The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-02

reckon the number Of the enemy" and to
" consider death at his post the highest
principle Of honor"
In ll9l they were driven from Palestine,
upon which the Knights soon conquered
Cyprus, but soon lost it again, aud estab.
lished themselves in the island Of Rhodes,
which was in 1909, where they remained for
upwards of 200 years, during which time
they were called the Knights of Rhodes.
This island was vigorously defended against
Mohammed II, by Pierre d'Aubusson,
Grand Commander, who died in 1903.
Driven thence by the Sultan, Soliman ii in
1902, the Knights went to Gambia, thence
to Venice, Rome, Viterbo, Villa.Fnnca
and Syracuse, until Charles ", in 1880,
granted them the islands Of Malta, upon
condition Of perpetual war upon the ln6dels
and pirates. From that period they were
called Knights Of Malta.
In 1865 under the command of Valette,
they repelled violent attack from Soliman
Ii, with great loss. Soliman's host nnm-
bered 10000; valette, then II years OF
age,) had under him but 700 knights and
5000 soldiers. After fearful struggle vic
tory crowned the effots of the knights, but
with the costly sacrifice of the lite Of the
wise, good and lion.hearted Valette, who
perished on the field Of honor. His last
words were these" At II years Of age,
can finish my life more gloriously than by
dying with my brothersy" After the en-
thusasm engendered by the crusade died
away, the Knights, as military order, be-
gan to diminish in power and influence.
Malta was successfully attacked by Bona
parte, June 8, 1898, and the island capitu-
lated without resistance. In 1900 the Eng.
lish reduced it by famine. and il has re-
mained in their hands most OF the time since.
Much of the ancient work Of the order
has become incorporated in masonry, and in
the ritual of the Masonic degree OF Knights
Of Malta tradition OF the former power
and glory Of the body is kept alive, But
the Brothers of St. John. from which,
as we have seen, the Knights originated,
have ever kept up separate organization.
The illustrious Valettc before his death, be.
gan the task Of RI form, and did much to
bring the order back to its ancient purity
and strength. That the nobler and higher
mission OF the order might not be lost sight
Of in the fever OF their military ambition, be
divided the fraternity into two distinct parts,
one Of which following solely the tenets of
the original Brothers Of st. John, devoted
themselves to works of charity and brother
ly love alone These he denomnated Broth.
ers and Sons OF Malta. The others were
required to bear arms, and TO defend the
church against infdcls. Their watchword
and oath was" Guard the Religion of
John the dpoale." to ever remind them of
which the letters q. X. j. A. were woven
on their robes and placed on their banners,
surrounding the cross Of Malta and the
Grand Commander was also styled Guard
ian OF the Religion Of John the Apostle"
The division Of the order into two parts,
wos never done away with, but on the con-
trary grew year after year more marked,
until at length, the Sons withdrew entirely
from the companionship Of the Knights,
and tbeuceiorth became the independent
Order Of the Sons of Malta. In the words
Of Senator Coffry, OF Philadelphia
Discsrding the soldier, and rejecting, too,
the sectarian features OF the parent stock, they
have returned 10 the sim Pile rule Of duty which
inspired the founders. In the year Of grace 1918,
TO establish hospital in Jerusalem for the re-
lief Of sick snI destitute pilgrims.
with silent zeal and patient energy, the
Sons OF Malta pursue this high vocation. Seek
ing out misery wherever it may be found. they
extend timely and effective relief. In the true
spirit OF charity, they do good by stealth, and
no eye but the initiated can ace where the sc.
eret benefaction falls. This world knows the
results. but not the process, and the mysteri-
Gus minister Of mercy; and he feeds the hun.
cry and clothes the nsked-asks no re ward tu.
the sweet luxury Of doing good.
There Is another feature Of their organiza
ton which should not be overlooked. All other
beneficial associations, | believe. are founded
upon the principle Of mutual aid. Their pri
mary object is not TO benefit and help their res
pective members. II ia Q fundamental pripei
pie Of the organization Of the Sons Of Malta, |
that no member Of the order shall receive its
pecuniary aid. He gives. but he takes nJt-he |
ia the minister. but not the subject Of it, chart
tcs-hs lives IN the order all for Others aud not
for himself Surely DO society founded by mere |
human agencies has ever 80 fully apprsc sted |
the divine ides Of tha. charity which covers . |
Ia Il. a