Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/86

 to trust more, and to what part less. But be always obedient. You will be drawn into strange situations to put your loyalty to the test, but never deviate from the precepts of our covenant. Obedience is the first Rep that will make you fit for government. Be always candid towards us, for insincerity or dissimulation—surrounded as you will be by an hundred hands, and watched by an hundred eyes,—will avail you nothing. The covenant condemns no rash idea, but only wants to know and refute it. The sincerer you are, the more shall you be let into the spirit of our society, Papers will be delivered to you, tending to teach you to get acquainted with this spirit, and I am sent hither to make you swear by God and your life, that you will divulge or alienate no part of their contents."

—"I swear it."

—"Here, then, are the papers. You will find in them proper instructions for your conduct. Farewell, my friend; in a twelvemonth we meet again. A Genius will accompany you wherever you go, and his guidance will guarantee your safety."