Lodge of Hope 2153 – The Empty Chair
The Empty Chair
The Lodge is Called Off by the WM
DC – Brethren November being our Remembrance Meeting we will be conducting the Ceremony of the “Empty Chair”. This ceremony is thought to date back to 1875, about a decade after the close of the American Civil War when it was used in Masonic Lodges throughout the United States to pay tribute to those who did not return from the war. The information for the ceremony, described in the article published in Arena Magazine issue 47, was first undertaken by City of London Rifles Lodge 5606, which they then added their own adaptation, the bulk of which you will see this evening.
WM – Brethren in a few minutes a brother will stand, he will be clothed with an entered apprentice apron and retire from the lodge. Brethren this brother represents all masons that unbeknown to themselves left their lodges for the last time to fight for king and country.
DC – Nods to the fallen brother who stands but does not move. Then Nods to Organist which is the signal to play ‘I Vow to thee my country’, fallen brother moves off as soon the music plays and squares the Lodge, slowly. No salute, just a bow off the head before leaving the lodge.
Music fades as fallen brother leaves lodge room music, stops
Tyler – Gives 3 Knocks on the door.
IG – Stands up, DO NOT SALUTE just report to the JW. Brother JW, there is a report.
JW – JW stands DO NOT SALUTE, WM there is a report.
WM – Sees who seeks admission.
JW – To IG, See who seeks admission.
IG – To Tyler whom have you there.
Tyler – A Brother who has fallen in service of their country seeks admission, not in person, but through his spiritual presence and wants our continued remembrance.
IG – Closes the door DO NOT SALUTE THE WM just report directly to him. WM, A Brother who has fallen in service of their country seeks admission, not in person, but through his spiritual presence and wants our continued remembrance.
WM – Admit him Brother IG.
WM – Bro Deacons – Deacons Rise – This evening we will be honouring the members of this lodge who fell during times of war. Particularly Bro T York who was reportedly to be this Lodges first casualty of the First World War, killed in Action on 21st October 1914. And Bro Jack Emery, this Lodges first casualty of the Second World War, killed in Action at the start. As they have gone on to the Grand Lodge above and can no longer attend this lodge it will be your duty to escort their symbolic representation to us, that we may pay them the respect they are due.
Deacons – SD & JD parade to the door and exit.
Organist – PLAYS I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY ON LOW VOLUME
DC / ADC – A Chair is placed in front of the WM’s pedestal in a central position facing West, and drapes a Union Jack Flag over the Chair. – Tracing Boards moved to one side.
DC – Will nod to the IG when to open the door. The IG opens the door wide, the fallen brother holding the EA Apron, on the presenting cushion, at elbow height is just standing there. SD in front of the fallen brother with JD behind him. NO MUSIC IS PLAYED. They parade in line in front of the SW pedestal: A brother will signal to SD when all in line and all turn East.
DC – Brethren to Order and please show the Sign of Reverence. SD/JD and Fallen Brother do not show the sign. DC will nod to the Organist.
Organist – Plays Edward Elgar’s ‘NIMROD’
Fallen Brother – SD and JD then slowly walk, in a line to the chair stopping 1 pace in front of it.
DC – Brethren please be seated. When they reach the Chair
WM – In recognition of the fallen Brothers spiritual presence, I ask that Bro Director of Ceremonies positions the EA apron as it would have been had our departed Brother been present in body as well as in spirit.
DC – Walks up to the chair standing behind it, when ready nods to SD & JD, they turn inwards and cross their wands.
Fallen Brother – Slowly walks to the front of the chair with the apron held elbow height and passes it to DC. Then steps back in line with the SD and JD
DC – Takes the apron from the Fallen Brother. SD & JD Drop wands and turn to face the master DC secures it to the chair.Then steps to the SE Corner not to obscure the WM.
Past Masters – Rise and place themselves behind the SD & JD, either side of the Fallen Brother, facing the WM. After a count of 2 all Three will turn to the North and walk to the NE Corner, then turn South. Deacons take 2 steps forward towards WM allowing the Chair to be seen by all, then turn in and face each other.
Past Master(1) – ‘The white lambskin apron was the first honour bestowed on our fallen Brethren. It is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. As our ritual tells us it is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle, more honourable than the Star and Garter. This emblem was placed on the seat of our deceased Brethren, a symbol of recognition of their dedication to the highest ideals of the Craft during times of war. By this act we were reminded of the Masonic ideals of our fallen Brethren. We saw in clear vision the noble thoughts, generous impulses, words of truth, acts of love and deeds of mercy. The Masonic apron represents these highest aspirations of a Brother in all ways, as each Brother knows they give to man his only genuine happiness, his lasting satisfaction.
Past Master(2) – Our Brethren gave themselves freely not only to the Degrees of Masonry, but also to the obligations of service to their country in a time of great need. It is said that a Man is made a Mason first in his heart. A Mason may have earned honours before, or after being raised to the Sublime Degree. But as the world sees, those honours do not decorate his Masonry, but rather highlight the spirit, which makes him both a Mason and a man of Service. For our tomorrows they gave their today’s.”
Past Masters – Remain Standing in the NE Corner (this will be optional)
Chaplain – Steps down and walks around the SD places an evergreen on the empty chair, and court bows to WM. He then walks North behind the JD and returns to his Chair and reads. The evergreen is an emblem of immortality. Beyond a world of shadows, man has a glorious destiny, since, within the earthly tabernacle of clay, there abides an imperishable immortal spirit, over which the grave has no power nor death dominion. then reads the PSALM 23 (the lord is my shepherd).
WM – Brethren at this time of the year it is traditional to wear the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. It is also meant to recall the verse that gave rise to this poignant symbol,
SW –
In Flanders Fields the poppies Blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the Sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
We are dead, Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.
Loved and were loved. And now we lie,
In Flanders fields
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields
ADC on behalf of WM – Places a Poppy Wreath (or Large Poppy) on the chair, steps back and court bows and positions himself at the Lodge Banner.
DC – Brethren please be upstanding – Nods to the Organist to play “The Last Post”
Organist – Plays the Last Post, (this consists of 2 part with a 2 minute silence in between)
ADC – The banner is lowered, slowly during the 1st half of the “Last Post”.
SD/JD – Lower their wands slowly during the 1st half of the “Last Post”.
Chaplain – Brethren we will observe a 2 minute silence. At the mid break of the “Last Post”
DC – Nods to the JW, once the 2nd part “The Reveille” has finished, signalling the end of the two minutes.
JW –
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
ALL – We Will Remember Them.
DC – Brethren The Ceremony of the Empty Chair is a poignant ceremony, which remembers the Lodge member who does his duty and goes to war for his King and Country, but does not return leaving his chair empty. We must never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that we may continue our lives. That completes the Ceremony of the “Empty Chair” – Be Seated Brethren
ADC – Raises the Banner
ADC – Returns to his chair and sits.
DC and ADC – Chair Withdrawn and Tracing Boards put back.
WM – Calls the Lodge Back On
