White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-01-21
asefal aab Curious.
The Sons Of Malta.

granted the Island of Malta to the order
Of St. John, of Jerusalem, the son of the
grand master resolved on secretly con.
structing a subterranean encampment,
organizing q new order of worshipful
knights, composed ofthe sons Of Malta;
and that no religious 'or political test be
required of the neophyte. He, however,
did not live to accomplish it. Years
after, he called to his bed his young
companion Vallette, and enjoined him to
execute his design. Vallette in time be-
came grand master of the knights Of
Malta, and founded the city of Vallette,
the capital of the Island. He discovered
the formation of the Island was blue clay
and coral limestone, yellow sandstone,
and a yellowish white semi-crystaline
limestone, and altogether peculiarly
adapted to the purpose Of subterranean
structures.
The work ofexcavating was commeac-
ed in 1856, by sinking shaft under the
Vallette palace; intersecting one from the
sea, section of which was afterwards
used for the great aqueduct from Citta
Vocchia. Through this Subterranean
passage way doated all the refuse earth
and stone. of the secret encampment.--
Each day the great master administered
a solemn oath to the workmen, and max
ing them swear on the Maltese cross they
would not divulge the existence of the
secret encampment. In the meantime,
Europe, Asia and Africa were ransacked
to find its decorations. Its form was
that of Latin cross, divided into six
naves; around the roof and sides were
$500 inches occupied by statues; in
complete armor. Everything was of the
most imposing and gorgeous description
10000 Pickering tapers burning in
pear shaped globes of colored glass, de-
scended from the ceiling, and difused a
soft yet brilliant light-dszzling to the
neophyte's eye, as it is divulged to him
the scene, gorgeous in refulgency, glitter
ing with the wealth of every clime-l00
columns of immense size and great height
supported the arches of the naves. Mar
bic Persians sustained the altar, and
Carytides held aloft the regalia.
The floor was formed of various color
ed marble Mosaic works; representing the
flags of every nation, surrounding the
All-Seeing Eye-formed the grand GEN.
trail figure of the floor. Paintings of the
most celebrated masters graced the walls.
An alcove with facade adorned by
several bas-relicfs, concealed the sacred
volumes of the Older and the portrait of
its founder; opposite this, similar alcove
scrolled the entrance to the grand sur
gerry; in curious fold of the floor, was an
immense satin veil, shielding the entrance
to the hall of purity. To the right of
the grand commander was a bronze horse,
to the left, large marble bath, before
the G hairs of the subordinate officers were
various instruments for testing the cour-
age of the novice.
The0thway of fiery shields, consisted
in laying seven red hot shields at equal
distances apart, and commanding the
novitiate to step over these blind-folded.
This learned him to measure his steps,
The walk among the pitfalls was also a
very severe test, as the least deviation
from right line would precipitate the
blind-foided novice into inextricable
depths-this taught him to walk upright
ly the narrow way of life. The tourna-
ment court was Immediately before the
grand hall. Here theyoung knights dis
played their power of Workmanship,
before crossing the Mystic Temple. None
except those in full vigor of manhood
were permitted to enter the inner court or
penetrate the mysteries concealed by the
mystic veil.
In after years, when age had whitened
the hair of the sons, and their 1.-THE forms
had become decrepid by expose to the
vicissitudes Of the climate or by chronics
incident to the warrior, they were per-
mitted to resort to this secluded retreat
and there renew life again.
The secret's-of Hippocrates were here
all known to the grand surgeon and his
assistants, and old age came forth rejuve-
mated. Concealed here were the jubilant
waters ofyouth.
The well spring of beauty. This seclu-
sion was necessary in order to avoid the
inspection of the secret agents of the in
QUESTION, and the political emissaries of
other governments. In 1898 the grand
master, Hompeck, surrendered the Island
to Napoleon, who subsequently became a
member of the order. And to this fact
may be attributed his success in arms.
The Island was afterwards captured by
Nelson, who was also indicted into the
secret of the order; and became grand
knight of the bath-and admiral of the
seas.
Three centuries have elapsed since the
brothers of the mystic tie celebrated the
browning of the first neophyte. Three
centuries have passed away since the
neophyte pointed at the secret SCROLL
Three centuries have been numbered
among the things that were, since praises
were chanted in honor of its founder
And yet the order hourishes; not confined
now are its sons to the nobility; Princes,
Emperors, Czars and Sultans acknowl-
edge the supremacy ofthe grand comman-
er-in-chief, and he citizen.