the Venerable and Most Puissant.” The Knight
reports the same answer to the Most Puissant, who
desires the candidate to be introduced. The Most
Ancient Respectable Senior Grand Warden then goes
to the door, and takes the candidate by the hand, and
says, “Come, my dear brother, I will show you
mysteries worthy the contemplation of a sensible man.
Give me the sign, token, and word of a prince of Jerusalem;”
after which the candidate kneels on both knees, about
six feet from the throne, when the Most Ancient Respectable
Senior Grand Warden says to him, “Brother, you,
no doubt, have always borne in memory the obligations
of your former degrees, and that you have, as far
as in the power of human nature, lived agreeably to
them?” Candidate. “I have ever made
it my study, and, I trust, my actions and life will
prove it.” Q. “Have you particularly
regarded your obligations as a ‘Sublime Knight
of Perfection,’ ’Knight of the East and
Prince of Jerusalem?’ Do you recollect having
injured a brother in any respect whatsoever? or have
you seen or known of his being injured by others,
without giving him timely notice, as far as was in
your power? I pray you answer me with candor.”
Candidate. “I have in all respects done
my duty, and acted with integrity to the best of my
abilities.” The Most Puissant says, “You
will be pleased to recollect, my brother, that the
questions which have now been put to you, are absolutely
necessary for us to demand, in order that the purity
of our Most Respectable Council may not be sullied;
and it behooves you to be particular in your recollection,
as the indispensable ties which we are going to lay
you under, will, in case of your default, only increase
your sins, and serve to hurl you sooner to destruction,
should you have deviated from your duty: answer
me, my dear brother.” Candidate. “I
never have.” The Most Puissant says, “We
are happy, my brother, that your declaration coincides
with our opinion, and are rejoiced to have it into
our power to introduce you into our society.
Increase our joy by complying with our rules, and declare
if you are willing to be united to us by taking a
most solemn obligation.” Candidate.
“I ardently wish to receive it, and to have the
honor of being united to so respectable and virtuous
a society.” The Most Puissant orders one
of the Knights to bring an ewer containing some perfume,
a basin of water, and a clean white napkin to the candidate,
who washes his hands. The Most Puissant repeats
the six first verses of the 24th Psalm. Then
the candidate is brought close to the foot of the
throne, where he kneels on both knees, and placing
his right hand on the Bible, his left hand between
the hands of the Most Puissant, in which position
he takes the following