Masonic Templarism.

MASONIC TEMPLARISM .

THE Masonic character of the Templar system cannot be questioned . Freemasonry sometimes has been defined in such a way as to limit it to the first three degrees , with chat of the Royal Arch . ; but although a strict construction may justify such a definition , there is no gainsaying the fact that between the Masonic and Templar svstems there is a vital bond of

connection . It is Royal Arch Masons alone who are eligible to receive the orders conferred in Templar bodies , and the rituals used in conferring these orders make frequent references to persons , events and ceremonies , identified with the instruction

given in the preceding degrees . Evidently there is no impropriety in using the term Masonic Templarism as applied to the modern order , however apart from symbolic Masonry the Templar institution in some respects may seem .

The Templar order in its modern character and expression is composed of three grades , viz : Red Cross , Knight Templar and Knight of Malta . The first named grade relates to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem , and to the efforts alleged to have been made by Zerubbabel , and other Hebrews held

captives in Persia , to obtain the King ' s favour in the work of such rebuilding . The Order of the Red Cross includes an attractive ceremony designed to impress the importance of

truth above all things else . It has no analogy , however , with the two following grades in the Templar system , and is considered by some eminent authorities as out of place in the relation accorded to it in the American classification . Its

Masonic parentage is well assured , however , and it is not likely to be set aside . But Masonic Templarism takes on its distinctive character by reason of two chivalric orders included within its system , viz . Knight Templar and Knight of Malta . Each of these grades

represents a renowned order which flourished in the time of the Crusades , and in the centuries next following that period , and which bore the true chivalric stamp . Masonic Templarism is fortunate in being able to trace , even traditionally , a line of descent from such heroic sources . It is the Templar grade ,

however , to which chief prominence attaches in the modern organisation , and it is this grade which gives the distinguishing title to the body . A special interest , therefore , attaches to the ancient Templars , a military Brotherhood organised for the protection of Christian pilgrims in Palestine . These valiant

Knights , first called " Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Jesus Christ , " came afterwards to be designated Knights of the Temple , for the reason that their headquarters in Jerusalem were near the supposed site of King Solomon ' s Temple , and thus it was in common speech they were called Templars .

The story of their chivalric character and brave deeds in Palestine has been often told ; and so , also , has been told , with hardly less of interest , the story of their powerful influence in Europe , until at last envy and persecution caused the overthrow

of the once flourishing Order . The end came with the death of their Grand Master , who was executed 18 th March 1313 . The dispersion and suppression of the Templar Order quickly followed .

Masonic Templarism may not claim a lineal connection with the Antient Order of Templars . The proof is wanting that the ancient Order survived the period of its persecution , so maintaining its organic life as to become the actual source and legitimate authority for the organisations of Masonic Templarism

established in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries . There is no sufficient evidence to justify this conclusion any more than there is to support that other proposition which affirms that the ancient Templars were Masons , and that the chief object which they had in view was to preserve the rites and ceremonies of

Freemasonry . Dismissing these assumptions , Masonic Templarism may claim only a connection of tradition and sentiment with the ancient Order . This counts for much . There is a flavour of the old heroic spirit abiding with modern Templary which constitutes a delightful charm ; there are lessons and legends

brought down from mediaeval days which have value ; and there are associations with scenes and events belonging to the stirring period of the Crusades , which brighten the exposition of the Templar ritual as it -is now learned and taught . But to claim more than this ' , to assert that Masonic Templarism , as it now

exists , is the actual historic successor of the Templar Order of the Middle Ages , seems alike unnecessary and unwise . There is no call to do this any more than there is to maintain that other proposition which declares that Freemasonry was fostered and preserved by an Ancient Order of Templars .

To what source , then , is the origin of the modern order to be traced ; How did it originate ? By what forces and at what time was it moulded into its present form , being started upon a line of movement which shows increasing light and progress all

along the way ? It is of Masonic parentage . There can be no question of the rightful use of the terms " Templar Masonry " and "Masonic Templarism " in designating the modern system . But while this proposition is insisted upon , it must be conceded

Masonic Templarism.

that important differences exist between the Masonic and the Templar systems . Templary is essentially a Christian institution . It requires faith in the Eternal Son of God . It recognises the doctrines and religious propositions which underlie a common Christianity , and

in its ceremonies it enforces most impressively many lessons drawn from the life , the sufferings , death , and the resurrection of Christ our Lord . It is an institution claiming to be established on a basis of Christian faith and the practice of the Christian virtues .

Masonic Templarism was but little known either in this country or in Europe prior to the nineteenth century . In Great Britain , as here , the first recognition of the Templar grade was by Masonic Lodges or Chapters of Eoyal Arch Masons working under Lodge warrants . Old diplomas and certificates show that the

Templar order was thus conferred . The records of St . Andrew ' s Chapter , Boston , under date of 28 th August 1769 , contain a statement to the effect that on that day Bro . William Davis was advanced four steps in Masonry by receiving the degrees of Excellent Master , Super-Excellent , Royal Arch , and Knight

Templar . Undoubtedly there was at that time a Red Cross ceremony as well as a Templar ritual , and the two orders were probably conferred in an irregular sort of way by those who had received them . Afterward , near the close of the eighteenth century , were formed associations—councils and

encampmentsinstituted by virtue of inherent right or under the sanction of Scottish Rite bodies , or other Masonic authority . As early as 1795 there was an unchartered association of Templars at Newburyport , Mass ., which seems to have done its work in its own

way several years without acknowledging any superior authority . In Boston , a few years later , a number of Brethren , organised under the name of an " Encampment , " for a little time conferred the degrees of Masonry and the orders of Knighthood according to their own will and pleasure .

The late Dr . Winslow Lewis , in commenting upon this early attempt to establish the order of Knights Templars , says : " In order to give a colour of authority to their proceedings , they appropriated the charter of the Rising States Lodge , and carried it in a coach over one bridge , bringing it into town by another , thereby constituting , as they expressed it , a travelling Lodge . "

By the action of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts , and of Boston Council of Knights of the Red Cross , constituted in 1802 , and soon merged into Boston Encampment ( now Commandery ) , the irregular organisation was broken up and a more orderly eource of procedure entered upon in the conferring of the higher grades .

By this time Templar organisations had been formed in various parts of the country . In 1797 , indeed , a convention was held in Philadelphia , which established a Grand Encampment , having four subordinates . But neither the parent body nor the subordinates maintained their organic life for any considerable period . The Webb Monitor , published in 1805 , refers to this

movement , and also mentions the existence of Templar bodies in Providence , R . I ., Newburyport and Boston , Mass ., Baltimore , Md ., and elsewhere . It may be observed in this connection that the first named body , St . John ' s Encampment , Providence , established in 1802 , has had a continuous and prosperous career from that period until now .

A Grand Encampment , organised in Rhode Island in 1805 , assumed the title of " Grand Encampment of Rhode Island , and the jurisdiction thereunto belonging . " A year later it took the name of the " United States Grand Encampment , " and defined its jurisdiction as extending to any State or Territory " wherein

there is not a Grand Encampment regularly established . " The grand body thus formed in 1805 continued to exercise the authority claimed until 1816 , at which time the words " United States " were striken from the title , and it declared itself to be

the governing Templar body for only Massachusetts and Ehode Island . The present Grand Commandery , which governs the two States thus closely united in Templar history and interests , claims priority among sister grand bodies , holding that its organic life dates from 1805 .

In 1816 an important meeting was held in New York , which had much to do with the enlargement of the Templar institution . This meeting , entitled a convention , was participated in by representatives of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and of the Grand Encampment of New York . The

delegates were but few in number , and they represented a feeble constituency , yet they took upon themselves the responsibility of forming a new organisation , to which they gave the name of " The General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and the Appendant Orders for the United States . " This was the birth of the organisation now known as the Grand Encampment of the

United States . It was begun in weakness , and was the work of a few earnest , bold souls , who believed that a more effective organisation was necessary to the welfare of Templar Masonry , and especially to prevent the possible confusion and conflict liable to arise from several grand bodies attempting to exercise jurisdiction over the same territory .