The Knight Templar, Past And Present: His Mission And Its Modern Objects.

historical vindication of the lives and actions of martyred heroes—of our brave Brethren , De Molay , Guido , and the thousands who innocently perished during the unchristian persecution of Christian soldiers . We are , by our union , a perpetual commemoration of their glorious death ; and , therefore , a lasting protest against the double despotism — kingly and sacerdotal—which

brought them to the scaffold , or lit their funeral pyre . 3 . —We aim at a higher and purer chivalry than did the Kni ghts of old . St . Paul in his most inspired moments bad probably no prevision of such an institution as ours ; and yet , in the sixth chapter of his Epistle to the Ephcsians , ho arrays the Christian Soldier in a panoply more befitting us than tho Templars of the

Middle ago . Attend to the precise manner in which he bids us be spiritually armed : — " Finally , my brethren , be strong in the Lord , and in the power of his might . Put on the whole armour of God , that you may be able to stand against the wiles of tho devil . For we wrestle nofc against flesh and blood , but against principalities , against powers , against the

rulers of the darkness of this world , against spiritual -wickedness in high places . Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God , that yo may be able to withstand iu the evil day , and having all , to stand , Stand therefore , barfng your loins girt about with truth , and having on the breastplate of righteousness ; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace ;

above all , taking the shield of faith , wherewith ye shall he able to quench all , the fiery darts of the wicked . And take tbe helmet of salvation , and tho sword of the Spirit , which is tho word of God . ' '—Ephesians VI ., 10 to 17 . 4 . —With these weapons we are called upon to warnot against Saracens or Turkomans—but against tho intellectual Islamism of the age—its Materialism and Kationnlism . Covered with our armour of proof , the Word of God we must , with tho Sword of tlie Spirit

smite it . Our duty forbids temporising—forbids compromise—and , also , forbids intolerance . The Lecturer further showed how tho spiritual weapons mentioned by St . Paul should bo used against Infidelity , quoting the words of the Apostle : — " Keep that which is committed to thy trust , avoiding profane and vain babblings , and oppositions of science falsely so-called . "—

I Tim . vi . 20 . 5 . —Wc havo a temple not made with hands to guard —the shrine of an immortal spirit redeemed in Christ . That temple is tho living body of every member of the Order , the Ordor itself as a whole , and suffering humanity wherever we find it . As C hristians we aro a kingly people , purchased at a groat sacrifice , regenerated by a

livinggrace , and disenthralled from the Powers of Darkness by our Lord ' s triumph over Death and Hell ; each one of ns is , therefore , a temple of Christ , or tho Holy Spirit which descended after Him on the earth . Wo must ( as Templars ) guard this temple ' s outer shell—the bodyby acts of charity—by relief and all kindly service ; and its inner shrine—fche soul—by good advice aud

consolation . " Know yc not , " to use the sublime language of the Apostlo of tho GontileSi " that your body is the ¦ temp le of the Holy Ghost which is iu you , which yo havo of God , and yc are not your own ? " "For yc aro bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body , aud in your spirit , which aro God ' s . "—( I . Cor . vi . 19-20 . ) ° ( j . —The perpetuity of ouv obligation ( t ' vom which , " wo

can nover bo released ) and tho solemn duty it imposes , enable us to consider our journey through life as mon on a . pilgrimage—to wend our way fearlessly oven through tho valley of the Shadow oI'Dcath , as tlie only sure route to tho white gates of Life—aud to comfort and encourage one another by the silent eloquence of mutual good example . Who shall then dare to assert the modern Knight Templar is nofc in quest of a crown ? Of tho ¦ unfading' laurel ? Let him only persevere unto fche cud ,

The Knight Templar, Past And Present: His Mission And Its Modern Objects.

and he may be able to cry onfc , m humble confidence witU Saint Paul , —Bomim zerto . me . i-_ eertixvi , nirsum comsum-nw / o i , fidem servant ! " I have fought a good fight , I have finished my course-,. I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is laid up for mea crown oi' righteousness , which the Lord , the righteous judge , shall give me at that day : and not to me

only , bufc unto all thorn also thafc love his appearing . "II Tim ., 7-8 . The Lecturer concluded by reading the stanzas inscribed to Sir Knight Hopson , Past Prior : —

Then And Now.

THEN AND NOW .

What stirred the stalwart Knights of old , Aud made them resolute and bold , Well worthy of their spurs of g » ld , Their plumed casques and faulchions bright ? Tlie tiiple virtues tired their will All moral duty to fulfil , And bade them wield the sword with skill ,

But always in iinAfor the flight ! And need wo nofc iu these our days , When Wrong is robed in courtly ways , And Envy's shaft to pierce essays The buckler of our fair renown . With mobile tongue and keen-edged wit . Repel the recreant , who would hit , lu owarduise , our fame ; and sit Content " , an' lie could rend our crown ?

We see in Vision's golden glow What Birth and Beauty did bestow On Chivalry ; and well , I trow , Were then Love ' s gifts and trophies won ; But now a craven spirit chill-, Or half congeals , the living rills That fed the heart ; and Meanness fills

Old Liberality ' s polluted throne ! Why can't we , in such trimceful hour , With all its wealth of light and flower , Catch resolution ' s priceless dower And do as did the Knights of old ? "Twere worth the venture ! Then I claim

All Swordsmen of the Shrine f should nim At Honour's pri :: e and Knightly fame , And lot illusions be dispelled ! « Faith , Hope , and Charity . Cf . 1 Cor . xiii , and Kenelm Digby ' s Broadstone of Honour , " P . 133 . f Knights Templar .

GAT / LAST CONDUCT 03 ? A BROTHER . —It is wiih rery much gratification wo record a deed of conspicuous gallantry , which was performed during the recent cruise of the combined Mediterranean , Channel , and Firth Reserve Fleets . O ^ i Tuesday , the 15 lh August , when the Ships were about 100 miles to the southward of Cape Clear , in Ireland , n sailor while doing- some work aloft , was ficcideiitly knocked overboard , and i & felling , struck against some part of the ship , which made him quite insensible ,

life buoys were at once let go , and a boat vei-y quickly lowered , but as the man was stunned he could no nothing to help himself , and would certainly have sunk and been drowned ere the boat could reach him . Bro . A . II . Byng , Lieutenant Uoyal Navy , of tho Pliffiiiix Lodge , 257 , the moment be saw the man fall , jumped in alter him without the least hesitation , and ( assisted by two sailors , who also jumped overboard ) succeeded in saving the man . Iu performing this gallaub act ,. Bro . Byng incurreiL very great risk , as a heavy sea was i-mming at ihe time .