The Knights Templars.

nancies Avere excluded , although Ave find them often presiding over the chapters of the other Orders . The only occasionon which Avefind strangers present at a chapter of the Order is referred to in Chapter v . of the First Book of this History , where Pope

Eugenius and the King of France honoured Avith their presence the Chapter General held at Paris , at the election of Everard de Barri as Grand Master .

By chapter C 8 of the Eule , it was provided that if any Knight out of the mass of perdition , or any secular man , Avished to renounce the Avorld , ancl to choose the Templars' life and communion , he Avas not immediately to be received , but was to be

treated according to the saying of Paul— " Prove the spirits , Avhether they be of God , " and if after proof they Avere satisfied of his devotion , he was to be admitted . The rule was then to be read in his

presence , and if he undertook diligently to obey its precepts , if it pleased the Master and brethren to receive him , thebrethren were to be called together , and he Avas then to make knoAvn Avith sincerity of mind his desire and petition unto all . If the

brethren Avere satisfied , the term of probation rested in the consideration and forethought of the Master , according to the honesty of life of the petitioner . By chapter 62 , it Avas pro-vided that although the rule of the Holy Fathers sanctioned the

dedication of children to a religious life , yet they would not suffer the Templars to be burdened with them , but he AVIIO desired to give his own son or his

kinsman to the military religion was to bring him up until he arrived at an age , Avhen he could " with au armed hand , manfully root out the enemies of Christ from the Holy Land . " Then , in accordance Avith the rule , the father or parents ,

were to place him in the midst of the brothers , and lay open his petition to them all . The Holy Fathers considered it better not to receive the VOAVS in childhood , lest afterwards the groAvn man should foully fall away . This differed from the customs of the

other Orders , who received children at any age . * The candidate having complied with the regulations necessary for demanding admission , a chapter Avas summoned , and the proceedings commenced

by the Grand Master explaining the statute bearing on the reception of candidates , after Avhich three of the brethren Avent out to the candidate in the sacristy and put the following questions to him Was he of gentle birth ? that is , the son of as

Knight , or come of a Knightly family ; for it was not sufficient for him to be a Knight , but he required likewise to belong to a noble race , and to prove four quarters of noble blood , for in those days an esquire , though not the son of a Knight , often received the accoladefov some valorous action .

It Avill readily be perceived that this exclusiveness succeeded in keeping the class of Knights select ,, and the members of it , men not only of distinguished valour , but connected by blood Avith the noblest families of Europe . This connection was

the secret of the Order ' s greatness , Avealth and ' influence . Was he free by birth , and born in lawful Avedlock ? The Templars , like the Church ,, excluded bastards from their Order , Avhich Avas a prudent act , for had a bastard of the King of

France or of the Emperor of Germany been received , in all likelihood he Avould have become Grand Master , and the Templars Avould then havelost their independence , and become mere vassals of the monarch- Was he free from any

obligation , such as marriage , betrothal , or debt ? Hadhe been received into auy other Order , or taken any other vows ? Was he of sound constitution ,, and free from any disease ? In the early days of the Order no fee Avas required for admission , but '

Avhen it became rich , ancl the candidates for reception both numerous and wealthy , large sums were receivad . No specific sum was demanded , but eachentrant was expected to give according to his means . The Prince Guy Dauphin gave to the

Order 1 , 500 Toumois livres for his own entrymoney , and a contribution of 200 a year in name of his parents . On receiving affirmative answers to the above questions , the Knights returned to the chapel and '

reported the same to the Grand Master , Avho thereupon said "Beloved Brethren , ye see that the majority are agreed to receive this man as a brother . If there be any among you who knows anything of him , on account of Avhich he cannot

lawfully become a brother , let him reveal it , for it is better that this should be signified now than after he is brought before us . " The character of the candidate , as we have already said , was Avell known to the members of the Order , AVIIO were constantly in the Avorld , and really chose them-