9. You agree to promote the general
good of society, to cultivate
the social virtues, and to propagate a
knowledge of the arts.
10. You promise to pay homage to the Grand Master for the time being, and to his officer when duly installed, strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons that is not subversive of the principles and ground work of Masonry.
11. You admit that it is not in the
power of any man, or body of
men, to make innovations in the body of
Masonry.
12. You promise a regular attendance on the committees and communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving proper notice, and to pay attention to all the duties of Masonry on convenient occasions.
13. You admit that no new Lodge can be formed without permission of the Grand Lodge, and that no countenance be given to any irregular Lodge, or to any person clandestinely initiated therein, being contrary to the ancient charges of the Order.
14. You admit that no person can
be regularly made a Mason in, or
admitted a member of any regular Lodge,
without previous notice,
and due inquiry into his character.
15. You agree that no visitors shall
be received into your Lodge
without due examination, and producing
proper vouchers of their
having been initiated into a regular Lodge.”
The presiding officer then asks the Master-elect (candidate), the following question, which he must answer in the affirmative: Q. “Do you submit to these charges and promise to support these regulations as Masters have done, in all ages, before you?” A. “I do.” The presiding officer then addresses him: “Brother A. B., in consequence of your cheerful conformity to the charges and regulations of the Order, you are now to be installed Master of this degree, in full confidence of your care, skill, and capacity, to govern the same. But previous to your investiture, it is necessary you should take upon yourself the solemn oath or obligation appertaining to this degree; if you are willing to take it upon you, you will please to kneel before the altar, when you shall receive the same.” [Here Lodges differ very materially, but this is the most prevalent mode of proceeding.] The candidate then kneels on both knees, lays both hands on the Holy Bible, Square and Compass, and takes the following oath or obligation:
“I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty God, and this Right Worshipful Lodge of Past Master Masons, do hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, in addition to my former obligations, that I will not give the degree of Past Master Mason, or any of the secrets pertaining thereto, to anyone of an inferior degree, nor to any person in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful brother or brethren Past Master Masons, or within the body