The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-08


ssting:
Band
Address of welcome Mayor James Matr
Quartette.
Response,
Sir John Gowand, Grand Commander
Solo.
Address
Sir E. w. Samuel NJ. D., Supreme Com
mandcr.
Band.
Duet.
Sir George ". Pierce. p. S c., Grand
Recorder.
Quartette
All Sing "Blest BE the Tie That Binds
UNDERGROUND COUNCIL.
Thursday, two more sessions and the
concluding of business. In the even
ing, the affair Of the convocation VIII
be held in the underground chamber
Of Malta temple and will be nothing
more nor less than an Underground
council of Caravan Siesta, No a, L.
r., Il. The Tribune of Saturday, May
G. told all about II. Amendments to
the constitution is one of the import
ant matters to come before the Grand
commandery.
Friday, will he devoted to general
sight seeing and pleasure. Trolley car
and carriage rides up and down the
valley, to Nay Aug park; to Lake
Scranton: to Bald mountain; to most
any place, there are enough hereabouts
to give every one a chance. In the
evening a banquet at the Hotel Jer-
myn will conclude the Grand com
mandery Convocation.
To those who are not Knights the
following condensed history of the Or
der may be of interest at this time.
In the May number of the Century
magazine +. Marion Crawford. in his
new novel Via Crucis," says "at this
time was formed the Order of st.
Johns Hospitalers, which exists even
to this day and now known as the
Knights of Malta"
The history of the Crusaders and
Knights of st, John of Jerusalem has
been written by many learned and
able historians of the past six hundred
years, the number Of such writings
being over one hundred, and published
in several languages. The history is
that Of a fraternity of hospitalers
which afterwards became a military
society, and at last a sovereign order,
instituted from motives Of charity, and
prompted by zeal for the defense OF
the Holy Land to take up arms against
the infidels-an order which, amid the
noise and clashing of swords. and with
a continual war upon its hands, was
capable of joining the peaceful vir-
tues of religion with the most distin-
guished courage on the field.
OPENED A HOSPITAL.
In 1O4S the society Of st. John the
Almoner opened a hospital in Jerusa-
lem, near the Holy Sepulchre. From
this point three divisions begin, re-
spectively. Knights of st. John, Rhodes
and Malta. With the latter we have
to deal. They get their title from the
fact that in 1880 Charles V. of Ger
many presented the order with the Isle
of Malta, which has since continuously
remained in their possession and over
which floats the banner of the cross
Of st. John.
The order is very strong in this city
and county. The first commandery of
the order instituted was Electric City
commandery. No Ia. On Nov. L. 1895,
within two days of the third anniver-
sary of the founding Of the order in
the state, this commandery was in
stituted One hundred and thrty-thre
members were enrolled as charter
members. The ceremonies were In
charge of Grand Commander A. #.
Hamilton; Grand Secretary George II.
Pierce, assisted by a degree team from
John Knox commandery, of Wilkes
Barre, led by District Deputy Grand
Commander Harris.
Following at close intervals since the
above beginning nine more command
cries have been instituted here. They
are Anthracite, No. 2l1, Nov. u, 1896;
Eastern Star, No. 221, North Scran-
toni, April Il, 1897; General Grant, No.
?30, (South Scranton), June 10, 1897;
Washington, No. 232, CWest Scranton),
Sept. IS, 1S9,; st. stephen, No. 236
Dunmore), Oct. 90, 1897; Eureka, No.
Pa, (OlyphanO, March s, 1898; Invin-
cible, No. esq, CTaylor), Aug. l3, 1898;
Arlington. No. 255, (Clark's Summit)
March is, 1899; and Elmhurst, No.
259. (ElmhursD. April %, 1890: total
membership, about 1000.
PRINCIPLES OF ORDER,
Following is a summary of the prin-
al
THE Order of knights of Malta is
a body Of men banded together, under
most binding forms, to comfort one
another in the practice of the Christian
religion; to offer mutual assistance in
the time of need to promote Protest.
ant unity; to defend the Protestant
faith against all foes whatsoever; TO
defend civil and religious liberty; to
exercise the fullest liberation and
charity toward all men: to practice
benevolence, and to maintain q uni
versal Protestant fraternity.
1T Is neither national, political
nor sectaran association. 1t is the
! most ancient knightly order in eSisU.
| ence, and is the legitimate descendant
| of the illustrious, religious and mili-
tary order of the middle ages, heir to
its greatness and fully endowed with
all it's ancient rites and ceremonies
1t is fraternal, and it's obligations biz d
to secrecy and mutual protection. It
is military, but drilling and uniform
ing are optional. IT is a religious Cr-
| der, and welcomes all PrOtestants, py
whatever name known, who love our
Lord Jesus Christ, to enlist under its
banner. 1t is beneficial, or non -bene-
fetal, as the local body may desire"
CONVOCATION POINTERS.
A general committee headquarrers
and bureau of information will be es-
tablished at Malta Temple on Monday
morning. All representative viii re-
port to Secretary F. II. Young as soon
as possible after arrival, whore they
will be furnished with competent