This is referring to the seven cardinal virtues of DeMolay. These virtues are: Filial love (love of parents), reverence for sacred things (Respect for others, their beliefs, their opinions, the things they hold sacred), courtesy (courtesy toward everyone), comradeship (friendship), fidelity (faithfulness), cleanness (cleanness in thought and action), and patriotism. The seven virtues of DeMolay are represented by the seven candles which are positioned around our Altar and as the seven jewels in the Crown of Youth. Every DeMolay is instructed in the meaning of the seven virtues during the initiation ceremonies by the seven Preceptors.
There is no better foundation on which a young man may build his character and pathway to manhood, than the practice of these virtues. It might be said that these seven virtues are missing from the lives of many of today’s youth. In order to teach young men the path to a moral and upright life, a place must exist where younger and older men can interact and hold each other accountable to such standards of excellence. DeMolay achieves this through activities of service that reinforce the lessons taught in our ceremonies. The seriousness of the matter is upheld by the solemn promises each DeMolay makes. Subsequent posts will deal with each of the seven cardinal virtues in detail.
Note: These posts are inspired by blog postings at the Ninth Arch website.