Q. What followed? A. The Most Excellent Prelate directed me to arise, and thus addressed me: "Pilgrim, thou hast craved permission to pass through our solemn ceremonies, and enter the asylum of our Encampment; by thy sandals, scrip, and staff, I judge thee to be a child of humility; charity and hospitality are the grand characteristics of this magnanimous Order; in the characters of Knight Templars, you are bound to give alms to poor and weary pilgrims, traveling from afar; to succor the needy, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bind up the wounds of the afflicted. We here wage war against the enemies of innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the Christian religion. If thou art desirous of enlisting in this noble and glorious warfare, lay aside thy staff and take up the sword, fighting manfully thy way, and with valor running thy course; and may the Almighty, who is a strong tower and defence to all those who put their trust and confidence in him, be now and ever thy defence and thy salvation."
Q. What followed? A. Having laid aside my staff and taken up the sword, the Most Excellent Prelate continued: "Having now taken up the sword, we expect you will make a public declaration of the cause in which you will wield it."
Q. Your answer? A. I wield my sword in defence of innocent virgins, destitute widows, helpless orphans, and the Christian religion.
Q. What was the Prelate's reply? A. With confidence in this profession, our Senior Warden will invest you with the warrior's pass, and under his direction, as a trial of your courage and constancy, we must now assign you seven years of warfare—success and victory attend you. (The pass-word is Mahershalal-hashbaz, and is given under the arch of steel, as has been described.)
Q. What followed? A. I then commenced my tour of warfare, and made professions of the cause in which I would wield my sword.
Q. Where did your tour of warfare end? A. At the door of the asylum, where, on giving the alarm by 3 × 4, the Warder appeared and demanded, "Who comes there?"
Q. Your reply? A. A pilgrim warrior, traveling from afar, who, having passed full three long years of warfare, is most desirous now, if it should please the Grand Commander, to be admitted to the honors and rewards that await a valiant Templar.
Q. What was then demanded of you? A. What surety can you give that you are no impostor?
Q. Your answer? A. The commendation of a true and courteous Knight, the Senior Warden, who recommends to the Grand Commander the remission of the four remaining years of warfare.
Q. What was then demanded? A. By what further right or benefit do you expect to gain admittance to the asylum?