Endless Questions Sends a Cease and Desist Letter Because His Stake President is a Secret Society Member...

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"If the facilities of the chapter house are such as not to
lend the proper atmosphere to do justice to the beauty of the Ritual, it is
recommended that the chapter find a suitable lodge hall, church or college
building."

Maybe they can do it in the Cultural Hall???

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"Proper precautions should always be maintained to assure secrecy"

Not privacy, The Duke.

Secrecy.

Say, what secret society are you a member of, The Duke?

Any of them?

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"The use of floral decorations to this end is commended."

lolololololol

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Over this proper
attire the candidates should wear the official white robe with blue waist
cord and the Norman Shield embossed on the left breast

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You mean this Norman Shield?

https://sigmachi.org/wp-content/uploads ... dition.pdf

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p.63

The use of several lighting techniques and appropriate music selections is
encouraged. Effective lighting and music may aid measurably the initiate's
experience as he participates in his Initiation

Sound familiar?

Every endowment change makes it more like a fraternity initiation...

[endlessQuestions]

The following are cues for the use of sound and lights during the Investiture:

OPENING
- Lights dim—music for entrance of officers and candidates
CONSTANTINE
- Lights out, candles provide only light
- Music starts as Constantine enters
- White Cross appears as he points to it
- Music fades as Constantine leaves—White Cross goes out
PRESENTATION OF BADGE
- Music is played as presentation is delivered.
ENROLMENT
- Music is played as each candidate signs the roll book.
EXPLANATION OF BADGE AND SEAL
- Illumination of each, as each is explained
CHARGE
- Music is played as Charge is delivered

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"Each of the preceding steps having been completed, the chapter is now
ready to perform the Investiture. Now is the time for brilliance and concentration"

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The Pro Consul shall stand at the altar

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CONSUL: The Light of Courage. . . The Light of Wisdom. . .
The Light of Integrity. . . The Light of High Ambition. . . The Light
of Self-Control. . . The Light of Courtesy. . . The Light of Fidelity.
Brothers, what is true Sigma Chi enlightenment?

BROTHERS: That which we receive before the Seven Lights.

CONSUL: For what purpose do we receive this enlightenment?

BROTHERS: To ennoble our lives by the practice of the
Seven Virtues.

CONSUL: Let us pray that we may be endowed with Friendship,
Justice, and Learning.

The Prayer
PRO CONSUL: O God, Who has taught us that true friendship is
true service, enable us, we pray Thee, so to befriend our brothers that
we may assist them to attain those virtues which are pleasing to T h e e .

BROTHERS: Amen.

PRO CONSUL: O Lord, our Judge, Who has commanded us to
speak righteousness and to judge uprightly, grant that iniquity may not
be found in our mouths, nor wickedness in our minds, but that from
pure hearts we may speak and do those things that are just in Thy sight.

BROTHERS: Amen.

PRO CONSUL: O God, our Father, grant that we find in Thee
the light of knowledge and the fullness of all virtue, and grant that
while we seek for the gifts of learning we may never depart from
Thee, the fountain of all wisdom.

BROTHERS: Amen.

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ENTRANCE OF THE CANDIDATES
As the initiates are brought into the room, each is on the arm of a guide,
preferably his big brother or pledge father, who leads him directly to the
proper place before the Consul, which has previously been designated by
a mark on the floor. There is no marching around the room and no gong.
The guides should remain standing behind the candidates until the Consul
signals that the blindfolds should be removed.

What about cowbell?

MORE COWBELL

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The arrangement of the candidates in the deep semicircle before the
Consul shall be in accordance with their seniority

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CONSUL: Brothers, we are assembled to confer the honor of initiation upon (giving the full name or names) .
Before we proceed to make them our brothers it is my duty to
remind you that the ties by which we shall bind these candidates to
our Fraternity are sacred. Therefore, I urge upon you to strive to
make this initiation a true expression of the worth of the Fraternity
into which they are entering. Let no levity nor unseemly conduct
prevent them from learning those lessons whose meaning they must
grasp if they are to be true Sigma Chis.
Let us remember that these lessons are also for us to follow; and
in our thoughts, let us renew before our altar the lessons of The
White Cross we love so well.

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THE VOUCHING
Not only the Consul and Magister, but the entire chapter must understand
the philosophy underlying the vouching. When the Consul questions the
Magister with serious tone, the latter defends his candidates with a firm and
proud resolve, “They have, Worthy Consul,” and “I d o, Worthy Consul.”
The candidates must really feel that the chapter will admit no man who is
not fully qualified. The vouching by the chapter, rising in one voice, “We
all do,”" is one of the most stirring moments of the entire ceremony.

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CONSUL: Have they been duly obligated?
MAGISTER: They have, Worthy Consul.
CONSUL: Have they been duly examined?
MAGISTER: They have, Worthy Consul.
CONSUL: Have they been duly cleansed?
MAGISTER: They have, Worthy Consul.
CONSUL: Do you consider them worthy and well qualified?
MAGISTER: I do, Worthy Consul.
CONSUL: Are they duly vouched for?
MAGISTER: They are.
CONSUL: Who vouches for these candidates?
(At this point the Magister gives a signal to those assembled and the re s p o n s e
should be given in unison as follows:)
ALL: We all do.
CONSUL: Then must they indeed be truly worthy.

EQ: That must feel nice.

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Oh, once you're found worthy they let you see again. Sweet!

REMOVAL OF THE BLINDFOLDS
The guides, who have remained standing behind each candidate, assist the
Magister in the removal of the blindfolds

[endlessQuestions]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

The initiation may be one great blur to one who does not have his glasses

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Ohhhhhh, telestial knowledge:

When the blindfolds are removed the candidates should view the room
in semi-darkness. The light in the room should be dim, this is not the time
for a blackout. As the candidate has faint knowledge, so the light is
limited, but each will grow

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I'm sorry, what?

Indoctrination Week?

"The brothers who deliver the speeches should participate freely in the Indoctrination Week discussions of the Seven Founders"

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CONSUL: My friend(s), you are now standing in the sacred
shrine of Sigma Chi , whose beauties you do not appreciate
because your eyes cannot see them. It is well, for the sight of our
symbols, instead of accomplishing your enlightenment, would confuse your untutored mind(s).

I'm worthy, but stupid. Got it.

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ALL honor?

To a man?

Nope.

Over and over, for the founders, mere mortals.

ALL: All honor to his name!

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The last paragraph is a brilliant and precise summary of the content of
both the Seven Virtues and the Three Great Aims. It needs a special
touch—a careful pointing-up. A dramatic pause at the close of this recitation will give the candidates a chance to be impressed. Let them digest it
for a moment before the appearance of Constantine

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Ritualistic Statutes
p. 84

CONSTANTINE
Constantine should represent a man just past middle age with graying hair,
who still has the vibrancy of a leader. Articles needed for his makeup are:
1. Spirit gum
2. Stick of grease paint
3. Braided gray hair (a yard lasts a long time)
4. Brown professional eye-shadow pencil
5. Jar of cold cream
6. Facial tissue
7. White talcum powder
8. Scissors
Most of these items can be obtained in any drug store. Other items can be
obtained from the drama department of the college or any reliable theatrical or costuming agency.

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The first step in make-up is the light application of cold cream to all
exposed areas of Constantine, except the areas of the face where the beard
is to be applied. These areas include the exposed parts of the legs, backs of
hands and lower forearm, forehead, nose and cheeks. The next step is the
coloring of these areas with the No. 19 grease pencil to enhance the effect of
strength and maturity. Shading is effected by physically wrinkling the forehead and drawing light lines in the wrinkles with the brown eye-shading
pencil. Lines should be drawn above and below the eyelids, and also from
the lower side of the nose to the end of the lips. Maturity can be achieved in
the hands by drawing three light lines from knuckle to wrist. The hair may
be made to appear gray by brushing it with the white talcum powder.
The final step is the application of the beard. Cut off about two inches
of the braided hair. Pull it gently apart until it is spread out thinly and evenly. Then cut it with scissors into three equal parts. Apply spirit gum to the
beard area of the face, and give it a minute or two to become tacky then
apply the beard—one portion on either side and one on the chin, pressing
them together. Small strips can be placed in the mustache area. Additional
strips of hair placed over the eyebrows add to the maturity of the face.
Allow the spirit gum to dry, then trim the beard with scissors. It should
look well-trimmed rather than bushy. History tells us that Constantine kept
his soldiers’beards trimmed to a length of about one and one-half inches.
Following the ceremony, the beard can be pulled and saved. It may be
used several times. Make-up and spirit gum may be removed by applying
cold cream.

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If a mobile scene is used, the four hooded coffin-bearers should have
make-up applied to the exposed parts of the legs, feet, and hands as
described above