THE COMPANIONAGE.
220
who have
served their time.
Perdiguier
— who was a joiner of Solomon— has not given us any
probably with the exception of his own society,
In
these would remain a secret even to himself, whilst his oath would forbid any revelation.
hint of the ceremonies used at
theii-
reception
;
—
A young
own handicraft we find the following customs and arrangements prevailing
workman presents himself and requests to be made a member of the society. His sentiments
At the next " General
are inquired into, and if the replies are satisfactory, he is emhaucM}
his
:
"
Assembly
he
brought into an upper room {fait monter en chamhi'e), when, in the presence
and affiliis, questions are put to him to ascertain that he has made no
is
of all the companions
mistake, that
he
is
it is
into this particular society
informed that there are
The ordinances
No," he
is
is
at liberty to retire
place in the room.
If he
is
(ordrcs) of the Companionage,
The candidate
the
distinct societies,
and that he
is affiliated,
which
;
and
all
he replies " Yes," he is affiliated and conducted to his proper
honest and intelligent, he obtains in due course all the degrees
;
if
and succeeds
—but
in
to the various offices of the society.
what manner we
—and thus
—accepted companion
steps
are not informed,
In this particular society there are three further
first step.
is
to enter
quite free in his choice.
companions and affilids are obliged to conform, are
asked whether he can and will conform thereto. Should he answer
(rdjlcmeiits), to
then read to him, and he
"
many
and not in some other that he wishes
attains
companion {