Chapters Rose Croix

To those who successfully cross the Bridge from the Man of Earth degrees into that of the Lovers Triad, the first experience they will engage in is with the Chapter of Rose Croix that they have been inducted through. It is here, at the Fifth degree, that each Man and Woman is able to assist the Order on a number of levels and in a number of areas. Social, Political and Fraternal facilitation jointly begin here as shown in the following selection:

Pertaining to the Chapters Rose Croix
excerpted from
Liber CXCIV
O.T.O.
An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order

"7. The members of the Fifth Degree are responsible for all that concerns the Social welfare of the Order. This grade is symbolically that of beauty and harmony; it is the natural stopping-place of the majority of men and women; for to proceed farther, as will appear, involves renunciation of the sternest kind. Here then is all joy, peace, well-being on all planes; the Sovereign Prince Rose Croix is attached equally to the higher and the lower, and forms a natural link between them. Yet let him look to it that his eyes are set on high!

8. In this degree the Most Wise Sovereign of each chapter will appoint a committee of four persons, two men and two women, to arrange for all social gatherings, banquets, dances, the performance of plays, and similar pleasures. They will also endeavour to promote harmony among the Brethren in all possible ways, and to compose any disputes by tact and friendliness without formal appeal being made to any more authoritative tribunal."
Chapters Rose Croix in Canada
Also, as members of the Fifth degree, and in an established Kingdom of O.T.O., these persons can also become members of the Electoral College for that Kingdom as shown further in the above document:

"9. The next grade, that which lies between the Fifth and Sixth Degrees, is called the Senate. This is the first of the governing bodies, properly speaking, and here we begin to insist upon Renunciation. For within this body is the Electoral College of the O.T.O.

10. The principle of popular election is a fatal folly; its results are visible in every so-called democracy. The elected man is always the mediocrity; he is the safe man, the sound man, the man who displeases the majority less than any other; and therefore never the genius, the man of progress and illumination.

11. This electoral college consists of Eleven Persons in each country. It has full control of the affairs of the Men of Earth, appointing Lodge Masters at will. It has however no authority over the Chapters of Rose Croix.

12. Persons who wish to be appointed to this College by the Supreme and Holy King must volunteer for the office. The appointment is for Eleven Years. Volunteers must renounce for that period all further progress in the Order. They must give evidence of first-rate ability in 
(i) Some branch of athletics.
(ii) Some branch of learning.

13. They must also possess a profound general knowledge of history and of the art of government, with some attention to philosophy in general.

14. They must each live in solitude, without more than the necessary speech even to casual neighbours, serving themselves in all respects, for three months continuously, once at least in every two years. The President will summon them at the four seasons of the year, and if necessary at other times, when they will deliberate upon the affairs placed in their charge. All applications to pass to the Fifth Degree must receive their sanction. Appeal from their decisions may however be made to the Supreme Council."

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