The honor was greatly sought, and although chosen for membership, so severe were the trials before being finally recognized and seated in the secret chamber of the Council, a few only survived the ordeal. But you are assured that throughout the ceremonies pertaining to this Order, no indignity will be offered you, nor will you be required to submit to any act or ceremony which cannot be accorded by one gentleman to another.
Halts before Shrine; candidates kneel, facing Book of the Dead: hoodwinks raised. Rek-Mara addresses Peta-Amen, who is concealed behind curtains:
Rek-Mara— O Peta-Amen, High Priest of the great Goddess Mut; Priest of the "God-of-the Lifted-Hand," O thou that observest what hath been brought into the Temple of the Sphinx, there is before the sacred shrine, contemplating the Book of the Dead, the Scribe Ani, who is desirous of being admitted to the Secret Council of Rameses.
Exit Rek-Mara. Peta-Amen, who is at all times wholly concealed behind curtains, addresses candidates:
Peta-Amen—Ani, by your acts in seeking a place in the Secret Council of Rameses and assuming the duties of membership in this Order, you have forever forsaken the paths of the profane, and in time will be instructed in the knowledge of the most profound truths known to man. You have been elected, but before you can journey further, it is necessary that you take a solemn obligation before being presented to the dread Council of Amenti. You may also be called upon to take other obligations as you progress in fulfilling the judgment of Amenti. If you can do
