Islam earnestly seeks true direction; but those who 
swerve from truth and justice shall merit and reap
abundance of chastisement. 
Gong, muisic, verse. 
Grand Potentate-Let us purify one another. There
are two highways to good and evil; attempt not the city
of destruction. Be ye all possessed of the faculty of
distinguishing, and the power of choosing wickedness 
and piety. For the punishment of each will be equal 
to the measure of his sin. 
Gong and music, until the candidates, arriving, at 
the East halt. 
Grand Potentate-Sons of the Desert, you have 
advanceed through the preliminary ceremonies of the 
Nobility of the Mystic Shrine, as far as it is possible,
unobligated. Before advancing further in our course 
you will be required to assume a most powerful and 
binding oath, inseparably uniting yourself with us, and
when once taken it can never be retracted or departed
from. But, I assure you, therein is not contained a 
sentiment exceptionable to all that may become an hon-
est, upright man, be his beliefs what they may. Are 
you willing, to assume such an obligation? 
Candidates-I am. 
Candidates are conducted around to the West and 
to the Altar of Obligation amid sound of gong, drum 
and music. Kneel at altar with bound arms leaning upon 
the top, heads bowed. Grand Potentate strikes thrice 
to call all around the altar, and then to candidates:
Repeat after me.