ion and support in the noble and glorious undertaking which
has been so long and so often interrupted by our adversaries on the
other side of the river; for while yet a private man, he made a vow to
God that should he ever ascend the throne of Persia, he would send all
the holy vessels remaining at Babylon back to Jerusalem. Our Most
Excellent and faithful companion, Zerrubbabel, who was formerly
honored with the favorable notice and friendship of the Sovereign, now
offers his services to encounter the hazardous enterprise of
traversing the Persian dominions, and seeking admission to the
presence of the Sovereign, where the first favorable moment will be
seized to remind the King of his vow, and impress on his mind the
almighty force and importance of truth; and from his known piety no
doubt can be entertained of gaining his consent, that our enemies be
removed far hence, and that we be no longer hindered or impeded in our
noble and glorious undertaking.

Q. What was the Most Excellent Prelate's reply? A. Excellent
Zerrubbabel, the Council accept with gratification and joy your noble
and generous offer, and will invest you with the necessary passports,
by means of which you will be enabled to make yourself known to the
favor of one Council wherever you may meet them; but in an undertaking
of so much importance, it is necessary that you enter into a solemn
obligation to be faithful to the trust reposed in you.

Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate then invested me with
a sword, to enable me to defend myself against my enemies, and said he
was ready to administer the obligation.

Q. Did you consent to that obligation? A. I did, in due form.

Q. What was that due form? A. Kneeling on my left knee, my right foot
forming a square, my body erect, my right hand grasping the hilt of my
sword, my left hand covering the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, with
two cross-swords thereon, in which due form I took upon me the solemn
oath and obligation of Knight of the Red Cross.

Q. Repeat the obligation.

"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of the
Supreme Architect of the Universe, and these witnesses, do hereby
and hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I
will always hail, forever conceal, and never reveal, any of the
secret arts, parts, or points of the mysteries appertaining to
this Order of Knight of the Red Cross, unless it be to a true and
lawful companio