# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1904_S31
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1904. 31

widows and orphans of those who, according to their moral and physical condition, can become members. At your admission you were carefully examined." (A description of the examination follows.) "This illustrates in the finest way what blessings are to be won by becoming a member of this Order. When you die you have the comfort of knowing that you have brothers who are obligated to you to provide for your family . . . in this cold, cold world. We believe that you place your whole hope on the Builder of the Universe, who alone can tear down and build up your fate. . . . You having now been found worthy to share in the privileges of this Order, you must be aware that your duties have grown in proportion to your rights. Let it always be your wish and constant aim to show yourself worthy of the confidence that the Knights of this Tent have placed in you. Let ardent zeal spur you on in the performance of the various duties that have fallen to you. Be always full of zeal for the growth and welfare of the Knighthood. Be true to the members of this Tent and of the whole Order. Let your manner of life be commanding of respect. When misfortune comes upon you while you faithfully fulfill your duties, trust that among the Maccabees you will find friends who will comfort you in your sorrow, and remember always as consolation and hope for better times that the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. My companion, I baptize and create you a Maccabee."

The new sister of the Rebekah Lodge is addressed among other things with the following words as a new member: "Dear friend, this evening you have been joined with us by brotherly bonds and have taken on our obligations and have become one of us. Learn now that our highest task is to destroy selfishness. Our Order teaches that there is only one family, and that we are destined for fellowship, that we are not to regard rich and poor, high and low as opposing elements, but as such as are to bear one another's burden. . . . Giving such instruction, performing such works, founded on such immovable cornerstones as friendship, love, truth, the mighty edifice [*Machwerk*] of the Order rises toward heaven. . . . Sister (so shall you now be called), receive from my hand this badge as a mark of the Rebekah Lodge, into which I now declare you admitted. Be true to your obligations, depart not from the right way, stumble not, grow not weary of doing good. . . . You members and officers, I now present to you the sister" (the name follows) "who has been instructed in the secret teachings of the Rebekah Lodge and has been received as a rightful member of this lodge."

The Order of the Hermannssöhne has no ritual, yet its constitution has an official preface which gives information about the purpose and nature of this lodge, as clearly and unmistakably as one could wish