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Our History

Second Degree Questionnaire Required


Second Degree (Brotherhood) Questionnaire Required for Passage

The seventh annual session of the Grand Lodge opened at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 1927, at Camp Ranachqua, New York. A large portion of the meeting minutes were concerned with ritual changes. It was noted back in 1923 that Brotherhood candidates needed more knowledge of the Order. Four years later a series of 31 questions was provided as a recommendation to increase knowledge of Arrowmen. The recommendation was approved. Below are the recommended original questions.

Examination For Advancement To The Second Degree of the Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui

1. What is the name of the First Degree of the Wimachtendienk? The Ordeal Degree

2. Why is it so called? Because it is preceded by a fourfold ordeal

3. What are the four parts of this Ordeal, and their respective purpose? A night of camping alone under the heavens, to prove my self-reliance; a day of arduous toil, to indicate my willingness to serve others; 24 hours of scant food, to demonstrate my power of self-denial; and a like period of silence, to test my self-control.

4. How were you prepared for the Ordeal? I was led by Nutiket to the north end of the camp, where Meteu applied water from the lake to my bared left breast, in token of the cleansing of my heart from selfishness and evil.

5. When you had completed the Ordeal, how were you dealt with? I was taken by Nutiket up the hidden trail which leads to the mystic circle of the lodge.

6. By whom were you first stopped as you approached the circle? By Nacheneyit Sakima, the senior vice chief, who asked if I had passed the Ordeal without flinching?

7. Who next barred your further progress? Sakima, the chief, who demanded the password.

8. Had you the password? I had not, but Nutiket, my guide, had it, and gave it to me.

9. Before whom did you then at last arrive? Before Kittakima, the Chief of the Fire, who asked if I had been completely prepared to receive the Obligation?

10. What was Nutiket’s reply to this inquiry? Only in the binding of them together.

11. How had Nutiket called the attention of each of these officers to your presence? By three taps of the hand upon his left shoulder.

12. What did these three taps signify? The three parts of the Scout Oath.

13. How did each of the officers respond to Nutiket’s taps? By one tap on his left shoulder, followed by the two taps.

14. What did these taps represent? The 12 points of the Scout Law.

15. How were you and your companion bound together? By a rope, which, until we took the Obligation, represented our tie to the Brotherhood.

16. How was your preparation for the Obligation completed? Nutiket caused me to kneel before the altar, where Sakima directed me to hold my right hand in Scout sign and repeat the Obligation after Kittakima.

17. Repeat the Obligation. I, ___________________, do hereby promise on my honor as a Scout, that I will always and faithfully preserve unbroken the secret rites, mysteries, signs, and symbols of the Order of the Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui, which I have received or may be taught at any future time. I will attend, so far as I am able, all regular and special meetings of the Order, and will do what I can to promote interest in them. I will always regard the bonds of brotherhood in this Order as sacred and binding, and will seek to preserve a cheerful spirit even in the midst of irksome tasks, and will endeavor, so far as my power lies, to be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of others.

18. In what did Meteu then instruct you? In the legend upon which our Order is founded.

19. Who are the central figures of that legend? The aged chieftain, Chingachgook, and his son, Uncas, who, by their cheerful and self-sacrificing service, are said to have saved the Delaware tribes from annihilation by the Six Nations of the Iroquois.

20. What did Kittakima then impart to you? The symbol, grip, and a password of the Order, and the sign of the Ordeal Degree.

21. What is the symbol of the Order? The arrow, whose undeviating course when aimed high is a token of leadership.

22. How is it worn by members of the Ordeal Degree? Pointing over the right shoulder.

23. Give me the grip of our Order. (Gives it)

24. How must the password always be given? Whispered in the ear.

25. Give me the password. (Gives it)

26. What does it mean? To love one another

27. What is the sign of the Ordeal Degree? (Gives it)

28. What is the full name of our Order? Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui.

29. In what language is it given? In the language of the Delaware Indians, the Lenni-Lenape.

30. What is its meaning in English? The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service.

31. Give the words (or sing) the song of the Order. (Gives or sings it)