When you accept this gavel, you will accept it in all its wrappings. Those wrappings, just like your color stations, are seven in number. They are invisible. You can't see them, but they are just as real as the gold and enamel that cover the wood [or other material] which this gavel is made of.

The first of these wrappings is that of RESPONSIBILITY. This Assembly is now your responsibility. Your responsibility to see that it thrives and grows while you are in office.

The second wrapping is that of LOYALTY. Members of this Assembly will without doubt be loyal to you. But it is far more important that you be loyal to them.

The third is that of LOVE. Just as you have been reared in love, let that same love flow from you to all members of this Assembly around you. Love is like a pebble dropped in a still pond. The waves of love will radiate from their origin and will spread to encompass everything and everyone around you.

Then there is the wrapping of HUMILITY. Do not be overly proud, for you occupy this office, not by your work alone, but by the efforts of al those assembled around you.

The next wrapping you will find, is the wrapping of those twins that always go hand-in-hand, JUSTICE and FAIRNESS. Just as a judge wields his gavel with those two great virtues in mind, so must you always strive to be fair and to be just.

And then down underneath, you will find that the innermost and finest wrapping of all is that of REVERENCE. Our entire Order is founded on GOD. Without Him you can do nothing. With Him, there in nothing you cannot do.

It is with deep humility, and yet with great pride that I now present this gavel to you.

(Contributed by the Grand Jurisdiction of Oklahoma Grand Assembly. Adopted, August, 1982 by the Arkansas Grand Assembly. Mary Sperry, Supreme Inspector, IORG)