warriors, exerted himself to extend the order throughout all Christendom, so that lie might, by means of so politic an institution, keep alive the holy enthusiasm of the west, and draw a constant succour from the bold and warlike races of Europe for the support of his christian throne and kingdom. St. Bernard, the holy abbot of Clairvanx, had been a great admirer of the Templars. He wrote a letter to the Count of Champagne, on his entering Jhe order, (A. D . 1123,) praising the act as one of eminent merit in the sight of God ; and it was determined to enlist the all-powerful influence of this great ecclesiastic in favour of the fraternity. " By a vow of poverty and penance, by closing his eyes against the visible world, hy the refusal of all ecclesiastical dignities, the Abbot of Clairvaux became the oracle of Europe, and the founder of one hundred and sixty convents. Princes and pontiffs trembled at the freedom of his apostolical censures : France, England, and Milan, consulted and obeyed his judgment in a schism of the church : the debt was repaid by the gratitude of Innocent the Second ; and his successor, Eugenius the Third, was the friend and disciple of the holy St. Bernard." * To this learned and devout prelate two knights templars were despatched with the following letter : " Baldwin, by the grace of the Lord J ESUS Cnmsr, King of Jerusalem, and Prince of Antioch, to the venerable Father Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, health and regard. " The Brothers of the Temple, whom the Lord hath deigned to raise up, and whom by an especial Providence he preserves for the defence of this kingdom, desiring to obtain from the Holy See the confirmation of their institution, and a rule for their particular guidance, we have determined to send to you the two knights, Andrew and Gondcmar, men as much distinguished by • OiMwt.