Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-07-29

A correspondent writing TO tho Cleveiand
Lecder, says:--
A few days ago you copied an extract
from Cincinnati paper announcing grand
excursion Of tho Sons of Malta 20 tho Falls
Of st. Anthony, where the nagni6centeeF-
cmony Of the "Feast Of tho Nine csfdi-
Eals" would be performed, the injunction q
secrecy having been removed by tho aGtand
Lodge Of the Universe" You stated that
Judging from the fact Of tho Sons going
through the ceremony Of feasting on Catdi.
nails, that the Order must be the old Know
Notbings revived under another name.--
This is not 80. The Order Of tho Sons Of
Malta existed for nearly FIVE hundred years
before the Know Ecthings were known. II
was frst established by the famous Knights
Of Malta in the 14th century. The exis-
tcnce Of this Order was kept entirely IN
known untilJanuary 1857, when by do
crec Of the "Grand Lodge Of the Universe"
the secret Of the existence Of the Order WAS
first made pnblic, when the Lodges almost
instantaneously bccanc known all over tho
country.
The mission of this order is mainly 10
"feed the hungry mud eotet the naked" -
The ceremonies, constitution, obligations
aud objects of the Order are Of shch ma
tdre that eacli aud every member has amin
ditiduaI interest IN preserving iuviolate its
secrets-henee the remarkable period Of
time that passed before its existenes was
known.
At the same time that the decree was is
sued making known the existence OF tho
Order; another decree was issued BY the
same authority, allowing the Lodges to OK
hibit before audiences, who arc examined
aud sworn ''not to reveal what they see,"
the "subterranean mysteries Of the ccremo-
mics of the Feast Of the Nine Cardinals"
for the purpose of raising funds TO enable
the Order to '.feed the hungry aud clothe
the naked"
So far tone Of the Lodges have arailed
themselves Of this permission. The Chi
cago and Cincinnati Lodges, however, for
the first time intend to exhibit these cere-
monies to those who '.join the expedition"
in the silent wilds Of Minnesota. The
spectators, both ladies and gentlemen, will
be required under solemn obligation or af-
irmation. to keep secret all that may be
seen on that occasion. Tho fees for wit
Messing the cefemonies will be fixed after
the arrival Of the Sons at the destination.
Although the Order has prihcely rev.
enue, which has beeh discussed III acts Of
charity under the direction Of the Gland
T Commander and his associate ]. AS. yet il
, is the intention of the Order by means oi
; the exhibition Of the ceremonies Of tho
+ "Feast Of the Nino Cardinals 70 selected
and sworn audience, to increase this FeTe-
nue. 10 such an extent as to enable the Or
der, in obedience to its Cardinal principle, to
"feed tho hungry and clOthe tho naked
. wherever they may exist.
Il is the intention Of the Cleveland
} Lodge to admit spectators TO q exhibition
Of this wonderful ceremony, on the 26th Of
. next OctebeE The proceeds. after deduct
ing one-fourth, which has 10 be sent 10 the
Grand treasurer Of the Grand Universe
Lodge will be appropriated TO relieve the
needy next Winter.
: The Order has saniongs its members soms
: Of the most distinguished men in the world
: tn Great Britain, His Royal Highness, Primes
: Albert, holds the Office Of @. r. ]. A., whiel
Is the highest Office isihegih Of the Ordsr
I. Lord Bropgharn IS "A. @. r. J, AT of Tbs
! Order. Youug Sir Robert Peel, Charles
Dickens. and other eminent men arc mem
I befs. In this country che grand Office q
: q. r. j. A. Is held by Archbishop Hughes
; and Secretary Floyd holds lhe Office Of A
: G. RIA A Sos or MALTA.