Form for Opening and Closing a Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees (Officers positioned as in a Craft Lodge, no candles

used.) Opening SM - * Officers, take your stations. Brethren, be seated. SM - Brother Senior Warden, are all present brethren of the Allied Masonic Degrees ? SW - Sovereign Master, all present are brethren of the Allied Masonic Degrees (except the candidates.) SM - *** "No man should enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity." Brother Chaplain, lead our devotions. Chaplain - "Almighty God, Thou hast promised that where two or three are gathered together in Thy name Thou wilt be in the midst of them and bless them. Grant, we beseech Thee, the petitions of Thy servants as may be most expedient for them, granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen." SM - I now declare ____________________ Council No. ____, Allied Masonic Degrees, duly opened. SM - Brother Junior Deacon, inform the Tyler. SM - Brother Senior Deacon, attend at the altar. (done) JD - Sovereign Master, the duty is performed.

Closing SM B Closing the Council: SM - Brethren, is there anything further to come before this Council? SM - Brother Secretary, read the minutes. (Read and approved) SM - *** Brethren, before I declare this Council closed, let us invoke the blessing of Deity. Brother Chaplain, lead our Devotions. Chaplin - (gives a benediction) SM - Brother Senior Deacon, attend at the altar. (as the SD arrives at the altar he, together with the brethren, gives sign after which the Holy Bible is closed.) SM - Brethren, I now declare this Council duly closed. Brother Junior Deacon, inform the Tyler. (done) JD - Sovereign Master, the duty is performed. Ceremony of Reception of a Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees With Blanket Obligation to cover degrees when they are not conferred but communicated. SM - Brother Senior Deacon, present the candidate before the altar. (done) SD - Sovereign Master, I have the pleasure of presenting Brother _________________ for reception into the Allied Masonic Degrees. SM - My brother, it is necessary that you assume a solemn obligation before you can receive the Allied Masonic Degrees. If you are willing to assume the obligation, kneel at the altar, place both hands on the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses.

SM - *** Say "I," pronounce your name and repeat after me: In the presence of Almighty God and this Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees do hereon solemnly swear that I will forever keep and conceal the secrets of the Allied Masonic Degrees and will not reveal them except to him or them to whom they of right belong. I furthermore solemnly swear that I will maintain and support the Constitution, Laws and Edicts of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America and the By-Laws and Regulations of any Council of which I may be a member.

All this I solemnly swear on my honor as a Freemason. So help me God and keep me steadfast. (Salutes the V.S.L. once.) SM - My brother, this is the sign with which you will salute the Master on entering or retiring from a Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees. (Touches the tip of the left shoulder with the right hand, thumb and fingers extended in a straight line, rapidly crossing the hand to the right thigh.) SM - Brother Senior Deacon, you will seat our new member. * (The Explanation of the Allied Masonic Degrees may be given here if desired.)