Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-19
KNow-SoTHISGIsa EXPOSED,
BY DEWITT c. WILLIAMS, s.
Member Of The La,vrss6e5ury CouzsR, No
RITUAL.
rIRsr prGRrE coryc11

OUTSIDE Observation-Disclosures Are YOU candi-
dates for admission to the Organization?
Each answers ST am." -s : ssss - asssss -
Marsha; Before proceeding further it is neces-
Marshall You win place Yourselves in nox;,ion
TO receive it. Positoa--Place the right hand on
the Holy Bible and Cross.
obligation y on do solemnly swear upon this
Holy Bible and Cross, before Almighty Ged and
these witnesses. that you will not divuge any
questions now proposed to you whether you be-
come member Of this organization or not, aud
that you will never under any circumsta nces mem
ton the name of any person or persons you ray
see present, or that you know such an Organize
ton to be in existence and that you will true ans
wers make to every question asked youto the best
81 your knowledge and belief. so help you GodI =
First Question. Are you twenty -one ys ars age?
81 am" =,
Second Question.-Do you believe in the exist
.ence of Supreme Being, the Creator and Preser-
yer of the Universe and that an obligation at this
time taken win be binding upon you through lfe2
81 do"
Third Question.--Were you born within the
limits or under the jurisdiction of the United States
of America? Il was ~
Roman Cstholic2 NO.
{ FIFTH Queston--Haye you or have you not been
reared under Protestant influence? Yes or No.
Stcth slaestion.-AIe or were either of your
parents Roman Catholics in religious belief? No
Seve1h Question If married, is your wife
Roman Catholic? NO, or Yes, the answer to
be valued as the Constitution of the Stale Council
provides.
Eighth Question. Are you willing to use your
influence and vote only for native born American
citizens for all the Offices of honor or trust in the
IL. ho oil To
and Aliens, and of Roman Catholics in particular,
and without regard to party predictions? I am
INSIDE MarshGl.-Worthy President: ] have ex.
amined these candidates, and finding them duly
qualified, present them for obligation. If the ex-
animation IN the ante-room gave evidence Of even
partial objection to any candidate, the Marshal
should state it to the President before introducing
the candidates.
President My Friends: Previous to your unit
ing with and becoming members of this Organiza-
tiou will be necessary for you to take upon your
self solemn obligation-one which we have all
taken and intend sacredly to keep through life 1t
will not conflict with the duties you owe oyour-
selves, your families, your country, or your God.
With this assurance are you willing to proceedS--
Each answers 4 am
ObEgdtion.--You and each of you, of your own
free viii and accord, in the presence of Almighty
God, and these witnesses, your right hand resting
on this Holy Bible and Cross, and your left hand
raised toward Heaven, or fit Be preferred, your
left hand resting on your breast, and your right
hand raised toward Heaven, in token of your sim
certify, do solemnly promise and swear that you
will not make known to any person or persons,
any OF the signs secrets, mysteries or objects Of
the Organization, unless it be to those whom after
due examination, or lawful information, you shall
find TO be members of the Organization in good
standing that you will not cut carve, print paint
stamp, stain, in any way, directly or indirectly,
expose any of the secrets objects of the Order,
suffer it to be done by others, if in your power
to prevent it. unless it be for official instruction,
that so long as you connected with this Or
ganizaton, if not regularly dismissed from it you
WILL in all things, political or social so far as this
Order is concerned, comply with the will Of the
jority, when expressed in lawful manner though it
may conflict with your personal preference, SO long
as it does not conflict with the Grand State or SUBJ
ordinate Constitution, the Constitution of the Unit
ed States of America that of the State in which
you reside and that you will not, under any cir
cumstances whatever, knowingly recommend On
unworthy person for initiation, no suffer it to be
done, fin your power to prevent it. You further
more promise and declare that you will not vote
nor give your influence for any man for any Office
in the gift Of the people, unless he be American
born citizen, in favor of American born ruling
America; nor if he be Roman Catholic, and that
you will not, under any circumstances, expose the
name of any member of this Order, nor reveal the
existence of such an organization. In all the FORE
going you bind yourselves, under the no less PEN
atty than that of being expelled from this Order,
and of having your name posted and circulated
throughout the different Councils of the United
States as traitor to God, and your country, as
being unfit to be employed and trusted, countenau-
ced or supported in any business transaction, as
person totally unworthy the confidence of all good
men, and as one at whom the finger of scorn should
ever be pointed. So help you God! Zach answer
Il do
President Worthy Marshal You will now
present the Brothers to the Secretary that they
may record their names aud residence; which, be-
ing done, you will present them to the Instructor
for final Instruction.
AarShal--Worthy Instructor: By direction of
the Worthy President, l present to you these
Brothers for final instruction, they have signed the
Constitution.
Lastructor.-Brother. At the outer door you
will make any ordinary alarm When the wicket
IS opened, you will ask what is the pass. The Out
side Sentinel will reply, Give it'-when you will
give the term pass, and be admitted to the ante
md give one rap. When the wicket is opened
give your name, the number of your Council, the
explanation of the term pass, and the degree pass
word. If these be found correct on he ng reported
% the Vice President you will be admitted to the
Council You will then proceed to the centre of
he room, and address the President with the coun-
ersign, which is performed thus Position The |
light hand placed on the heart and quickly with
irawn, the person remaining perfectly erect : !
When this sautaton is recognized you will turn |
% the Vice President and address him in the same |
manner who will also reply. You will then quiet |
y take your seat This sign is peculiar to the de-
gree and is never to be used outside of the Coun-
I'll ROOM When retiring you will address the off |
,ers in the same manner, and also give the degree |
to the Inside Sentinel
The term password is Bunker HILL" The ex- |
olanston of the term pass to be used at the inner
ioor is--[to be established by each State, &c |
Phe degree password is Trenton" The travel.
ing password and explanation, which is changed |
annually by the grand President and which is used
,nly when the Brother is travelling beyond the ju-
sdction of his own State, District or Territory, is
forktown-the place of final victory. ..-
The sign of recognition is by placing the index
niger Of the right hand in the space between the
buttons OF the coat, vest or shirt, and eevating the
humb. The answer is given by placing the thumb
# the right hand in the same place.
The grip is given in the form of ladys slight
bake Of the hand, by bringing the three fingers of
Le right hand in such position as to bring the
humb slightly upon the nail of the middle finger,
ropping the hand Immediately, when the follow
ng conversation ensues-the challenging party first
aying, what is the timeP The answer Time !