The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-07-11

: founded about 1885 at Jerusalem for
the use of pilgrims and was dedicated
to st. John. To meet various require
, ments, the hospital was organized and
an order instituted, consisting Of &C.
clesiastfcs, to administer to the spir-
, itual wants of the pilgrims, lay BROTH
ers for secular duty, and knights for
defense and protection.
Knights Of Malta.
, After the capture Of Jerusalem by
: the Saracens, Crusaders from all
kingdoms of Christendem fastened
eastward and the knights Of St. John,
then installed at Acre, added mem
bers of many nationalities to their
number. In 1852 the pope granted
the title of grand master to the head
of the knights.
For general convenience, the order
was divided into subdivisions accord
ing to the principal languages spoken
by it's members. The sections Of the
order were the "Langues" of Prov
ence, Auvergne, France, Italy, Aragon,
Catalonia, Navarro, England, Ger
many, CASTLE, Leon and Portugal. The
1910 at the Reformation. An Anglo-Ba-
varian Langue was reinstated In the
Eighteenth century.
Each Langue had It's own head
| quarters, or "Auberge," and those
built at Malta are monuments Of archi-
tectural beauty. They are now used
chiefly as government offices and dur
Ing the World war were scenes Of In
| tense activity.
The order removed from Acre to
Cyprus and thence to Rhodes, where
it's headquarters remained until the
islands fall, in 1922. The old bond
between Rhodes and Malta was COM
memorated by the pope, who gave the
bishop of Malta the title of archbishop
of Rhodes.
In 1866 the Turkish fleets made q
powerful attack on Malta, but were
finally defeated by Grand Master La
Vallette, who built the city of VAL
letta in memory Of the victory. The
Cathedral of ST. John, in Valletta, was
dlSO Dulll do Uulldl pldCC LUZ lu0
grand masters, the remains Of those
previously inferred In the Chapel of
Fort st. Angelo being transferred.
Seized by Napoleon.
In 179S the wheel Of Fate again
brought Malta into prominence Ma
poleon, profited by the temporary alb
sence of the British fleet from the
Mediterranean, seized the island on
his way to Egypt. He expelled all
members Of the order, confscating
their property and also that of the
church.
1t is related that the solid silver
gates Of the Sacramento Chapel of
the Cathedral of st. John were hastily
painted over, in the hope Of escaping
notice, but in vain. They were, how
ever,redeemed at a great price, togeth-
err with the IL silver statues Of the
Apostles.
After Napoleon's departure a gov
ernor was appointed to rule on behalf
of the French republic. Soon after
ward the British fleet returned and
won the Battle of the Nile over the
French. Then the Maltese arose
against the French garrison, which
was blockaded by the British After
a gallant defense. lasting two years.
the garrison finally was forced by
famine to surrender.
After peace came Britain proposed
to restore the island to the Order Of ,
st. John, but the piteous appeals of
he Maltese at last prevailed and NAL
a became Incorporated into the Brit 4,
sh empire. :
Year in, year out, fresh trade has n
lowed through Malta, at last secure >
rom every foe. The ships of the =
world soon thronged its harbors. The
hange from sail to steam necessitat-
ID the provision of greater dockyard
ABILITIES for the British fleet in the p
and millions of dollars n
ave since been spent In Malta for ~
his purpose, bringing employment \,
nd trade to the Maltese such as they =,
ad never known before
The opening Of the Suez canal
rought still further prosperity. while
he Increased size of warships neces- II
ltated further new docks and work. M
hops, providing still more employ bi
tent for the sklllful and industriou, de