Many men must determine not only to assist to wrest the holy sepulchre from the hands of the infidels, but to give their lives, so long as they might last, to retaining it.

It is scarce to be expected that men with wives and families will take a view like this, indeed it is not to be desired.

But there are single men, men of no ties, who can devote their whole lives, as did the Knights of the Orders of the Cross, to this great object.

When their life has come to an end, doubtless others will take up the banner that their hands can no longer hold.

But for life it is, indeed, that many of humble as well as of princely class must bind themselves to take and defend to death the holy sepulchre." So, gradually raising the tone of his speech, the friar proceeded; until at length by his intense earnestness, his wild gesticulations, his impassioned words, he drew the whole of his listeners along with him; and when he ceased, a mighty shout of "To the Holy Land!" burst from his hearers.
Falling upon their knees, the crowd begged of him to give them the sign of the cross, and to bestow his blessing upon their swords, and upon their efforts.
Father Francis had prepared, in contemplation of such a movement, a large number of small white crosses of cloth.