Scottish Rite Masonry Illustrated - The Masonic Trowel

414 SUBLfl~E PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECEET.
the candidate to the altar. (All rise under the sign of
order. The Illustrious Commander in Chief, leaves his
seat and meets the candidate at the altar.)
Commander in- Chief—My brother, if you would advance
further, you must assume the obligation of this
degree. That you may be certain that we are all bound
to you, by ties as strong as those that will bind you to
us, kneel at our altar, lay your hands and sword upon
the book of constitutions and repeat after me:
OBLIGATION.
I of my own free will and accord, in the presence
of the Grand Architect of the Universe and of this
Grand Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret,
and faithful guardians of the sacred treasure, do
hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sincerely swear,
under all the penalties of my former obligations in Masonry,
that I will never, directly or indirectly, reveal or
make known, to any person or persons whomsoever, any;
even the least, of the secrets of this degree, unless to
one duly qualified and entitled to receive them, and to
such persons only, as I shall find to be after due and
strict trial.
I furthermore vow~ and swear, that I will punctually
obey all due signs and summonses, handed or forwarded
to me, by the regular officer or officers of this Grand
Consistory, so long as I remain within its jurisdiction,
sickness, great distance, my duty to my family, or other
over-ruling cause alone excusing me.
I furthermore vow and swear, always to conform to,
and obey the statutes and regulations of the order, and
to demean and behave myself, as one should who has
been deemed worthy lo be honored, with so high a degree,
that no part of my conduct may in the least reflect
discredit on the Grand Consistory, or disgrace myself.
INITIATIoN. 418
I furthermore vow and swear, never to visit or recognize
any spurious, irregular, illegitimate or clandestine
body pretending to be Masonic, if I know it to be such,
but will always denounce and discountenance all such,
and to hold no Masonic intercourse with any member or
members of any such bodies, and may God keep me just,
equitable and charitable. Amen I Amen! Amen I Amen!
Commander in Chief—Rise my brother, you have
still a solemn duty to perform, by certain journeys,
symbolical of the warfare you are ever hereafter to
wage, against the ehief foes of human progress. You will
thus give us the most solemn pledge of your sincerity
and resolution, and prove to us that you recognize God
as our com.mon father, and all men his ehildren.
Commander in Chief—(After returning to his station.)
Be seated Sublime Princes. (All are seated except
the candidate and Master of Ceremonies.)
Commander in Chief—My brother, be prepared. Remember
that we shall accept each journey as your most
solemn pledge, given to us in the sight of God, that the
enemy of humanity, against whom you symbolically
march, you will ever hereafter actively and energetically
war against, with all lawful weapons and by all legitimate
means. (At this moment five guns are heard firing.)
Commander in Chief—My brother, you have heard
the signal. The hour has come when you must mareh
upon the first of those campaigns, which every true Mason
and Prince must ever be ready to make, for the relief
of his suffering brethren. You are inexperienced,
and will need a guide, and we entrust you to our tried
brother, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who has been
with you from the beginning. (Illustrious Commander
in Chief, now leaves his seat and goes to the candidate.)
Commander in Chief—Give your sword to the Grand