15

power to prevent it; that you will not under any circum-
stances expose the name of any member of this order, nor re-
veal the existence of such an association; that you will answer
an imperative notice issued by the proper authority, obey
the command of the State Council, president or his deputy,
while assembled by such notice, and respond to the claim
of a sign or cry of the order, unless it be physically impos-
sible; that you will acknowledge the State Council of -------
as the Legislative head, the ruling authority, and the supreme

tribunal of the order in the State of--------, acting under the

jurisdiction of the national council of the United States of
North America; binding yourself in the penalty of excommu-
nication from the order, the forfeiture of all intercourse with
its members, and being denounced in all the societies of the
same as a willful traitor to your God and country."

Next comes the oath or obligation taken on being elected
or admitted to the second degree, much of which is similar
to the preceding, but varying from that in some essential
particulars. Here it is.

" 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 upon your right breast, and your right
hand extended to the flag 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 prevent it, the name, sign, pass-words, or
other secrets of this degree, except in open council for the
purpose of instruction. That you will in all things conform
to all the rules and regulations of this order, and to the
Constitution and By-laws 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 circum-
stances, if in your power so to do, attend to all regular signs
or summons that may be thrown or sent to you by a brother
of this or any other degree of this order: that you will sup-
port in all political matters, for all political offices, members of
this order in preference to other persons: that if it may be done
legally, you will, when elected or appointed to any official station
conferring on you the power to do so, remove all foreigners,
aliens or Roman Catholics from office or place in your gift
You do also promise and swear, that this and all other obli-
gations which you have previously taken in this order, shall
be KEPT THROUGH LIFE sacred and inviolate. All this
you promise and declare as Americans to sustain and abide