Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-08-04

IHcocdfioR.
l. V.-God Of our Fathers, whose in.
spiratiou moved them to deeds Of valor
ia the cause Of Eternal Truth, Justice
and Equal Rights, we, their sons, now
invoke Thy Divine presence 10 this V.
Of the T., eonsecrated to the principles
which they ineulcated by precept, and
by example, and defended with their
lives. Bless our country, and restore
and protect her liberties Amen.
l.. N.-Citizeu, thoa art now 10 the V
and II found worthy, will be hence nah
cred into the conseerated T., within
Ehose precincts reverence towards the
Supreme Being, patriotism, peace, char-
ity and good fellowship are incuIcated
and cherished Direct thy thoughts
within at this moment, aud declare as
thou wonldst answer 20 a good con-
science. Art thou ready2
Responses am.
l. Wits welli charge thee that
if thou art impelled hitherward by euri.
osity. If thou cherish other purposes in
this regard than the highest and holiest
thy heart can conceive, il were better
for thee that thy feet had never passed
the threshold Of our o. G.
Our faithful and well beloved brothers
who have conducted thee hither into this
presence are thy sponsors. A fearful re
sponsibility is upon them II thou
shouldst betray their trust, il win be their
solemn duty TO publish thy shame so
that thou shalt be expelled, and ever af.
ter excluded from the society OF honora-
BILE men. Brothers, hear you the obliga.
tons as sponsors for the candidate.
Obligations Of Sponsors,
We do solemnly promise and under
take that the stranger, whom we have in.
troduced into this presence, shall, in all
things, prove himself q true man: that
from his daily walk and conversation
with bis brethren, We guarantee his
worthiness to be indicted into the mys.
leries Of this Society. We do further
promise and undertake for him, that he
shall faithfully keep secret whatsoever
shall trsnspire in this presence, and that
in case be shall bstray the confidence
which be has inspired in Us, We will hold
it our bounden duty to aid in his expul
sion from all association With honorable
men. Amen.
L. V.-Hast thou heard and consider.
ed the obligation of thy sponsors ?
Ans.-I have.
L. wilt thou we'll and truly per
form unto the end that which they have
promised on thy behalf
Ans-I will.
L. V.-It is we'll. Il is now my dut,
to explain the principles which our So
ciety inculeates, and which We, as a fra
ternity and as individuals, aim to illus
trate in our lives aud conversation.
Declaration Of Principles.
lst God hath created and controls the
I Universe
/ ID All men are endowed by the Gre
ater With certain rights-equal so far a.
there is capacity for the appreciation, en-
I joyment and exercise of those rights
some of which are inalienable, while
others may, by voluntary act or consent
/ be qualified, suspended, or relinquished
for the purpose of social and government
I al organizations
3D. Government arises from the ne
cessities of society, and rightful govern
meut derives its sole authority from th,
will of the governed, its chief end being
their welfare.
4th- The governments organized anC
existing in the original thirteen State,
of North America, after they had sew
( orally and unitedly renounced their al
legianee to tbe government Of Grea
/ Britain, we regard IS the visest and bes
adapted to the nature and character o
| the people OF the United States
5th- That the government was estab-
lished originally by thirteen free, sover
eign and independent States, "in order
to form q more perfect Union, 70 estab
lish justice, to insure domestic Tranquil
I ity, provide for the common defense
/ promote the general Welfare, and secure
the blessings Of liberty to the people
! thereof, and their posterity," and no iur'
( ther or other, which are specially grant
( ed in the compact, entitled the Constltu-
ton Of the United States, strictly con
/ strued.
/ V.-Dost thou assent to the declar.
alton of principles which thou hast jast
heard2
Ans-I do.
( I. V.-Present thyself.then, in the at
titude Of invocation, which thou dds
+ first assume before this altar, and receive
+ thy obligations