Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-21

in any way, to any person or persons not
members of the u. l., any of the signs or
passwords, proceedings, debates or plans
Of this or any other c. under this orgsni-
ration, except when engaged in admitting
new members in'sth'sL L. place your right
hand upon the Holy Bible) And with nay
hand upon the Holy Bible, Declaration Of
Independence and the constitution of the
United States of America, under the seal
of my sacred honor, I acknowledge my
self firmly bound and pledged to the faith
full performance of this my solemn obliga-
ton. SO help me God.
Response BY the members
To this we pledge ourselves.
p. Gentlemen, around you is band of
brothers, alike saeredly pledged. This
circle is never to be broken by treachery.
Response by the members } "Neyer p
p Brothers, will you enlarge your circle
to admit new members
(Response:) eve will"
P. Prepare then for accessions to your
ranks. -fs.t
P. With cIasped and uplifed hands re-
peat after me the
FREEBIAN's PLEDGE. l
To defend and perpetuate freedom aud
the Union | pledge my life, my fortune and
my sacred honor. So help me God Then
i follows a song.
The members of the Council will now
be seated, the candidates will now take
their places before the Altar.
CHARGE.
The oath you have now taken of your
own free will and accord, cannot now be
violated without leaving the stain Of per-
Jury on your souls. You have declared that,
under God, your first and highest allegiance
is to the government of the United States.
You have taken such an oath of allegiance
upon the Holy Bible, Constitution and
Declaration of independence, lying within
the folds of the flag of the Union. This
contains the enduring records Of our rights
and privileges.
The symbols of industry which greet
you upon the altar, are TO remind you of
one of the main purposes of our order, and
to represent the foundation on which our
institutions rest. To strengthen and elevate
this, is to add to the grandeur and durability
Of the structure we uphold.
The flag is the ensign of our American
nationality visible emblem of the
sovereignty of the Union.- Its stars rep
resent the sister States; its stripes, the
thirteen original States; its colors, courage
| purity and truth.
The Bible contains mans moral code and
the principles of his religious faith (; points
out his dependence on the Author of his
being; his duty to his fellow creatures the
reward of virtue and the punishment of
vice
The Declaration of Independence de
elares as seIf-evident truths, that all men
are created equal-that they are endowed
| by their Creator with inalienable rights to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
| 1t denies the despot's dogma OF the divine
| right of kings" to rule over mankind. 1t
assert that governments derive their Just
powers from the consent of the governed,
and solemnly afirms the right of the Amer
lean people to govern themselves as a free
| and independent nation.
| The constitution is an instrument re-
ducing to practice the precepts of the de-
claration. 1t is liberty regulated by law.
| II defines and circumscribes the powers and
duties of the national government. twas
| ordained by the fathers, Gin order to form a
more perfect Union, establish justice, IN
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general wei
fare and secure the blessings Of liberty to
| themselves and their posIerity."
The sword isa weapon Of protection and
defense. By it and the aid Of Divine Pro-
yidence the independence Of the American
people was obtained. With it We may de-
fend the rights and liberties belonging to
free and loyal people, jealous of their eoun'
try's glories, greatness and grandeur.
Lastly, the lightyou beholdburning upOr
the altar is emblematical of the sacred hre;
of liberty that burn forever in hebreast 0
all true patriots. We inculcate the spiri
and arts of peace as essential to nationa
| happiness and prosperity; but wheI
foreign foes or treacherous hands conspir
to rob us of our national inheritance, LET ;
million cleaning swords leap from thei
rests and turn every way to guard the TEN
i pie of our Liberties.
| Here the NJ instructs the new member
| in the signs, etc When these have beer
impaired, the P. may give short hlstor.
Of the origin and history Of the organiza
ton. He should caution them not to us'
the signs too often, or uncautlously.) 1t
eDioined on each officer to commit
memory his part of the initiatory cere
mony.
The council rooms should be made al
tracdve by embiems and ornaments, an
by a supply of reading matter. IL any per
son belonging to the order cannot read, b
must be instructed.
s[To pass yourself as a Lacquer, when que
/ toned give the " -Four LIS as follows, Lifi
hand raised TO Heaven. thumb and thin
finger touching their ends over the palm, an
pronounce Liberty" Bringing the hand a9w
on line with the shoulder, pronounce IL
| coin" Dropping the hand open at your sia
pronounce Loyal" With your hand al
fingers downward in the chest, the thumb thru
| into the vest or waistband, across the body, pr
L nouuoa - I.oogue."l