Thadeu

V. . . 5
" PERSONAL OBLIGATION.
"Conscious that the Eye of • the Grand Architect of the Universe is upon me . I do pt%mise to Ilim and to
those who shall receive me here, that I will strenuously endeavor to perform the duties which I have now
acknowledged do devolve upon me ; and be governed by their dictates in the world and in the Lodge, as a good
apd faithful Mason ; actuated by benevolence and fraternal feeling, and complying with nil my obligations as
a Mason, heretofore, now, or hereafter assumed ; and I will never reveal or make known the mode of my
admission into this degree, even if I should retire without completely receiving it . So help me God 1
Signed at
The day of A . D . 13
"Write now your last will and testament ; as if in fire minutes you were about to engage in battle, leading
the forlorn hope to storm a breach, with the almost absolute certainty of falling in the assault ."
[When the Candidate has concluded, the 3i. •. Car.-. takes the paper containing his responses and what he
has written, and says to him]
£ •. C. •. Remain here a time in patience, until what you have answered and written is submitted to the
Th.-. How . and the Brethren, and their judgment had thereon ; when I will return to you .
[The 3L •. Car.- . then enters the Lodge, leaving him alone . Ile hands the paper to the Master, who reads
it to the Brethren . If he regards the answers as unsatisfactory, he so declares, and directs the Candidate shall
be dismissed . If he considers them sufficient, he puts the question to the Brethren, thus]
Th.' . Son. : Brethren, you have heard the responses, the obligation and the last will and testament of
the candidate . Are you satisfied with them, and do you consent that he shall be admitted? Those of you
who are so, will give the affirmative sign .
[It is given by raising the right arm perpendicularly above the bead .]
TA.' . Son: . Those who are not satisfied or who do not consent, will give the negative sign .
[It is given by extending the right arm in front, hand open and palm outwards ; as if repelling a person.]
Th .. Thos .: Bro : . Zabud, do any answer in the negative ?
[If there is any negative, the Candidate is dismissed . If none, the Th : . Iron:. says]
Th . Hon. -. Bro:. DI : . of Car.-., the Brethren consent .that the Candidate shall be admitted . The
Secretary will file his responses, his obligation and his testament ; and being properly prepared, he may be
allowed to enter .
[The Master of Ceremonies goes out, and says to the Candidate]
elf.• . Car .-. The Th.- . Honorable blaster, the Warden and the Brethren are satisfied with your responses,
your obligation and your testament . They are deposited in the Archives of the Lodge, for a testimony during
all time . Our Lodge is now sorrowful and in mourning ; for it is the anniversary of the final burial of our
Or .-. Master Hiram Abi ; and while we mourn for him, we mourn also for that darkness and death of pain
and evil and sorrow, into which man bath fallen, and of which his death is to us a most expressive symbol .
Reflect upon their sad condition, and let feelings of pity and commiseration for sinful, suffering humanity All
your heart .; and in that spirit prepare to receive this degree .
.[The W . of Car.-. then divests him of his Masonic clothing, and puts on him a robe of white linen, and
slippers upon his feet, and a green silk cord around his neck, and blindfolds him . Then, with the end of the
cord in one hand and a drawn sword in the other, he leads him into the Lodge, and makes the Circuit thereof
five times, while the Master and Warden read alternately as follows]
N.•. . . . lit Circ:. . If ye will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then ve shall be a
peculiar treasure unto me above all people : for all the Earth is mine : and ye shall be unto me a Kingdom of
Priests, and an Holy Nation .
11r.% . . 2d Circ.• . . Yo shall do my judgments, and keep my ordinances, to walk therein : I am the
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