Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1855-09-15

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become member Of this organization or not,
and that you will never under any circamastaa-
ces mention the name 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 answer make TO every question asked
you to the best Of your knowledge and belief,
SO help you Cod"
lie is then asked his age, and, if he believes
in the existence of Supreme Being, if he was
born within the limits, or under the jurisdiction
Of the United States, if he is Roman Catholic
in religious belief; if he has been reared under
protestant influence if either of his parents was
Roman Catholic; if his pife is Roman Ca
tholic; and if he is willing to use his influence,
and role only for natire born american citizens
for all offices of honor or trust in the gift of the
people, to the exclusion Of all foreigners and
aliens, and ROMAN CATHOLICS INPARTIcULAR, and
without regard to party predictions.
If the answers to these eight distinct ques-
tons are satisfactory he may be advanced TO
what is in fact the first degree, improperly call
ed by many the second degree. This oath is
administered regularly outside Of the Council
Chamber. A very small proportion of the men,
bers ever take any other oath. But the more
aspiring must take the following oath if he wish
to advance in the beauties of the order.
Obligation Of the First Degree--administered
by the President after the candidate has been
introduced within the Council Chamber:
"You and each Of you of your own free will
and accord, in the presence of Almighty God
and these witnesses, your right hand resting on
this Holy Bible and Gross, and your left hand
raised towards Heaven, Tor if it be preferred,
your left hand resting on your breast. and your
right hand raised towards Heaven, in token OF
your sincerity, do solemnly promise and swear,
Tor affirm, that you will not make known
to any person or persons any Of the signs Sc
crets mysteries, or oljects of this organization,
unless it be TO those, whom after due examina-
ton, or lawful information, you shall find TO
be members Of this organization in good stand
ing; thatyou will not cut, carve print, paint,
stamp, stain, or in anyWise directly or indirect
ly, expose any Of the secrets or objects Of this
order, nor suffer 1t to be done by others, if in
your power to prevent it unless il be for official
instruction. that so long as you are connected
with this organization, if not regularly dis
missed from it, you will, in all Miags political
or social, so lar as This order is concerned, COM
ply with the wiH of the majority, when express
ed in lawful manner, though it may conflict
with your persOnal preference, so long as it does
not conflict with the Grand, State, or subordi-
nate Constitutions, the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States Of America or that of the State in
which you live; and that you win not under
any circumstances whatever knowingly recon-
mend any unworthy person for initiation, nor
on fA hp1
it. You furthermore promise and declare that
you will not vote nor give your influence for
any man for any Office, in the gift Of the people,
unle IS he be an American born citizen, infayor
OF Americans born ruling America nor if he
be Ron,an Catholic and that you will not, I'M
der any circumstances, expose the name of any
member Of this ORDER nor reveal the existence
OF such an organization. To all the foregoing
you bind yourselves under the no less penalty
than that of being expelled from the order. and
Of having your name posted and circulated
throughout the different Councils of the United
States as perurer, and as traitorto God and
your country; as being unfit to be employed,
entrusted couatendnced or supported in any 6asi-
ness trdnsGefSSn' person totally unworthy
the confidence Of all good men, and as one at
whom the finger Of scorn should ever be point
ed. So help you God Zach answers "Ido,n)
The name and residence Of the candidate are
then taken down, and he is instructed how to
gain admittance into Council, how to address
the Chair &c He is also informed, thataright
angle triangular piece of schae paper stuck up
is notice of n proposed mass meeting. If he
want further information, he will ask some I'M
doubted brother, " Have you seen Sam to-day?'
II the brother know, he will say, ''Go to such
a place." "at' such an "hour." A similar
piece of red paper is notice of danger. He is
farther lectured upon the dangers of loreignn-
huence, and of the Catholic Church, when he
is allowed TO take his seat
The third and last oath is required to consti-
tute a full member. 1t is called "The Oblga-
ton of the Second Degree Council" 1t is as
follows.
You and each of you of your own free will
and accord, in the presence Of Almighty God.
and these witnesses, your left hand resting on
your right breast, and yourrieht hand extended
to the jag Of your country, do solemnly and
sincerely swear that you will not under any
circumstances, disclose in any manner nor suffer
it to be done by Others, if in your power TO pre-
vent IT. the names, signs, passwords, or other
secrets OF this degree that you will in all things
conform to all the rules and regulations of this
order, and to tho Constitution and bylaws of
this or any other Council, TO which you may be
attached so long as they do not conflict with
the Constitution of the United States, nor that
Of the State in which you reside; that YOU will,
under all circumstances if in your power so to
do, attend to all regular signs or summons
es that may be thrown or sent you by brother
OF this or any other degree of this order; that
you will suppot; iii az pol;tieel matters for al
political offices members of this orders provid-
ed it be necessary for the American interest
that if it may be done legally, you will when
elected to any office remove ali foreigners, aliens,
or Roman Catholics from office; and that YOU
Will in no case appoint such to office. All this
you promise and declare on your honor us Ame-
ricans to sustain and abide by without any he
station or mental reservation whatsoever. So
help you God, and keep you steadiast."
After receiving nstructionsin the passwords,
grips, and various celebrations to fidelity. he
is congratulated upon being entitled to all the
privileges of full membership; and for the first
time is informed, that he is member in full
fellowship Of the Supreme Order Of the Star
Spdagled Banner"