The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-10
RITUAL.
FIRST DEGREE COUNCIL.
Outside

OutStde.
Mdrshdl--Gentlemen--Are you candidates for admis.
sion to this organization? Each answers: ] am.
Aarsha-Before proceeding further, it is necessary
that you take obligation Of secresy Are you willing
70 take such an obligationS / am.
Marshal-You will place yourself in position
to receive 1t. Position.
Obligdtion.-You solemnly swear, before Almighty
God and these Witnesses that you will not divuge any
question now proposed to YOU whether you become
member Of this organization not; and that you viii
never, under any circumstances, mention the name Of
any person persons you may present that
know such organization TO be in existence and that
you will true make to every question asked you
to the best of your knowledge and belief SO help you
God do.
First Question.-Are you twenty one years Of ages
Second Question you believe in the existence Of
Supreme Being the creator and preserver Of the uni
verse and that obligation at this time taken win be
binding upon you through life do.
Third Question you born within the limits or
under the jurisdiction of the United States Of America
Fourth Question religious belief are you Roman
Catholicy No.
FyA Question Have or have you not been reared
under Protestant nhuen:e2 Yes or " No."
Sirth Qucstion-Are were either Of your parents
Roman Catholics in religious beefS No
sr,n married ma ;I is your wife a Roman
as the constitution of the council shall provide
Eighth Question.--Are you willing to use your in:
uence and vote only native American citizens for all
Offices Of honor trust in the gift Of the people to the
exclusion of all foreigners and Roman Catholics in part
cuar and without regard TO party predictions am
Mdrshdl.-Worthy PRESIDENT have examined the
candidates, and finding them duly qualified, present
them for obligation or the examination in the ante
gave evidence OF even partial objection to any can
ddate the Marshal should state 1t to the President be-
fore introducing the candidate.)
President-My friends-Previous TO your uniting with
and becoming members Of this organization, 1t win be
necessary for you to take upon yourselves soemn OBJ
10 seer, through life II VIII not conflict with the du
ties yon owe to yourselves, your family your country,
ar your God With this assurance, are you willing to
proceed Each answers: am.
Otiigdtion.-You and each OF you, OF your own Tree
will and accoId in the presence OF Almighty God aud
these wit nesses your right hand resting on this holy
Bible and your left hand raised toward Heaven Tor
preferred your left hand resting breast and
your right hand raised toward Heayen,) in token OF
your sincerity do solemnly promise and swear that
any OF the signs, secrets, or mysteries OF the
organization, unless IL be 10 those whom, after due
members u this organization IN good standing that you
viii not cut, sarve, print, paint stamp stain, or In any
way directly Indirectly any Of the secrets Of this
order suffer Il TO be done by Others in your power
to prevent H. unless be for official instruction; that
long you connected with this organization, not
regularly dismissed from II, you viii In gu things polit
cal social far this order 10 concerned, comply
with the will Of the majority when expressed In Ia wu
manner though may conflict With your personal pre-
ferences long IL does not conflict with the grand,
state subordinate constitutions the constitution Of
the United States Of America or that Of tho State in
which You reside and that you will not under any cir
cumstances whatever, knowingly recommend
worthy person for initiation suffer II 10 be done II in
your power TO prevenit You furthermore promise aud
declare that you viii not VOTE give your nHu-
encc for any for any Office in the gift Of the people,
unless he be American born citizen, In favor Of
Americans born ruling America, nor II he be Roman
Catholic; and that you win not, under any circum.
stances expose the OF any member Of this order,
nor reveal the existence Of such organization. To
ali the foregoing yoa bind yourselves under the no less