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

196 MASTER ELECT OF FIFTEEN. INITIATION. 197(Murderers are conducted out of the lodge.)Master—To whom do we owe this signal service?Master of Ceremonies—To Brother Joabert, who afterfive days’ search discovered them cutting stone in thequarries of Bendaea.Master—And now brother Joabert, for the fervencyand zeal you have shown for our order, in bringing tocondign punishment the murderers of our respectableMaster Hiram Abiff, you will now approach the altarand contract your obligation, and be elevated to thissublime degree in order that yau should become equalwith your brethren. (Joabert kneels at-the altar.)OBLIGATIONMASTER ELECT OF FIFTEEN.I do promise and swear upon the Holy Bible,never to reveal where I have received this degree, noreven say who assisted at my reception, and I furthermorepromise never to receive any in this degree withouta full power from my superiors.Nor to assist at any reception unless in a regularmanner and Chapter of this degree.To keep exactly in my heart all the secrets that shallbe revealed to me. And in failure of this my obligation,I consent to have my body opened perpendicularly, andto be exposed for eight hours in the open air, that thevenomous flies may eat of my entrails, my head to becut off and put on the highest pinnacle of the world, andI will always be ready to inflict the same punishment onthose who shall disclose this degree and break this obligation.So may God help and maintain me. Amen.Master—Rise Brother Joabert, I greet you, and withpleasure put you in posession of the secrets of the degree.alaN.Place the point of the poDiard underthe chin, and draw it downward to thewaist, as if in the act of ripping openthe abdomen.ANswER.Give the sign of an Entered Apprenticewith the fingers clinched and the thumbextended.