scaffold, or feathered couch--that he understands this fully, and all
the bearings of it, with all of the foregoing, his name, which he
deliberately, without compulsion, sets to this constitution, stands as
lasting, undeniable proof--that he has come to this solemn determination
after calm, mature deliberation--that he is over twenty-two years of
age--and, finally, that he is willing to go through with all the oaths
and ceremonies which this band sees proper to impose; in proof whereof,
he now repeats the following


PRAYER.

Almighty and all-merciful God! the Great Author and Disposer of all
beings! I hereby pledge myself, in thy sight, to keep sacred the
holy principles, one and all, which I this day have had set before
and disclosed to me, by the Worthy Grand Master of the most ancient
order under heaven--known by the appellation of the Secret Band of
Brothers--and I pray thee, Almighty God! to watch the workings of
my cultivated nature; and, Heavenly Father! keep me sane in mind,
that I may always know the everlasting punishment which awaits me,
if I prove recreant to the vows which I herewith do take upon me,
with my own free will, in thy holy sight--and I pray thee, Almighty
God! should I prove false to the vow or vows I now make, in
becoming a member of this Holy Brotherhood, to shut from me the
light of thy countenance--to visit the wrath of thy indignation
upon me--to let my walks here on earth be paths of desolation, at
the end of which be famine and death, and, in the world to come,
torment and more tormenting pains racking my soul for ever! But,
Almighty God! should I keep and carry out these, the only true
principles, which thou in thy wisdom hast set aside for thy