RITUAL OF THE THIRD DEGREE.

Third-degree Council.

Marshal.—Worthy President: These brothers having been duly
elected to the third degree of this order, I present them before you
for obligation.

President.—Brothers, you will place yourselves in a circle around
me, each one crossing your arms upon your breast, and grasping
firmly each other's hands, holding the right hand of the brother on the
right, and the left hand of the brother on the left, so as to form a cir-
cle, symbolical of the links of an unbroken chain, and of a ring which
has no end.

Note —This degree is to be conferred with the national flag eleva-
ted in the centre of the circle, by the side of the President or instruc-
tor, and not on less than five at any one time—in order to give it
solomnly, and also for the formation of the circle—except in the first
instance of conferring it on the officers of the State and subordinate
councils, that they may be empowered to progress with the work.

[The obligation and charge in this degree may be given by the
President or instructor, as the President may prefer.]

OBLIGATION.

You, and each of you, of your own free will and accord, in the pres-
ence of Almighty God and these witnesses, with your hands joined in
token of that fraternal affection which should ever bind together the
States of this Union—forming a ring, in token of your determination
that, so far as your efforts can avail, this Union shall have no end—do
solemnly and sincerely swear, or affirm, that you will not, under any
circumstances, disclose in any manner, nor suffer it to be done by oth-
ers if in your power to prevent it, the name, signs, pass-words, or other
secrets of this degree, except to those whom you may prove on trial to
be brothers of the same degree, or in open council for the purpose of
instruction; that you do hereby solemnly declare your devotion to the
Union of these States; that in the discharge of your duties as American
citizens, you will uphold, maintain and defend it; that you will discour-
age and discountenance any and every attempt, coming from any and
every quarter, which you believe to be designed or calculated to destroy
or subvert it, or to weaken its bonds; and that you will use your influ-
ence, so far as in your power, in endeavoring to procure an amicable
and equitable adjustment of all political discontent or differences which
may threaten its injury or overthrow. You do further promise and
swear, or affirm, that you will not vote for any one to fill any office of
honor, profit, or trust, of a political character, whom you know or be-
lieve to be in favor of a dissolution of the Union of these States, or who
is endeavoring to produce that result; that you will vote for and support
for all political offices, third, or Union degree members of this order,
in preference to all others; that, if it may be done consistently with the
constitution and laws of the land, you will, when elected or appointed
to any official station which may confer on you the power to do so, re-
move from office or place all persons whom you know or believe to be

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