the Knights of Malta, and to
avenge the death of Jacques De Molay. Your extensive acquaintance with
symbolic Masonry, which you have attained by your discretion, leaves
you nothing more to desire here. You see, my dear brother, how, and by
whom, Masonry has come to us. You are to endeavor by every just means
to regain our rights, and to remember that we are joined by a society
of men, whose courage, merit, and good conduct, hold out to us that
rank that birth alone gave to our ancestors. You are now on the same
level with them. Avoid every evil by keeping your obligations, and
carefully conceal from the vulgar what you are, and wait that happy
moment when we all shall be reunited under the same Sovereign in the
mansions of eternal bliss. Let us imitate the example of our Grand
Master, Jaques De Molay, who to the end put his hope in God, and at
his last dying moments ended his life saying, "Spes mea in Deo est!"

OBLIGATION.--I do, of my own free will and accord, in the presence of
the Grand Architect of the Universe, and this consistory of Sovereign
Princes of the Royal Secret, or Knights of St. Andrew, faithful
guardians of the faithful treasure; most solemnly vow and swear, under
all the different penalties of my former obligations, that I will
never directly or indirectly reveal or make known to any person or
persons whatsoever, any or the least part of this Royal degree, unless
to one duly qualified in the body of a regularly constituted
Consistory of the same, or to him or them whom I shall find such after
strict and due trial. I furthermore vow and swear, under the above
penalties, to always abide and regulate myself agreeably to the
statutes and regulations now before me; and when in a Consistory to
behave and demean myself as one worthy of being honored with so high a
degree, that no part of my conduct may in the least reflect discredit
on the Royal Consistory, or disgrace myself. So may God maintain me in
equity and justice! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen!

* * * * *

SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL.

The number of Inspectors of a Kingdom or Republic is not to exceed
nine. They claim jurisdiction over all the ineffable and sublime
degrees, and in reality form an aristocratic body, with power to
appoint their own successors, and act as "Sovereigns of Masonry."

DECORATIONS OF THE PLACE OF MEETING.--The hangings are purple,
embroidered with skeletons, death's-heads, and cross-bones