Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/183



has already been stated that at its first institution the Order of St. John was composed of three separate classes, ranked wider the respective heads of Knights, Chaplains, and Serving Brothers. Of these the second class, namely, the Chaplains, gradually became subdivided into conventual chaplains and priests of obedience. The former were specially attached to the bead-quarter convent, and performed all the ecclesiastical duties appertaining thereto; whilst the latter carried on such parochial duties as were incident to their profession in the numerous European commanderies. The serving brothers were also soon divided into two classes, one comprising those who entered the Order in this rank with the hope of winning their spurs under the White Cross banner, and afterwards of obtaining admission into the class of Knights; the other, composed of men who, owing to the want of advantages of birth were unable to enter in any other capacity.