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The Robe is Grecian in style, and in its simplicity when worn
within the Bethel Room places all the officers and choir members on the same
level. The basic pattern of the SLEEVE is a square, reminding us of the many square corners in the floor work of our Ritual. The shape of the YOKE depends upon the body of the ROBE, just as the body depends upon the yoke for proper support. We like to think that the gathers of the body and sleeve represent the many friends we make in Job’s Daughters among the membership, the Bethel Guardian Council, and the Grand and Supreme Guardian Councils. As the body of the robe shapes the yoke, so the Bethel friends influence our life as a Job’s Daughter.
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| The CORD is a collection of minute parts, reminding us that
in unity of purpose there is strength. It may be likened to our collection of
friends in school, church, and social life outside of the Bethel, some of whom
we choose to be future members of the Order. The character of these friends can
make our cord of life strong or weak. If we are unhappy in our choice of
friends, they sometimes draw us downward, just as the cord of the ROBE draws you
downward if you let it get too tight a hold upon you, but if we tie it
gracefully, we are able to carry our shoulders erect, being beautiful and
gracious in manner. The cord then drapes the robe evenly and enhances our
appearance, giving us courage to face our task. We can truly be proud of the
friends who help us carry ourselves erect. As the cord is wrapped about our
body, it is as though the arms of our friends and the encompassing arms of the
Master Masons who give us Heritage are giving us strength. It should remind us
to do all in our power to so live that we are worthy of their protection. As the
cord falls from the yolk, it is secure by three twists reminding us that life
everlasting is built upon the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. |
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| The TWISTS
are also symbolic of praying hands, and should remind us of our position while
accepting the Obligation of Membership in Job’s Daughters. To hold the cord in
its proper place about the waist it is well to tie it in a square knot. As we
tie this knot, we reaffirm our pledge to face life squarely for future success.
When properly tied, our cord forms a triangle upon the Robe - the emblem of our
Order. The ancient High Priests tied bells on the end of their habit cords - they rang softly as the Priest walked through the villages, thereby announcing their arrival and calling the people to prayer. There have been many symbols used to represent bells down through the ages, and the modern symbol is the TASSEL, such as we have on our cord. Remember, as we walk about in the Bethel Robe at our meetings, we are calling attention to all about us that we are a Job’s Daughter: and that not only our Bethel, but the entire International Order of Job’s Daughters in judged by our actions. |
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Our robe is three inches from the floor, repeating one of the
perfect numbers as reflected in the Holy Family. The Trinity, the ideal family -
Mother, Father, and Child; the three Daughters of Job: The three major Prayers
of the ritual: The three Epochs: Job’s three friends from the far East: and
our three Daughters in the East of the Bethel. But most of all it reminds us
that the Third Degree made the man a Master Mason who gave to each of us our
Masonic Heritage, that we might enjoy the privilege of membership in Job’s
Daughters.
Be loyal to the Past, Faithful to the Present, and a Builder
of the Future of our Order
by living the teachings of our Robe.
