Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Renovation Of The Knights Of Malta In England.
that the Order of St . John should revive its ancient military objects , the independent jurisdiction which , as a knightly degree , it has maintained throughout the vicissitudes of nearly eight centuries , remains entire . Considering the moral influence which such a venerable and august Order , as a bond of fraternal union and benevolent exertion , is admirably calculated to produce in eight of the principal kingdoms of Christendom ; and furtherhow undesirable it is in a nation so attached
, as is the British to its ancient institutions , that an Order which once held so distinguished a position in the United Kingdom should be allowed to remain dormant , —the present reign , as one of reformation , in which many classes are reviving ancient rights , has been considered a fitting era for reviving the Sixth Language of the Order of Knights Hospitallers . Accordingly , in compliance with the decree of the Council of London , A . D . 1126 , which provides that every Grand Prior must be in priest ' s
orders , " on the 24 th of February , 1834 , the present Grand Prior qualified for his office , under the charter of Philip and Mary , in the Court of King ' s Bench ; and , on Sunday , the 2 d of March following , he received the Sacrament on his installation , pursuant to the corporation laws of England , and it is now a record of the kingdom . Since that period several members have been admitted into the Sixth Language of the Order , and the Synopsis is published with a view to increase
its numbers , and place its re-establishment on a basis worthy of its ancient dignity and beneficent objects . Preparatory to the resuscitation of the Order of Knights Hospitallers in the British Empire , the necessary powers were received from the
Continental authorities through the medium of the Agent-general ; and since then , the acts of the Grand Prior and Council have been approved by a majority of the Languages . The Charter of Philip and Mary , re-incorporating the Order in this country after the arbitrary suppression of it by Henry VIII ., as has been already observed , remains in force ; but had it been otherwise , the power of the Order to revise its dormant branches cannot be questioned . '" ' "" ' * '"* Should the time ever arrivewhicli is not probablein which the Order shall again entertain
, , political views , it is certain that the Sixth Language would take no part in any such proceedings . Indeed it is distinctly to be understood , that by the revival of the British Branch no objects whatever are contemplated but those of benevolence ; nor will its resources be expended except within its own bounds , —viz . the British Isles . Its external pursuits will be limited to the cultivation of brotherly relations with the members of the foreign branches of the Order , remembering that active
charity has at home paramount demands . * * * By the Statutes of the Order , the British Language and the German Language are strictl y Protestant ( vid . Vertot ); and no man , be his rank or influence what they may , can obtain admission into the Fraternity unless his moral character be unexceptionable , and his merits otherwise of known and appreciated value . The venerable and sovereign Order of Knihts Hospitallersas has already been shownwas
g , , ori ginally founded for promoting the great offices of humanity and universal benevolence . Upon these , subsequently , was engrafted the chivalrous object of defending and maintaining the institutions and possessions of the Christian faith . * ' :: " * * Of the two original objects of the institution of St . John , —Christian
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Renovation Of The Knights Of Malta In England.
that the Order of St . John should revive its ancient military objects , the independent jurisdiction which , as a knightly degree , it has maintained throughout the vicissitudes of nearly eight centuries , remains entire . Considering the moral influence which such a venerable and august Order , as a bond of fraternal union and benevolent exertion , is admirably calculated to produce in eight of the principal kingdoms of Christendom ; and furtherhow undesirable it is in a nation so attached
, as is the British to its ancient institutions , that an Order which once held so distinguished a position in the United Kingdom should be allowed to remain dormant , —the present reign , as one of reformation , in which many classes are reviving ancient rights , has been considered a fitting era for reviving the Sixth Language of the Order of Knights Hospitallers . Accordingly , in compliance with the decree of the Council of London , A . D . 1126 , which provides that every Grand Prior must be in priest ' s
orders , " on the 24 th of February , 1834 , the present Grand Prior qualified for his office , under the charter of Philip and Mary , in the Court of King ' s Bench ; and , on Sunday , the 2 d of March following , he received the Sacrament on his installation , pursuant to the corporation laws of England , and it is now a record of the kingdom . Since that period several members have been admitted into the Sixth Language of the Order , and the Synopsis is published with a view to increase
its numbers , and place its re-establishment on a basis worthy of its ancient dignity and beneficent objects . Preparatory to the resuscitation of the Order of Knights Hospitallers in the British Empire , the necessary powers were received from the
Continental authorities through the medium of the Agent-general ; and since then , the acts of the Grand Prior and Council have been approved by a majority of the Languages . The Charter of Philip and Mary , re-incorporating the Order in this country after the arbitrary suppression of it by Henry VIII ., as has been already observed , remains in force ; but had it been otherwise , the power of the Order to revise its dormant branches cannot be questioned . '" ' "" ' * '"* Should the time ever arrivewhicli is not probablein which the Order shall again entertain
, , political views , it is certain that the Sixth Language would take no part in any such proceedings . Indeed it is distinctly to be understood , that by the revival of the British Branch no objects whatever are contemplated but those of benevolence ; nor will its resources be expended except within its own bounds , —viz . the British Isles . Its external pursuits will be limited to the cultivation of brotherly relations with the members of the foreign branches of the Order , remembering that active
charity has at home paramount demands . * * * By the Statutes of the Order , the British Language and the German Language are strictl y Protestant ( vid . Vertot ); and no man , be his rank or influence what they may , can obtain admission into the Fraternity unless his moral character be unexceptionable , and his merits otherwise of known and appreciated value . The venerable and sovereign Order of Knihts Hospitallersas has already been shownwas
g , , ori ginally founded for promoting the great offices of humanity and universal benevolence . Upon these , subsequently , was engrafted the chivalrous object of defending and maintaining the institutions and possessions of the Christian faith . * ' :: " * * Of the two original objects of the institution of St . John , —Christian