igation of an
Entered Apprentice Mason,[2] which I assure you is neither to affect
your religion nor politics. If you are willing to take it, repeat your
name, and say after me:

"I, A. B., of my own free will and accord, in presence of Almighty
God, and this worshipful Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, dedicated
to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. John, do hereby and
hereon most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, that I will
always hail, ever conceal, and never reveal any part or parts, art or
arts, point or points of the secrets, arts and mysteries of ancient
Free Masonry, which I have received, am about to receive, or may
hereafter be instructed in, to any person or persons in the known
world, except it be a true and lawful brother Mason, or within the
body of a just and lawfully constituted Lodge of such, and not unto
him, nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto them only
after strict trial and due examination or lawful information.
Furthermore, do I promise and swear that I will not write, print,
stamp, stain, hew, cut, carve, indent, paint, or engrave it on
anything moveable or immoveable, under the whole canopy of heaven,
whereby, or whereon the least letter, figure, character, mark, stain,
shadow, or resemblance of the same may become legible or intelligible
to myself or any other person in the known world, whereby the secrets
of Masonry may be unlawfully obtained through my unworthiness. To all
which I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without the
least equivocation, mental reservation, or self-evasion of mind in me
whatever; $1$2: so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the true
performance of the same."

After the obligation, the Master addresses the candidate in the
following manner: "Brother, to you the secrets of Masonry are about to
be unveiled, and a brighter sun never shone lustre on your eyes; while
prostrate before this sacred altar, do you not shudder at every crime?
Have you not confidence in every virtue? May these thoughts ever
inspire you with the most noble sentiments; may you ever feel that
elevation of soul that shall scorn a dishonest act. Brother, what do
you most desire?" The candidate answers, "Light." Master to brethren,
"Brethren, stretch forth your hands and assist in bringing this
new-made brother from darkness to light." The members having formed a
circle round the candidate, the Master says, "And God said, Let there
be light, and the