It has frequently been asserted, that the Templars have always professed a religion peculiar to themselves, and much at variance with almost every religious creed at present in existence, but on this subject it is only necessary to say here, that although they possess many religious documents of an extraordinary nature, and, amongst others, a very ancient Greek manuscript of _Evangile_ and the Epistle of St. John, differing from the version contained in the vulgate, yet no chevalier is obliged to subscribe to them unless he be a candidate for certain offices in the Order. This subject is fully explained in a work lately published at Paris, "Recherches Historiques sur les Templiers et sur leurs Croyances Religieuses par J. Plivard, officier superieur d'Artillerie;" and, for the present, we are unwilling to enter upon it, not having as yet received the _proces verbal_ of the Convent-General of the Order, lately assembled at Paris, to which the following question, under the authority of the Grand Master, was submitted:--"L'ordre etant Cosmopolite, et d'après le veu de profession dans la Chevalerie, est il convenable de laisser subsister dans les statuts des dispositions par lesquelles certains officiers de l'Ordre ne pouvent être choisis que parmis les Chevaliers professant la religion Johannite?" The habit of the Order[34] consists, as formerly, of the white tunic and mantle, with the red cross on the left breast; a white cap with a red feather; a white silk sash fringed with red; white pantaloons, buff-boots, gold spurs and an equestrian sword with a silver hilt. The dress differs somewhat according to the rank of the individual, but every Chevalier is bound to wear the gold ring of profession, with the Cross of the Order, and the letters, P. D. E. P.[35] together with his own name, and the date of his reception engraven thereon. Each Knight also is decorated with the conventual cross or jewel of the Order, which consists of a gold cross of eight points enamelled white, surmounted by the Grand Master's crown, and bearing on its centre a cross pattee enamelled gules.