What is Grange Ritual?

The Grange was founded when Oliver Hudson Kelley was dispatched to the southern states after the Civil War to help rebuild farmland. As a northerner, his efforts were rebuffed until he met a fellow Masonic farmer and introduced himself as a Mason. The hostility was replaced by fraternal acceptance, and OH Kelley realized that a rural fraternal organization would be helpful in joining farmers of all persuasions. 

Today, the Grange is open to all, with community Grange meetings being open, but races of the old fraternal rituals still exist. 

While some may equate ritual with a darker side, that is not the intent of the Grange ritual. It is meant to teach and reinforce good conduct among people, much like the Boy Scout Creed. It has its roots in agriculture, but is intended to help develop people. 

Many of the older ceremonies are no longer used, but the lessons they convey are as valid today as they were in 1867.  

Grange Degrees

Today very few Granges still welcome members with the formal four degrees, most instead use the Welcoming Ceremony. The first four degrees are small plays that teach the lessons of Faith, Hope, Charity and Fidelity and are set on the farmstead, each in one of the four seasons. Blow are a couple of exceprts that speak to the lessons they provide. 

And forget not CHARITY. As flowers and vines cover the rough places in nature, so I charge you, cover the faults and failings of others with the mantle of CHARITY. Speak good of others, rather than evil. Gather up memories of others’ virtues, and pass by their faults in pity. The tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dew-drops falling from roses on the bosom of the earth.

I must call your attention to the domestic animals that are committed to
our keeping by the Great Author of our being. We are dependent upon them,
for without their aid man could never have risen from barbarism to
civilization. Practice mercy and compassion toward them. Never overwork nor overload them, and guard against haste in reprimanding them. Treat them with kindness and affection, and they will learn to love you. It is one of
the objects of our Order to protect dumb animals from abuse, and any member who countenances their ill-treatment is liable to censure, suspension, or expulsion

Grange Implements

  • Ax: Symbolizes perseverance, cutting through obstacles.
  • Plow: Represents the breaking of the soil of ignorance and preparing the mind for knowledge.
  • Star Harrow: Emblematic of study, observation, and covering the seed of knowledge.
  • Spade: Symbolizes thoroughness, digging deep to understand truth.
  • Hoe: Represents the cultivation of the mind, destroying errors.
  • Pruning Knife: Reminds members to remove idle thoughts and passions.
  • Sickle/Scythe: Symbolizes peace, prosperity, and the harvesting of rewards.