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About the Order
Of The Eastern Star
From the General Grand Chapter
The Order of the
Eastern Star is: the largest fraternal
organization in the world to which both
men and women may belong. Worldwide,
there are approximately 1 million
members under the
General
Grand Chapter.
Eastern Star is a
social order comprised of persons with
spiritual values but it is not a
religion. Its appeal rests in the true
beauty of the refreshing and
character-building lessons that are so
sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic
work. A deep fraternal bond exists
between its members. It is the wholesome
relationship of sisterly and brotherly
love brought about through high
principles exemplified in our lives
which makes us near and dear to each
other.
While this is an Order
composed of people of deep spiritual
convictions, it is open to all faiths,
except no faith. The personal welfare of
our members is vital to all of those in
the Eastern Star and it is considered a
privilege to help another member
whenever we can.
Purposes. The
stated purposes of the organization are:
Charitable, Educational, Fraternal and
Scientific; but there is much more to it
than that. Dr. Rob Morris, the Poet
Laureate of Masonry, founded the Order
using beautiful and inspiring biblical
examples of heroic conduct and moral
values. These portray the noble
principles which should adorn the
personal lives of Eastern Star members.
Eastern Star strives to take good people
and through uplifting and elevating
associations of love and service, and
through precept and example, build an
Order which is truly dedicated to
charity, truth and loving kindness.
Projects.
Concrete evidence of the charitable
nature of the organization as it affects
others is the millions of dollars which
have been raised within the membership
to support national, jurisdictional, and
local charities. Many Grand
Jurisdictions have homes for their
senior members.
General History
The Order of the
Eastern Star is an adoptive rite of
Freemasonry with teachings based on the
Bible and objectives that are charitable
and benevolent. The founder of OES was
Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and educator
from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a
Master Mason and Past Grand Master of
Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his
creation to become a female branch of
Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome
the great opposition this idea
engendered. After his first published
ritual in 1849-50, he became associated
with Robert Macoy who wrote and
published a ritual based on Morris' in
1867. The first Grand Chapter was
organized in Michigan in the same year.
(There is evidence for an organization
of the same name founded variously in
1788 or 1793, but this group was defunct
by 1867.) Subordinate (local) chapters
operate under charter from state level
grand chapters which are responsible to
the General Grand Chapter at the
International Eastern Star temple in
Washington, D.C.
Members must be
eighteen years or older and either
Master Masons in good standing or
properly related to a Master Mason in
good standing. The latter category
includes wives; widows; sisters;
daughters; mothers; granddaughters;
step-mothers; step daughters;
step-sisters; and half-sisters. In 1994
this was expanded to include nieces,
daughters-in- law, and grandmothers.
Each chapter has
eighteen officers, some elected and
others appointed. Two offices are
specifically male (Patron and Associate
Patron) while nine offices are
specifically female (including Matron
and Associate Matron). While the Worthy
Matron is considered to be the presiding
officer of the chapter, the degrees
cannot be conferred without a presiding
brother in good standing (hence the
Patron and Associate Patron).
Each chapter retains
the right to decide who shall be a
member of the organization. Election to
the degrees must be unanimous, without
debate, and secret. The successful
candidate must profess a belief in a
Supreme Being and is initiated in five
degrees, which are conferred in one
ceremony. (When Eastern Star was
created, it was intended to be the first
of a three degree series. The second and
third degrees were Queen of the South
and the Order of the Amaranth,
respectively.)
Interestingly enough,
OES requires only the belief in a
Supreme Being even though the degrees
are based in both the Old and New
Testaments. While non-Christians are not
specifically barred from membership, it
would seem to be difficult to be other
than Christian and belong to the Order.
Q. What
Masonic affiliation is required for a
woman to become a member?
A.
She must be the wife, daughter, legally
adopted daughter, mother, widow,
stepmother, sister, stepsister,
half-sister, granddaughter, or
stepdaughter of a Master Mason as well
as grandmother, great granddaughter,
niece or daughter-in-law,
mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and
daughters of sisters or brothers of
affiliated Master Masons.
Who may join: Only men who are
Masons are eligible and only women with
specific Masonic affiliation may be
members. These affiliations include:
-
Affiliated Master Masons in
good standing,
-
the wives
-
daughters
-
legally adopted daughters
-
mothers
-
widows
-
sisters
-
half sisters
-
granddaughters
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-
stepmothers
-
stepdaughters
-
stepsisters
-
daughters-in-law
-
grandmothers
-
great granddaughters
-
nieces
-
great nieces
-
mothers-in-law
-
sisters-in-law
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and daughters of sisters or brothers of
affiliated Master Masons in good
standing, or if deceased were in good
standing at the time of their death, as
well as to members--either active for
three (3) years or majority--of the
International Order of the Rainbow for
Girls or of the International Order of
Job's Daughters, each of whom shall have
attained at least the age of eighteen
(18) years, are eligible to membership
in the Order of the Eastern Star.
As of Nov 1, 2000, Rainbow Girls & Job's
Daughters with proof of Membership for
three years OR Certificate of Majority
Membership in International Order of
Rainbow for Girls or International Order
of Job's Daughters, and recommended by
two members of the Chapter.
To Join, contact a member of the Eastern
Star or contact a local chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Must the Master Mason, whom a
woman might be using for her
affiliation, belong to the Eastern Star
before she can become a member?
A. No.
Q. May a woman use, as her
affiliation, a Master Mason who has
died?
A. Yes. Provided the Master Mason was a
member in good standing at the time of
his death. A letter of verification from
the man's Lodge will be required before
the Degrees of the Order of The Eastern
Star may be given.
Q. When was the Order of the Eastern
Star formed?
A. Dr. Rob Morris, the poet laureate of
Masonry, conceived the Order of the
Eastern Star in 1850.
Q. What is the basis of the Order of
Eastern Star?
A. Dr. Morris created the Degrees of the
Eastern Star around the lives of five
Biblical women. They were Adah, Ruth,
Esther, Martha, and Electa. The reason
was that each of these Biblical examples
stands for one of the tenets of the
Order. They are Fidelity, Constancy,
Loyalty, Faith and Love.
Q. Is the Order of the Eastern Star a
religion?
A. No. The Order of the Eastern Star is
not a religion, even though we are
religious in character. It does not
pretend to take the place of a religion
or serve as a substitute for the
religious beliefs of its members. Our
members do come from all denominations.
Purposes And Goals
Q. What are the purposes and goals of
the Order of the Eastern Star?
A. To provide an organization where
women and men with high moral and social
character can contribute much time,
energy and wisdom to our Order with
Charity, Truth and Loving-kindness for
the good of all mankind throughout the
world.
How Does One Belong?
Q. How may I express a desire to join
the Order of the Eastern Star?
A. If you are not familiar with anyone
in a Chapter in your area, you may
contact the Grand Secretary of the Grand
Chapter of Oklahoma at (405) 282-1142 or
mail to Grand Secretary, 1415 N Walnut
St, Guthrie, OK 73044-2003, for the
name, address, and phone number of a
Chapter in your area to express your
desire for additional information.
Q. What procedure should I follow
when I have decided that I would like to
join a chapter?
A. The Chapter you intend to join will
provide you with a Petition which you
must fill out completely. It should be
returned to the Chapter Secretary, as
soon as possible, with the appropriate
fees.
Q. What happens after I submit my
petition?
A. Your petition will be submitted to an
Investigation Committee composed of
members of the Chapter that you wish to
join. Shortly thereafter the members of
the Investigation Committee will contact
you individually to set up a time and
place for a meeting. This is done (1) To
ask a few very simple questions, (2) To
provide you an opportunity to meet some
of the Chapter members, (3) To provide
you an opportunity to ask and receive
answers to any additional questions that
you might have, and (4) To verify your
Masonic affiliation. The information
that the Investigation Committee
receives will be reported to the Worthy
Matron.
Q. What will
be the next step?
A. If all of the information is in
order, the report of the Investigation
Committee will be submitted to the
Chapter members at a stated meeting and
a vote will be taken. If favorable, you
will have been elected to receive the
Degrees of the Order of the Eastern
Star. The Secretary will notify you of
the results of the election and arrange
for you to be initiated into the Order.
Q. How long after the election will
that be?
A. Each Chapter attempts to plan the
events of each meeting for the entire
year. That usually includes some
flexibility to accommodate Degree
meetings for new members; however, in
some instances very special plans cannot
be interrupted, so the Degrees will be
given at the first possible date. This
will be between one week and not later
than 60 days.
OES - A Way Of Life
Q. Just what is Fraternal Life?
A. The Order of the Eastern Star
provides us with a means of compassion
and concern - not only for our fellow
Sisters and Brothers in the Order of the
Eastern Star, but to ourselves, our
Country, and our faith. In addition, it
enters us into a way of life that all of
us inwardly want for ourselves and our
families.
Why
Should I Want To Join
The Order Of The Eastern Star?
Q. What does the Eastern Star have to
offer that other organizations do not?
A. Each of us has an inner need to do
something for others. Sometimes it is
difficult to determine just how to
begin. The Order of the Eastern Star
offers that guidance and provides an
outlet as well as serving as a resource
center and support group.
Q. Is there any social involvement?
A. Yes. The Chapter has numerous fun
activities for all members and their
family and friends. Usually, the Worthy
Matron has a Social Enjoyment Chairman
to supplement her planned activities.
Q. Is there any Fraternal friendship?
A. Both women and men join a Fraternal
Order to make friends and enjoy the
fellowship that is displayed. Members
and their families can enjoy interacting
with others who share their beliefs.
Q. Will I become a better person?
A. Yes. The Order of the Eastern Star
takes good citizens and makes them even
better. We continue to be central in the
development of the American promise of
human opportunity and personal
fulfillment.
Youth Groups
Q.
Does the Order of the Eastern Star
give support to any affiliated youth
groups?
A. Yes. The Order of the Eastern Star
provides support to members of the
Rainbow for Girls (ages 11 through
21) and
Job's Daughters (ages 11
through 20). The purpose of these youth
groups is to train these fine young
citizens to be leaders in the community
and to be future members and leaders in
the Order of the Eastern Star. The
Masons also sponsor
DeMolay for Boys
(ages 13 through 21).
Charity
Q. Does the Order of the Eastern Star
have any special projects?
A. Yes. Our Order of the Eastern Star
membership supports E.S.T.A.R.L (Eastern
Star Training Awards for Religious
Leadership) and Shriners Hospitals.
Popular Misconceptions
Q. Is the Order of the Eastern Star a
secret society?
A. No. Secret societies are underground
and hard to find. We are easily found
within the community. We do enjoy a
distinctive means of identifying each
other. Only members are allowed in a
closed meeting.
Q. Can I afford membership in the
Order of the Eastern Star?
A. Yes. Financial position is not
considered in the Order. Members come
from all economic stations of life.
Q. Is my religious faith allowed in
the Order of the Eastern Star?
A. Yes. Members of all religions may
belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.
We only require a belief in a Supreme
Being.
Q. Is the Order of the Eastern Star
time-consuming?
A. After your Initiation into our Order
during a regular meeting, you may attend
as your time permits.
Q. Is there any memory work?
A. There is no mandatory memory work
except the means of making yourself
known if you wish to visit a Chapter or
if you become an officer. A short
proficiency examination is strictly
voluntary but encouraged.
Q. Is the Order patriotic and
democratic?
A. Yes. Members are taught an allegiance
to preserve the good order of their
country. We strongly support the
government of the United States of
America. |
