Q. What said the guard?  A. Pilgrim, I greet thee; gold and silver have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee.

Q. What followed?  A. After having participated in the refreshments (which is a glass of water and a cracker), the guard took me by the hand and thus addressed me, “Pilgrim, harken to a lesson to cheer thee on thy way, and insure thee of success.”

Q. What followed?  Lesson read. (See Templar’s chart.) The guard then took me by the hand and said, “Fare thee well!  God speed thee on thy way.”

Q. What followed?  A. I still pursued my pilgrimage, but was often accosted by guards, from whom I received the same friendly treatment as from the first.

Q. Where did your term of pilgrimage end?  A. At the door of the asylum, where after giving the alarm by 3 x 3, the Warder appeared and demanded, “Who comes there?”

Q. Your answer?  A. A poor and weary pilgrim, traveling from afar, who, having passed full three long years of pilgrimage, now craves permission, if it shall please the Grand Commander, forthwith to dedicate the remaining four years to deeds of more exalted usefulness, and if found worthy, his strong desire is now to be admitted to those valiant Knights, whose well-earned fame has spread both far and near for deeds of charity and pure beneficence.

Q. What were you then asked?  A. What surety can you offer that you are no impostor?

Q. Your answer?  A. The commendations of a true and courteous Knight, the Junior Warden, who recommends to the Grand Commander the remission of four remaining years of pilgrimage.

Q. What followed?  A. The Grand Commander then addressed the Most Excellent Prelate:  “This being true, Sir Knight, our Prelate, you will conduct this weary pilgrim to the altar, where having taken an obligation always to be faithful to his vow, cause him forthwith to be invested with a sword and buckler, that as a pilgrim warrior he may perform seven years’ warfare as a trial of his courage and constancy.”

Q. What followed?  A. The Senior Warden then detached a party of Knights to escort me to the altar, where, in due form, I took upon me the obligation of a Knight Templar.

Q. What was that due form?  A. Kneeling on both knees upon two cross swords, my body erect, my naked hands covering the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, with two cross swords lying thereon, in which due form I received the solemn obligation of Knight Templar.

Q. Repeat the obligation.

“I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Encampment of Knight Templars, do hereby and hereon most solemnly promise and swear, that I will always hail, forever conceal, and never reveal, any of the secret arts, parts, or points appertaining to the mysteries of this Order of Knight Templars, unless it be to a true and lawful companion Knight Templar, or within the body of a just and lawful