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E. C.-I draw my sword in defence of the near and dear relatives and connexions of Knights Templar. (Does same.)

E. C.-You are now about to proceed on a seven years' warfare, and as you may occasionally be stopped and subjected to an examination as a Soldier enrolled under the banner of the cross, I shall now entrust you with the sign and word of a Crusader, whereby you will gain confidence and support.

(E. C. gives the pass sign and word of a Crusader.)

E. C. Thus prepared, you may proceed on your crusade, which you will figuratively perform by proceeding seven times round the Encampment, and be prepared to defend yourself with your sword.

E. C.- To order, Sir Knights.

(The Knights stand to order with drawn swords, and under their respective banners. The Expert conducts the Novice round the Encampment, going up the north side; at each round the Can. is stopped and challenged in the East, the

South-West, and the North-West, by a Past Emt. Comr., and the 1st and 2d Captains respectively, to whom he gives the sign and word of a Crusader; after he has been stopped and challenged for the third time by the 2d Captain, the E. C. is asked by the 1st Captain to remit the remainder of the term as follows:-)

Ist C.-Emt. Comr., the Novice has zealously prosecuted the campaign up to the present time; is it your pleasure to remit the remaining portion?

E. C. Most willingly I remit the remaining four years of probation as a Crusader.

(Expert conducts the Can. to the foot of the Sepulchre, and the E. C. thus addresses him :—)

E. C. With the point of your sword you will assist the Sir Knight Expert to unveil the cross, and you will then notice the scroll at its foot.

(The Can. unveils the cross on the Sepulchre with his sword, and reads the scroll.)

E. C. Whenever that mark, which

is formed from the initials of the Latin inscription placed over our Saviour at His crucifixion, is on your summons, it will be your imperative duty, in accordance with your obligation, to obey it; if unavoidable circumstances render your personal attendance impossible, you must then by letter explain the cause of such inability to the Eminent Commander by whom the summons was issued.

(The following charge may be given or omitted at discretion :—)

CHARGE.

E. C. OR PRELATE.-Pilgrim, now a Novice of our Order, the ceremonies in which you are engaged are calculated deeply to impress your mind, and I trust will have a long and happy effect upon your future charac

ter.

You were first, as a trial of your faith and humility, enjoined to perform a seven years' pilgrimage; it represented the pilgrimage of life, through which we are all passing; we

are all weary pilgrims looking forward to that asylum where we shall cease from our labours, and be at rest for ever. You were then directed, as a trial of your courage and constancy, to perform seven years of warfare; it represented to you the constant warfare with the lying vanities and deceits of this world, in which it is necessary for us always to be engaged. You are now about to perform a year of penance as a further trial of your humility; it is also a trial of that faith which will conduct you safely over the dark gulf of everlasting death, and land your enfranchised spirit on the peaceful shores of the blessed.

[Pilgrim, keep ever in your memory this awful truth-you know not how soon you may be called upon to render an account to that Supreme Judge, from whom not even the most minute act of your life is hidden; for although you now stand erect in all the strength of manhood and pride of beauty, in a few short moments you may become a pale and lifeless corpse. Let these considerations induce you to receive

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with cheerfulness and gratitude every calamity which may befall you. Prosperity is but a fading flower; and though to-day you may have health, and friends, and riches, and honours, to-morrow your friends may prove false, your health may be changed into sickness, and your riches and honours may vanish like a dream. Such is man in every station of life, whether crowned with a royal diadem or enduring the lot of a scourged slave. But the time will come when all will be on a level: death will destroy all distinctions, and the dust of the rich and poor shall be blended in one indiscriminate mass. The superiority of an after state will be that of virtue. Let us then endeavour, while on this side the grave, to copy that brigh pattern of every excellence which is set before us in the Gospel; and, as far as we are able, let us act according to the dictates of right reason, and cultivate harmony, maintain charity, and live in unity and brotherly love.]*

*This paragraph within brackets may be given

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