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546 BOOK OF THE A. AND A. RITE.
OATH OF OFFICE.
I, , in the presence of the Great Creator and Preserver
of the Universe, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution,
Regulations, Statutes, and Institutes of the Ancient and
Accepted rite, the Laws and Statutes of the Supreme Council of
Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the thirty-third degree for
, and the Statutes of this Consistory not contrary thereto.
That I will faithfully, and to the best of my skill and ability,
perforin and discharge the duties to which I have been elected or
appointed.
That I will use every exertion in ray power to advance the in-
terest, increase the usefulness, and augment the splendor of the
Ancient and Accepted rite. So help me God.
To tlie Grand Minister of State.
Sublime Prince , you have been elected to the office of
Grand Minister of State of this Consistory, in which office is in-
cluded that of Grand Orator. The office is one of labor and re-
sponsibility. He who accepts it should be capable of edifying
and instructing his brethren. He must address the Consistory on
proper occasions, pronounce discourses to candidates, give his
opinion, when required by the Commander-in-Chief, upon questions
of Masonic Law, and read essays and lectures upon Masonic
subjects, when requested by the Consistory. He must therefore
make himself familiar with the constitutions, regulations, insti-
tutes and statutes, with Masonic law and philosophy, with the
doctrines of the rite, and the history of the order. I need not tell
you that all this requires intellect and study, and no one can do
a graver injury to Masoniy, than he who occupies a high and
important office, and then neglects its duties. It is when little or
no real instruction is given in symbolic Lodges, no essays are read
there, and all the learning and doctrine of the order are neglected,
that theh meetings become uninteresting, tiresome, and unprofit-
able.
The field before you is vast, my brother, and will afford ample
scope for your intellect and learning, and I trust that your breth-
ren will have cause to rejoice that they have selected you to labol
In it. You will now take your station at the right of the Illustri-
ous Deputy Commander-in-Chief.