The Templar Reception.

If no member makes any objection , he is to be immediately conducted to the chamber adjoining the Chapter . Then two or three of the most intelligent and ancient members of the Order , and who are best acquainted with the forms , are to repair thither . When those members shall have the candidate before them , they are to address him thus :

"Brother , is it your wish to become a member of the society of this house ? " ¦ If he reply in the affirmative , they are then to explain to him the great duties of the house , and the charitable precepts belonging to it , with all the difficulties attending them .... If he replies , that he is willing to endure them all for God , to become the servant and the slave of the house at all times , and

as long as he lives ; they are then to ask him . if he has a wedded wife , if he be betrothed to any woman , or if ever he dedicated himself to any religious order or society . If he has contracted any debt with any body in the world , and to whom he is incapable of paying the same . If he be sound in his person , . and if he has any secret infirmity , and if he be servant to any man . And if he reply in the negative , and that he be clear of all those obligations , the brethren shall enter the Chapter , and report the result of their inquiries to the Grand Master , or to whomsoever may occupy his place , in the following

manner : Sire , we have conversed with the worthy candidate in the preparatory chamber , and have explained to him all the austerities of our house to the best of our power and knowledge . He declares , that he is willing to become the servant and slave of the house ; and that he is clear of all the obligations and particulars injecting which we have examined him ; neither is there any embarrassment to his becoming a brother , if to God , to you , and to the

brethren , it seem meet . Then the Grand Master shall forthwith tell the brethren , that if any one has anything further to say let him speak ; for it is much better at present than hereafter . And if nobody reply , he shall then say aloud : " Are you all willing that he shall come forth , God being his helper ? " The fraternity shall then reply , let him come forth before God .

Then the officiating brethren , who had examined him , shall return back to the chamber , and shall say to him : Are you still in your good disposition ? If the candidate say , yes ; they shall then instruct him how he is to demand to be admitted into the society of the house . The candidate is then to be led into the Chapter hall , is to kneel down before the Grand Master , holding his hands clasped together , and shall say ,

sire , I come before God , before you and the brethreu , and beg and entreat you , for God ' s sake , and for the sake of our Lady , to receive me into your society , and admit me to the benefits of the house , for I am willing to be always the servant and slave of the house . Then he who presides shall say to him : M y worthy brother , you do not require any great thing ; for of our Order and religion you only perceive the bark which is outside . For the bark is , the fine horses , the housings , the good drink , the wholesome food and the fair robes which you see with us , and thus yon may think to be quite at your ease ... But you do not perceive the rigorous precepts that are within .

For , a hard thing it is indeed , that you who are your own master , should become the servant and slave of others . For with difficulty will you ever be allowed to have your own will . For should you like to bo where you are , you would be sent beyond the seas . Should you choose to be at Acre , you will be sent to Tripoli or to Antioch ; to Armenia , to Poland , to Sicily , to Lombardy , to France to Burgundy , or to England , or perhaps to other regions where we

have houses and possessions . Should you be inclined to sleep , you will be forced to watch ; or should you at times be inclined to watch you will bo ordered to go to repose in your bed .