America.

oath of office ? " On his answering iu the affirmative , the GrandCommauder will draw his sword , and , holding it horizontally , the edge toward the Eminent Commander elect , Avho Avilt place his left baud on the same , and his right hand on his left breast , and repeat as folloivs'" ' I , A . B ., do solemnly promise , upon the honour of a Knight Templar , that 1 will , to the best of niyknoAvledge and ability , faithfully discharge the A-arious duties incumbent upon the office to ivhich I have been elected ; that I Aviil support and

maintain the by-laws of this Commandery , aud the laAvs and constitution of the Grand Commandery , under AA'hose immediate authority I act ; also , the constitution and edicts of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America . " The Grand Commander Avill then address the Eminent Commander elect as folloAA ' S'' " Eminent Sir , —Having been elected to the important and honourable station of Eminent Commander of this [ neiv ] Commandery , it is with unfeigned pleasure that I enter upon the discharge of the pleasing duty of installing you into your

office . As the head of an institution founded upon the Christian religion , ancl the practice of the Christian virtues , you Avill sensibly realize the great responsibility of the new relation in which you now stand to your brethren ; and , I am fully persuaded , will so conduct the important interests about to be committed to your hands , as to reflect honour upon yourself and credit upon your Commandery . It noiv , Sir Knight , becomes my duty to propose certain , questions to you , relative to your office , to AA'hich I must request unequivocal answers : — " I . Do you solemnly promiseupon the honour of a Knight Templarthat you

, , Avill redouble your endeavours to correct the vices , purify the morals , aud promote the happiness of those of your brethren ivho have attained this magnanimous Order ? " II . That you Avill never suffer your Commandery to be opened , unless there be present nine regular Knights of the Order 1 " III . That you will not confer the Orders upon any one who has not shoivn a charitable and humane disposition , or Avho has not made a considerable proficiency in the foregoing degrees ?

" IV . That you ivill promote the general good of our Order , and ou all proper occasions be ready to give ancl receive instructions , and particularly from the General aud State Grand Oflicers ? " ' V . That , to the utmost of your power , you -will preserve the solemnities of our ceremonies , and behave iu open Commandery , with the most profound respect and reverence , as an example to your brethren ? "VI . That you Avill not acknoivledge or have intercourse Avith any Commandery that does not work under a constitutional Avarrant or dispensation' ! -

"VII . That you Avill not admit any visitor into your Commandery Avho has not been knighted in a Commandery legally constituted , Avithout his first being formally healed ? " VIII . That you will pay due respect and obedience to the instructions of the General and State Grand Officers , particularly relating to the several lectures ancl charges , and Avill resign the chair to them , severally , ivhen they may visit your Commandery . " IX . That you will support and observe the Constitution of the Grand

Encampment , and tho General Regulations of the Grand Commandery under Avhose authority you act ? , " X . That you will bind your successor in office to the observance of the same rules to ivhich you have now asseuted ? "Do you submit to all these things ; and do you promise to observe and practise them faithfully ?" Assents .

.-CHAIitiE TO THE EHISBJfT COMMANDER . Eminent , —You ivill DOAV permit me to invest you with this badge of your office : It is a cross , surmounted by rays of light . It is an appropriate ancl beautiful emblem of the sublime principles of this magnanimous ancl Christian order of knighthood . The cross Avill remind you of him Avho offered up his life as a propitiation for the sins of the world and the refulgent rays that emanate from it ; of those