Q. What followed? A. I still pursued my pilgrimage, but was often accosted by guards, from whom I received the same friendly treatment as from the first.
Q. Where did your term of pilgrimage end? A. At the door of the asylum, where after giving the alarm by 3 × 3, the Warder appeared and demanded, "Who comes there?"
Q. Your answer? A. A poor and weary pilgrim, traveling from afar, who, having passed full three long years of pilgrimage, now craves permission, if it shall please the Grand Commander, forthwith to dedicate the remaining four years to deeds of more exalted usefulness, and if found worthy, his strong desire is now to be admitted to those valiant Knights, whose well-earned fame has spread both far and near for deeds of charity and pure beneficence.
Q. What were you then asked? A. What surety can you offer that you are no impostor?
Q. Your answer? A. The commendations of a true and courteous Knight, the Junior Warden, who recommends to the Grand Commander the remission of four remaining years of pilgrimage.
Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then addressed the Most Excellent Prelate: "This being true, Sir Knight, our Prelate, you will conduct this weary pilgrim to the altar, where having taken an obligation always to be faithful to his vow, cause him forthwith to be invested with a sword and buckler, that as a pilgrim warrior he may perform seven years' warfare as a trial of his courage and constancy."
Q. What followed? A. The Senior Warden then detached a party of Knights to escort me to the altar, where, in due form, I took upon me the obligation of a Knight Templar.
Q. What was that due form? A. Kneeling on both knees upon two cross swords, my body erect, my naked hands covering the Holy Bible, Square, and Compass, with two cross swords lying thereon, in which due form I received the solemn obligation of Knight Templar.
Q. Repeat the obligation.
"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and this Encampment of Knight Templars, do hereby and hereon most solemnly promise and swear, that I will always hail, forever conceal, and never reveal, any of the secret arts, parts, or points appertaining to the mysteries of this Order of Knight Templars, unless it be to a true and lawful companion Knight Templar, or within the body of a just and lawful Encampment of such; and not unto him or them, until by due trial, strict examination, or lawful information, I find him or them lawfully entitled to receive the same. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will answer and obey all due signs and regular summons, which shall be given or sent to me from regular Encampments of Knight Templars, if within the distance of forty miles, natural infirmities and unavoidable accidents only excusing me. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will help, aid, and assist with my council, my purse, and my sword, all poor and indigent Knight Templars, their widows and orphans, they making application to me as such, and I finding them worthy, so far as I can do it without material injury to myself, and so far as truth, honor, and justice may warrant. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will not assist or be present at the forming and opening of an Encampment of Knight Templars, unless there be present seven Knights of the Order, or the representatives of three different Encampments, acting under the sanction of a legal warrant. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will go the distance of forty miles, even barefoot and on frosty ground, to save the life and relieve the distresses of a worthy Knight, should I know that his distresses required it, and my abilities permit. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will wield my sword in defence of innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the Christian religion. Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will support and maintain the by-laws of the Encampment, of which I may hereafter become a member, the edicts and regulations of the Grand Encampment, under which the same may be holden, together with the laws and constitution of the General Grand Encampment of the United States of America, so far as the same shall come to my knowledge. To all this I most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, with a firm and steady resolution to perform and keep the same, without any hesitation, equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me whatever, binding myself under no less penalty than to have my head struck off and placed on the highest spire in Christendom, should I knowingly or wilfully violate any part of this my solemn obligation of a Knight Templar; so help me God, and keep me steadfast to perform and keep the same."