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← Arise, sir knight, and with this hand receive a hearty welcome into the bosom of a society which will be ever ready to defend and protect you.

'I will now present you with this sword, in the hand of a valiant and magnanimous knight. It is endowed with three most excellent qualities, viz: its hilt with justice, its blade with fortitude, and its point with mercy; and it teaches us this important lesson. Having faith in the justice of our cause, we must press forward with undaunted fortitude, ever remembering to extend the point of mercy to a fallen foe.'

The most eminent then instructs the sir knight in the pilgrim penitent's pass, as before described; and also in the signs, grip, and word. The due-guard and sign is given by placing the end of the thumb of the right hand under the chin, the fingers clenched. [See plate 24, fig. 1.] It alludes to the penalty of the obligation of placing the head on the highest spire in christendom. In some encampments the cross is given, by drawing the hand horizontally across the throat, and darting it up perpendicularly before the face, the edge of the hand towards the mouth.

The grand hailing sign of distress is given by placing the right foot over the left, extend both arms, and incline the head to the right. It is the manner that the Savior was nailed to the cross. The motto of the order, 'IN HOC SIGNO VINCES,' is given in this position. [See plate 24, fig. 2.]

The grip is given by two persons interlacing the fingers of the right and left hands, and each, as he crosses his arms, pronounces the word Emmanuel. [See plate 24, fig. 3.]

The sir knight is then told by the most eminent, that in America the degrees of knights templars and knights of Malta are given together; and that he has received the two degrees, except a few signs, which belong to the knights of Malta, which will be then explained.

The prelate reads a lesson from Acts xxviii. 1—6.

"And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet ven

geance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.'

This sign is then made, by holding out both hands as though you were warming them, to the fire, and immediately seize hold of the lower edge of the left hand, near the main joint of the little finger, with the thumb and fore-finger of the right; raise them in this position, as high as the chin, disengage them with a quick motion, and extend them downwards on each side, at an angle of forty-five degrees from the body, the fingers extended, and palms down. [See plate 24, fig. 5.]

The prelate reads another lesson.

St. John xix. 19.

'And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.'

This is the grand word of a knight of Malta. INRI. It is formed by the initials of the four words that Pilate put on the cross, viz: Iasus Nazaresi Rex Judaorum.

The prelate reads again, as follows:

St. John xx. 24-28. 'But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

'And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered

and said unto him, My Lord, and my God.'

The most eminent then explains the grip and word of a knight of Malta. He says to the candidate, 'Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and feel the print of the nails; [they join right hands, and force the first finger into the centre of the palm,] reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side.' Each extends his left hand, and presses his fingers into the left side of his companion, still holding by the grip. With the arms thus crossed, one pronounces the words 'My Lord!' the other says, 'And my God!'

The candidate s informed that he has taken the degree of knights templars, and knights of Malta, and is directed to take

a seat.

If there is no other business before the encampment, it is closed in the same manner that it is opened.

Sometimes the following questions are asked, and answers returned, by two of the officers. It is called a lecture, and is sometimes given at opening.

LECTURE.

Q. Are you a knight templar?
A. That is my title.

Q. Where were you erected a knight templar?

A. In a just and lawful encampment of knights templars. Q. What number composes a just and lawful encampment of knights templars?

A. There is an indispensable number, and a constitutional number.

Q. What is an indispenable number?

A. Three.

Q. Under what circumstances are they authorized to form and open an encampment of knights templars?

A. Three knights templars, hailing from three different commanderies, may, under the sanction of a charter, or warrant from some regular grand encampment, form and open an encampment for the dispatch of business.

Q. What is a constitutional number?

A. Seven, nine, eleven, or more.

Q. When composed of eleven, of whom does it consist? Most eminent grand commander, generalissimo, captain general, prelate, senior warden, junior warden, treasurer, recorder, standard bearer, sword bearer, and warder.

Q. Warder's station?

A. On the left of the standard bearer, in the west, and on the left of the third division.

Q. His duty?

A. To observe the orders and directions of the grand com mander, to see that the sentinels are at their respective posts; and that the encampment is duly guarded.

Q.

Sword bearer's station?

A. On the right of the standard bearer in the west, and on the right of the third division.

Q. His duty there?

A. To assist in the protection of the banners of our order; to watch all signals from the grand commander; and see his orders duly executed.

Q. Standard bearer's station in the encampment?

A. In the west, and in the centre of the third division.

Q. His duty?

A. To display, support, and protect the banners of our order

Q. Why is the standard bearer's station in the west?

A. That the brilliant rays of the rising sun, shedding their lustre upon the banners of our order may encourage and animate all true and courteous knights, and dismay and confound their enemies.

Q. Recorder's station in the encampment?

A. In front of the captain general.

Q. His duty?

A. To observe with attention the order of the encampment, keep a just and regular record of the same, collect the revenue, and pay the same over to the treasurer.

Q. The treasurer's station in the encampment?

A. In front of the generalissimo.

Q. His duty?

A. To receive in charge all funds and property of the encampment, pay all orders drawn upon him, and render a just and faithful account when required.

Q. Station of the junior warden in the encampment?

A. At the south-west angle of the triangle, and on the left of the first division.

Q. His duty?

A. To attend to all poor and weary pilgrims travelling from afar; to accompany them on their journey, answer all questions for them, and finally introduce them into the asylum.

Q. Senior warden's station in the encampment?

A. At the north-west angle of the triangle, and on the right of the second division.

Q. His duty?

A. To attend on pilgrim warriors travelling from afar, to comfort and support pilgrim penitents, and after due trial, recommend them to the hospitality of the generalissimo.

Q. Prelate's station in the encampment?

A. On the right of the generalissimo.

Q. His duty there?

A. To administer at the altar, and offer up prayers and adorations to the Deity.

Q. Captain general's station?

A. On the left of the grand commander.

Q. His duty?

A. To see that the proper officers make all suitable preparations for the several meetings of the encampment, and take special care that the asylum is in a suitable array for the introduction of candidates and dispatch of business, also to receive and communicate all orders from the grand commander to the officers of the line.

Q. Generalissimo's station?

On the right of the grand commander.

Q. His duty?

A. To receive and communicate all orders, signals, and petitions, and assist the grand commander in the discharge of his various duties, and, in his absence, to govern the encampment. Q. Grand commander's station?

A. In the east.

Q. His duty?

A. To distribute alms, and protect weary pilgrims travelling from afar, to encourage pilgrim warriors, to sustain pilgrim penitents, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bind up the wounds of the afflicted, to inculcate hospitality, and govern his encamp. ment with justice and moderation.

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