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Say live for ever, wondrous king,

Born to redeem, and strong to save!"
Then ask the tyrant, where's thy sting?

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And where's thy vict'ry, boasting grave?"

The singing being ended, the prelate takes the candidate by the arm, and walks near the transparency, and addresses him as follows:

'Pilgrim, the scene before you represents the splendid conclusion of the hallowed sacrifice offered by the Redeemer of the world, to propitiate the anger of an offended Deity. This sacred volume informs us, [showing him the bible,] that our Savior, after having suffered the pains of death, descended into the place of departed spirits, and that on the third day, he burst the bands of death, triumphed over the grave, and in due time, ascended with transcendent majesty to heaven, where he now sits on the right hand of our heavenly Father, a mediator and intercessor, for all those who have faith in him. I now invest you with an emblem of that faith: [at the same time suspends from his neck a black cross,] it is also an emblem of our order, which you will wear as a constant memorial, for you to imitate the virtues of the immaculate Jesus, who died that you might live. Pilgrim, the ceremonies in which you are now engaged, are calculated deeply to impress your mind; and I trust will have a happy and lasting effect upon your future character. You were first, as a trial of your faith and humility, enjoined to perform seven years' pilgrimage; it represents the great pilgrimage of life through which we are all passing: we are all weary pilgrims, anxiously looking forward to that asylum, where we shall rest from our labors, and be at rest for ever. You were then directed, as a trial of your courage and constancy, to perform seven years' warfare; it represents to you the constant warfare with the lying vanities and deceits of this world, in which it is necessary for us always to be engaged. You are now performing penance as a trial of your humility. Of this, our Lord and Savior has left us a bright example. For though he was the eternal Son of God, he humbled himself to be born of a woman, to endure the pains and afflictions incident to human nature, and finally to suffer a cruel and ignominious death upon the cross: it is also a trial of that faith which will conduct you safely over the dark gulf of everlasting death, and land your enfranchised spirit in the peaceful abodes of the blessed. Pilgrim, keep ever in your memory this awful truth. You know not how soon you may be called upon to render an account to that Supreme Judge, from whom not even the most minute act of your life is hidden: for although you

now stand erect in all the strength of manhood and pride of beauty, in a few short moments, you may become a pale and lifeless corpse. This moment, even while I am yet speaking, the angel of death may receive the fatal mandate to strike you from the roll of human existence: and the friends who now surround you, may be called upon to perform the last sad office of laying you in the earth, a banquet for worms, and this fair body become as the miserable relic you now hold in your hand. Man, that is born of a woman, is of few days and full of sorrow: he cometh up and is cut down as a flower; he fleeth as a suadow, and continueth not. In the midst of life, we are in death: of whom may we seek succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet, O God, most holy, thou God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Savior, deliver us from the pains of eternal death. I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write from henceforth, blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; even so, saith the spirit, for they rest from their labors. Be ye also ready, and rest assured, that a firm faith in the truths here revealed, will afford you consolation in the gloomy hour of dissolution, and insure you ineffable and eternal happiness in the world to come. Amen, and amen.'

The hall is again lighted up, and the candidate makes another alarm at the asylum.

M. E. G. C. Sir knight warder, attend to that alarm, ana see who comes there.

W. Who comes there? who dares approach this sacred asylum of our encampment, to disturb our holy meditations? Who are you

?

S. W. A pilgrim penitent, travelling from afar, who, having performed his term of penance, seeks now to participate in the fifth libation, thereby to seal his faith.

W. What surety does he offer, that he is no impostor?

S. W. The commendation of two valiant and magnanimous knights, our senior and junior wardens.

W. By what further right or benefit does he expect to obtain this favor?

S. W. By the benefit of the pilgrim penitent's pass.
W. Has he that pass?

S. W.

He has it not; I have it for him.

W. Advance and communicate it to the sir knight on your left.

The pass, Golgotha, is then given by the two wardens, and the warder returns and reports the same to the most eminent

grand commander, who directs the candidate to enter. The veil is then drawn aside, and the candidate enters the asylum.

M. E. G. C. [rising, says,] Who have you there in charge, sir knights?

S. W. A pilgrim penitent, who, having performed his term of penance, seeks now to participate in the fifth libation, thereby to seal his faith.

M. E. G. C. Pilgrim, in granting your request, and admitting you a knight among our number, we can only offer you a rough habit, coarse diet, and severe duty. If, upon these conditions, you are stlll desirous of enlisting under our banners, you will advance, and kneel at the base of the triangle.

The candidate kneels at the base of the triangle, and the most eminent addresses him as follows:

'Pilgrim, the fifth libation is taken in a very solemn way. It is emblematical of the bitter cup of death, of which we must all, sooner or later, taste; and even the Savior of the world was not exempted, notwithstanding his repeated prayers and solicitations. It is taken of pure wine, and from this cup. [Exhibiting a human skull, he pours the wine into it, and says,] To show you that we here practise no imposition, I give you this pledge.' [Drinks from the skull.] He then pours more wine into the skull, and presents it to the candidate, telling him, that the fifth libation is called the sealed obligation, as it is to seal all his former engagements in Masonry.

The most eminent here also gives a short history of the degree.* The substance of it is, that the object of the degree of knight templar was originally instituted to preserve Masonry, which had become much corrupted, &c.

If the candidate hesitates about taking the sealed obligation, which is often the case, the most eminent says, 'Attention, sir knights!' The sir knights immediately form around the candidate. Handle sword!-draw sword!-charge.' [See plate 23.]

The most eminent then says, 'Pilgrim, you here see the swords of your companions, all drawn, ready to defend you in the discharge of every duty we require of you. They are also drawn to avenge any violation of the rules of our order. You promised, when you entered the chamber of reflection, that you would conform to all the ceremonies, rules, and regulations of this encampment. We here have your promise in writing. We e expect you will proceed.† All sir knights who have taken

* In some encampments, this history is omitted.

+ When I received this degree, I objected to drink from the human skull

this degree, have participated in the fifth libation; and if there is any thing in it that you do not perfectly understand, it will be qualified and explained to your satisfaction.' If the candidate consents to proceed, he takes the skull in his hand, and repeats after the most eminent, as follows:

'This pure wine, I take from this cup, in testimony of my belief of the mortality of the body and the immortality of the soul; and as the sins of the whole world were laid upon the head of our Savior, so may the sins of the person whose skull this once was, be heaped upon my head, in addition to my own; and may they appear in judgment against me, both here and hereafter, should I violate or transgress any obligation in Masonry, or the orders of knighthood which I have heretofore taken, take at this time, or may hereafter be instructed in. So help me God.' [Drinks of the wine.]*

The most eminent then takes the skull from the candidate, and says, This is called the sealed obligation, because any promise of secrecy, made in reference to this obligation, is considered by knights templars to be more binding than any other obligation can be.'t

The most eminent then resumes his seat, and directs the prelate to read a lesson from the holy evangelist.

The prelate reads, Acts. i. 15-27.

'And in those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, by the mouth

and to take the profane oath required by the rules of this order. I observed to the most eminent, that I supposed that that part of the ceremonies would be dispensed with. The sir knights charged upon me, and the most eminent addressed me as above. A clergyman, an acquaintance of mine, came forward, and said, 'Companion Allyn, this part of the ceremonies is never dispensed with. I and all the sir knights have drank from that cup and taken the fifth libation. It is perfectly proper, and it will be qualified to your satisfaction.' I then drank of the "cup of double damnation."

* Sometimes, if the encampment is not hurried with business, the most eminent recapitulates all the oaths that the candidate has taken. Sometimes this is done just before he takes the fifth libation.

+ The sealed obligation is referred to by templars, in confidential communications, relative to matters of vast importance, when other masonic obligations seem insufficient, to secure secrecy, silence, and safety. Such, for instance was the murder of William Morgan, which was communicated from one templar to ahother, under the pledge and upon this sealed obligation.

"The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue; and the mysteries of Freemasonry were safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts.' Until it was communicated in St. John's hall, New-York, in an encampment of knights templars, March, 10, 1828.

of David, spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein : and his bishopric, let another take. Wherefore, of these men which have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.'

Generalissimo. Most eminent, by the extinguished taper upon the triangle, I perceive there is a vacancy in our encampment, which I propose should be filled by some valiant knight, who has passed through the ceremonies of our order.

M. E. G. C. 'Sir knights, you will cast lots to fill this vacancy.' Which being done, the most eminent addresses the candidate as follows:

Pilgrim, you are elected to fill the vacancy in our encampment made vacant by the death of Judas Iscariot; and in testimony of your acceptance of that appointment, you will relight that extinguished taper upon the triangle. [The candidate lights it.] Thus may the Lord lift upon you the light of his reconciled countenance, and preserve you from falling.'

The candidate then arises from the triangle, and kneels before the most eminent, who draws his sword, and laying it first on the candidate's left shoulder, then on his right, and on his head, says, 'By the high power in me vested, as the successor and representative of Hugho de Paganis, and Godfrey Adelman, I now dub and create you a knight of the valiant and magnanimous order of knights templars, and knights of Malta, or order of St. Johns of Jerusalem. This is sometimes repeated three times.

The most eminent, taking the candidate by the hand, says

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