The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-26
THE WARRIOR MONKS.
4 NEW ORDER OF CH1vAI.Ry
LATELY ORGANIZED IN ALGIERs.

Cunliffe Owen Tells How the Order
Happened to be Formed by Bishop
Lavigerie of the Diocese of AIgiers.
From Hdrper's Weekly.
France is indeed land of surprises and
paradoxes. Who in the world could have
dreampt that the last decade of this pro-
saical, matter-of-fact and commopnlaca
nineteenth century would witness the re-
vival of one Of the most romantic features
of the middle ages. and that, too, by the
most sceptical, cynical and superficial peo-
ple under the sum- For it is members Of
the jeunesse doree of France who have
formed the first contingent of the holy
order known as the Warrior Monks of the
Sahara. The latter are the modern embod-
iment of the Knights OF Malta and Knights
Templars of crusading days. The steel
helmet is replaced by one made of
cork, with duly patented ventilating appa.
ratus; the visor, instead of being OF metal,
is of cloth, similar to those worn by the Tua-
reg Arabs; and in lieu Of the pennoned
lance .there is far more deadly weapon in
the shape of repeating rife. The object
in view, however, is the same, namely, the
delivery of slaves from bondage, aud the
propagation of Christianity by means not
Of the gospel alone, but Of the gospel allied
to the sword. Cardinal Lavigerie, to whom
the merit Of this extraordinary revival be-
longs, has lived long enough In
Africa to learn that the one
is Indispensable TO the other--at any
rate among the turbulent and wsrlike
races who inhabit the northern half of the
dark continent. He has witnessed the mar
velous success of the Mosem proselytism,
which, although attended by violence aud
bloodshed, has impaired certain amount
of civilization and enlightenment to nations
stepped in the very lowest depths of pagan
barbarian. After comparing the many
millions of converts to Northumberland
30 the relatively few thousands of
converts to Christianity in Africa,
and after a careful and profound study of
the problem--a study for which his breadth
of mind and liberality of view particularly
fitted him-he has come to the conclusion
that the system of sending out unarrned
missionaries to preach the gospel and
nothing but the gospel among the savages
was all wrong; that both the heroism and
the martyrdom OF these pioneers OF Chris
tiauity we're entirely wasted, and that If any
material good were to be achieved, it could
only be done by means Of q radical change.
the order of the Warrior Monks of the Sa-
hara. Instead of meekly bowling their heads
to receive the martyrs crown they will fight
for their lives. They will seek to attract
sympathy and good will by developing the
productivenesS Of the oasss and By the crea-
tion of new ones, where they will form sta
tons for the relief of the sick, for the offer
of hospitality to-lan corners, and for the ref
uge and protection of fugitive slaves. Their
hsaf RI al
of the benefits and advantages Of civIlixa-
ton, to preach by example the elements
thereof, and TO thus prepare the ground for
conversion to Christianity. The latter,
although the principal object. is the last in
order. For Cardinal Lavigerie proposes
| that instead of proselytism preparing the
! ground for the seeds of civilization, it Is the
elements of civilization which are to
prepare the ground for the seeds Of Chris
tanity. Civilization will act as forerunner
instead Of following in the wake of the
gospel.
The headquarters of the order are at
Biskra, on the Algerian borders of the
great Sahara desert, and we're solemnly ooa-
ecrated by Cardinal Layigerie in the early
art of last month. The name Of the spot
M'salla, which Is the Arabic designation
" "place Of prayer" The estate con-
ms plantation of palms in full bearing.
~ 10 bA6NOApC0 AAi B0tb W q uhlftA AAtka-
IA canal, which is the share OF the precious
Id it is entitled to from the neighboring
vn. Great stretches of ground are,
Vever, uncultivated for want of
er and measures have already been
An for its reclamation by the creation Of
artificial supply. A well was sunk to a
Oh Of tifty-three metres, the water of
VII. declared to be practically inexhaust-
lo-ises naturally to within thirty-two me-
TIRE ho of fha to
RAJ by pumps to the surface. A second
weas also been dug in order to provide
euAry resources. The monks will there
tors trained in the methods Of Saharan
cult as we'll as IN the use of arms, while
the ghborhood of the illimitable tracts
OF thesert will enable them to acquire
the Ire savage accomplishments OF camel
rldiAnd hunting by practice. The house,
occulng an area of seventy meters by ten,
witha Kitchens and offices In the out-build-
lngs, the ground floor solidly built of
stone stead Of the sun-dried mud bricks
genery used by the Arabs. The choice OF
blskrbr the headquarters of the order is a
iurtuIe one. for the town, which is situated
In an els, commands one of the principal
routes the Soudan. The town proper is
compoi of one large street full of European
housesand intersected by number of
smallenreets. The oasis, which is five xilo-
forms aorest of 10000 palm trees and
o,OO0 ole and fruit trees. The population
Is cosm,olitau, and includes French, Tunis-
ians, Ats, Moors and Israelites.
A feviays after the inauguration OF the
mother ouse of the order at M'salla the
ceremor of consecrating and OF admins
tering tb vows TO the first batch of these
WarrioMonks took place. The postulants
We're twlve in number, every one of whom
Delonge, 60 the French aristocracy, and
had helC the rank Of officer in the army.
Among them are two young lieu
tenant iolonels Of the general staff,
who hid abandoned q brilliant mill
tary greer 70 devote their lives
hencefoth the good of humanity In the
most terrible of all deserts. But probably
The mos notable of these neophytes was the
,Vicomk Guy de Brisssc, one of the best
Snown and most popular Of Partisan club
men. His achievements on the turf as the
owner of a small but exceedingly choice
stable were only equaled by his success In
the salons and boudoirs Of the gay capitals
and if ever there has been one who has
nerited description az a spoiled child Of for
tune, Guy de Brissac was the man. A year
ago his fdncee, whom be worshiped, died
OF a rapid decline-that strange malady
which seems to enhance and etherealize the
beauty of its victims, and to illumine their
eyes with a strange light
!, One rests beneath a snowy marble cross in