he
Samaritans, against whom complaints have been made, shall punctually
pay the tribute money which they owe for the sacrifices of the
temple--otherwise they shall receive the punishment due to their
disobedience. Given at Shushan, the palace, this fourth day of the
second month, in the year 3534, and of our reign the third, under the
seal of our faithful Darius. [L. S.]" M. E.--"The people of Jerusalem
are under the greatest obligations to you for the zeal and courage
displayed by you in surmounting the obstacles which you encountered in
your journey; as a reward we shall confer on you the mysteries of the
degree of Prince of Jerusalem. Are you willing to take an obligation,
binding you to an exact observance of our laws, and a careful
concealment of our mysteries?" Candidate.--"I am." M. E.--"Kneel
before the altar for that purpose."

OBLIGATION.--I, A. B., do solemnly promise and swear, in the presence
of Almighty God, the Great Architect of heaven and earth, and of these
Valiant Princes of Jerusalem, that I will never reveal the mysteries
of the degree of Prince of Jerusalem to any one of an inferior degree,
or to any other person whatever. I promise and swear, as a Prince of
Jerusalem, to do justice to my brethren, and not to rule them
tyranically, but in love. I promise and swear that I will never, by
word or deed, attack the honor of any Prince of Jerusalem; and that I
will not assist in conferring this degree except in a lawful Grand
Council of Princes of Jerusalem. All this I promise and swear, under
the penalty of being stripped naked, and having my heart pierced with
a poniard. So help me God. Amen! Amen! Amen!

The Most Equitable raises the candidate, and gives him the following
signs, tokens, and words:--FIRST SIGN--Extend the right arm
horizontally at the height of the shoulder. This is termed the sign of
command. FIRST TOKEN.--Each places his left hand on his left hip, and
the right hand on his brother's left shoulder. SECOND TOKEN.--Join
left hands, placing the thumb on the second joint of the little
finger; with the thumb strike five times on that joint.
PASS-WORD.--"Tebeth." The name of the Jewish month in which the
Ambassadors entered Jerusalem. SACRED WORD.--"Adar." The name of the
month in which thanks were given to God for the completion of the
temple. In some Councils the following sign is given, viz.:--Present
yourself before your brother with your sword advanced, and your left
hand resting on