unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots: and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles "

“MY BRETHREN, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

"Peace be to the Brethren, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

CHAPTER XI.

ENCAMPMENT ORDERS.

ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF MALTA.

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

THIS Order, like that of the Temple, originated in Palestine. Certain Christian merchants of Malfi, in Naples, says Clark,* obtained leave of the Caliph of Egypt to dwell near the Holy Sepulchre of Christ, at Jerusalem, and to erect a small house for the entertainment of themselves and pilgrims, which they named the Hospital of Christians. They soon became eminent for their devotion, charity, and hospitality; and, having adopted St. John the Baptist for their Patron, they were called "Brethren Hospitallers of St. John Baptist of Jerusalem," to distinguish them from the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. They took the black habit of St. Augustin, and on the left breast wore a white Cross of eight points. They soon distinguished themselves as a military body, and became the rivals of the Order of the Temple.

Having subsequently been driven out of Palestine, they removed to Cyprus; but soon after took possession of the Island of Rhodes, which they fortified and held until 1523, when they were expelled from it by Solyman, the Magnificent. They then removed to the Island of Malta, (the ancient Melita,) which, with Tripoli and Gaza, were, in 1530, granted to them by the Emperor Charles V. Here they remained until 1798, when Malta was taken by Napoleon. In 1801, the English took the Island from the French, and restored it to the Order. The Knights were, however, again compelled to leave the Island, and it fell into the hands of Great Britain. The order has now a merely nominal existence, with some small possessions in Italy.

The degree of the Order of Malta, as practised in connection with Freemasonry, is supposed to have had its origin in the suppression of the Knights Templars, by Philip the Fair, and

History of Knighthood.

their incorporation with the Knights of St. John, by Pope Clement V.

As has been already intimated, the Templars and Knights of St. John were the rival Orders of Palestine. They were enlisted in the same holy cause, animated by the same enthusiasm, and often contended, side by side, against the same infidel foe; yet there had always existed between them an unconquerable spirit of jealousy, which, on various occasions, gave rise to fierce and deadly encounters among the members. It was natural, therefore, that the Templars, as an Order, even in their hour of calamity, excited by the recollection of past events, should be irreconcilably opposed to the connection which the grasping avarice of Philip and the mendacious hypocrisy of Clement had proposed for them. A considerable number of them, however, as individuals, tacitly at least, assented to the union. This is true of many of those who were driven out of Palestine in 1291. Justly apprehensive of the result of the illegal criminal proceedings which had been instituted against their Grand Master and his companions in France, and foreseeing the destruction of their Order, they resorted to the Island of Rhodes, and enrolled themselves under the protection of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. The union was subsequently formally decreed by Clement, and their worst fears were realized.

At the time the Knights of St. John took possession of the Island of Malta, they were the only one of all the Military Orders of Palestine which was recognized by the sovereign powers of Europe. Several of the other Orders continued, indeed, to maintain a nominal existence, and distinct organizations; but they had lost most of their power, and all their political influence. The Order of Malta alone remained in the enjoyment of its wealth and credit. Its ramifications extended throughout Christendom; and it continued to maintain Grand Priories, as well in England as on the continent. These gave to its members, who were scattered all over Europe, great and desirable personal advantages, and enabled the Order, as a body, to exercise a more powerful and extensive influence, in all public affairs, than any other association then in existence. To secure to themselves the full enjoyment of these advantages, to protect their Order against imposition from the Knights