to come to the
knowledge of the holy truth, contracted in your last engagements. Do
you persist in your demand of coming to the holy brother, and is that
what you desire, with a clear heart?--answer me." The candidate
answers, "I persist." Then Father Adam says, "Brother Truth, as the
candidate persists, approach with him to the sanctuary, in order that
he may take a solemn obligation to follow our laws, principles, and
morals, and to attach himself to us forever." Then the candidate falls
on his knees, and Father Adam takes his hands between his own, and the
candidate repeats the following obligation three times:

OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., promise, in the face of God, and between
the hands of my Sovereign, and in presence of all the brethren now
present, never to take arms against my country, directly or
indirectly, in any conspiracy against the Government thereof. I
promise never to reveal any of the degrees of the Knight of the
Sun, which is now on the point of being intrusted to me, to any
person or persons whatsoever, without being duly qualified to
receive the same; and never to give my consent to any one to be
admitted into our mysteries, only after the most scrupulous
circumspection, and full knowledge of his life and conversation;
and who has given at all times full proof of his zeal and fervent
attachment for the order, and a submission at all times to the
tribunal of the Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. I promise
never to confer the degree of the Knights of the Sun without
having a permission in writing from the Grand Council of Princes
of the Royal Secret, or from the Grand Inspector or his deputy,
known by their titles and authority. I promise also and swear,
that I will not assist any, through my means, to form or raise a
Lodge of the Sublime Orders, in this country, "without proper
authority." I promise and swear to redouble my zeal for all my
brethren, Knights, and Princes, that are present or absent; and if
I fail in this my obligation, I consent for all my brethren, when
they are convinced of my infidelity, to seize me, and thrust my
tongue through with a red-hot iron; to pluck out both my eyes, and
to deprive me of smelling and hearing; to cut off both my hands,
and to expose me in that condition in the field, to be devoured by
the voracious animals; and if none can be found, I wish the
lightning of heaven might execute on me the same vengean