Masonic Pilgrimage To The Orient.

VII . As they built upon Mount Moriah an edifice which was the admiration and envy of every age , I shall g ive much time to an exploration of the sacred mountain , its vaults , substructures , and remains of antiquity . The subjects of

food supply , water supply , interments , & c , will afford proper subjects of inquiry . VIII . As these 150 , 000 Gibbites constituted the -quarry from which the first Ashlars were taken in the system of speculative Masonry still wrought

upon the earth , I will search among the customs of the people yet inhabiting those lands for traces of our ancient institution . Following thus in the track of " the immortal builders , " from Tyre to Jerusalem ; looking- out

their footsteps and landmarks collecting specimens of all timber and stone employed by them in their unequalled labours ; and , by the aid of Bible-light , bringing to view the remains of operative and speculative Masonry extant there , I hope to gain honour to our beloved institution , . and do my little part in its enlightenment .

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By AXTIIOXV OXKAL HAVE . ( Continued from jJ « f / c -147 . ) CHAPTER X . — [ Continued . ) The council thereafter broke up , the King went

to supper , and the barons retired each man to his ient . Gerard de Eidefort retired with the rest , a prey to the deepest despair , aud agitated with the gravest fears for the future . Ho knew too well the crafty character of the Count of Tripoli , how

little faith was to be placed in his seemiim- reconciliation with the King , and how readily he would break through all promises if assured of ascendinothc throne . Furthermore , the delay of the Christians at Sephonri would give Saladin time to

concentrate his forces and take up an almost impregnable position , from which he could throw great hosts into the plain of Esdraelon and drive a passage to Jerusalem , either up the valley of the Jordan or along by tho bases of the mountains of

¦ G-ilboa . Besides , he was aware that afterwards to attack Saladin at Tiberias would have been worse than useless , as it would be impossible to drive Mm from his position , lie bitterly regretted the delay which had already occurred in advancing spcMi .. Saladin—a delay which had permitted the

The Knights Templars.

Sultan to take up a most threatening position ; and to remain at Sephouri was to allow the Infidel to seize upon the whole of Palestine , without a blow being struck in its defence . At length , finding that ho could not sleep , Gerard rose at

midnight , and went to the tent of the King , whom he woke . He at once reproached him for his purpose of remaining- inactive while Saladin was ravaging the country , slaying- the Christians , or reducing them to slavery . " It will be an

everlasting disgrace , " he exclaimed , " if you quietly permit the Infidels to take such an important citadel as Tiberias before your eyes , without striking a blow for those whom it is your duty to defend . And know , " ho added , hotly , "that we

of the Temple will rather tear the white mantle from our shoulders , ancl sell all we possess , than remain any longer quiet spectators of the injury and disgrace that have been brought upon tbe Christian arms . "

Guy ivas greatly moved by this speech of the Grand Master , and consented to an immediate march against Saladin . The tents of the Templars were struck , and tho advance blown by the trumpets of the Order . The Count of Tripoli and the

barons were amazed at this change , and they loudly protested against the advance , but they protested iu vain ; Gerard was resolute , and the King supported him . The Templars' place on the march was always in the van . On this occasion , the

Count insisted on taking up his position there . To this Gerard could offer no objections , much as be dreaded such a change , and so ordered his Knights to the rear . The Holy Cross was carried at the head of the army , but the Patriarch , Heraclius , who loved not danger , and whose duty it was

to have borne it , remained at Jerusalem , and deputed his charge to the Bishops of Acre and Lidcla —a circumstance which filled the superstitious Christians with the gloomiest forebodings . Omens were not wanting to discourage them , for Vinisauf

relates a fearful vision which appeared to the King ' s chamberlain , who dreamt that an eagle flew past the Christian army , bearing seven missiles and a baiista in his talons , and crying with a loud voice "Woe to thee , Jerusalem ! " "To explain the

mystery of this vision , " says Vinisauf , " we need , I think , only take the Avords ot Scripture , ' The Lord hath bent his bow , and in it prepared the vessels of death . ' What are the seven missiles but a figure of the seven sins by which that unhappy army was soon to , perish ? B y this number ,