Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-03-17
WHOLE NO Ill
THE SoNs OF RMALrA-There are perhaps,

THE SoNs OF MALTA.--There are perhaps,
no set of men, no organization, public or
secret, religious or political, that attract as
much attention. drawas many surmises
and speculations as to their doings and OBJ
ject, as the order of the Sons Of Malta
Having the facts before us, we here pro-
pose to lay before our readers short ac-
count of the order from the beginning:
In the year of our Lord, l048, some
Merchants of Memphis trading to the Le-
want, obtained leave of the Caliph ofEgypt
to erect house for those who went on
pilsrimages TO Jerusalem. They erected a
hospital for the sick in A. D. 11O4, whencs
they obtained the name ofhospitallers. In
A. D. 111e, they became military order.
and many persons of noble blood entered
their ranks. After the Christians had lost
their interes. in the East, and Jerusalem
was taken, the Knights returned to Margetts
and then TO Acre, which they defended in
1850. John, King of Cyprus, then led
them TO Linnisson, which country was be-
qusathed to them, became their home until
1910, in which they took Rhodes, and
the next year defended it against the Sara
GEMS Since then they have had for
motto, F. E. r. T.; Rhodes, however.
was taken by Solyman in 1862, when the
knights returned Into Conadia, and from
thence to Sicily. People Edrain VI. gran
ted them Viterbo, as retreat, and in 1880
Charles V. granted them the Isle Of Malta,
The order of the Sons of Malta. which
embraces so many ofour distinguished fel
low citizens, is understood to be thc pre-
sent representative of this formidable mil
itary religious order. The hospitality
which once greeted the pilgrim on the
shores of the holy land is now dispensed
with liberal hand in the lodges of Amer
lean cities to the sons ofevery cline. Tie
motto remaines the same as when Grand
Commander Folques de VaIleret held
Rhodes against his enemies, altho' some
writer's assert that T. E. R. T. is interpret
ed by modern sons of Malta as Fupny
Exorcists of Rueful thoughts The inter-
pre.ation of tie motto d. NJ. OILS. LA,
which appears on their initiatory tablets
remains locked in the brests of the accepted
Sons of Malta.
The Isle of Malta is still! in the posessi
Of the Sons" who rent it to the British
Government as place Of deposit for Mill
tary stores. 1t is however, contemplated
by The Grand Lodges in the Union, having
controlling influence. to erect thereon q
magnificent retreat for those whom long
service in the order and old age, have en-
feebled
All ''soas," familiar with the history of
the order, will remember That it was one of
the early Sons of Malta. Publius who en-
tertained IN the most hospital manner ST.
Paul, when he was shipwrecked on.the Is
land whence they derived their name, We
don't know as be held any Office in the
order, but he is described "chief man Of
the Island
The Sons Of Malta evidently have deep
design in their organization. They may
some day startle the world with an achive-
ment SO brilliant, having all the attributes
ofncbleness and purity. which are the prime
functions of the order, that all mankind
will look on with blessings and applause
Many oftLcir wonder ful charities are known
to lie world; but how many more remain
secrets IN the order, and with those that re-
ceive. Verify it is blessed to gladden. the
desolate heart.
Among the most noted sons in the order
in his country. be mentioned our most
worthy President. James Buchanan, who
we believe now holds the responsible Office
Iof c. r. ]. A.--All The Cabinet officers
are members, and some Of them. Mr.. Cobb,
we believe, holds /. very high office. E-
mong the Senators prominently stand
Douglas, Seward. Hunter. Pugh, Yulce.
Slidell, Benjemin, Davis, Greer and Blair.
In the House nearly every member belongs
to the order. In the different States, near
| ly all the Governors have been inflated in
10 the mystic secrets of the order, and there
is now scarcely town ofany size in which
the order is no' growing with rapid strides.
II promises to become thesmost formidable
order known in the world.
A Kentucky paper says it IS getting
very fashionable in tha. quarter To- enclose
dollar with marriage notices. when send
lag them TO the printer. A good custona
that ought TO prevail eyerywhera.