imprtant t Ryal Arch Masnry, are placed in descending rder twards the West in line with the American Flag. Page 1 f 12
The tables are arranged in the frm f a equilateral triangle, which is the emblem f Deity. In the center f the triangle is the Ark with the tw Cherubim, which was the dwelling place f Gd in ancient times, and the Hly Bible, which is Gd s Wrd in mdern times. The triangle has an pening n the right f the base whereby the Principle Sjurner enters t pen and clse the Hly Bible, and symblizes the availability f Gd s Wrd t all men. The triangle als symblizes Gd s all encmpassing lve, nt nly fr ur ancient Cmpanins, but fr ur mdern Cmpanins as well. The Officers f the Ryal Arch Chapter are spaced arund the table s that they might fellwship with the Cmpanins and spread Brtherly Lve which is ne f the great lessns f Masnry. The Chaplain passes the fraternal basket s that all may share in ding unt thers as yu wuld have them t d unt yu by supprting the great charity f Ryal Arch Research Assistance. Table Cnfiguratin Page 2 f 12
Order f Business Tiled Table Chapter Opening f Table Chapter Ritual Opening Intrductins All Distinguished guests with exceptin f M.W.G.M. (if in attendance) Mst Wrshipful Grand Master (accrded Grand Hnrs) Meal Serving r self-service t start with the High Priest and prceed single-file, cunter-clckwise with Scribe being the last. Fllwing meal, all dishes except glasses fr tasts must be remved. Intrductin f Recipients f High Hnrs Order f the Purple Crss Knight Yrk Crss f Hnr Stated Cnvcatin Meeting (if applicable) Ceremny f the Tast Veilsmen charge glasses fr their side f the triangle First 6 tasts are given Chaplain passes Fraternal Basket Remarks frm the Mst Excellent Grand High Priest r highest ranking fficer Final tast Clsing Ritual clsing Page 3 f 12
Order f Business Open Table Chapter Opening f Table Chapter The Presiding Officer will declare the Chapter pen in due frm in lieu f Ritual pening Intrductins All Distinguished guests with exceptin f M.W.G.M. (if in attendance) Mst Wrshipful Grand Master (accrded Grand Hnrs) Meal Serving r self-self service t start with the High Priest and prceed single-file cunter-clckwise with Scribe being the last. Fllwing meal, all dishes except glasses fr tasts must be remved. Intrductin f Recipients f High Hnrs Order f the Purple Crss Knight Yrk Crss f Hnr Ceremny f the Tast Veilsmen charge glasses fr their side f the triangle First 6 tasts are given Chaplain passes Fraternal Basket Remarks frm the Mst Excellent Grand High Priest r highest ranking fficer Final tast Clsing The Presiding Officer will declare the Chapter clsed in due frm Page 4 f 12
Opening Ritual All Officers will wear the Jewels and Aprns f their Office and all members will wear Aprns. The Bible will be pened at Haggai 2nd Chapter with the Square and Cmpass set. The Ark with Cherubim shall be placed as shwn in diagram befre pening. The three dais fficers will have gavels. The Flag and furbanners will be displayed as shwn in diagram. The Chaplain will have a small Basket t pass fr fraternal cntributins. EHP-Cmpanins, yu will arise and jin with me in pledging allegiance t the flag f ur cunty. EHP-(*) Cmpanin Captain f the Hst, CH rises. Prceed t satisfy yurself that all present are Ryal Arch Masns. CH-Cnvinced that all present are RAM s, he says: Excellent High Priest; All present are Ryal Arch Masns. EHP-Is there a cnstitutinal number present t pen a Table Chapter f Ryal Arch Masns? CH-There are three times three. EHP-(*) Seats CH. Cmpanin Ryal Arch Captain; RAC rises. Yu will infrm the Sentinel that I am abut t pen a Table Chapter f Chapter N. f Ryal Arch Masns, and direct him t guard accrdingly. RAC- Turns t Sentinel, Cmpanin Sentinel; Sentinel stands The High Priest is abut t pen a Table Chapter f Chapter N. n the Ryal Arch Degree. Yu are directed t guard accrdingly. RAC- (* * * * * * *) with ft. Sent-(* * * * * * *) with ft. RAC-Excellent High Priest; That duty has been perfrmed. EHP-(*) Seats RAC and Sentinel. Cmpanin Captain f the Hst; CH rises. Hw shall I knw yu t be a Ryal Arch Masn? Page 5 f 12
CH-By three times three, under a living arch, and ver a triangle. EHP-Hw many cmpse a Chapter f Ryal Arch Masns? CH- Nine r mre. EHP-When cmpsed f nine, wh are they? CH-The High Priest, King, Scribe, Captain f the Hst, Principal Sjurner, Ryal Arch Captain and three Masters f the Veils. EHP-Whm d the first three represent? CH-Jshua, Zerubbabel and Haggai, wh frmed the first Grand Cuncil at Jerusalem - and held their meetings in a Tabernacle. EHP-Whm d the latter three represent? CH-Thse three f ur ancient brther wh discvered and brught t light; the principal secret f this degree; and wh, as a reward fr their labrs, were appinted Masters f the Veils. EHP-(* *) Officers will rise. Cmpanin Master f the First Veil; What is the clr f yur banner? M1V- Blue; emblematic f friendship and characteristic f Symblic Masnry. EHP-Cmpanin Master f the Secnd Veil; What is the clr f yur banner? M2V-Purple; demting unin. It being a due admixture f blue and scarlet, is therefre placed between the First and Third Veils, which are f thse clrs, t remind us f the intimate cnnectin existing between Symblic Masnry and the Ryal Arch. EHP-Cmpanin Master f the Third Veil; What is the clr f yur banner? M3V-Scarlet; emblematic f that fervency and zeal which shuld actuate all Ryal Arch Masns. EHP-Cmpanin Ryal Arch Captain; What is the clr f yur banner? Page 6 f 12
RAC-White; emblematic f that purity f life and rectitude f cnduct s essentially necessary fr all thse -wh seek t gain admissin int the Hly f Hllies abve. EHP-(* * *) All Cmpanins rise, including the High Priest. Cmpanin Chaplain; lead us in prayer. CH-Supreme High Priest f Heaven and Earth, we humbly beseech thy blessing upn the purpses f ur present assembly. Bless the hands that have prepared this bunty fr us and bless this bunty s that it may nurish ur bdies, and give us the strength t walk in thy way and d thy wrk. May the labrs f all ur Cmpanins be acceptable in thy sight. Amen. Respnse by all S mte it be. EHP-Cmpanin Captain f the Hst; tt is my will and pleasure that a Table Chapter f Chapter N. be nw pened n the Ryal Arch Degree. CH-Cmpanins; Take ntice and gvern yurselves accrdingly. Lk t the East. All give the due guard and sign. EHP-(* * * * * * *) K-(* * * * * * *) S-(* * * * * * *) EHP- Cmpanin Principal Sjurner; Display the Three Great Lights. PS-Opens bible t Haggai 2nd Chapter and sets Square and Cmpass. EHP- In the name f Gd and Zerubbabel, I declare this Table Chapter f Chapter N. pen in frm n the Ryal Arch Degree. Cmpanin Ryal Arch Captain; Infrm the Sentinel. EHP-(*) EHP seats himself and the Cmpanins except RAC and Sentinel. RAC- turns t Sent (* * * * * * *) with ft. Sent-(* * * * * * *) with ft. RAC-Cmpanin Sentinel; A Table Chapter f Chapter N. is nw pen Page 7 f 12
n the Ryal Arch Degree. RAC- Faces East Excellent High Priest; that duty is perfrmed. EHP- (*) which seats the RAC and Sentinel and cmpletes theceremny f pening. Intrductins EHP-All Distinguished guests please arise except the Mst Wrshipful Grand Master. The last half is ptinal depending n the presences f the MW Grand Master. EHP will intrduce, r have them intrduce themselves, all guests except the MW Grand Master. Distinguished guests include current and past Grand Officers f all Yrk Rite bdies. (* * *) Cmpanins, please jin me in accrding these Grand Officers the Grand Hnrs give Grand Hnrs (*) seat all. If the Mst Excellent Grand High Priest is present, he will attend t the intrductin f the Mst Wrshipfull Grand Master. In his absense, the High Priest will d s. Mst Wrshipful Grand Master, please arise. Cmpanins, I have the hnr f intrducing Brther, the Mst Wrshipful Grand Master f the State f Illinis. (* * *) Cmpanins, please jin me in accrding him the Grand Hnrs give Grand Hnrs (*) seat all. The Meal The meal is t be served at this time. Whether it is plated service r cafeteria style, service begins with the High Priest and prceeds cunter-clckwise with the right side f the triangle fllwing, then the bttm, and then the left side, with the Scribe the last in line. After the meal, the dishes are all t be remved except the glass t be used fr the tast. The High Priest will nw recgnize the recipients f: The Order Of The Purple Crss, give them a hardy welcme. Knight Yrk Crss f Hnr, give them a hardy welcme in that rder. Page 8 f 12
If this meeting is a stated cnvcatin, the Business may nw be cnducted in the prper manner accrding t the Bk f the Law. Yu may als have a speaker after all business is cnducted. (The fllwing Tast are t be the last business cnducted befre clsing. Ceremny f the Tast EHP-(*) Cmpanins Masters f the Veils, the 3 Veils rise. Charge the Cannns fr ur Tast. The Master f the Veil charges the cannns n his side f the triangle, and is seated. EHP- (* * *) frward. Cmpanins, I prpse a tast. Hld glass in right hand with arm straight May Freedm always be urs. T ur Cuntry, Our Flag, and Our President. With me Cmpanins; Cmpanins repeat. T Our Cuntry, Our Flag, and Our President. Bring Glass in and drink, then mve it t left breast, then t right breast, then straighten arm and lwer glass. EHP-Cmpanin King; yu may prpse a tast. K-Cmpanins; I prpse a tast. Pick up glass. T ur Ancient Grand Masters, Slmn, King f Israel, Hiram, King f Tyre, and Hiram Abif. With me Cmpanins; Cmpanins will repeat. T ur Ancient Grand Masters, Slmn, King f Israel, Hiram, King f Tyre, and Hiram Abif. Drink and mve glass as befre EHP-Cmpanin Scribe; Yu may prpse a tast. S-Cmpanins, I prpse a tast. Pick up glass. T the Mst Wrshipful Grand Master f Free and Accepted Masns f the State f Illinis. With me Cmpanins; Cmpanins will repeat. T the Mst Wrshipful Grand Master f Free and Accepted Masns f the State f Illinis. Drink and mve glass as befre EHP-Cmpanin Captain f the Hst; Yu may prpse a tast. Page 9 f 12
CH-Cmpanins, I prpse a tast. Pick up glass. T ur First Mst Excellent Grand High Priest f Illinis, Cmpanin William B. Warren. With me Cmpanins; Cmpanins will repeat. T ur First Mst Excellent Grand High Priest f Illinis, Cmpanin William B. Warren. Drink and mve glass as befre EHP-Cmpanin Principal Sjurner; Yu may prpse a tast. PS-Cmpanins, I prpse a tast. Pick up glass. T Chapter N. f Ryal Arch Masns, With me Cmpanins. Cmpanins will repeat. T Chapter N. f Ryal Arch Masns. Drink and mve glass as befre EHP- Cmpanin Ryal Arch Captain; yu may prpse a tast. RAC-Cmpanins; I prpse a tast. Pick up glass. T the Mst Excellent Grand High Priest f Ryal Arch Masns f Illinis. With me Cmpanins; Cmpanins will repeat. T the Mst Excellent Grand High Priest f Ryal Arch Masns f Illinis. Drink and mve glass as befre EHP-Seats himself (*) seats all cmpanins. Cmpanin Chaplain, CH rises, Is there anything yu wish t cntribute? CH-Excellent High Priest, I wish t cntribute t the Ryal Arch Masns Charitable Fundatin. EHP-Cmpanin Chaplain, that is a nble gesture. Yu may pass the fraternal basket amng the Cmpanins s that they may share in this great charity. Chaplain passes basket t his left arund the table. When it returns t him, he takes it t the Treasurer and returns t his place. CH-Excellent High Priest; The Fraternal basket has been passed, and we thank the Cmpanins fr their genersity. If there is any remaining business fr the Chapter t cnduct, it must be cnducted nw. Remarks frm the Mst Excellent Grand High Priest r highest ranking fficer may be made at this time EHP-(* * *) Cmpanin Sentinel; Yu may prpse the last tast. Page 10 f 12
Sent-Cmpanins; I prpse a tast. Pick up glass. T the Memry f ur Departed Cmpanins. May their cntributins inspire us t rededicate ur labrs t ur Brtherhd. With me Cmpanins; Cmpanins will repeat. T the Memry f ur Departed Cmpanins. Drink and mve glass as befre EHP-(*) Seats all Cmpanins. Chapter must be clsed immediately after last tast. Clsing If Ladies are present, the Presiding Officer will declare the Chapter clsed in due frm in lieu f Ritual Clsing EHP-Cmpanin Ryal Arch Captain; RAC rises. Yu will infrm the Sentinel that I am abut t clse this Table Chapter f Chapter N. f Ryal Arch Masns and direct him t guard accrdingly. RAC-Turns right t face Sentinel, raps (* * * * * * *) with ft. Sentinel stands, turns t face RAC and raps (* * * * * * *) with ft. Cmpanin Sentinel, the High Priest is abut t clse this Table Chapter. Yu will guard accrdingly. RAC-Faces the EHP Excellent High Priest; the Sentinel is infrmed. EHP-(* * *) Cmpanin Chaplain; Lead us in prayer. CH-Great Architect f the Universe, we thank yu fr all ur blessings and pray that all that we have said and dne here has been pleasing in thy sight. Nw guide and direct us as we mingle with the wrld and may we as Ryal Arch Masns ever display yur teachings t all the wrld. Amen. Respnse by all; S mte it be. EHP-Cmpanin Principal Sjurner; Clse the three Great Lights. PS- Clses bible n Altar. EHP-In the name f Gd and Zerubbabel, I declare this Table Chapter f Chapter N. duly clsed. Cmpanin Ryal Arch Captain; Infrm the Sentinel. Page 11 f 12
RAC-RAC faces Sentinel, Cmpanin Sentinel; This Table Chapter f Chapter N. is clsed. RAC-Excellent High Priest; That duty has been perfrmed. EHP-(*) Page 12 f 12