The Knights Templars.

selves , the aspirants . If to this question no objection Avas urged , three of the older and more experienced Knights were sent into the sacristy to lay before the candidate the nature and requirements of the Order . They asked him first , if he

was desirous of being associated with them in their good works , and on his replying affirmatively , they laid before him the rigour employed towards , and the implicit obedience required of , every member . On his replying that he was Avilling to endure all

humiliation , aud even death , in the cause of the Cross , and that he Avould live and die the servant and slave of the Order , they put to him again the questions first asked him , if he Avas of Knightly birth , ccc . If his answers were again satisfactory ,

the Knights returned to the Master and reported the same . The Master again repeated his question , if any one knew of aught that disqualified the candidate for admission , for it would be better to

have it stated then , than after the candidate Avas introduced , when it Avould be too late . If no objection Avas urged , the Master asked , " Are you willing that he should be brought into us in God's name , & c . " The Knights having replied

affirmatively , he said , " Let him be brought in , then , in the name of God . " The three Knights Avent out to the candidate and asked him if he was persistent in his desire to enter the Order , and if he stated that he was , they

instructed him in the words to be used in asking for reception . They then led him into the chapter , where throwing himself on his knees before the Grand Master , he , Avith folded hands said , " Sir , I am come before God , and before you and these

brethren , to pray and beseech you , for the sake of God and our clear lady , to admit me into your society , and the good deeds of the Order , as one Avho will be ,, all his life long , the servant and slave of the Order . " The Grand Master then addressed

him as folloAVS : — " Beloved Brother , you are desirous of a great matter , for as yet you see nothing but the outAvard shell of our Order . It is only the outward shell Avhen you see that Ave have fine horses and rich caparisons , that we eat and drink

well , and are splendidly clothed . From this you may conclude that you will be Avell off in our society . But you know not the rigorous maxims Avhich are in force in our interior . For it is a hard matter for you , Avho are your OAVU master , to

become the seiwant of another . You Avill hardly be able to perform in future Avhat you AA'ish yourself . For when you may Avish to lie on this side of the

sea , you Aval be sent to the other side . When you Avill Avish to be in Acre , you Avill be sent to the district of Antioch , to Tripolis , or to Armenia ; or you will be sent to Apulia , to Sicily , or to Lombard } " , or to Burgundy , France , England , or any

other country Avhere we have houses and possessions . When you will Avish to sleep , you will be ordered to Avatch ; Avhen you will Avish to watch , then will you be ordered to go to bed ; Avhen you will AA'ish to eat , then will you be ordered to fast ;

when you will Avish to fast , then will you be ordered to eat . And as both we and you might suffer great inconvenience from Avhat you may have concealed from us , look here upon the holy Evangelists and the Word of God , and answer the truth to the

qustions Avhich we shall put to you for if you lie , you will be perjured , and may be expelled the Order , from Avhich God keep you !" The Grand Master then repeated the questions already put to him as to his birth , & c , and the

further question if he had made any simoniacal contract with a Templar or any other person for admission to the Order . If his answers Avere once more

satisfactory , the Grand Master proceeded , "Beloved Brother , take good care that you have spoken the truth to us ; for should you have spoken false in any one point , you might be put out of the Order , from Avhich God keep you ! NOAV , beloved brother ,

attend strictly to what we shall say unto you . " Do you promise to God , and our dear Lady Mary , to be , all your life long , obedient to the Master of the Temple , and to the Prior AVIIO shall be set over you ?"

" Tea , sir , " replied the aspirant ; " Avith the help of God . " " Do you promise to God , and to our dear Lady Mary , to live chaste of your body all your life long ?"

" Yea , Sir ; with the help of God . " " Do you promise to God , aud to our dear Lady Mary , to observe , all your life long , the laudable manners and customs of our Order , both those which are already inuse , and those which the Master and brethren may add ?" "Yea , sir : with the help of God . "

" Do you promise to God , and to our dear Lady Mary , that you will , with the strength and powers which God has bestowed on you , help , as long as you live , to conquer the Holy Land and Jerusalem ; and that you will , Avith all your strength , aid to keep and guard that which the Christians possess V