ost Puissant, in
which position he takes the following

OBLIGATION.--I, ----, do promise and solemnly swear, and declare,
in the awful presence of the only One Most Holy Puissant Almighty
and Most Merciful Grand Architect of heaven and earth, who created
the universe and myself through his infinite goodness, and
conducts it with wisdom and justice--and in the presence of the
Most Excellent and upright Princes and Knights of the East and
West, here present in convocation and Grand Council, on my sacred
word of honor and under every tie, both moral and religious, that
I never will reveal to any person whomsoever below me, or to whom
the same may not belong, by being legally and lawfully initiated,
the secrets of this degree which is now about to be communicated
to me, under the penalty of not only being dishonored, but to
consider my life as the immediate forfeiture, and that to be taken
from me with all the tortures and pains to be inflicted in manner
as I have consented to in my preceding degrees. I further promise
and solemnly swear, that I never will fight or combat with my
brother Knights, but will, at all times, when he has justice on
his side, be ready to draw my sword in his defence, or against
such of his enemies who seek the destruction of his person, his
honor, peace, or prosperity; that I never will revile a brother,
or suffer others to reflect on his character in his absence,
without informing him thereof, or noticing it myself, at my
option; that I will remember, on all occasions, to observe my
former obligations, and be just, upright, and benevolent to all my
fellow creatures, as far as in my power. I further solemnly
promise and swear, that I will pay due obedience and submission to
all the degrees of Masonry; and that I will do all in my power to
support them in all justifiable measures for the good of the
craft, and advantage thereof, agreeably to the Grand
Constitutions.--All this I solemnly swear and sincerely promise,
upon my sacred word of honor, under the penalty of the severe
wrath of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, and may He have
mercy on my soul, on the great and awful day of judgment,
agreeably to my conformity thereto. Amen. Amen. Amen.

The Most Puissant then takes the ewer filled with perfumed ointment,
and anoints his head, eyes, mouth, heart, the tip of his right ear,
hand, and foot, and says, "You are now, my