Errant and the strolling members of the decayed Orders, and, at the same time, to establish a test by which to distinguish each other, in their new capacity and relations, — our traditions inform us, they instituted the degree known among Masons as the Order of Malta.

The following passages of Scripture are appropriate to the degree, and are usually recited in the course of the ceremonies:

ACTS xxviii. 1-7.

"And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed 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 the man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit, they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly; but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."

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."

ST. JOHN XX. 24-30.

"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 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. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

CHARGE

то THE CANDIDATE.

SIR KNIGHT:-Having passed through our solemn ceremo nies, and entered the lines of our Encampment, you are, as a Knight Templar, henceforth to let your light so shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify our Father' who is in heaven. You are to distribute alms to poor and weary Pilgrims travelling from afar; to feed the hungry; clothe the naked, and bind up the wounds of the afflicted. You are to inculcate and practise the moral virtues; to protect the innocent, relieve the distressed, and succor the helpless; and, amidst all the temptations which surround you, never to be drawn aside from the path of duty.

Should calumny attack the character of a worthy Brother, recollect that you are to stand forth in vindication of his good name, and to aid him on all lawful occasions. And, on the other hand, should prejudice or envy assail your own honor, interest, or happiness, remember that you have the counsel and support of your Brethren to sustain you; that their mystic swords are ever ready, at your call, to leap from their scabbards in defence of your innocence and rights.

And now, Sir Knight, I bid you a hearty welcome to all the rights and privileges even to that disinterested friendship and unbounded hospitality, which have ever, and we trust will long continue to characterize and illustrate these noble Orders.

With the age and occasion that gave them birth, the adventurous and warlike element of their character has passed away; but its moral and beneficent principle still remains, bright in all its primitive beauty and loveliness, to excite, as in the day of their greatest glory, that spirit of refined and moral chivalry, which prompts us to press onward in the cause of TRUTH and JUSTICE; stimulates us to exertion in behalf of the destitute and oppressed; to wield the sword, if need be, when pure and undefiled Religion calls us in her defence; and, in a Brother's cause, to do all that " may become men."

They also teach the triumph of immortality, — that, though death has its sting, its infliction is but for a moment, - that this frail organization, though here subject to "the many ills that flesh is heir to," possesses an ethereal principle, which shall soar to the realms of endless bliss and beyond the power of change, to live forever.

CHAPTER XII.

ORDER OF CEREMONIES,

IN CONSTITUTING AND DEDICATING ENCAMPMENTS: WITH THE FORMS OF INSTALLATION.

CONSTITUTION AND DEDICATION.

GENERAL

DIRECTIONS.

1. THE new Encampment will assemble in their Hall, and be in order, arranged on the right and left of the Chair, with swords drawn.

2. The Grand Encampment will meet in an adjacent room and open.

3. A committee from the new Encampment will inform the Grand Marshal * that their Encampment is prepared to receive the Grand Encampment: the Grand Marshal will announce the same to the Grand Master.

4. The committee will conduct the Grand Encampment to their Hall, in procession, where they will be received with the usual honors.

5. The officers of the new Encampment will resign their seats to the Grand Officers, and cause their Jewels to be collected, laid upon the altar, and covered.

6. The ceremonies will then commence with an Ode, followed by a Prayer and Oration.

7. The Grand Marshal will then rise and say:

"M. W. GRAND MASTER: A constitutional number of Knights Templars, duly instructed in the sublime mysteries of our Orders, having received from the proper authority a WARrant, or CHARTER, authorizing them to open and hold a regular Encampment of Knights Templars, are now assembled for the purpose of being legally constituted, and having their officers installed, in due and ancient form."

* The Grand Marshal is an officer of convenience, and is usually appointed for the occasion.

8 The M. W. Grand Master will then direct the Grand Recorder to read the Warrant, or Charter; after which, he will make the following

DECLARATION

OF

CONSTITUTION.

"SIR KNIGHTS:-By virtue of the high powers in me vested, I do now form and constitute you, my worthy Brethren, into a just and regular ENCAMPment of Knights TEMPLARS, by the name of Encampment; and you are henceforth authorized and empowered to open and hold a Council of Knights of the Red Cross, an Encampment of Knights Templars, and of Knights of Malta, of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem: and to do and perform all such things as thereunto may appertain, conforming in all respects to the Constitution of the General Grand Encampment of the United States, and the by-laws and general regulations of the State Grand Encampment, under whose authority you act. And may the God of your fathers be with, guide, and direct you in all your doings."

9. The Jewels will then be uncovered to solemn music. After which, the M. E. PRELATE will rise and pronounce the following

DEDICATORY

DECLARATION.

"To our most eminent and exemplary Patron St. JOHN the ALMONER, I do now solemnly DEDICATE this new Encampment. And may the God of all grace abundantly bless its members in their laudable undertaking. May he be to them, individually and collectively, a strong shield of defence against every sinful temptation: - improve, strengthen, establish and perfect them, and keep them from falling into vice and error. Glory to be to GoD on high."

Response. "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end." Amen.

10. The Grand Marshal then says, "I am directed to proclaim, and I do hereby proclaim, this Encampment, by the name of Encampment, duly constituted and dedicated.

This," &c.

11. An appropriate Ode or Hymn may now be sung.

INSTALLATION.

12. The Grand Marshal will then present the M. E. Grand Commander of the new Encampment, for Installation, in the following words:

"MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER:-I have the honor to present to you the Most Eminent Sir

who has been appointed to the office of Grand Commander of this Encampment. I find him to be well skilled in our sublime mysteries, and observant of the moral precepts of our forefathers; and have, therefore, no doubt that he will discharge the important duties of his office with fidelity."

13. The Grand Master will then draw his sword, and holding it horizontally, the edge towards the Grand Commander elect, the latter will place his left hand on the same, and his right on his left breast, and repeat after the former the following

"I, A. B., do solemnly promise, upon the honor of a Knight Templar, that I will, to the best of my knowledge and ability, faithfully discharge the duties incumbent upon the office to which I have been appointed; that I will support and maintain the By-laws of this Encampment; the laws and Constitution of the State Grand Encampment, and the Constitution and edicts of the General Grand Encampment of the United States of America."

14. The Grand Master (or installing officer) will then address the Grand Commander elect, as follows:

“M. E. SIR:—Having been elected to the important and honorable station of M. E. Grand Commander of this new Encampment, it is with unfeigned pleasure that I enter upon the discharge of the pleasing duty of installing you into your office. As the head of an institution founded upon the Christian religion and the practice of the Christian virtues, you will sensibly realize the great responsibility of the new relation in which you now stand to your Brethren; and, I am fully persuaded, will so conduct the important interests about to be committed to your hands, as to reflect honor upon yourself and credit upon your Encampment