Q. Your answer?  A. Three brethren, who have been regularly initiated as Entered Apprentices; passed to the degree of Fellow Craft; raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason; advanced to the more honorable degree of Mark Master; presided as Masters in the chair; accepted and received as Most Excellent Masters, and now wish for further light in Masonry by being exalted to the more sublime degree of Royal Arch Masons.

Q. What was then said to you?  A. We were asked if we were duly and truly prepared, worthy and well qualified; had made suitable proficiency in the preceding degrees, and were properly avouched for.  All of which being answered in the affirmative, we were asked by what further right or benefit we expected to obtain this favor.

Q. Your answer?  A. By the benefit of a pass-word.

Q. Had you that pass-word?  A. We had not, but our conductor gave it to us.

Q. What was then said to you?  A. We were directed to wait with patience till the Grand Council could be informed of our request and their pleasure known.

Q. What answer was returned?  A. Let them enter under a living arch, and remember to stoop low, for he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Q. Did you pass under a living arch?  A. We did.

Q. How were you then disposed of?  A. We were conducted to the altar, caused to kneel, and take upon ourselves the solemn oath or obligation of a Royal Arch Mason.

Q. Have you that obligation?  A. I have.

Q. Will you give it me?

A.  “I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, erected to God, and dedicated to the Holy Order of St. John, 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 Royal Arch Mason to to anyone of an inferior degree, nor to any other being in the known world, except it be to a true and lawful companion Royal Arch Mason, or within the body of a just and legally constituted Chapter of such; and not unto him or unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him or them only whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial, due examination, or legal information received.  Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not give the Grand Omnific Royal Arch word, which I shall hereafter receive, neither in the Chapter nor out of it, except there be present two companions, Royal Arch Masons, who, with myself, make three, and then by three times three, under a living arch, not above my breath.  Furthermore, that I will not reveal the ineffable characters belonging to this degree, or retain the key to them in my possession, but destroy it whenever it comes to my sight.  Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong this Chapter, nor a companion of this degree, to the value of anything, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it to be done by others,