—— —— President of —— Council, No. ——. —— Secretary. FIRST DEGREE COUNCIL. To be admitted to membership in this order, the applicant shall be— 1st. Proposed and found acceptable. 2nd. Introduced and examined under the guarantee of secrecy. 3rd. Placed under the obligation which the order imposes. 4th. Required to enrol his name and place of residence. 5th. Instructed in the forms and usages and ceremonies of the order. 6th. Solemnly charged as to the objects to be obtained, and his duties. [A recommendation of a candidate to this order shall be received only from a brother of approved integrity. It shall be accompanied by minute particulars as to name, age, calling, and residence, and by an explicit voucher for his qualifications, and a personal pledge for his fidelity. These particulars shall be recorded by the secretary in a book kept for that purpose. The recommendation may be referred, and the ballot taken at such time and in such a manner as the state council may prescribe; but no communication shall be made to the candidate until the ballot has been declared in his favor. Candidates shall be received in the ante-room by the marshal and secretary.] OUTSIDE. _Marshal._—Do you believe in a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the universe? _Ans._—I do. _Marshal._—Before proceeding further, we require a solemn obligation of secrecy and truth. If you will take such an obligation, you will lay your right hand upon the Holy Bible and cross. (When it is known that the applicant is a Protestant, the cross may be omitted, or affirmation may be allowed.) OBLIGATION. You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will never reveal anything said or done in this room, the names of any persons present, nor the existence of this society, whether found worthy to proceed or not, and that all your declarations shall be true, so help you God? _Ans._—“I do.” _Marshal._—Where were you born? _Marshal._—Where is your permanent residence? (If born out of the jurisdiction of the United States, the answer shall be written, the candidate dismissed with an admonition of secrecy, and the brother vouching for him suspended from all the privileges of the order, unless upon satisfactory proof that he has been misinformed.) _Marshal._—Are you twenty-one years of age? _Ans._—“I am.” _Marshal._—Were you born of Protestant parents, or were you reared under Protestant influence? _Ans._—“Yes.” _Marshal._—If married, is your wife a Roman Catholic? (“No” or “Yes”—the answer to be valued as the Constitution of the State Council shall provide.)