your ready acquiescence as a sufficient proof of your devotion to our Order, we dispense with the observance of the custom, further than to require you to moisten the pen with your lips, and write your initials with it upon the Stone.

(The Can. signs his initials on the Stone, and is shown the Word, and presented by the Expert with a small Stone as a memorial.)

E. C.-You will carefully preserve that memorial, for should you wish to gain admission into a Knights Templar Encampment, you will, on presenting that Stone and explaining the circumstances under which you received it, be recognised and admitted as a Companion of our Order. Approach, Brother, and receive the highest honour I can at present bestow upon you.

(The Can. is conducted to the East by the 2d C.; the E. C. descends from his throne; the Standards are raised; and the Can. kneels on his left knee before the E. C., who gives the Accolade as follows :-)

E. C. In the name of the Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, and by the authority vested in me as a Knight Commander, I make thee a Knight of the Holy Temple and Sepulchre.

(The E. C. lays his Sword on the Can., first on his left, then on his right shoulder, and on his head, as he pronounces the following words :-)

E. C.-Be loyal, brave, and free! Arise, Sir Knight.

(After which the Chamberlain presents the Ribbon and Star of the Order, on a cushion to the E. C., who throws the Ribbon on the right shoulder of the Knight, and says:-)

E.C.-Wear this Ribbon, the ensign of our Order; and this Star, an emblem of the reward which the great Captain of our Salvation has promised to those who conquer in His name, even the emblem of Himself; He being the bright morning Star, whose rising brought health and salvation to mankind, and light to those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. Bear this ever in mind, and continue His faithful soldier until

death.

We clothe you with this mantle of pure white, ennobled with the Red Cross of the Order.

[It is an unequivocal symbol of light and purity; it has been honoured and venerated in all ages, by every nation and every people, since the Creation of light out of darkness; it is the most exalted dignity that can be conferred; and I exhort you not to disgrace it by actions which may reflect discredit on our Order, into which you have this day had the honour to be admitted. Receive it undefiled, and produce it without spot before the tribunal of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may obtain eternal life.

Lastly, I present you with this sword, which in the hand of a valiant Christian Knight is endowed with threemost excellent virtues— Its hilt with Justice;

Its blade with Fortitude;
Its point with Mercy;

Which give this important lesson, that having faith in the justice of our cause, we must press forward with undaunted fortitude, ever remembering

to extend the point of mercy to a fallen foe.]*

E. C.-I will now entrust you with the Grand Word, the Grand Grip, and Grand Sign of the Order.

(The E. C. gives the Grand Word, the Grip, and the Sign to the New Knight. The Expert conducts him to his Stall, the Standards are raised, and the Heralds proclaim him as follows:-)

E. C.-Heralds, you will now proclaim.

Ist HERALD.-Sir Knights of the Order of the Temple, our Brother and Companion, Sir Knight A. B., is this day installed a Knight of our Illustrious Order.

(The Knights salute thrice.)

2d HERALD.-Long life, honour, and prosperity to our newly-installed Sir Knight A. B.; to our most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master; the Grand Officers; and all other Knights of this Order.

(The Knights salute thrice, and the

* The portion within brackets may be given or omitted at discretion.

New Knight from his Stall salutes in return.)

E. C.-Sir Knights, you may now take your seats.

E. C.-I will now explain to you the symbols of the Order. The Three Great Lights placed at the angles of the equilateral triangle represent the three favourite apostles of our Saviour; namely, Peter, James, and John, of whom the last named was the most beloved; for, leaning on our Saviour's bosom, he received those instructions which he communicated so faithfully to the other disciples. The Nine Smaller Lights, distributed equally between those already noticed, are emblematical of the nine other Apostles, of whom one, represented by the taper extinguished by you, betrayed his Lord and Master. You may now re-light the taper. (Done.) So may our Saviour lift upon you the light of His reconciled countenance, and keep you from falling.

The skull and cross-bones, the emblems of mortality, are placed at the foot of the cross; these

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