n Sir Knight of the Order, or within the body of a
just and lawful Council 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. I furthermore
promise and swear, that I will answer and obey all due signs and
regular summons, which shall be sent to me from a regular Council
of Knights of the Red Cross, or given to me from the hands of a
companion Sir Knight of the Red Cross, if within the distance of
forty miles; natural infirmities and unavoidable accidents only
excusing me. I furthermore promise and swear, that I will not be
present at the conferring of this Order of Knighthood upon any
person, unless he shall have previously regularly received the
several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason,
Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch
degree, to the best of my knowledge and belief. I furthermore
promise and swear, that I will not assist or be present at the
forming and opening of a Council of Knights of the Red Cross,
unless there be present at least five regular Knights of the
Order, or the representatives of three different Encampments,
acting under the sanction of a legal warrant. I furthermore
promise and swear, that I will vindicate the character of a
courteous Sir Knight of the Red Cross when wrongfully traduced;
that I will help him on a lawful occasion in preference to any
brother of an inferior degree, and so far as truth, honor, and
justice may warrant. I furthermore promise and swear, that I will
support and maintain the by-laws of the Council, of which I may
hereafter become a member, the laws and regulations of the Grand
Encampment, under which the same may be holden, together with the
constitution and ordinances of the General Grand Encampment of the
United States of America, so far as the same shall come to my
knowledge. To all which I do most solemnly promise and swear,
binding myself under no less penalty than of having my house torn
down, the timbers thereof set up, and I hanged thereon; and when
the last trump shall blow, that I be forever excluded from the
society of all true and courteous Knights, should I ever wilfully
or knowingly violate any part of this solemn obligation of Knight
of the Red Cross; so help me God, and keep me steadfast to keep
and perform the same."[16]

Q. Wha