Telegram-herald., 1889-07-01
KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN
The Military Orders Of the Cstko-
lie Church
As EXPLAINED BY BISHlP RICHTER
The knights B"sPissiisf. hnights Iesap
lar aad the Isstosis hAights Their
origin rhslr Aissioa. and Their
History Related.

The lecture Of Bishop Richter upon
\ tie military OFdeFs IA the Catholic
Church mas attended by the Uniformed
/ Knights OF 81 John IN body The
lecture was an historical one tracing
the origin and purpose Of the various
religious orders from their beginnings
/ down - the present time. The bishop
| spoke substantially as follows. "The
word order taken IN tins sense means
a society or individuals who mutually
agree 10 i've according 10 certain rules,
and religious orders are, OF course,
those holding 10 religious tenets.
Christ would not interfere with our
| liberty, but We are left free 10 act as
We choose. lie has left us His doctrine.
| and His example and HIS grace. lie
! sad; BE We perfect, even ss your
| Father IN Heaven Is perfect. Some
| follow has teachings closely and some
afaT OFT. These words filled the desert
with hermit and ancAorlte, who separ-
ated themselves from the world 10 at
tam greater purity of life. la time
such people banded themselves into
| certain orders, and these built monas-
terles IN every country in Europe and
became the center of all that was good
and enlightened, and carried the torch
| OF learning through the Middle Ages.
one order succeeded another as the
needs Of the church and society re-
quired, and so il Will be for
ever. Religious orders are not an abso-
lutte necessity TO the church, but
they are accessories, and are OF
much service 10 religion. The great
plan Is always the same, and the OBJ
seryance of the three VOWS of poverty.
chastity and obedience was practiced
by all. Ii Is necessary for man 10
enancipate himself from the three
great enemies of mankind, coyetous-
ness, lust and pride; then he is ready
for the great work of the Church on
earth The reverend father then
gave minute description OF the Order
OF knlghthood as conferred in the days
of chivalry.
''The spread of Mahammedanismg gave
rise To some of the greatest military
orders of the Church. The followers OF
Mahomet We're overpowerlng other na-
tons and extending Their conauests
through ASIA, Africa. and even penetra-
ting As far rs the gates of Vienna. You
have all heard OF the eloquent appeals
of Urban the second, Peter the hermit
and st. Bernard urging the Chivalric
orders OF Europe To protect the city of
Jerusalem and the holy scpulchre from
these lniidels. Hundreds of thousands
marched with the cross upon their
breasts to drive the crescent from the
holy land. but a lack of unity of plan.
Jealousy of leaders and their own vices
made the attempt a failure To 4 great
extent.
The Knights of st. John was an order
created at this time. For six years
they devoted themselves entirely to the
care OF the sick IN the hospital but rs
Their members increased they took part
IN military warfare. They were pledged
never TO be captured alive and never To
accept ransom. They were approved
10y several pOntltfs, and were called the
Knights Hospitaller of st. John. They
existed for 2O9 years, and then, after
wlthstaDdIng q siege of six months IN
the island OF Cypress, 600 of them with
standingan armyo of AZ. 200 Mussulmans
they were allowed to leave Cypress ON
most honorable terms, and removed Ia
Malta, and from that time became
known as knights of Malta. They con-
tnued to the time of Napoleon. The
Knights Templar were very similar TO
the Hospitallers, but they incurred the
enmity of the King of France, and were
charged with serious crimes. Whether
truly or not is unknown, but II was
thought best 10y the pope TO have the
order dissolved. There were also the
Teutonic knights who, after service in
Palestine, were of much service in sub
DUNG the barbarians of Northern
Europe. These orders have gradually
disappeared because they are no longer
needed, and others have taken their
place. The present Knights of 81. John
is devoted to benevolence, and is TO aid
and promote the interests of
the church. May it pros-
per under God, and may It's member
ship increase and honor both them.
selves and the church"