Question--What were the preparatory circumstances attending your
reception into this illustrious Order? Answer--I was conducted to the
chamber of reflection, where I was left in silence and solitude, to
reflect upon three questions, which were left with me in writing.
Q. What were your answers? A. They were satisfactory to the Grand
Commander; but as a trial of my patience and perseverance, he enjoined
upon me the performance of seven years' pilgrimage, clothed in
pilgrim's weeds.
Q. What followed? A. I was then invested with sandals, staff, and
scrip, and commenced my tour of pilgrimage, but was soon accosted by
the guard, who demanded of me, "Who comes there?"
Q. Your answer? A. A poor and weary pilgrim, traveling from afar, to
join with those who oft have gone before, and offer his devotions at
the holy shrine.
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 × 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 Encampment of
such; and not unto him or them, until by due trial, strict
examination, or lawful information, I find him or them lawfully
entitled to receive the same. Furthermore do I promise and swear,
that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons,
which shall be given or sent to me from regular Encampments of
Knight Templars, if within the distance of forty miles, natural
infirmities and unavoidable accidents only excusing me.
Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will help, aid, and
assist with my council, my purse, and my sword, all poor and
indigent Knight Templars, their widows and orphans, they making
application to me as such, and I finding them worthy, so far as I
can do it without material injury to myself, and so far as truth,
honor, and justice may warrant. Furthermore do I promise and
swear, that I will not assist or be present at the forming and
opening of an Encampment of Knight Templars, unless there be
present seven Knights of the Order, or the representatives of
three different Encampments, acting under the sanction of a legal
warrant. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will go the
distance of forty miles, even barefoot and on frosty ground, to
save the life and relieve the distresses of a worthy Knight,
should I know that his distresses required it, and my abilities
permit. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will wield my
sword in defence of innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless
orphans, and the Christian religion. Furthermore do I promise and
swear, that I will support and maintain the by-laws of the
Encampment, of which I may hereafter become a member, the edicts
and regulations of the Grand Encampment, under which the same may
be holden, together with the laws and constitution of the General
Grand Encampment of the United States of America, so far as the
same shall come to my knowledge. To all this I most solemnly and
sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steady resolution to
perform and keep the same, without any hesitation, equivocation,
mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever,
binding myself under no less penalty than to have my head struck
off and placed on the highest spire in Christendom, should I
knowingly or wilfully violate any part of this my solemn
obligation of a Knight Templar; so help me God, and keep me
steadfast to perform and keep the same."
Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate directed me to arise,
and thus addressed me: "Pilgrim, thou hast craved permission to pass
through our solemn ceremonies, and enter the asylum of our Encampment;
by thy sandals, scrip, and staff, I judge thee to be a child of
humility; charity and hospitality are the grand characteristics of
this magnanimous Order; in the characters of Knight Templars, you are
bound to give alms to poor and weary pilgrims, traveling from afar; to
succor the needy, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bind up the
wounds of the afflicted. We here wage war against the enemies of
innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the
Christian religion. If thou art desirous of enlisting in this noble
and glorious warfare, lay aside thy staff and take up the sword,
fighting manfully thy way, and with valor running thy course; and may
the Almighty, who is a strong tower and defence to all those who put
their trust and confidence in him, be now and ever thy defence and thy
salvation."
Q. What followed? A. Having laid aside my staff and taken up the
sword, the Most Excellent Prelate continued: "Having now taken up the
sword, we expect you will make a public declaration of the cause in
which you will wield it."
Q. Your answer? A. I wield my sword in defence of innocent virgins,
destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the Christian religion.
Q. What was the Prelate's reply? A. With confidence in this
profession, our Senior Warden will invest you with the warrior's pass,
and under his direction, as a trial of your courage and constancy, we
must now assign you seven years of warfare--success and victory attend
you. (The pass-word is Mahershalal-hashbaz, and is given under the
arch of steel, as has been described.)
Q. What followed? A. I then commenced my tour of warfare, and made
professions of the cause in which I would wield my sword.
Q. Where did your tour of warfare end? A. At the door of the asylum,
where, on giving the alarm by 3 × 4, the Warder appeared and demanded,
"Who comes there?"
Q. Your reply? A. A pilgrim warrior, traveling from afar, who, having
passed full three long years of warfare, is most desirous now, if it
should please the Grand Commander, to be admitted to the honors and
rewards that await a valiant Templar.
Q. What was then demanded of you? A. What surety can you give that you
are no impostor?
Q. Your answer? A. The commendation of a true and courteous Knight,
the Senior Warden, who recommends to the Grand Commander the remission
of the four remaining years of warfare.
Q. What was then demanded? A. By what further right or benefit do you
expect to gain admittance to the asylum?
Q. Your answer? A. By the benefit of a pass-word.