Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-06-19

within, followed by fifth holding a burning
torct, in his right hand, aud in his left the
Holy Bible with cross stretched upon it.
They were clothed in aprons and collars,
and their cOuntenances wore the same pale
and death-like hue as did that of The Guar.
dian. .,..f ..-.,- .,,..,
The Bible was placed upon the altar in
front OF the flame. | was commanded TO
kneeI down before il, and 10 place my hand
upon the bible cross, and my right hand up
on my left breast One of the men now
placed his sword against my breast, another
against my right side, the third against my
left, and the fourth against my back. IN this
awful attitude, was told by the man with
the torch that mus, take a solemn oa,l, new
er to divslge any Of the secrets of the Order
that might be revealed to me.
The oath was administered, but tremblc
to repeat it. will not shock the reader 18th
j, repetition, or the blasplicmous penalties
attached to its violation. :.
was now stripped of all my clothing and
then blindfolded. A halter was next placed
around my neck, and in this defencel+ss aud
obscene condition, was led with some cere-
mony into the lodge room. On entering the
brethren commenced a song-during the
singing of which | was marched around the
room for them to gaze at.
When the song was finished, | was placed
astride of rail- which was told was the
Odd Fellows Goat. and that | never could
become an Odd Fellow until had first
learned to ride the Goat. In this barbarous
manner, was carried three times around
Al, Ill,
Warden's chair. Here my binder was rails.
ed sufficiently for me to see, when one OF the
brethren having on mask resembling a
goats head, butled me smack of the rain on
to the floor. Enraged at such cruel heat
ment, bawled out most Justify, when instan.
ny "A cap was pulled over my head and drawn
around my neck So tight that my noise was
at once stopped.
After had become silent, the strings were
loosened sufficient to allow me to breathe. l
was then conducted to another part of the
room, when | was suddenly knocked down
upon the floor, and on attempting to get up,
| found myself SO completely en,angsed in
Cords that | was unable TO rise. At length
| was helped up, and asked what most de-
sired. was told 10 say 'clothng,' upon
which was dressed in kind of gown re-
scmbing shirt. was next conducted to
the Noble Grands chair, when was asked
what most desired | was this time told to
say light Suddenly the cap was lifted of
my head, bright ligm was burning before
my eyes, that for time almost blinded me-
As soon as recovered my sight, discover.
I'd before me an altar from which "a dense
smoke arose that pertuned tie hall. On
each side Of the altar was burning a brilliant
red light that gave strange appearance to
everything around me. Even the very
smoke seemed lingrd with the scarlet hue,
when suddenly, saw a human figure pierced
through with dart, and with his head sew.
cred from his body-and from the altar there
came voice, saying:-' SEE THE FATE OF
nTM WHO VIOLATES TIE vow OF AN ODp
Fellow
Suddenly the vision vanished; the lights
were exineuished, and peal or thunder
shook the building. A loud Economical laugh
now rang through the room, and TO add TO
the horror Of the darkness, words of terrible
and awful import were seen written in letters
of fire upon the walls around me. Figures
of unearlhy shapes were seen moving ihro'
the room with tapers in their hands that bare
ly emitted light TO discern the beings who
held them. Canking Of chains and low sep
ulchral groans were heard as il coming w
from beneath the floor on which stood. A
voice was heard, saying: listen to the ago.
nlzing groans of those who violate the vow OF
an Odd Fellow The groans grew louder
and died away in low nurmur. Another
| al nft h, 4 ,l, Ali
foundation, and suddenly darkness vanished
and light was restored. The smoke from
the altar ceased to ascend. Behind it three
I figures clothed in the scarlet ronrs with veil.
drawn over their faces, and with mues ON
their heads. The outer ones leaned upo,
spears which they held in their hands. The
inner one held in his hand book from which
he read. the following: Stranger, at your
solicitation and request, you have been cleo
ted member of this Order, and have been
so far initiated into its mysteries. The
scenes through wilirIryou have pissed are
full Of instruction aud are designed to make
deep and lasting impression upon your
mind.-Thc pale visase which you frs, saw
upon entering, should remind you that you
were mortal, and mus, soon quit the busy
scenes of life, and join the pale nations of the
dead. As you were stripped Of your cloth
ing, bllndfolded, and in this connition led
abou, at onr WILL but was finally clothed and
restored to light at your request, so you
should remember that when your brother is
stripped Of his properly, oppressed by his
creditors, and prosecuted by his foes, and
calls upon yor for assistance, il is your duty
to clo,lie his nakedness, feed his hungry wife
and children, and TO aid him even to half of
your property. Your being required to ride
our goat should teach you to ride fearlcssy
across the stormy sea of life, to endure with
forli,ude the troubles and difficulties with
which You may be called 10 encounter in
your pilgrimage through, the world. The
other scenes which you have passed are all
designed TO impress your mind with the vari-
rious duties OF life, and what you may expect
should you dare to divulge the secrets of the
Order II now remains for me 10 instruct
you in the pass word, grip ard sign. The
pass word OF the current quarter is Fun )
the explanation is 'DEvmrRY,' which will
admit you into any lodge Of Odd Fellows 10
the universe. i'ao T@fTio 1'i h1'v
The grip is given by hooking the little FIN
1 - p ,'''l' 70 s.gnr.l+.n .gnf gt. ',f.
! The couotersign is given BY partly closing
,he hand and pasus the end Of the thumb
agains, the tip of The nose. p9 .-o4
A. You advance into ,l,ehig6er degrees o.