Blanchard J (anti-masonic) - Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated Part I

266 THIRTEENTII OR ROYAL Audi DEGREE. INITIATION. 267And to reward the three discoverers of.the lost word,he appointed them the guardians of the inestiniabletreasure. Are you willing to accept the office?Expert—We are.Thrice Puissant—Brethren, the Great Architect ofthe Universe hith done you the greate-t of favors, it ishim who hath chosen you to discover the most precioustreasure of masons, and you are his elected. T give youjoy of it. Brother Expert you will now eonduet the candidatesto the Altar, there to contract the most solemnobligation, and I will reward them for their labor.OBLIGATiON, ROYAL ARCH DEGREE.I——do promise before the Great ArchiteeL of theUniverse and this Puissant Royal Assembly, never toreveal the secrets which are to be entrusted to me, especiallywhat is to be revealed to me of the sacred mysteries.I promise to renew my zeal for masonry, andmy friendship for my brethren, and never to separatemyself from this Ro•~al Lodge but by leave from theMost Powerful Grand Master, and of his Grand Officers.] promise never to reveal or consent that a masonshall be received into this degree, but according to ourlaws. I further promise to ~observe at all times, theStatutes and Regulations which shall be prescribed tome by this Royal L~dge and to acknowledge at all timesthe Council of Prinees of Jerusaleni and of the RoyalSecretary for the Sovereign Chief of the Royal Art, itfurnished with authentic title, and submit myself totheir decrees, to sign my submission to the most authenticact of it.And if I fail in this, my present engagement, I con.sent to suffer all the pains of all my former obligations,my body to be exposed as food to the ferocity of thewild beasts.Go God help me in righteousness and equity.Thrice Puissant—By virtue of the authority andpower in me vested as Thrice Puissant Grand Matderof this Royal Lodge, I do hereby proclaim you Knights‘of the Royal Arch, and faithful guardians of the SacredTreasure. Arise Sir Knights, [greet you.Thrice Puissant—Brother Expert, you will now conductthe candidates to our brother Inspector in the West.who will invest them with the secrets of ibis degree, asa reward for their labors.Expert conducts them to the Inspector who givesthem the sign.ASIGN.A d m ir ationraise the handsto heaven, thehead leaning onthe left shoulder,fall on the right‘knee.Second—Ado-Tation, fall onboth knees.First Sign. Royal Arch.TOKEN.Place your hands beneath the other’sarms, as if to help him to rise, sayingat the same time, Be of Good Cheer.The other returns the token, sayingJabulum.Token.