276 Mr. Knox on the Ceremonial of the 
teacher then says: ‘* Let the three readers put them.” They say to him: 
“ You profess that you will be governed by the rules of the everlasting law ; 
let us interrogate you again,”—Answer. Ask, and I will answer truly. 
They then repeat the former questions, ‘and in addition, ask: “* Are you 
hard of hearing ?’—A. I am not. 
Q. Are you an absent (or forgetful) person ?—A. I am not. 
Q. Are you perfect in the five bodily qualities ?@2)—A. I am. 
(He is questioned altogether three times, that there may be no omission 
or mistake.) 
_The candidate then petitions the chief teacher: “ Oh, my lord, who art 
well acquainted with the sacred writings, and who art of advanced age ; 
now have I for the third time reverently and according to the truth replied 
to you, in all that you have demanded of me; therefore, oh my lord of 
venerable years, and ye three readers, and all ye other priests, ye are wit- 
nesses of all that has been asked me, and I have replied truly to the same ; 
therefore, from compassion to me, grant me permission to be admitted a 
priest.” 
After this, the priests coming round the candidate, one of the three 
readers stands before him and the others at either side, and they read from 
this writing, their three voices forming as it were one: “ Oh venerable 
lord, learned in the sacred writings, and all ye other priests, this can- 
didate, who is desirous of becoming a priest, having equipped himself with 
thabike, thanegan, and the other things required, begs permission to be 
admitted to the priesthood ; will you give your consent ?” 
Then the chief teacher says, ‘“ It is a very difficult matter to abide by the 
law; and it is particularly the duty of priests to strive after it, for men who 
live in the world caiinot do so, whether they be chiefs, or persons of un- 
bounded wealth, or merchants, or cultivators: these cannot keep to the two 
hundred and twenty-seven rules, but rhahdns must endeavour to keep 
them.” 
After this the chief teacher and the other priests announce to him that 
he is admitted a priest, and admonish him, thus: “ Take notice that from 
this day you are a priest, therefore greatly must you rejoice ; and according 
to this joy, see that you observe the two hundred and twenty-seven rules. 
and that they: be not transgressed by you, and you may accept what (in a 
religious manner) is offered to you. If you do not govern yourself by these 
precepts, you are not a priest, but am ordinary man, and are not worthy 
