Four Times Respectable College of Saint Andrew of Scotland

The Grand Master delivers the historical discourse. The discourse finished, and after having heard what they may have to propose, he says: "Before we separate, my illustrious companions, let us pray, my Reverend Brothers, for the rest of the souls of our ancestors, who died as martyrs for the faith and the truth." The Grand Chaplain intones the De profundis Psalm 130, literally 'from the depths' and says the prayer. The collection box for the poor is passed around, and all being finished, the Grand Master strikes a blow with the pommel of his sword on the altar and says: "The Sublime Master of Ceremonies announces to the illustrious members of the Chapter that it is closed." The Grand Master rises, makes the sign which is repeated by the knights, and says: "Let us go to work for the propagation of the order."

3rd Grade: Commander Grand Cross

The interior hall where the Grand Chapter is assembled is hung in poppy-red damask with gold piping, scattered with the crosses of the order, and also with golden fleur-de-lis scattered on the tapestries.
The canopy of the throne must be magnificent, as must the adornment of the throne. The chapter must be illuminated by 27 white wax candles supported by large white and gold candlesticks; there must be three chandeliers with 9 candles each. The hall that precedes that of the chapter must be hung in white and is illuminated by 12 torches with six branches each, with a globe of fire suspended in the middle.
The Grand Council or General Chapter only assembles on St. John the Baptist's day and St. Andrew's day each year, and never twice in a row in the same place, unless there is absolute necessity.

The Grand Master, or the Grand Prior in his absence, says: "Respectable, Illustrious, and Sublime Knights, we are assembled here to work for the good and the advantage of our august society. I beg you to propose to the Council, with the zeal that animates you, that which you believe useful and advantageous to the order and the maintenance of its discipline. Penetrated as you are, my dear companions, by the necessity of maintaining these to arrive at our goal, I exhort you to work at it with heart."
The associate admitted is introduced without ceremony into the chapter in the dress decorations of his grade, sword

at his side, hat on his head. Upon entering, he draws his sword, salutes the assembly, and makes the sign of the order. All members of the chapter have their swords in hand. The Grand Master addresses him: "Knight, your courage, your virtues, and your attachment to the order have made you deserve a place among us. Knowing your merit, your zeal, and your happiness, the position I occupy gives me the power to unite with us a brave and worthy knight such as you. Approach the throne, my dear brother, and come to take your final obligation at the feet of the Eternal Grand A. D. L. U.? Likely: Architect of the Universe."

The recipient kneels and repeats this final vow, his hand upon the Gospel of St. John:
"At the feet of the Supreme Being, surrounded by the Sublime Members of the Grand Council of the Order of the SSS? A common abbreviation for the Strict Observance, or similar templar-style masonic rites, I, N.N.?, vow and give my soul to God, and to the order, my body, my life, and my goods. I promise and pledge, upon my word as a knight and on my honor, to obey the orders of the Grand Council of the order and to work with zeal to recover the places and honors that have been taken from our ancestors by unworthy ravishers. I sacrifice my blood and my life to achieve this. I renew all the obligations that I have contracted upon entering the Illustrious order of chivalry of the SSS? and to work with all my power to acquire for it members worthy of cooperating in our works, and never to give the grades that have been entrusted to me except when I am convinced that they are good and honest, and without failing to pass the retribution for their grades to the Grand Treasurer of the order via the Grand Prior, to whom I am a correspondent, according to the tariff given to me. In faith of which, I pray God that He may be my aid, as well as His Holy Gospel."
Then the Grand Master raises the recipient, kisses his forehead on each cheek and the throat, and on the forehead he gives him the sign, the word, and the touch, the Grand Cross, and the ring of the order.

The sign is to carry the left hand in a square under the throat and withdraw it perpendicularly until the orifice of the stomach, while raising in the air the little finger where the ring is. The word is HEDOURD HARIS. The response is Ferdinand of Brunswick. The touch is to seize the hilt of the sword of the knight to whom one is giving it, who, on his side, does the same. When addressing a superior, instead of seizing the hilt of his sword, one must quickly carry the hand to the hilt of one's own as if one were going to pull it out of the scabbard; he responds "Domino" Latin: Lord/Master, which makes it understood that one is only waiting for his orders to deliver them.