ict of Virginia,
July 12, 1798._

SECTION I.--_Art. 1._ This society shall be known by the name of the
SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.

_Art. 2._ It shall be governed by brethren who have become prominent by
their many valiant deeds for the promotion of the society.

_Art. 3._ The officers of this society shall be known as Grand Masters,
and shall be duly authorized, by this constitution, to initiate, as
members of this society, any male or female, who comes well and duly
recommended by a brother, in good standing, as having served the
probation which this constitution requires.

_Art. 4._ It shall be the duty of a brother, before he gives the
applicant information who the Band of Brothers are, to take him on
probation three months, during which time he shall notify the Grand
Master, that at such a date he will introduce the person, on probation,
for initiation.

_Art. 5._ It shall be the duty of the Grand Master to notify all the
Brotherhood, so far as he has it in his power, that such an individual
will pray for the privilege of becoming a member of the Honourable
Brotherhood, at such a date; and to likewise apprize them of the duty
set apart, so far as in the power of each member, to carefully scan the
motives of the said candidate, and, if they can ascertain by word, deed
or action, that the candidate is not a fit person to become a member, to
convey the same to the brother who recommended him, and the same must,
in all cases, apprize the Worthy Grand what has been said against, and
in favour of the said candidate;--and it must be strictly observed, that
in no case shall the Worthy Grand condescend to be introduced without
proper notice; and the same must in all cases be strictly obeyed.

_Art. 6._ It shall be the duty of every member to make the candidate the
subject of trial, in every secret manner which he may think profitable
to test his qualities as a true believer in the virtue of the
Brotherhood; and likewise to throw every temptation in his way, which
may be likely to sour his disposition against the formalities of the
world, and thereby lead him into a closer commune with the Holy
Brotherhood, of which he is to become a member, and which he is to
believe to be true and honest in every sense of the word; and that all
other religions and creeds are base, and founded upon speculative
motives--that this is the only TRUE, by which he must stand through good
or ill, and never secede, on pain of death on