all present Knights of the Red Cross?” W.—­“They are.”  M. C.—­“Attention, Sir Knights, count yourselves from right to left—­right files handle sword—­draw sword—­carry sword—­right files to the left double—­second division forward, march, halt—­right about face!” Sir Knight Master of Infantry, accompanied by the sword-bearer and Warden—­“Please inform the Sovereign Master that the lines are formed waiting his pleasure.”  At the approach of the Council the trumpet sounds.  M. C.—­“Form avenue (the Council pass); the Sovereign Master passes uncovered; recover arms, poise arms!” Sovereign Master—­“Attention, Sir Knights; give your attention to the several signs of Masonry; as I do, so do you.” [The Sir Knights give the signs from the first to the seventh degree.] S. M.—­“Draw swords, and take care to advance and give the Jewish countersign—­recover arms; take care to advance and give the Persian countersign—­recover arms.”  S.M. to Sir Knight Master of the Palace—­“Advance and give me the word of a Knight of the Red Cross; the word is right—­receive it on your left.”  The word is then passed around; when it arrives at the Chancellor he says, “Sovereign Master of the Red Cross, word has arrived.”  S. M.—­“Pass it on to me [he gives it to the Sovereign Master].  Sir Knight, the word is right.”  S. M. to Sir Knight Chancellor—­“Advance and give me the grand sign, grip, and word of a Knight of the Red Cross; it is right—­receive it on your left.”  The word passes around as before, as will hereafter be explained, and when arrived at the Master of the Palace, he says, “Sovereign Master, the grand sign, grip and word have arrived.”  S. M.—­“Pass them on to me; Sir Knight, they are right.  Left face—­deposit helmets—­centre face—­reverse arms—­to your devotions [the Sir Knights all kneel and repeat the Lord’s prayer]—­recover arms—­left face—­recover helmets—­centre face—­right about face—­to your posts—­march!”

* * * * *

FIRST SECTION.

Question—­Are you a Knight of the Red Cross?  Answer—­That is my profession.

Q. By what test will you be tried?  A. By the test of truth.

Q. Why by the test of truth?  A. Because none but the good and true are entitled to the honors and privileges of this illustrious order.

Q. Where did you receive the honors of this illustrious order?  A. In a just and regular Council of Knights of the Red Cross.

Q. What number compose a Council?  A. There is an indispensable number and a constitutional number.

Q. What is the indispensable number?  A. Three.

Q. Under what circumstances are they authorized to form and open a Council of Knights of the Red Cross?  A. Three Knights of the Red Cross, being also Knight Templars, and hailing from three different commanderies, may, under the sanction of a legal warrant from some regular Grand Encampment, form and open a Council of Knights of the Red Cross for the dispatch of business.