Grand Priory Of Canada.

the ritual and costume took place ; the former dress being black , the colour of Malta , the Avhite mantle , the true badge of the Templar , not having been hitherto AA'orn . AVith respect to the abolition of past rank a . uiost radical change for the better

has taken phice . Such rank , though purely honorary , gave the ri ght to vote in perpetuit 3 ' in Grand Conclave to any Knight AVIIO held the same , thus placing the actual Preceptors ( Commanders ) of private Preceptories ( Encampments ) , AVIIO might bo

supposed more directly to represent the opinions of the A'arious Preceptories , below all past Grand Officers , and iu a considerable minority iu Grand Conclave . AVith reference to the changes in the insignia and costume as laid clown in the

Convent General Statutes . The Templar Cross is now charged , as it is heraldically called , with the eight-pointed white Cross of Malta , that is , placed on the centre of the Templar Cross , to signify the union of the two Orders , and is called a cross

" patent . " I must confess , although A'ersed in heraldry , I am at a loss to understand the meaning of this term ; at first I thought it was a mis-print for " potent " in allusion to the cross of Jerusalem , but from the illustrations it appears to be one of the forms of crosses of the old Teutonic Order .

a modification of the cross palee , but more elongated . The other devices on the Jewels are badges of the ancient Templars ; the Angus Dei , or Holy Lamb , bearing the Red Cross banner ; and the representation of two knights mounted on one horse , intending to denote the original poverty of

the Order . The armorial bearing of the Temple Barristers of the present day is a pegasus or winged horse , absurdly , it is said , derived from the latter badge , the two knights being mistaken in later times for Avings .

The staff or badge of office , hitherto borne by Preceptors , but now limited to Great Priors , National Sub-Priors , Seneschals , and Provincial Priors , is erroneously called an abacus , and this misnomer is unfortunately continued in the IICAV

statutes ; the proper name is bacidus , meaning a staff carried by a Bishop or Abbot as an ensign of dignity and authority , and is the proper Templar pastoral staff of office , on the top of Avhich is an octagonal fi gure surmounted by a cross-patee ; the

cross referring to the Christian character of the order , and the octagon , in tnis and other cases where it is found , alluding , it is said , to the eight beatitudes . A tunic or cassock , the regulations say , may be worn with a cross gules on the breast ; the term cassock seems to me

the more correct one , the tunic being in fact the surcoat of old Avhich Ave know Avas used to protect the wearer of armour from the , effect of the sun , and the armour itself from dust and rain . The cassock AVHS no doubt part of the habit Avorn in

times of peace and in council ; the cross , interpreted literally , Avould mean a plain ( Greek ) cross , although drawings have been sent out from London in Avhich a

long Passion Cross is depicted on a Avhite tunic , the same as Avorn by Scottish Templars . I should recommend that a black cassock be Avorn Avith the plain Red Cross , the change of the outer mantle for meetings of the Preceptory or Priory seems to be quite sufficient , and it should

be left optional to have the under habit black or white , so many garments and so much changing being very inconvenient . The peculiar form of the well-known Cross of Malta has been ahvays looked upon as a mystery ; it is formed evidently in the shape of fishes' tails joined in a small centre . NOAV , as the Greek Avord IX 9 YS contained the Hitials of the name

and titles of Christ the figure of a fish Avas one of the early Christian symbols , and this form of Cross may have been adopted as an allegorical allusion to the Saviour . The eight points of the Cross are also said to refer to the eight beatitudes . My long connection Avith the Orders of

"The Temple" and of "St . John , " and the attention I have given to their history and organisation , induces me thus far to supplement my explanations given last year of the object and intention of the late alterations , in reply to the objections of

many old members who Avill not admit that any change from the established usages they have been accustomed to can be of advantage . In concluding these remarks a question naturally arises . To Avhat purpose and

practical use can these Orders be noAv applied . The answer to Avhich is that Avhile the actual cause Avhich called forth all the religious and military enthusiasm of their founders has long ceased to exist , there are Q