The Knights Templars.

custom of hearing public confession told heavily against the Order in the days of its persecution . By Chapter xxxiii . of the Rule , ifc was enjoined that when anything should bo ordered by the

Master , or by him to whom the Master hath given authority , there should be no hesitation , but the thing was to be done at once , as though it had been commanded by heaven ; even as the truth declared " In the hearing of the ear he hath obeyed

me . " Disobedience to the commands of the Grand Master or a superior officer , met with death , as in the case of Walter le Bachelor .

By Chapter xl ., it was enacted that bags and trunks with locks and keys were not to be granted , nor was anyone to have them , without the permission of the Grand Master , or the Preceptor of the House . This regulation , however , did not

extend to the Grand Master nor to the Preceptors in the different provinces . Chapter xii . declared it to be unlawful for any of the brothers to receive letters from his parents , or from any man , or to send letters , without the

license of the Master , or of his procurator . When the brother should obtain such leave , the letters were to be read in the presence of the Master , if he should so command . If his parents sent anything to him , he was on no account to receive it until he first informed the Master . This law

also did not apply to the Master or the Preceptors . The Grand Mastership was more an honour than a reality , resembling a Dogeship of Venice , or a Spartan Kingship . The holder could do nothing

without the concurrence of the leading brethren , or the consent of the cha ] 3 ter , nor could he take money from the Treasury without the acquiescence of the keeper , Avho was generally the Grand Prior of Jerusalem His chief power lay in his personal

qualities . He had many distinctions . The greater part of the executive was in his hands , and as Vicar General of the Pope , he hacl episcopal jurisdiction over the priests of the Order . His rod or sceptre of office was a staff called the Abacus .

It was six or seven feet long , made of hard wood , and bearing at the top a red cross within a circle of gold . On the circle was inscribed the motto of the Order . He ranked as head of the Order , as a sovereign prince , and took precedence of all ambassadors and peers in the general councils of the Church .

Chapter Vi.

CHAPTER VI .

'TEE DIGNITARIES OE THE OBBEE - „ The Seneschal was the next in rank t-o ike-Master , and was his representative and lientsHKjrs , He had a right to attend every meeting of the Order , and was conversant with all its affairs- , He

had the same number of horses as the Mastery was allowed two esquires , a Knig ht as companion-,, a Deacon as Chaplain and Latin secretary , a Saracenic secretary , a Turcopole , and two footmen , Like the Master , he bore the seal of the Qscler ,

The Great Seal of the Order bore two KnigMs riding on one horse , as explained in the first book , Other seals however were used in different countries . The English Seal hacl an Agnus Dsi for a device , with the words " Templi Sigillum . "

The Marshal was General of the Order ,, had charge of the Beauseant , and led the brethren to battle . He had the charge of executing- all military matters , and provided arms , tents , horses ., and the such like , requisite for war . All the arms ,

equipments , and horses , Avere under his snperintendance , and he had the ' right of appointing the Sub-Marshal ancl Standard Bearer . He was appointed by the chapter , and had , as we have already sa ° d , the peculiar privilege , after the Grand

Master ' s death , of exercising his functions . Hisallowances were four horses , two esquires , a serving brother , and a Turcopole . The Marshal was always a Knight of the most renowned courage ,, and-of the noblest family ; and in the records of

the Order we find the Marshal performing prodigies of valour , and generally sustaining the fight when all the other Knights had fallen . The holder of the office , upon the death of the Grand Master , was often elected to the vacant headship of the Order .

The Sub-Marshal had charge of the inferios ; accoutrements , and was placed over the handacraftsmen , who were obliged to account to him for their work . He supplied them with tools , granted them holidays , ancl was in all respects fcheir

Master . The Standard Bearer , on tlie other hand , had charge of the esquires , and the auxiliaries of the Order . He awarded them punishment aad paid them their wages . Whenever the horses

were led to pasture by the esquires , he preceded them with a banner ; and he likewise presided at the dinner-table of the esquires and serving