sigma chi ritual: part 8

The Appearance of Constantine

CONSUL: In order that you may still better understand the meaning and importance of the Seven Virtues and the Three Great Aims of this Fraternity, I shall now call upon our ancient patron, the Emperor Constantine, to give you further light. May you profit by his teachings.
The Consul extends his hand and looks toward the place where Constantine is to appear.
Constantine appears at the Scene. The seven lights are left burning until after the obligation.
CONSTANTINE : Hear the words of one who in his own day was mighty. I, Constantine, the Emperor, address you, that I may enlist your lifelong devotion to my cause. You have taken vows of eternal friendship and manly honor. Let your friendship be enduring and your life beyond reproach.
The light of the Scene is turned on. The candidates are in a position where they may clearly see the Scene.
Observe these emblems of mortality. In the chill arms of death we must all at last repose. The young, the strong, the buoyant, the happy, and the beautiful must all, like the weak, the poor, and the wretched, succumb at last. But we are taught that he who nobly lives may nobly die, an honest man, the noblest work of God.
A short pause.
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and man goeth to his everlasting home and the mourners go about the streets; before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returneth to the earth as it was and the spirit returneth to God who gave it.
A short pause.
A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeable. Death cannot kill what never dies, nor can spirits ever be divided that love and live in friendship; this is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are in the best sense ever present, because immortal.
A short pause.
You will fall upon your knees, close your eyes, and engage in silent prayer to Almighty God.
While the candidate(s) kneel(s) with bowed head(s), The White Cross appears. Constantine points to The Cross.
Lift your eyes heavenward, and look! When disaster was imminent, in my despair I was inspired to forsake the gods of stone; I besought the God of the Christians for mercy; in answer to my prayer The White Cross appeared unto me in the heavens and an angel said: “Thou shalt make a representation of the sign thou hast seen; of gold and precious stones shalt thou make it. It shall be thine emblem and the emblem of thy followers henceforth and forevermore.” Amen! Amen.
Constantine retires.
CONSUL: You will arise. In the presence of this scene which conveys its own somber lesson to every sensitive heart and intelligent mind; and after I charge you that this Fraternity is banded together for the practice of pure and steadfast friendship toward every worthy brother until death; of strict justice to all men; for the acquirement and diffusion of true learning, and for the practice of the Seven Virtues of which we have learned – and that this requires more of you than the world requires of other men – is it still your desire to become a member of this Fraternity?