Nebraska advertiser., 1858-02-11
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 subterranean encampment,
organizing q new order of worshipful
knights, composed Of the Sons of Malta ).
and that no religious nor political test be
required of the neophyte. He, however,
did not live to accomplish it. Years after,
he called to his bed side his young COM
panion, Valette, and enjoined him to exc
cute his design. Valette, in time, became
Grand Master of the Knights of MALTA,
and founded the city of Valette, the capi-
taIof the Island. He discovered the for
nation Of the Island was blue clay coral
limestone, yellow sandstone. and yellow
ish white semi crystalline limestone and
altogether peculiarly adapted to the pur-
pose of subterranean structures.
The work of excavating was commen-
ced In 1865, by sinking shaft under the
Valette Palace, intersecting one from the
sea, a section of which was afterwards
used for the great aqueduct from Citta
Necchia; and through this subterranean
passage way foated all the refuse earth
and stone of the secret encampment.-
Each day the Grand Master administered
a solemn oath to the worRmen, 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 furnish Its decorations. Its form was
that of a Latin Cross, divided into six
naves; around the roofs and sides. were
1900 inches, occupied by statues, In COM
plete armOr. Everything was of the most
imposing and gorgeous description-ten
thousand Pickering tapers burning In pear
shaped globes of cOlored glass, descended
from the ceiling and diffUsed soft vet
brilliant hght-dazzhng to the neophyte' IS
eye, as 1t divulged to him the scene, gor-
geous in Its refulgency; glittering with the
wealth of every clime-100 columns of
immense size and great height supported
the arches of the nares. Marble Per-
slams sustained the altar, and Carytides
held aloft the regalia.
The floor was formed of various colored
marble, Mosaic work, representing the
flags of every nation; surrounding an All
Seeing Eye-fermsd the great cantral
figure In the floor. Paintings of the
most celebrated masters ga Z, d the walls.
An alcove with facade, adorned by Sc
ven bas reliefs concealed the sacred vol
ume of the Order, and the portrait of it:
founder; opposed this 4 similar alcOve
scrolled the entrance to the grand surge
In curious folds of the floor, was an i'm
mense white satin veil, shielding the en-
trance of the Hall Of Purity. To the
right of the Grand Commander was a
bronze house. to the left large marble
bath. before the chairs of the subordinate
officers, were various implements for
testing the courage of the novice.
The pathway Of fiery shields, consisted
IN laying seven red hot shields at equal
distances apart, and commanding the no
yitlate to step over these bliRdfolded.-
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
bIIndfolded novice ntoinextricable depths
this taught him to walk uprightly the
narrow pathway of life. The tournament
court was Immediately before the grand
hall. Here the young knights displayed
their power of horsemanship, before
crossing the threshold of the Mystic Tenn
pie. None except those In the full vigor
of manhood were permitted to enter the
inner court or penetrate the mysteries
concealed by the mystic veil.
In eryears, when age had whitened
the hair of the Sons, and their lithsome
forms had become decrepid by exposure
to the vicissitudes of the climate or by
chrOnics incident to the warrior, they
were permitted to resort to this secluded
retreat, and there renew life again.
The secrets of Hippocrates were here
all known to the grand surgeon and his
assistants, and old age came forth re-iu-
venated. Concealed here were the jubi-
liant waters of youth.
The Well Spring of Beauty. This Sc
ciusion was necessary in order to avoid
the inspection Of the secret agents Of the
lnquisinon, and the political emissaries Of
other governments. In 1898 the Crane
Master Hompeck surrendered the IslanC
to Napoleon, who subsequently became z
member of the Order. And to this fac
may be attributed his success IN arms.
The Island was afterwards captured b,
Nelson, who also was inducted into tht
secrets of the Order, and became Gram
Knight of the Bath-and Admiral of tht
Seas. Three centuries have elapsed sine,
the Brothers Of the Mystic Tie celebrat
ed the crowning of the first KeophEte.-
Three centuries have passed away sine
the first Neophyte pointed at the sacre,
Scroll. Three centuries have been mum
bered among the things that were, sine
praises were chaunted In honor of II
founder. And yet the Order fourishe:
not confined now are It's sons 10 the nobi
lity, Princes, Emperors. Cars and SUI
tans acknowledge the supremacy of tn
Grand Commander In Chief, and he a ci
tizeR.
In matters Of conscience, first thought