VC17_OESHistory

Q. What is the Order of the Eastern Star?

A. The Order of The Eastern Star is one the largest Fraternal Organization in the
world to which both women and men can belong. Yet it is not a Sorority.

Q. Can any woman or man belong?

A. No. Only women with specific Masonic affiliation may become members, and men
who are Master Masons are eligible. A petitioner must be of good moral
character, believe in a Supreme Being, have attained the lawful age, be
willing to assume the obligation of the Order, be able to participate in the
Ceremony of Initiation, be free from disqualifying mental illness, be a
resident of the State for the last 12 months (exceptions), and not be
convicted of a felony (or adjudged an habitual criminal) under the law of any
State, or of the United States.

Q. What Masonic affiliation is required for a woman to become a member?

A. She must be the wife, daughter, mother, widow, or sister, of a Master Mason
which is known as Bloodline. Some exceptions may apply at certain times.

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. What is the History of the Order of the Eastern Star
A. 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 wrot e 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 cha
pter 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 i n both
the Old and New Testaments.

Q. What is the Origin and History of the Adoptive Rite Among Black Women

A. On August 10, 1874, Thornton Andrew Jackson received the several degrees of the
Rite of Adoption of the Order of the Eastern Star from Brother C.B. Case, a Deputy and
agent of Illustrious Robert Macoy 33Â°, Supreme Patron of the Rite of Adoption of the
World. In addition, Thornton Jackson also received a letter from Bro. C. B. Case,
granting him the authority to establish chapters of the Eastern Star among eligible black
women. In obedience to the authority granted by William H. Myers, Grand Master, Union
Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, Bro. Jackson established the first
Eastern Star Chapter among black women in the United States. On December 1, 1874<
SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1,
Order of the Eastern Star, was established at 708 O Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. in the
home of Mrs. Georgiana Thomas. The first Worthy Matron was Sister Martha Welch and
the first Worthy Patron was Bro. Thornton A. Jackson. In December 1874, Grand Master
William H. Myers and Deputy Grand Master William A. Tallaferro, Union Grand Lodge,
Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, were invited to receive the androgynous
degrees. They both accepted, thus further cementing the ties that bind the Masonic
Family together. Upon the occasion of Grand Master Myers' initiation into the Adoptive
Rite, he made the following statement to the sisters of Queen Esther Chapter No. 1
extolling them to greatness: "May the dove of peace hover over you. May the All Seeing
Eye, whom the Sun, Moon and Stars obey ever watch over you. May he keep and protect
you in your every effort to promote interest in the general good of this chapter". On
April 28, 1890, Queen of Sheba</ SPAN> Chapter No. 3 and on October 20, 1890,
Gethsemane Chapter No. 4, Order of the Eastern Star, were established by Thornton A.
Jackson within the Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia. He was also instrumental and
helped to establish one (1) chapter in Alexandria, Virginia , three (3) chapters in
Maryland and three chapters in Pennsylvania. In each instance when a chapter was
organized and established, and was adopted by a regularly constituted Masonic Lodge.
Thus, Brother Jackson was able to bring about more unity within the Masonic Family.
During the year 1875, Pythagoras Lodge No. 9 presented the officers of Queen Esther
Chapter No. 1 with their first badges, which were known as Rosettes. This presentation
was made by Worthy Patron Thornton A. Jackson who wished the chapter success and
prosperity in the work upon which they were entering. He a dmonished the officers to
wear the Rosettes with dignity keeping ever before them the memory of the five(5)
Heroines: Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa. In closing, Brother Jackson stated "To
you Queen Esther and Associates, the representatives of the rays of the Beautiful Star
and from whom comes the most charming, the most prophetic and the most instructive
lessons of the Old and New Testaments. May you always throw an air of beauty and
solemnity around all that you bring thousands to worship Him." This has been our
charge as bona fide members of the Order of Eastern Stars from 1875 to this present
moment in time. And so it was one hundred years after the founding of the first Black
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern
Star, was officially instituted in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia.

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 must believe in a Supreme Being not
associated as to be Satanic.

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.

Q. How may I express a desire to join the Order of the Eastern Star?

A. Seek and ye shall find, Ask and it shall be given unto you. Find a person
that "Is active" in their chapter and ask him or her.

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
will fill out completely and returned to the Chapter as soon as possible.

Q. What happens after I submit my petition?

A. The petition will be submitted to an Investigation Committee. Shortly
thereafter the members of the Investigation Committee will contact you
to set up a time and place for a meeting normally at your residence. 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 if need be.

Q. What will be the next step?

A. "Wait with Patience" and 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. 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 and 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 social and fun activities for all members and
their family and friends.

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; but, we do enjoy a distinctive means of identifying each
other.

Q. Can I afford membership in the Order of the Eastern Star?

A. Yes. Financial position is not considered in the Order eventhough we strongly
recommend that you be financially stable before joining the Order, there are
certain requirements that must be met.

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, their will also be study halls and workshops you may
want to consider attending.

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 highly encouraged.