CHAPTER II.

Of the Order of Knights of the Red Cross^

THE incidents upon which this order is founded^
occurred in the reign of Darius, King of Persia.
It is more immediately connected with sj^mbolic
masonry, than any other order of knighthood.
Their meetings are called Councils ; their sashes
are decorated with a Sx<i>ord and Trowel, and '
trimmed with red and green.

The following passages of scripture are consi*
dered by knights of this order as applicable to their -
institution, and are occasionally rehearsed in their
councils.

Ezra iii. 8 — 11. " Now in the second year of
their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem,
in the second month, began Zerubbabel, the son
of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and
the remnant of their brethren the priests and the
Levites, and all Uiey that were come out of the
captivity unto Jerusalem ; and appointed the Le-
vites, from twenty years old and upward, to set
forward the work of the house of the Lord. Then
6t,ood Jeshua, with his sons and his brethren^ Kadr

FREEMASON'iS MONITOR. 219

mrel and his sons^ the sons of Judah^ together^ to
8et forward the workmen in the house of God ;
the sons of Henadad^ with their sons and their
brethren the Levites. And when the builders laid
- the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set
the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the
Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise
the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of
Israel. And they sang together by course, in
praising and giving thanks unto the Lord ; because
he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward
Israel, And all the people shouted with a great
shout when they praised the Lord, because the
foundation of the house of the Lord was laid/*

Ezra. iv. *^ Now when the adversaries of Ju-

dah and Benjamui heard that the children of the

captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of

Israel, then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the

chief of the fathers, and said unto them. Let us

build with you ; for we seek your God as ye do ;.

and we do sacrifice unto him, since the days of

. Esarhaddon King of Assur, which brought us up

- hither* But Zerubbabel^ and Jeshua, and the rest

of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them.

Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house

unto our God ; but we ourselves together will

. build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus,

; th£ king of Persia^ halh commanded us. Tbeot

S20 .FREEMASON'S MaNITOft^

the people of the land weakened the hands of
the people of Judah^ and troubled then) in build-
ing ; and hired counsellors against them, to frus*

. trate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of
Persia^ even until the reign of Darius king of Per-
na. And in the reign of AhasueruSj in the begin-
ning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusa-
tion against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusa-
lem. And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bish*
tam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their
companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia ; and
the writing of the letter was writter in the Syrian
tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue ;
Rehum the chancellor, and Sbimshai the scribe,
wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the
king, in this sort : This is the copy of the letter
that they sent unto him, ev^en unto Artaxerxes the
king : Thy servants, the men on this side the riv-
er, and at such a time. Be it known unto the
king, that the Jews, Which came up from thee to
us, are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebel-
lious and the bad city, and have set up the walls
thereof, and joined the foundations. Be it known
now unto 'the king, that if this city be builded,and.

• the walls set up again, then will they not pay
toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt en-^
damage the Yevenue of the kings. Now, because.
we have maintenance from the king's palace, mA

FREEMASONS MONITOIT. 221

. it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour ;
therefore have we sent and certified the king;,
that search may be made in the book of the re-
cords of thy fathers : so shalt thou find in the book-
of the records, and know, that this city is a rebel-
lious city,, and hurtful unto kings and provinces,,
and that they have moved sedition within the
game of old time r for which cause was this city
destroyed. We certify the king,- that if this city
be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by
this means thou shalt^ have no portion on this side
tiie river. Then sent the king an ansvyer unto
Behum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe,>
and to the rest of their companions that dwell in
Samaria, and unto the rest beypnd the river. Peace,-,
and at such a time. The letter which yesent un-
to us hath been plainly read before me. And I
commanded,. and search hath been mad^, and it id
found, that this city of old time hath made insure
jection against kings, and that rebellion and sedi-
tion have been made therein. There have been-
mighty-kings also over Jerusalem,. which have rul-
ed over all countries beyond the river; and toll,
tribute, and custom> was paid unto them. Give
ye now commandment to cause these men to
eease, and that this city be not- buiWed, until aho-
ther commandment shall be given from me. Take-
Jieed AOW that ye fail not to do this : why shoukii

2t2 nUUEMASON'S MONITOR.

damage grow to the hurt of the kiAgB t Now^ .
when the copy of king Artaxerxes^s letter was
read before Rehum and Shiimhai the scribe^ and
their companionSy they went up in haste to Jem*
^talem^ unto the Jews^ and made them to cease by
force and power. Then ceased the work of the
house of God, which is at Jerusalem* So it ceat*
ed unto the second year of the reign of DariuSj
king of Persia.**

Josephus informs us, that Darius, whife he was
yet a private man, made a vow to God, that if
ever he came to the throne, he would send all the
holy vessels that were at Babylon, back again to
Jerusalem ; and it happened about the time of hk
accession, that Zerubbabel, who was a captain or
prince of the Jewish captives, came from Jerusa*
lem, to Darius, as well to solicit his protection
against their adversaries on the other side of the
river, as to watch a suitable opportunity of endea*
youring to persuade the king to fulfil his promise.
He had long been kno>yn to Darius as a man of
great judgment and understanding, and was there-
fore taken into the king's confidence, and put into
h particular trust, with two other, great oflBcer^
as his constant attendants.

Darius, in the first year of his reign, ga^e ^
splendid and magnificent entertainment to the
princes and nobility^ and after Ithey had retiredk^

^ finding himself unable to sleep^ he fell into dis-
course with his three favourite officers, to whom
he proposed certain questions, telling them, at the
same time, that he who should give him the most
reasonable and satisfactory answer, should be
clothed in purple, drink in a golden cup, wear a
silken tiara, and a golden chain about his neck.

He then proposed this question : Which is great-
est, the strength of wine, of the kingy of xvomen^
or of truth f To this the first answered, wine is
the strongest ; the second, that the king was
strongest; and. the third (who was Zerubbabel)
that women were stronger, but above all things
^TRUTH beareth the victory.

On the following day the king assembled toge-
ther the princes and nobility, to hear the question
debated ; and having placed him*self upon the roy*
al seat of judgment, he called upon them to make
a public defence of their several opinions ; where-
upon the first began upon the strength of wine^
as follows :

** O ye princes and rulers, how exceeding strong
IS wine! it causeth all men to err that drink' it ^
it maketh the mind of the king and the beggar to
be all one; of the bondman and the freeman;
of the poor man and of the rich : it turneth also
every thought into jollity and mirth, so that a
man remembereth ii^ither sorrow nor debt ; it

sat FREEMASON'S MONITOR.

changeth and elevateth the spiritS| and enlivenetfi^
the heavy hearts of the miserable. It maketh a*
man forget his brethren, and draw his sword
against his best friends. O ye princes and rulers,,
is not wine the stroBgest,.that forceth us to do these-
things?'^

Then began the second upon the power of
kings, and spoke as follows : ^' It is beyond dis-
pute, O princes and rulers, that God has made
man master of all things under the sun ; to com-
mand them, to make use of them, and apply them
to his service as he pleases: but whereas n^en^
have only dominion over other sublunary crea-
tures, kings have an authority even over men.
themselves, and a right of ruling them by will and-
plea|ure. Now^ he that is master of those who.
are masters of all thuigs else, hath no earthly
thing above him.'*

Then began Zerubbabel upon the power of wo-
men and of truth, and spoke as follows : *^ O prim
€es and rulers, the force of wine is not to be den^-
ed; neither is that of kings> that unites so many
men in one common bond of allegiance; but the
supereminency of women is yet above all thif ;;
for kings are but the gifts of women, and they are
also the mothers of those that cultivate our innc"
yards. Women have the power to make U8
itbandoo Qur very country and relations^.and man j

VREEMASON'S MONITOR. 22$

times to forget the best friends we have in the

world, and, forsaking all other comforts, to live

and die with them. But when all is said, neither

they, nor wine, nor kings, are comparable to the

almighty force of truth. As for all other things^

• they are mortal and transient, but truth alone i»

-. unchangeable and everlasting ; the benefits* we

. receive from it are subject to no variations or vi-

■ Cissitudes of time and fortune. In her judgment

- is no unrighteousness, and she is the strength,^

.wisdom, power and majesty of all ages*— ••Blessed

. be the God of truth,'>

When Zerubbabel had finished speaking, the
princes and rulers cried out, '* Great is truth, and
mighty above all things.'*

Then said the king to Zerubbabel, '* Ask what
thou wilt, andj will give it thee, because thou art
found wisest among thy companions." *

Then said he to Darius, *' O king, remember
thy vow, which thou hast vowed, to build Jerusa-
lem in the day when thou shouldest come to thy
; ' kingdom, and to restore the holy vessels which
were taken away out of Jerusalem. Thou hast
also vowed to build up the temple, which was
burned when Judah was made desolate by the
Chaldees. And now, O king, this is that I
desire of thee, that thou make good the vow, th^

226 FKEEMASON'S MONITOIL

performance whereof with thine own mouth ibfovt
hast vowed to the King of Heaven."

Then Darius the king stood up and embraced
him^ and gave him passports and letters to his
governors and officers, that they should safely
convey both him and those who should go wkb
hhn, to Jerusalem ; and that they should not be
delayed or hindered from building the city and the
temple, until they should be finished. He also
restored all the holy vessels remaining in his pes-
session, that had been taken from Jerusalem, when,
th^ children of Israel were carried away captive
to Babylon, and reserved by Cyrus,

Ezra V. ^' Then the prophets, Haggai the pio-
phet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied
unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem^
in the name of the Qod of Israel, even unto them. '
Then rose up Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and :
Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and began to build the j
house of God which is at Jerusalem : and with ]
them were the prophets of God helping them. At
the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on
this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their
companions, and said thus unto them i Who hath
commanded you to build this house, and to make
up this wall ? Then said we unto them after this
manner : What are the names of the mien that

make this building ? But the eye of their God was
upon the elders of th6 Jews, that they could not
cause them to cease, till the matter canAe to Da-
rius ; and then they returned answer by letter
coneeming this matter. The copy of the letter
that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and
JAetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsa*
lehites, which were on this side the river, sent unto
Darius the king : They sent a letter unto him,-
^Krfaercin was written : Unto Darius the king, ali
'peace. Be it known unto the king, that we went
into the province of Judea, to the house of the
great God, which is builded with great stones, and
timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth
fast on, and prospereth in their hands. Then asked
we those elders, and said unto them thus : Who
commanded you to build this house, and to make
up these walls P We asked their names also, to
•certify thee, that we might write the names of the
men that were the chief of them. And thus they
returned us answer, saying. We are the servants
of the God of heaven and earth, and build
the house that was builded these many years
ago, which a great king of Israel huilded and
set up. But after that our fathers had provoke
cd the God of Heaven unto wrath, he gave them
into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Ba-
bjloB, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house.

S26 FREEMASON'S MONITOR4

and carried the people awajr into Babylon. Btit
In the first year of Cyrus thje king of Babylon, the
same king Cyrus made a decree to build this
house of God. And the vessels also of gold and
ailver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnez-
:2ar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem,
and brought them into the temple of Babylon,
those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple at
Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose
najne was Sheshbazzar, whom he made gover*
cor; and said unto him. Take these vessels,^o,
carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem,
and let the house of God be builded in his place«

•

Then came the same ^Sheshbazzar, and laid the ^
foundation of the house af God which is in Jerusa-
lem : and since that time *ven until no w hath it been -
in building, and yet it is not finished. Now there-
fore, if it «e.em good to the king, let there be search
made in the king's treasure-hou»e, which is there *
nt Babylon, whether it be «o, that a decree was
made of Cyrns the king to build this house of God
at Jerusalem, ^ud let the king send his pleasure to
us concerning this matter.

Ezra vi. *^ Then Darius the king made a de-
cree, and search was made in the house of the
rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon«
And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace
that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and

VHEEMAiSOK'S MONITOR. 220

t^e];ein,wa8 *^ vcfo^rd thus written : In the first
yewr of Qmus the king, the same Cyrus the king
madle a deoree concerning the house of God at Je-
rusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where
they offered sacrifice, and let the foundations
thereof be strongly laid-; the height thereof three-
score cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore
oubits; with three TOf^sof; great stones, and a row
of nev? iim{)er::.and'l€t. the, expenses be given
o^t of Ibe king'i9r hpuse. An^^lsolet the golden
and silver vessels of the house of God, which
Nebuchadnezzar took fprth ^ out of the temple
which is at Jerusalem and;brouglit unto Bab^^lon,
be restored, and brought again unto the temple
which is at Jerusalemj^ every one to his place, and
place them in the; house of God^ ..Now therefore,
Tatnai, go vernor^ beyond the river, Shetharboznai,
and your companionsjthe Apharsaclytes, wliich ar(i
beyon4 the river, be ye far from thence ; let the
work of this house of God alon^let the governor
of the Jews, and the elders of the Jews, build this
house of God in his place. Moreover, I make a
decree vvhat ye shall do. to the. elders of these
Jews, for the building of this house of God ;
that of the king's goods, even of the tribute be-
yond the river, vjovthwdth expenses be given
xmto these men, that they be not hindered.
And that whigh they have need of,^ both young
bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt-offer-

XJ

ings of the God of Heaven ; ^huat, m\t, wine,
and oi)^ according to the appoiiittti^iit of tb^ priests
which are at Jerusalem^ let it be given them day
by day without fail ; that they may offer sacnfi*
ces of 6weet savours unto the God of Heaven,
and pray for the Hfe df Ihe'kihg afnd of his sons*
Also I have made a decree^ that 'whosoever shall
alter this word, let limber bie ptilled iiown from
his house^ and, being se^iip, let -him b^ hanged
thereon; and let hii house be ifo'ade a dVinghUl
for this. And the God that hath caused his name
to dwell there desti-oy all kings and people that
ghall put to thejt han(V to' alter and to destroy this
house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius
have made a decree; 'let itt)e done vrith speed.
Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, She-
tharboznai, and their companions, according to
that which Darius the king had sent, so they did
speedily. And the elders of the Jews builded, and
they prospered thrbugh the prophesying of Haggai
the prophet, and Zechariah, the son of Iddo ;* and
they buiided, and finished it, according to the
commandment of the tiod of Israel, and accord-
ing to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius,
and Artaxerxes king of Persia. And this house
was finished! on the third day df the month Adar,
which was in the sixth year of the reign of Dari-
us the king,*' and in the year of the worM 34S9t

JRUSMA&ON^.MONITOIU 231

Nehemiak: iy, 7-— 21. ** But it came to pas$,
Ibat when Sanballat^ and Tobiab^ and the Ara-
bians, dixl the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites,
heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up,
and that the breaches began to be stopped, then
they weve. very wroth, and conspired all\)f them to*
•gather; icuooine and ta fight against Jerusalem, and
to hindifc-^il..' Nevertheless, we made our prayer
ttotooiir Gt)d, and seta watch againist them day
i^nd night because of them. And Judah said. The
strength of th^ bearers of burdens is decayed, ai^d
thet« is much rubbish, so that we are not able to
iniild the w^k And our adversaries safd. They
thall not know^ neither see, till we come In the
midst among them, and slay them, and cause the
Work to cease. And it oatiie to pass, that, whea
HkQ Jews which dwelt by them came, they said
luito us ten times. From all places whence ye shall
retiiri) unto us>they will be upon yon, Tlierefore
set I in the lower places, behind the wall, and on
the higher places, I €ven set the people after their
femilies, with their swords, their spears, and their
bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unta
the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the
people. Be not ye afraid of them : remember the
Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for
your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your
iwives and your houses. And it came ta pais^

232 VRUMASON^S MONITOR.

when our enemies heard that if war known onta
us, and G6d iiad brought their cotinsel to nought^
that we returned all of us to the wall^ tvery one
unto his work. And it came to pass^ from that
time forthj that the half of xny servants wrought
in the work> and the other half of them held botk
the spears^ the shields^ and the bowf^and the hft'
bergeons; and the rulers were behind All itbe house
of Judah* They which builded on the ^¥allj and
they .that bare burdens^ with those that ladedj eve-
ry, one .with one of his hands wrought in the work^
and with the other hand held a weapon*. For the
bpildecs* every one had his sword girded by hifi
side^. and so builded : and he that sounded the
trumpet was by me. And I said unto the nobles^
and to the rulers> and to the rest of the people^
The work is gteat and large^ and' we are separate
cd upon the wali^ one far from another : In what
place^ therefore, ye hear the sound of the trumpet^
resort ye thither unto us :. our God shall fight foir
us."

' ■ ■ CHAPTER in.

Observatifms on the Orders of Knights Templars^
and Knights of Malta.

ACCORDING to the Abbe de Vertot^the orde?
of Knights of Malta^ who were originally callect

^^itailers of St. John of JerDe^lem, took its rise
ajbout Che year IQW; honf whfch time to the
jfjear 118i8> their wiioie cippjpyip^ni wa9 workf
of €b»rky, aad tajtini^ c^rie .of 1^ sick

Some ^ixne after the /e9^)^li3hn^nf of t^isor^er^
Bine gentleno^n (of w^a^e rmmfi^ two Qjiily n^^ainr
OB record^ viz. liu^o (k jPag^ipif .and Q.odfrey
Adelman) formed a society tp guard awfi protect
tiie Christian pilgrims yrlio ttavielted from abroad
to xrisil ikhe holy $epulohrer
. These mea wjexie eocpui'<aged by the iy>bo^ of
#eniS9lem> who assigopd tjb^qi^ ^ni tkieif oopi^ar
^i&m a pkoe of retreat in a chri^t^ churchy cal*
ted (the Churob of the Holy Temp^e^ frpm ^Yhich
th^ were called Templ^^^ and qot fjrom the tem^
pie of Jertt«akm> that haying been destroyed by
"fitus Vespasian^ 8©2 yiears before tih.e society of
Templars wa« instltiUedr

The society increase^ rapidly, ^xkd \ya9 much
respeoted; but bad nei^r babit^. order^ or mark
of distincUo% for the^pacje of ndrie years, whea
pope HoooPiua il. al the request of Stephen^ pa*
triarcfa of Jerusalem, laid dow^i a cule a^d mannei
of life for them ; aod ordained that they sfaoidd be
clothed in whiles tb^ wlj^ich garment popie Euger
Rius ilL added a red cro6«^ to be wc^rn on the
breast^ \^ioh they promised 4)y a aplemo oatk tc»
obMPv9 Imt ei^evt >}^i^^4r-

234 »K££MASON'S MONITOR*

Ineiled by the example of the knights temptar^p
about the year lil8> the hospitallers also took up
the profession of arms, in addition to their origiir
toai charitable profession ;^ occupying themselves
at one time in attending upon the sic&^ and at
othets in acts of hostility against the Turks and
Saracens. At this time they took the name of
knights hospitallers.

Both orders fiourisbed and' increased diaily ; but
that of the templars^ though the youngest of the
two> having from its original esti^Ushment beea
wholly employed in the profession of arms^ was
by many esteemed to be the most honourable ;
and therefore many noblemen> princes^ and per-
sons of, the highest distinction^- who thought the
service of tending the sick too servile an employ-
ment, entered themselves amongst the knights
templars, in preference to the other order*

Both orders, for years, generally took the field
together^ and, as well by themselves at in con«'
junction with the troops o£ the Crusades, wdn ma»
ny battles, and performed- prodigies of valour. The
§mulatk)n, however^ which subsisted between them:
ofteii occasioned warm disputes, which rose to such
t height as produced frequent: skirmishes .between
detached parties of the two orders* This occa<»
sioncd the pope and the respective grand masters
« to interfere ; whq^ 9^ gr|at medfiUf e suppressed

FREEMASON'S MONITOlt* 230

ihtie quarrels ; but the knights of the different or«
ders ever afterward continued to view each other
ip^hb jeaious eyes^

Some time after these difficulties were thus par^
tially suppressed^ the Turks assembled a great force
and drove the whole of the Christians out of Pa^
lestine. The last fortress they had possession of
was that of Su John d'Acre^ This was long and
Jbravely defended by :the knights templars against
tbeir besiegers. The Turks^ however^ at last forced
three hundred knights^ being all that remained of
the garrison^ to take refuge in a strong tower^ to
wfiich also the women fled for safety. The Turks
hereupon set about undermining it^ which they in
a short time so eiTectually accomplished^ that the
Jinights saw^ in case they held out any longer^
they must all inevitably perish. They therefore
capitulated^ stipulating^ among other things^ that
the honour of their women should not be violated.
Upon this^ the tower bemg opened, the Turks
icnarched in ; but, in total breach of the terms of
capitulation, they immediately began to offer vio-
* Jence to the women. The enraged knights in-
stantly drew their swords, hewed in pieces all the
Turks who had entered, shut the gates against
thoi^e who remained without, and resigned them-
selves .to inevitable death^ which they soon met

Vfith, by tfa« tower beia]g underiRined and threwir
down upon their heids*

After this defeat, the two orders found an aey**
iiim in the island of Cyprus ; from when^e^ after
fome time, the knights templars, finding their
number so diminished as to leave no hopes of ei^
fecting any thing towards the recovery of the hely
kind, without new crusades (which the eh^ristiaa
princes did not seem ineiined to set or foot) re-
turned to their different etHnmandees in liie vari^
ous parts of chiietendemr

From this time the two orders separated ; the
knights hospitallers remained a whUe at Cyprus,
from whence they afterwards went to Rhodesi^
and thence to Malta ; whteh name they then as-
turned. The knights templars dispersed tbemeeWet
throughout all Europe, hit still enjoyed princely
revenues, and were extremely wealthy.

Vertot says, that pope Boniface the Vflltfi ba^t«^
mg engaged in a wann dispute with Philip, king
of France, the two orders, as had too frequently
happened before,^ took opposite eidee. The knightc
of Malta declared in li»vour of king Philip, whilst
the knights templars espoused the cause of the
pope. This conduct, Riilip, partly from a re venge^
ful dispositkm, and partly from the hope of g^ing
possession of the vast wealth of the knights, iievedr
could forgive ; but formed, thenceforward the de*

MESMASON'S MONITOlt. 237

tign of suppressing the order, wfienever a proper
opportunity should offer* This, however, did not
occur till after the decease of pope Boniface.

Immediately on the death of that pontiff, the
cardinals assembled to elect his successor ; hut par-
ty disputes ran so high in the conclave, that there
teemed no probability of again filliftg the papal
4Bhair very speedily. At length, through the in-
trigues and machinations of the friends of Philip
the cardinals were all brought to tonsent to the
election of any priest that he should lecemmend
t& them.

This was the darling object the monarch had ia
view : this being accomplished, he immediately
ient for the archbishop of Bourdeaux, who^e am-
bition he knew had no bounds, and who would
hesitate at nothing to gratify it ; and communi-
cated to him the power he had received of nomi*
nating a person to the papal chair, and promising
be should be the person, on his engaging to per-
form six conditions. The archbishop greedilj^
matched at the bait, and immediately took an oath
en the sacrament to the faithful performance of the
conditions. Philip then laid open to him five of
the* conditions, but reserved the sixth until after
the- archbishop's coronation as pope ; which sooa
took place in consequence of the recommendation

t9t mSMA80K?8 MONflX»»

of the king to tbe conclave ; and the new pop^
took, upon himself the name of Clement V.

Vertot goes on to say> that a templar ^ anc) a cir
tiren of B:eziers^. having heen apprehended for
some crime^ and committed together to a diuir
geon> for want of a priest confessed: each other ;
that; the: citiaex:^ bajrtag heard the templar's coor
fes8ion> in order to save his own life accused thr
order to king Philipi; charging tbei^^ onithe aur
thorityr of what his: fellow prisoner had told hiro>
with: idolatrj^. sodomy^ »)bber3i^ and mofidec ; adr
ding^ that the knights templars being secretly Ma^
hometanSj, each knight^ at hia admissiofi into the
OKder^ was oUiged to renounce Jesus Christy and
to spit on the crjoss in token of his. abhorrence of
it Philip^ on hearing these aocusalioas> pasdotb
ad Ibe citiae% and disposed to ttie pope hia 'sixth
condition^ which was the supprcfssion of the ocdet
of knights temiJlars.

Not only evecy knight teittpkir must know to a
^ertai^ty the absolute falsehood oi these eharges^
but every unprejudiced reader of Yertot's history
nust also perceive that the whole of their aceur
sation was the product of Philip's own braiii^ in
order to accoinplish his long wished for object . of
suppressuig the order^ and getting possession of
their vast riches in his dominions. It is therefore
evident^j that the story of the tempIar^s confessioa

"9^ all ft Ibrgerj^ mnd ilmt the citiz<en was no
<fther thab a tool -of PhSip^ whoj to 'ensure hia
dwh ' pardooj was prevailed on to iaake oath of
.sudia eonfeds^ having been made to him by the
t^Mplar*

The historian ) proceeds to say> that in conse-
•^^ce df this laccusatioQj the knights templars in
VHihce^ and dther parts of the pope's dominions^
i^^te Ttti})rigonedt)y his order, and put to the most
•exquisite tortures, to make them confers them-
^Ives guilty. They, however, bore these tortures
tHth the most heroic fortitude, persisting to the
last in' asserting their own innocence and that of
their order.

In addition to these proceedings, pope Clement,
In fine year 1312, issued his bull for the annihila-
lation of the order of knights templars, which he
^^nsed to "foe published throughout every country
in Christendom* He at the same thne gave their
f>oMessioos to the knights of Malta, which appro-
-priation of the templars' estates was assented to by
anost of the sovereigns in Europe; and there is
now extant> amcmgst th^ Ei^glisb statutes, an act
«f parliament, v^hereby, after setting forth that
the order of templars has been suppressed, their
possessions in England are confirmed to the knights
^f St. John«

t40 vKmuASbs^i monitor.:

Vertot, however, further says, that i^ Germa-
ny, the histoifians of that' nation relate, that pope
Clement, having sent his bull for abolishing the
order, to the archbishop of Met^y, for him to ep-
force, that ptelate summoned all his clergy togc*
ther, that the publictftidh might be made with
greater sotemnHy : and that they were suddenly
surprised by the entry of WaHgruffbr Count Sau*
vage, one of the principals of this order, attended
by twenty other templars^ armed, and in their re-
gular habks.

Tbe count declared he was not come to do vio-
lence to any body, but having heard of the bull
against his order, came to insist that tbe appeal
which they made from that decree to the next
council and the successor of Clement, should* be
received, read, and published. This he pressed so
warmly, that the archbishoj), not thinking It pro-
per to refuse men whom he saw armed, complied*
He sent the appeal afterwards to the pope, who
ordered him to have it examined in a council of
his province. Accordingly a synod was called,
and after a lengthy trial, and various* formalities,
which were then observed, the templars of that
province were declared innocent of the crimes
charged upon them*

Although the templars were thuff declared inno*
cent, it does not appear that either th«ir posses-

FREEMASON'S MONfTOR. 241

ftioas or tlieir gorernmentj as a distinct ordcr^
were restored ; but that their estates in the Ger-
man empire were divided between the knights of
Malta and the Teutonic knights ; to the first of
which orders^ many knights templars afterwards
joined themselves. This appears altogether pro«
bable from the following circumstance^ viz. It is
unquestionable^ that the habit of the knights tern*
plars was originally white ; but we aqpv observe
they distinguish themselves by the aame colour as
the knights of Malta^ viz. black ; which change
cannot be accounted for in any other way than by
an union with the knights of that order.

The assemblies of knights templars and knights
of Malta^ are called Encampments. Ttieir uniform
is blackj excepting the stocky which is white ; to
denote that it is not a mourning garb^ but the
habit of the order. The apron and sash are also
black ; the. former is decorated with the cross
swords, skull and cross hones ; the latter with a
large star, which falls upon the left breast^ in the
centre of which is a ero^^ and serpent, upon a red
field ; the whole of these emblems are in silver or
pearly except the cross and serpent^ which are iu
gold.

The following passages of scripture are occa-
siooally rehearsed in encampments of knights
templars.

242 TREEXCASON'd MONITOR.

James u 1 — 10, 26, 27. " James, a servant
of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve
tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations ; knowing this, that the trying of yoar
faith worketh patience. But let patience have her.
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally^
and upbraidefh not ; and it shall be given hinu
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering ; for
he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven
with the wind, and tossed. For let not that man
think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is
exalted. If any man among you seem to be re*
ligiousj^and bridleth' not his tongue, but deoeiveth
his own heart, that man's religion is vain. Ptore
religion, and undefiled, before God and the Father,
is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the
world.'*

Matt, xxvl 14—25, and 35 — 49. <« Then
one of the tvvelve, called Judas Iscariot, went un-
to the chief priests, and said unto them. What will
ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you ? And
thQT covenanted with him for thirty pieces of sil-

FR££MAS0N'S 140NIT(H^. 24S

ver. And from that tirae he sought opportunity
to betray him. Now, the first day of the feast of
-unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, say-
ing unto hiiD, Where wilt thou that we prepare
for jthee to eat the pasaover ? And he said, 60 into
.'the city to such a man, and say unto him, Th^
Aitster saithy My time b at hand ; I will keep the
^passovier at thy house with my disciples* And the
disciples did as Jesus had appointed them ; and
they made ready the passover. Now, when the
, even was come,, he sat down with th^ twelve^
And as they did eat he said. Verily I say untoyou,^
Ibait one of you shall betray me. And they were
itKceeding . sorrowfiii, and began €veiy one of
<them to say unto him. Lord, is it I ? And be an-
swered andsaid^He tbatdippeth his hand with me
fin the disb> the same shell betray me. The son of
-man igootb, AH'it ;ig ivritten of Jiim : but wo unto
ftiurt man by wfhbm the Son of Man is betmyed!
dl i^d i)een good for that man if he had not been
-bdm« Then Judas, ^which beitrayed :htm, answer-
tied and said,>li/ia]rter, is it I ? if'^ Mid unto him,^
Thou hast said. Then cometh Jesus with them
imto a place called GethsemaiK, and saith unto
rthe disciples,. Sit ye here, while I go and pray yon*
'der. And he took with him Peter and the two
.sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrow&l and
icery licavy.^ Then saith: he unto them>. My souL

244 VASfiMA^N'S MONITOR.

is exceeding sorrowftil^ even unto death ; tarry
ye hcrc^ and watch with ane. And he went a
]ittle farther^ and fell on his &ce, and prayed^ say-
ings O my Father, if it be possiblej let this cup
pass from me ; neyertbeless, not as I will, but as
thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and
findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What !
aould ye not watch with me one hour i Watch and
pray, that ye enter not into temptation : the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went
away .again the second time, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from
me, except I drink it^ thy will be done. And he
came and. found them asleep again ; for their eyes
were heavy. And he left them, and went avi^y
again, and prayed the third time, aaying the same
words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and
saitb tudto them. Sleep on now,.and.take your rest:
behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Maa
is betrayed into th« hands of sinners. Rise, let
us be going : behold, he is at band that doth. be-
tray me* And while he yet spake^ lo, Judas, me
of the twelve, came, and with him a great multi-
tude, with swords « and staves, from the chief
priests and elders of the people. Now, he that
betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomfo-
ever I shall kiss, that same is he : hold him &8t«.

VRKMCA190N^d MONIT0&. 245

Aiid forthwith he came to Jestxs, and said^ Hail^
Master ; aiKl kissed him."

Matt. XKv'iu 24—38. *' When Pilate saw that
he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult
was made, he took water, and warhed his handar
before the multitude,. «aying, I am innocent of
ikie blood of this just person ; see ye to it. Then-
answered all the people and said. His blood be
tipon us> and our children. Then released he Ba-
vabbas onto them : and when he had scourged Je*
8U8, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the
aoldiers of the ga%'ernor took Jesus into the com-
mon hall, and gathered unto him the whole band
ef soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on
him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted
a crown of thorns they put it upon his head, and a
reed in his right hand ; and they bowed the knee
before him, and mocked him, saying,. Hail, king
of the Jews ! And they spit upon him, and took
the reed and smote him on the head. And after
that they had mocked him,. they took the robe oflT
from him> and put his own raiment on him, and
led him away to crucify him. And as they came
out they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name :
him they compelled to bear his cross. And when
they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that
it to say, A place of a scull, they gave him vine-
Jpur to dripiky mingled with gall : sucid when fu?

246 nt££MA80K^ MONTTOll.

•

had tasted thereof he would no( drink. And thejr
crucified hiro^ and parted his garmentgj casting
lots t that it might be fulfilled which was apcken
by the prophet. They parted my garments among
thero, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
And^ sittmg down, they watched him there; and
set up over his head his accusation written, THIS
IS JESUtf THE KING OF THE JEWS."

j4cts u 15— -26. ''And in those days Peter
stood up in the mid»t of the disciples^, and said
(the number ef the names together were about on
hundred and twenty.) Men and brethren, Thie
scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the
Holy Ghost,, by this mouth of David, spake before
•oncerning Judas^ which was guide to them thnC
took Jesua For he was numbered with us, and
had obtained part of this ministry, ^ow, this man
puFcliased a field with the reward of iniq|uity ; and,,
fialiing headlong,, he burst asunder in the midtt,
and. all his howek' gushed out. And it was known
unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem :. insomuch as
that fiekl is^ called,, in their proper tongue^ Acel-
dama, that is to say,, the field of blood«. For it is
written ia the book of Psalms,. Let bis habitation
be desolate, and let no man c^ell therein : ^nd^
Hi& bishoprick let anotter' take. Wherefore, of
these men which have companied with us all the
tune that the Lord Jeaus w^nt inland (Hit among

WKVMABOh^S MONITOE^ fl47

US, beginnkig from the baptism of John, unio that
tSLine day that he wds taken up from U8> mu^t
one be ordained to be a witness with us of his re-
surrection', • And th€y app<mited two^ Joseph^ cal-
led Barsabas, who was sumamed Justus^ and Mat*
tbias. . And they prayed, and said,. Thou, Lord^
'which knoweat the hearts of all men, shew whe-
ther of. these two thou hast chosen, that he may
take part of this miniiitry and apostleship, from
which Judas by transgt^tission fell, that he might
go to his own place* And they gave forth their
lots : and the lot fell upon Matthias ; and he was
•umbered with the eleyea apostles."