Before entering on the duties of his office, each notary public shall take and subscribe before the clerk of the superior court the following oath, which shall be entered on his minutes:

"I, ______________, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will well and truly perform the duties of a notary public to the best of my ability; and I further swear or affirm that I am not the holder of any public money belonging to the state and unaccounted for, so help me God."