The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-10-26
From the Grand Rapids Eagle.
The Sons of Malta.

The growth of this Order, during the
past year, in the United States, has been
unparalleled and every week increases tho
rapidity Of its progress. Ii is destined,
unquestionably, at no distant day, TO find
a Judgement, not only in every city,village
and hamlet, but in the hearts of all the
most unselfish and charitable men of our
country. In the old world, it seems rs
yet TO be confined to the nobility and the
wealthy, but such is not the case in the
United States. The brotherhood in this
country, as we are informed, fully recog-
nizes the maxim that "Worth makes tho
man." and makes no inquiry into the pc
cuniary condition of candidates for its
honors.
Tho Order came TO this country from
the East. 1t is said to be coeval with
Masonry, and to have originated in Egypt.
There are not wanting those who assert
that the ceremonies of the Sons of Malta
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. We learn by the New
York Sun, that the mystic brotherhood
Of the Sons of Malta had an existence
in that city, back, as an Order, not quito
two years. Many of its rites have been
practice d there, however, ever since the
time of Peter Stuyvesant, and the other
old Dutch Governors. Old Peter himself,
it is well know, was legally the G. r. J..
A. of the Dutch Colonies in North Amer
lea, for many years, in spite of the loss
of his leg, which rendered him, TO GER
tain extent, incapable of performing the
arduous duties pertaining to the Office
His misfortune rendering him ineligible,
he was reelected, courtesy which would
otherwise have been extended to him.
Ho positively refused, however, to give up
to his successor, the regalia and working
tools of the position, TO which he had
formed strong attachment. So much
respect was shown the sturdy old Dutch
man, by those high in the Order, that no
attempt was made TO coerce him in the
matter; and history informs us that all
the insignia of his Office were buried with
him. The Eastern magnates Of the Fra
ternly bearing in mind this rebellion of
their early representatives in America,
have steadily refused to grant working
charters to this country Till about eight
ysas agS Eo Mhsp oa9at lanes n pesond5a ndSa,a ID
1851, he made strenuous efforts to pro-
cure revocation of the prohibition
against the restoration Of the Order in
this country. He was partially success
ful, and was appointed G. r. J. A. for
the United States of America, with tho
privilege of establishing the Sacred Mys-
teries here after a lapse of seven years.
He has done So and in the incredibly
short space Of two years, the Order has
comprehended more than $4,000 MEM
bers.
The Sons of Malta wherever known,
are noted for their deeds of love and char
ity. 1t is recorded that in all the cities
of Europe, in pestience, famine and
plague, they have ever been foremost in
good works. In our own city the Order
is yet in the first stage Of its organized
existence-though most of its mombers
have been such by nature for many
years; and yet, already the hearts of
widows and orphans have been made glad
by their unpretending charities.
Their public procession and paradcs all
take place after sunset, and generally at
mldnight-typical of the quietness of
their deeds Of charity, which are all per-
formed in strict accordance with the an
cient Injunction, that aims must not be
done TO be seen Of men.
The Order was instituted in this city
but few months since, and already num-
bers, rs we are informed, more than one
hundred members.
The Semi Annual Parade, which was
to have taken place last Thursday evening,
but was postponed on account Of the un-
favorable state Of the weather, will como
off tomorrow evening. Every member
in good condition is expected to be pres
ent.