Frostburg mining journal., 1894-06-30
a Remark able Piece Of HandiwOrk

The JOURNAL has contemplated for
some time printing a description of the
table recently exhibited in ID. J. Bets
window, but various matters have
interviewed to postpone its appearance
in these columns. 1t was made by
Hon. Hugh Mcmillan, one of the
members of the House of Delegates
from this county.
The body of the table is Il Maltese
cross-the far-famed cognizance of the
Knights of Malta (formerly Knights
Hospitalers, Knights of st. John,
Cypress and Rhodes) The eight points
denote the eight beatltudes to the
guages. or sections of the Order. In
each of the corners is placed a SIX
pointed star, indicating the sixth, or
Scottish branch, aud the sole one in
existence. The center represents the
entrance to a temple, consisting of
three pillars and three arches, and is
emblamatic of the Grand or Mystic
Temple of the Soul. At the left en-
trance is the jewel of the senior war
den, which is a hollow square and
sword of justice. On the right is the
jewel of the junior warden--an eagle
and flaming sword. Between the two
wardens and in front of the entrance
is hollow square with crossed swords
and a trumpet engraved thereon.
This is the jewel Of the warden. AT
the right and left Of the top of temple
are two hollow squares with battle
axes engraved thereon-the jewel of
the two guards. Directly over the
temple is a compass, square and letter
q. In the upper limb of the cross is Il
passion cross, with rays of light eman-
ating therefrom-the jewel of the com
mander. On the right is the jewel of
the recorder-crossed pens, and that
of the treasurer on the left-crossed
keys. On this limb of the cross is also
a hand, a serpent and keystone, and
on the lower limb rests the jewel of the
generalissimo-a square, surmounted
by lamb. Directly under is the jewel
of the college of the ancients, which is
the potent cross, or cross OF Jerusalem,
and in the centre of which is the inn
perial eagle. On the right of the gen
eralissimo is the patriarchal cross; on
the left the cross Of Salem. In the
right limb is the jewel of the Captain
General, which is plumb surmounted
by cock. On the right is single
pen-the jewel of the assistant record
er, on the left the jewel of the ID. d..
S. c., which is a hollow square with
triple mallets engraved thereon. To
the right of this are the three pillars,
and the date when the table was finished
1888. In the left limbs the jewel of
the prelate-a triple triangle with Il
small red cross in the center. On the
right of the prelate is the standard
bearer-a plumb upon which is sus-
pended a banner. In the center of
the latter are cross and crown. On
the left of the prelate is the the sword
bearer, whose jewel is triangle with
crossed swords engraved thereon, and
directly under the jewel of the sentinel
"a square plate bearing on its face a
single engraved sword. On this limb
is also n trowel, a hoe-rake and shovel,
skull and bones, with the initials, "H
Men, of the maker. The inner Dor,
der is formed Of equilateral triangles,
each surmounted by cross, so ar
ranged as TO form shield between
In each corner of the table is letter
forming the name of the Order-"A. 4
|. 0. X. of M"
The table was begun October 9, 1891
and finished December 30, 1893. II
contains 3,525 pieces of wood inside
the border, and the border contains IS
pieces, making 3,573 pieces. Some OF
the wood is very old and has history
which would be too lengthy to go into
at this time.
The entire work, done with pocket
knife, is a monument to the ingenuity
patience and skill of its maker