The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-05-24
KNIGHTS OF MALTA.

Every knight was bound to make at
least one cruise in the course OF the year
These cruises, In the language Of the
order are called Caravans a term con
stantly occurring in the history Of the
Hospitallers- On summit Of a noun
tain in the Island of Syne, Fuik de Villa
ret had erected lofty tower. whence
ships could be discovered at a great dis
tance. As soon as strange sail was
signalled. which was done by lighting
fires at night, and making dense smoke
If by day, the junlSs aud light ffixates of
Syne. the row boats and galleys of Rhodes.
the feluccas and the light, swift vessels of
the other islands were got under weigh,
and escape from 50 many pursuers be-
came almost impossible. This mode of
life was soon found to be altogether in
compatible with the VOWS and discipline
of the order. Enriched by prize money
and excited by adventure and rapid
changes of associates aud scenes, the
Knights commanding the squadrons lost
all sembiance Of Inonastic body. On
their return from successful caravans,
they gained and drank and INDUCED In
other debaucheries. making the religious
city, OF Rhodes look very ike profane
sea port in war time. These ex-
cesses were followed by insubor-
dinatiOn, iealousies and dissensions.
The Knights were IN this state in 1921,
when the Osmauti prince Orcnan en-
and the rest of the Sporades. The best of
their ships were absent on Caravans, but
throwing themselves on board of the gal
leys and merchant vessels in port and be-
ing aided by Il small Genoese squadron,
the Hospitailers instead OF awaiting the
attack Of the Turks on land, boldly put to
sea with very inferior force, and antici-
pating the enemy thoroughly defeated
him. On this as on many other occasions
the Knights Of St. john merited the name
of naval heroes. In 1874 the squadrons of
the order, who now secured as masters the
whole of the Western coast of Asia Minor
to the fort and part of the town of
Smyrna They retained this footing on
the Asiatic continent for fifty-six years,
but did not extend their small territory
there, which, however, was valuable as a
trading mart, while it enabled them 70
put down the Turkish cruisers that used
TO invest the Gulf OF Smyrna. When the
Knights were disposessed they had at
least the honor Of eeding 70 a great con-
queror, for it was Homeriane who took
their Castle of Smyrna by storm
in AGO. In the period included
between 1344 and 400 the
Hospitallers had performed many ex-
PLOTS and entertained projects OF a truly
gigantic ambition. In 1347 they went into
Leuser Armenia TO defend the Christian
King Of that country against the Mobam-
medans, and AT one time they are SUP
posed TO have contemplated the re-estab-
ment Of the great Kingdom of Armenia as
an appenuage to their order. In 1855 they
PROPOSED the conquest of the Morea, and
would have undertaken 1t but for the
death of the Pope, who had embraced
their views. Ten years later they
aimed at sovereignty in Egypt, and
with Peter l. the Christian King
of Cyprus, they actually took
Alexandria. which city however, they
Ill g.
In 1876, when the Bablonish captivity of
tie Christian church. as Pelrarca called
ii, came TO an end, and 1t was resolved
that thenceforward the Pope should re-
side at Rome and not at Arignon.
Gregory XII was carried from the mouth
of the Rhone to the mouth OF the Tfber in
vessel of the Order During the same
year, in conjunction with the Venetians,
they took Patras, and the year follow in &
with the same allies attempted the con-
quest of the whole of the Morea.
The district meeting at Alpha was q
great success and many important
matters were discussed.
The Degree Conmandery is well under
wav, and viii soon be a reality.
All the Communicates in Northern New
JERSEY are taking 10 candidates.
Don't forget the parade ON Decoration
Day in Bayonne. Robert Bruce COM
mandery is making great preparations
1oHles caHipaH@OuSs SSt1 yourselves hut
secure uniforms, and organize drill
corps.
Every Red Cross knight should secure
jewel through his Recorder.
Mcllintock Commandery meets on Sat-
urday night. Companions, don't forget
it You will be well received
Delegations from all the other COM
manderies in Hudson county will particf-
pate as guests Of Robert Bruce Com
mandery No. "a, Knights of Malta, in the
Memorial Day parade and demonstration
In Bayonne.