Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-10-28
sons ofmnltn.


Sons Of Malta, to come off in that city on
Tuesday night, the New York Tribune ie-
cites the history Of the rise and progress of
the ancient and honorable fraternity in this
country, which may be new to some of our
readers, and which we give for their benefit:
The MIDNIGHT PARADE OF THE Sons OF
MALTA--To-uight occurs the first public
demonstration ever given in New York by
the mysterious Order of the Sons of Malta.
This order came here from the East 1t is
said to be coeval with Masonry, and to have
had its origin in Egypt the home of those
higher degrees ofMasonry only conferred in
the workings of the "Rite Of Memphis" !"
Indeed, there are not wanting those who rs
sert that the ceremonies of the Sons Of NAL
ia are but those sacred mysteries of the Ma
sonic Temple, which, it is well known, are
mourned as forever lost by the members of
that fraternity.
The mystic brotherhood of the Sons of
Malta has an existence in this city dating
back, as an order, not quite two years.
Many of its rites have been practised here,
however, ever since the time of Peter Stuy-
vesant and the other old Dutch Governors.
Old Peter himself, it is we'll known, was le-
gally the. G. r. J. A. of the Dutch colonies
in North America for many years, in spite
of the loss of his leg, which rendered him
to a certain extent incapable of performing
the arduous duties pertaining to the office.
His misfortune rendering him Ineligible, he
was not reelected, courtesy which would
otherwise have been extended TO him. He
positively refused, however, to give up to
his successor the regalia and working tools
of his position, to which he bad formed a
strong attachment. So much respect was
shown the sturdy old Dutchman by those
high in authority in the Order, that no at
tempt was made to coerce him in the mat
ter; and history informs US that all the in
sigma of his Office was buried with him.
The eastern maguates Of the Fraternity,
bearing in mind this rebellion of their early
representative in America, have steadily
refused to grant working charters to this
country until about eight years ago, so that
whatever work pertaining to the Order has
been done here before that time has been
surreptitious, and deserves the reprehension
Of all the true members of the mystery.
When Capt. James Leonard, in the le-
gitimate performance of his duty as mem
Der of the Detective Police, visited London
in 1851, he made strenuous efforts to pro-
cure revocation of the prohibition against
the restoration of the Order in this country.
He was partially successful, and was ap-
pointed G. R. j. A. for the United States
of America, with the privilege of re-estab-
fishing the Sacred Mysteries here after the
lapse of seven years. He has done so, and
in the incredibly short space of less than
two years the Order has eomprehended
more than $4,000 members. Capt. Leon
ards duties have been arduous, but he has
been devoted to his work, and as the re-
ward of his persistent efforts he now be-
holds this multtudinous offspring.
Wherever the Sons of Malta arc known
they are distinguished for their deeds of
charity and love. 1t is recorded that in
all the cities of Europe in plague, pestilence,
and famine, they have ever been foremost
in the good work of relief During their
short existence in this country they have
won similar reputation for similar philan-
thropy. All their public parades and pro-
cessions take place after sunset, and gener-
ally at midnight, typical of the quietuess
of their deeds of charity, which are all per-
formed in strict accordance with the mod
ern injunction, that aims must not be done
to be seen ofmen. The procession tonight
is in honor of the Seven Cardinals, which
occurs but once in thirteen years, the next
one being in 1872. 1t is supposed that
several thousands of brothers, clothed in
full regalia, will take part in the ceremo-
nies this evening.