The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-10-23
Sisterhood Of the knights
Hospittalers of St. John
of Jerusalem.

Preamble.
whereas. there existed in the eIev-
4 enth century an Organization IN -Je-
: rusaIem known as the Hospitallers OF
st. John. the members Of which were
devoted to works OF charity. hospltal-
| petuated In the Ancient and Iliustr--
Gus Order Knights of Malta.
Whereas. That organization in
Guided a brotherhood and sisterhcod
governed by a chief executive styled
Grand Master. and
Whereas, We, are DESTROYS OF in
stituting sisterhoods for the extension
of the Protestant faith in America.
which will also perpetuate the la
bors Of the old HosDitaller Danes
of Jerusalem. therefore. be it
Resolved. That the Danes OF Malta
shall be established as an auxiliary
to the A. and l. o. Knights of Malta.
with governing body on the contl-
nent of America TO be known as the
Zenodacia and subordinate ladies' to
be known as sisterhOods. all to be
under the Jurisdiction of the Supreme
Grand, Commandery of the Continent
of America, A. and l. o. Knights of
Malta.
The splendor OF its ritualistIc work,
the marvellous history of its
glorious past, the deep religious sig
fact that it is the only Knightly orr
der having one universal password
that admits to all council chambers
around the globe are some of, the rea-
sons why the order Is growing with
such rapidity. 1t. is destined to play
an important part in Americas pro-
gress: 1t is Intensely patriotic and
its influence must always be for the
best interests of our country.
History. y
lnthese days when powerful nations
proclaim war with but little ref
erence to justice or to charity. II
must be salutary to turn our
thoughts back upon those orders of
Christian Knights which abhored all
the glorious history of the Knights
Hospitallers of St. John might well
make some modern statesmen and
modern soldiers feel ashamed of their
selfishness and worIdliness The he
roes OF the Christian armies as the
Moslens used to call these Knights,
were truly the servants of the poor
of Christ. essentially religious. then
military.
When the road to the Holy Land
was the highway of Europe and
crowds OF pilgrims fiocked continue
ously to the Holy City it was natural.
it was necessary that some protection
travellers in strange countries. just
as it was that Some hospital
or safe refuge should be provided on
their arrival at Jerusalem.
About the year 1O4s. some Latin
merchants and citizens OF Naples, by
means of presents obtained PERMISSION
from the Mohammedan emperor then
In power. to erect a Latin church
within the Holy City. A chapel was
built near the Holy Sepulchre. and.
at the same time. two hospitals or
houses of reception for the men and
women pilgrims.
When the Crusaders appeared be-
fore the walls of Jerusalem in 1893,
they found that the governor of the
city had imprisoned all the Christians.
including the administrator of the
Hospital Of St John. He was al
Frenchman, Gerard, by name, a ma
tive of Provence. A desire to visit
the holy places had brought him to |
Jerusalem. and approaching the char
ity exercised by the HospitalIers of |
st. John. and being moved by so en- !
inent an example, he had devoted |
himself long before to the service of |
the pilgrims. At the same time |
Agnes, a Roman lady of illustrious
birth. governed the hause appointed
for the reception of women pilgrims
Even intidels were admitted into the
Hospital of st. John and re-
ceived aims there. no distinc-
ton being made between them
and Christians, and the admins
traitor was considered the common
father of all the poor of the city
Gerard's extensive influence and the
dread lest he become more powerful,
induced the governor to have him
taken into custody
Godfrey. of Bouillon. led the first
crusade for the Holy Land In 1895.
In 1899 he took Jerusalem after five
weeks siege. He was eletced king of
the city and territory but refused 10
wear crown in the place where
Christ was crowned with thorns. He
accepted the title of Duke and Guar
liam of the Holy Sepulcher. The de-
'eat of the Egyptians at AsecaIon
placed him in possession fnearly all
he Holy Land. Gerard, being re-
eascd. received Godfrey in the house
II the HospitaIlers of St John and
lc found there a great number of his
soldiers of the Crusade wounded and
'arried thither after the taking of the
'ity. As all cXtold the great charity
II the Hospitallers, Godfrey annexed
o their estate the Lordship of Mont
airc, with all it's indcpendencies.
'rlnces and lords followed his exam
lie and in short time the Hospital
vas enriched with a great number of
ands and manors in Europe as well
IS in Palestine. These estates were
sacred trust placed in the control OF
'ious Gerard and the income from
hem certain source for the
eltef a