Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1855-04-28
RITUAL.
FIRST Degree COUNCIL.

OUrsIDE.-[Durin the time the can
didates are in the ante-room
MurShaI Gentlemen, are you can
didates for the adms ,ion to the organ-
cation -
Each answers Il am y
MarshaI--Before proceeding further.
it is necessary that y,u take an obliga-
ton oil secrecy
You will now place yourselves in a
position to receive IT.
Position.--Place the right hand on
the Holy Bible and cross
Oblgatjoa-You do solemny swear
upon this Holy Bible and Cross, before
Almighty God and these witnesses, that
you will not divu!ge any gu stion now
proposed to you, whether you become a
member of this organization Or not, and
that you will never, under any c.rcum
stances, mention the mans Of any person
or persons you may see present, nor that
you know such an organization to be in
existence and that you will true an
swers make to every question asked you
to the best of your knowled and belief.
So help you God q do -
First Qpestjon.--Are yuu twenty-one
years of age
{" [ anu"
Second Question-Do you believe in
the existence of Supreme Being, the
Creator Of the Universe, and th,t an
obligation at this time taken viii be bud
ing through life
/" do.'
Third Question.-Were you born
within the limits Or uader the iurisdIc-
ton oil the the United States of America:
G was"
Fourth Question I'm rel gious belief
are you Roman Catholic !
No"
Fifth Question.-Have you, or have
you not been reared under Protestant
influence
Yes, or No." as the case may be. 7
Sixth QUestlon.-Are, or were eth,
Of your parents Roman Catholics in res
ligIous belief:
Ono"
Screnh Question-If married, is your
wife Roman Catholic'
No." or " Yes, p the answer to
be valued as the State Council provides.
Eighth Question Are you willing to
use your influence and vote only for ma
tive born American citizens for all the
offices of honor Or trust in the gift of the
people, to the exclusion of all Foreigners,
and of Roman Catholics in particular,
ard without regard to patty predictions;
am
NsIDE-IThe candidates are now
conducted inside
Marshal,-W orthy President: [ have
examined these candidates, and finding
them duly qualified, present them for OBJ
legation. If the examination in the
ante-room gave evidence of even partial
objection to any candidate, the Marshal
should state it to the President before
introducing the candidate
Preldsat-My friends: Previous to
your uniting with and becoming MN
bers Of this organization, il will be nee
essary for you to take solemn obliga
tlon-one which we have all taken, and
intend sacFedly to keep through life 1t !
viii Il II conflict with the duties you ow
to yourselves, your families, your coun-
try or your God. With this assurance +
are You willing t. proceed
Each answers, . am"
Obligation. You aad each Of sou, ofI
your own free VIII and accord, in the
presence of Almighty God, and these
witness 5, y UT right hand resting oaI
this holy bible and cross, ard your left /
hand raised toward heaven, Or, if it be /
pref RED. your left hand resting on your
breast, and your right HIND raised to-
ward heaven in tok 4 of YOU sincerity, +
do solemuiy pr.nise and swelr that you
will not make known to any person or
persons aLy of the signs. signs, secrets,
or MIST ries or objects Of this ganiza-
ton, unl IS il b. to hose to y nom, after