The Exalted Cyclops then warns him: "Mortal man cannot assume a more binding oath; character and courage alone will enable you to keep it. Always remember that to keep this oath means to you honor, happiness, and life; but to violate it means disgrace, dishonor and _death_. May happiness, honor and life be yours." Having been duly warned of death and dishonor, the "alien" is then led to the "sacred altar" where rests the American flag, upon which is the Holy Bible, opened at twelfth of--Romans--which Simmons says is his "spiritual charter"--and across the pages of the Word of God is a naked dagger, grim reminder of the preceding warning of the snake. The Exalted Cyclops raises a glass of water, and "dedicates" the "alien," setting him apart from the men of his daily association to the lofty service of the "Invisible Empire." He is then caused to kneel upon his right knee, and a parody on the beautiful hymn, "Just as I am Without One Plea," is sung by those of the elect who can carry a tune. Behind the "sacred altar" burns the "fiery cross," which is an upright piece of wood with a cross arm, in which are set burning candles. When the singing is concluded, the Exalted Cyclops advances to the candidate and after dedicating him further, pours water on his shoulder, his head, throws a few drops in the air, making his dedication "in body," "in mind," "in spirit," and "in life." Having thus sacrilegiously "baptized" the alien into the "Invisible Empire of Ku Kluxism," the "Kludd," the chaplain of the Klan--very often a minister of the gospel--steps forward and delivers a prayer to God to aid the candidate to keep his obligation, the idea being, no doubt, that if God cannot or will not prevent the "alien" from "keeping his mouth shut," the dagger or the secret bullet of the Ku Klux will! The "alien" is then formally received as a "citizen" of the "Invisible Empire," in the name of the "Emperor," and is entitled to all of the secret work of the organization, which is as tiresome and boring as the whole ritualistic twaddle. Most of this secret work is called the "Way of the Klavern," and is unimportant. One of the most interesting things of the "work" is the salute that each Klansman is required to give the American flag placed on a stand in the center of the room. The same salute is given whenever addressing the chair. It is the old salute of the Confederate Army, made with the right hand over the right eye, then reversing the hand so that the palm is in front. The excessive number of signs and symbols used by the "Invisible Empire" are of no importance, but it will be of interest to mention the "Klonversation" which is a system of code words, by which one Ku Klux can know another. These code words are composed of the first letters of words in a sentence, and are used as a dialogue, as follows: Upon meeting a stranger whom he wishes to test, the Klansman says: AYAK, meaning, Are You A Klansman? the answer being, AKIA, A Klansman I Am.