nd
indigent Past Master Masons, their widows and orphans, wherever
dispersed around the globe, they applying to me as such, and I
finding them worthy, so far as in my power, without material
injury to myself or family. Furthermore, do I promise and swear,
that the secrets of a brother of this degree, delivered to me in
charge as such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast
as they were in his own, before communicated to me, murder and
treason excepted, and those left to my own election. Furthermore,
do I promise and swear, that I will not wrong this Lodge, or a
brother of this degree, to the value of one cent, knowingly,
myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my power to
prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not
govern this Lodge, nor any other over which I may be called to
preside, in a haughty, arbitrary, or impious manner; but will at
all times use my utmost endeavors to preserve peace and harmony
among the brethren. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I
will never open a Lodge of Master Masons, unless there be present
three regular Master Masons, besides the Tyler, nor close the same
without giving a Lecture, or some section or part of a Lecture,
for the instruction of the Lodge. Furthermore, that I will not,
knowingly, set in any Lodge where anyone presides who has not
received the degree of Past Master. [This last point is, in many
Lodges, entirely omitted. In some, the two last.] All which I do
most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a fixed and
steady purpose of mind, to keep and perform the same, binding
myself under no less penalty than to have my tongue split from tip
to root, that I might forever thereafter be unable to pronounce
the word, if ever I should prove wilfully guilty of violating any
part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Past Master Mason.
So help me God, and make me steadfast to keep and perform the
same."

The obligation being administered, the candidate rises,[4] and the
Master proceeds to give the sign, word, and grip of this degree, as
follows: The sign (sometimes called the due-guard) is given by laying
the edge of the thumb of the right hand in a vertical position on the
centre of the mouth, high enough to touch the upper lip. The word is
given by taking each other by the Master's grip, and pulling the
insides of their feet together, when the Master whispe