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KNIGHTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MARK, AND GUARDS OF THE CONCLAVE.

This Conclave is governed by an Invincible Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a Senior and Junior Knight, six Grand Ministers, Recorder, Treasurer, Conductor, and Guard.

Opening.—­“Sir Junior Knight, are all convened in a secret place, and secured from the prying eye of the profane?”

“We are, Invincible.”

“Sir Senior Knight, instruct the Sir Knights to assemble in form for the purpose of opening this Invincible Order.”

The members kneel on both knees in a circle, each with his right hand on his heart, his left on his forehead.

Prayer.—­“Eternal source of life, of light, and perfection, Supreme God and Governor of all things, liberal dispenser of every blessing!  We adore and magnify Thy holy name for the many blessings we have received from Thy hands, and acknowledge our unworthiness to appear before Thee; but for the sake, and in the name of Thy atoning Son, we approach Thee as lost and undone children of wrath; but through the blood of sprinkling, and the sanctification of the Holy Ghost, we come imploring a continuation of Thy favors, for thou hast said, that he who cometh to Thee through faith in the Son of Thy love, Thou wilt in no wise cast out; therefore, at the foot of the cross we come, supplicating pardon for our past offences, that they may be blotted out from the book of Thy remembrance and be seen no more, and that the remainder of our days may be spent as becometh the followers of the Holy One of Israel; and graciously grant that love, harmony, peace, and unity may reign in this Council; that one spirit may animate us—­one God reign over us—­and one heaven receive us, there to dwell in Thine adorable presence forever and ever.  Amen.”

The Invincible Knight takes the Bible and waves it four times over his head, saying, “Rex regnantium, et Dominus dominantium;” [that is, King of kings, and Lord of Lords;] kisses it and passes it on his right; it goes around until it comes again to the Invincible Knight, who opens and reads, Matthew v. 3-12, 16.

Always interlace the fingers of the left hand, draw your sword and present it to the heart, and say, “Tammuz Touliumeth, I pronounce this Convention opened in ample form.  Let us repair to our several stations, and strictly observe silence.”

Preparation.—­The candidate is shown into the anti-chamber by the conductor, who clothes him in a gown of brown stuff, and leads him to the door of the Council chamber, where he knocks twice, six, and two—­2, 6, and 2.