Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star

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.

The authority of a Grand Chapter is supreme within its jurisdiction, excepting upon matters which are within the control of the General Grand Chapter. Its jurisdiction shall not include more than one State or Territory.

SUBORDINATE CHAPTER.

The authority of a Subordinate Chapter is prescribed and limited by the Grand Chapter within whose jurisdiction it exists. Five Subordinate Chapters within any State or Territory where no Grand Chapter exists, may organize a Grand Chapter, possessing all the lawful powers of such a Chapter within said State or Territory.

LANDMARKS.

1. A belief in the existence of a Supreme Being.

2. In the Order of the Eastern Star there are only five degrees, known as Adah, the daughter; Ruth, the widow; Esther, the wife; Martha, the sister; and Electa, the mother.

3. The name of the Order, the names of its degrees, and modes of recognition are unchangeable.

4. Its lessons are Scriptural, its teachings moral, and its purposes beneficent.

5. Its obligations are based upon the honor of those who obtain its secrets, and are framed upon the principle that whatever benefits are due by Masons to the wives, daughters, mothers, widows and sisters of Masons, reciprocal duties are due from them to the Brotherhood.

6. That the obligation of our Order, voluntarily assumed, is perpetual, from the force of which there is no release.

7. The ballot, for candidates for the degrees, or membership, must be unanimous, without debate, and kept inviolably secret.

8. The degrees cannot be conferred unless a brother in good standing shall preside. He can call upon the Worthy Matron to assist in conferring the degrees.

9. Every member is amenable to the laws of the Order, and may be tried for offenses, either by the Chapter to which the member belongs, or by the Chapter within whose jurisdiction the member resides.

10. The right of every member to appeal from the decision of a Subordinate Chapter, to the Grand Chapter or its executive head.

11. The right of every Chapter to decide, from among eligible candidates, who shall be admitted to membership.

12. The right of every member to visit any regular Chapter unless lawful objection is made to such visitor.

SUBORDINATE CHAPTERS.

Every Subordinate Chapter must have a Charter or Dispensation legally issued, and always present at its meetings, without which it cannot legally act.

OFFICERS.

The officers of a Subordinate Chapter shall be:

WORTHY MATRON, WORTHY PATRON, ASSOCIATE MATRON, SECRETARY, TREASURER, CONDUCTRESS, ASSO. CONDUCTRESS, ADAH, RUTH, ESTHER, MARTHA, ELECTA, WARDER, SENTINEL. If desired: CHAPLAIN. MARSHAL. ORGANIST.

The Stations of the several Officers are indicated on the Plan of Chapter Room on page 12.

The first seven shall be elected by separate and majority ballot, and the others shall be appointed by the Worthy Matron.