The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-14


love Thee and keep Thy commandments
Hear our prayers, Merciful Father and in
righteousness direct us, that we may at last
be saved in Thy Kingdom, through Jesus
Christ our Lord - To which all respond,
-'Amen!
The members then all raise their hands
and, after the Colonel, say:
In the presence of these, my country
men, / do most soIemnly repeat my adher-
euce to the obligations have taken in this
order, and that ] will not expose its exist
enCe, or do anything to injure its success,
or the we'll being of any Of its members"
After which the Chaplain says: ITO
which pledge, Heaven bear witness"
One tap on the drum. and the members
resume their seats, and the Colonel declares
the Regiment ready for business.
The closing ceremony is brief The Ma
ior asks "IS there any one here desirous Of
being absOlved from the Obligations he has
taken in this brotherhood, and who wishes
20 withdraw from its association p
If any respond he or they are asked (un-
der oath) why they wish to withdraw. The
reasons are recorded and he is granted a card
Of withdrawal, and is escorted to the outer
door by the Guard.
At given signal the members rise, when
the Adjutant says: Countrymen! we are
about to depart from this hallowed resort Of
patriotism. and enter again the mingled
throng of The world. We go, trust, much
benelilted by the events of tonight, and
With our hearts strengthened in the holy cause
Of our countrys welfare. And ere you 90,
l cannot remind you too strongly. that when
we leave this hall, your lips are sealed as to
the business we have nsacted here. Not
whisper must be given to any one, except
those connected with us, in relation to this
order A wise tongue lieth STILL saith the
good book, and we wish the maxim imprint
ed on all our hearts. Brother Chaplain, thy
blessing
The Chaplain delivers benediction. and
.he Regiment is dismissed.
THE RED DEGREE.
The initiatory is called the White Degree,
she second the Red, and the third the Blue
Degree all combined making the American
uio Of coors--the white, red and blue. We
have given the ceremonies of the White de-
gree, we will now give those Of the Red. A
eerson must be thirteen (typical of the old
thirteen States) weeks member, before he
can take the Red degree. He then must be
proposed by one of the Blue, and baloted
for alone By the Reds and Blues. Six black
balls re iect. \ candidate for the second de-
gree is taken g outside the camp" which
we presume means ante-room-where he is
further examined. He is then asked some
questions as to the history of our country,
In which he is instructed if he does not an
aver correctly. He is then asked
do you revere the name of Washington
Have you carefully read the constitution of
the United States? Do you desire that con-
sti,u.ion to remain unimpaired, and its pro-
visions carefully carried out? Are you will
ling to pledge your right arm in defence of
4hat constitution !"
Ii these questions are answered in the af-
firmative, the candidate is examined in the
work" of the White Degree, and if he an
swer truly, is escorted TO the door of the Red
Regiment headquarters.
Sentnel-Who comes there -?
Orderly Sergeant-One desiring the Red.
Seniinel---Fhe Red? We have no red
coats here, for they were the enemies of our
fathers. Begone, ye man of foreign prejudice.
Orderly Sergeant--Nay tits not red-coat
we seek, but knowledge of that undying
red, which floats so vauntingly in the flag
Of our country.
Sentinel-Have you the countersign? o.
3. gives the password.l Your hearts are right,
enter, and heaven help thee to keep ever
= IL = A. Al. Il