“Abram Hurd! by your presence here, I am to understand that you desire to become a member of our order?”

“I do.”

“Have you considered well before taking this step?  The duties of members are often laborious, and their performance attended with the most imminent danger!  We want no unwilling hands; are you ready to incur the risks?

“I am.”

“Suppose the requirements exacted at your hands should cause you to look the penitentiary in the face, have you the courage to do so?”

“I have.”

“But further yet; should the good of our order require you to take the life of a fellow-being, would you, in obedience to the commands of your superior, perform that extreme act?”

“I was not aware that murder was included in the catalogue of duties imposed upon members of the order.”

“Nor do I say that it is; I only wish to know if you are willing to go any lengths for the preservation or advantage of the order, in case of necessity?  You will mark the difference between murder and killing in self-defense.  With this explanation, are you willing to take the required obligation?”

“I am.”

“With the understanding, then, that you may have to face imprisonment or death and obligate yourself to do all that shall be required of you for the good of the order, even to the taking of life, including all other acts that are held criminal among men, are you still willing to proceed?”

“I am!”

“I must furthermore inform you, that if you falter in the discharge of any duty imposed upon you, or manifest the least disposition to betray the order, your life will fall an immediate sacrifice for such delinquency.  Are you prepared for this?”

“I am!”

“Will you take upon yourself these obligations in the form of an oath?”

“I will!”

“The oath is a most solemn and binding one; perhaps you may consider it horrible, and we want no faltering.”

“I will take it.”

“It involves life and death.”

“I am prepared if it does.”

“You cannot release yourself from its binding force; it is for life; and whether you abide with us or not, it binds you to secrecy.  No after-thought, no change of feeling, no repentance can unchain its iron links from your soul.  Are you still resolved?”

“I am!”

“Let me here advise you, that one more step will place you beyond the pale of retreat.  Consider well what you are about to do.  Until the oath is administered, you are at liberty to retire, and, blindfolded as you came, will be escorted to a place of safety to yourself and us, where we will leave you as we found you; but once you have taken upon yourself the obligations of the oath, all is fixed and immutable.  Are you yet willing to take this last step?”

“I am!”

“Enough! you are worthy to become a member of our order.  Lay your right hand upon your heart, your left upon the Book, and receive the oath.”