The Modern Order Of Knights Templar.

Lodge would also imply that Templary was previously known in Ireland , and that tho petitioners for the warrant belonged to it , as it cannot for a moment bo conceived that thoy deliberately falsified tho powers granted them , tho more especially as the warrant itself Avas open to inspection . Iu my opinion , a great mistake is made in looking at this old Kilwinning warrant from the point of viow of this

present day , and in not considering tho very different relations that all Masonic matters bore to each other a century ago . Then it Avas apparently held that tho only correct lawful Masonic authority was the Craft warraut , and that that warrant covered every known degreo of Masonry . The impetus given of late to tho Knights Templar Order in tho

United States , and the popularity it has acquired there , is to bo attributed to the attractive form it has assumed , tho aim apparently being , to establish a kind of volunteer militia organisation under strict discipline , distinct from tho Masonic portion , by tho adoption of a quasi military uniform—knight errant excursions and picnics , stirring orations , parading with bands of music , and intricate formations in imitation of military evolutions , all of which aro both

enjoyablo and harmless recreations , and very pleasing spectacles , but certainly are neither Masonic or chivalric , and do not convey a very accurate idea of the Great Order of thoTemplo , or what it is intended to represent , viz ., the stern , mail-clad warrior Monks of the Crusadessurrounded by their men at arms and numerous retinue of retainers , tho Knights distinguished by thoir flowing whito mantles , adorned with the blood-red Cross of Martyrdom , tho rest in sombre habits of russet brown or black .

In thus alluding to the customs of tho United States Templars , I must not be understood as Avishing to interfere with their system or draw invidious comparisons , but merely to point ont tho totallg different views entertained of the Order by the two jurisdictions , and to explain what these are to members of tho Order in Canada who , attracted by the magnificenco of tho display thoy have witnessed ,

have expressed a wish to imitate them . In onr Templar costume wo follow that of the Ancient Knights , Avhich is intended to symbolize tho principles of tho Order , but never meant to bo paraded beforo the eyes of tho public . Such exhibitions aro not the custom of the country , all public Masonic displays being looked upon as most objectionable , and a Templar procession with us

would appear as ridiculons to the common observer as if tho Knights of tho "Garter" and the " Bath , " in their state robes , or gentlemen in court dress , wero to parade tho streets for the admiration of the mnltitndo . Show and parade are sometimes necessary , but in matters connected with Freemasonry , tho loss so thti bettor ; like Christianity , it is more approbated in its unobtrusive character than by pnblic

demonstrations , and the unnecessary expense incurred better applied to promoting the object and aim of all Masonic systems . I have taken considerable pains to ascertain from tho highest Masonic authorities in the United States the origin of the Tomplar Order there , and find that mention is made of it as an honorary order , practised in a Royal Arch Chapter at Boston , so far back as 17 G 9 ,

where it was given by members of Craft Lodges attached to British regiments quartered there at the time , Avho wore in possession of it and visited tho Chapter ; but tho earliest distinct body or Encampment of Templars was not formed until the middle of the decade of the last century in Pennsylvania , it is said by Irish Craft Masons , bnt no ono seems to know by what authority or where thov first obtained

the degree—it died out after a short existence—then it started in New England and a ritual wholly made there , which i 3 of itself sufficient proof that the persons who set it on foot never had the correct order at all ; if they had it they would havo retained the ritual by which they received it , without which they could have no connection with the order elsewhere . The New York Grand Encampment

was chartered by the "Joseph Ccrncau" spurious Grand Consistory 32 ° . United States Templary is , therefore , essentially a modern American degree , based ou the Kadosh , * the thirtieth or Templar degree of the A . & A . S . Kite , and framed to suit their Masonio system according to thoir own ideas of tho supposed forms and practices of the Ancient Knights as Masons , with but little attention

paid to tbe usages of tho old Orders of Chivalry , which we are endeavouring to follow ; therefore , how can the Templar Order in tho two systems bo considered as oic , when the rituals and customs iu no respect resemble each other . The OX . arc unlike—OUTS is a Trinitarian Order , Avhilst the other is decidedly not , and might be wholly Unitarian aud be just as much Templary as it is now—withont

irimtarianism thoro is no Templary , audit is necessarily so distinc tivo a characteristic of the Order that it is difficult to understand how any system without it can bo entitled to style itself Templary . This , then , is wdiere tho great difference exists between the two systems , and tho difficulty in the way of forming a " treaty of alliance" so desirable and so strongly advocated . I would still join iu doing much

to bring about a union of the English speaking Templars , but let it bo done in moderation , fairness and charity to all . Tho recent assumption of superiority by the Grand Encampment , United States , over tho Great Priories of tho British Dominions , does not seem the most advisable move to conduce to this cud . The analogy drawn between the " Grand Encampment" and "Convent General" is not . stn .-Mv

applicable . The federal alliance of the Great Priories , like that of nations for mutual support . and convenience , cannot interfere with tho com / dctc independence of each . The "Grand Encampment" is the nationality of the United Stales Templars , as tho Great Priories are to their own nations , and the United States Grand Commanderies similar to the Provincial Priories . Perhaps in a purely technical sense , tho "Grand Encampment" and "Convent General" aro to

* The Kadosh may be styled an nppcr . d . 'igc to Templary , but cannot be considered as true Templary itself from the fact that it takes the death of De Molai as its strong point , and not the establishment of the Order , being designed purely to perpetuate the memory of the Martyrdom of the Great Mas ' ter and his brother Knights , and to inveke vengeance upon the oppressors , v / ... the Papal power and the Throne of Fiance .

The Modern Order Of Knights Templar.

somo extent nearly alike , but this arises from tho incongruous position into which Templary has drifted ; in reality no nationality should possess any body higher than a Great Priory , or any officer superior to a Great Prior ; thoro shonld be only one Grand Master , chosen by tho knights of all nationalities , who should preside over the wholo

Templar Ordor . There -never Avas , and there cannot be , te : o Grand Masters of the same Order of Chivalry—it might be well if the Grand Encampment abated somewhat of its pretensions to superiority over the Great Priories , as Convent General , composed of theso Great Priories cannot enter into foreign relations without their mutual consent .

Having thus endeavoured to give a general idea of Templary , I would say to all thoso whose prejudices cause them to vilify and throw obloquy on tho memory of tho ancient Knights , and who beliovo that their persecution and downfall was merited , that to judge of tho true spirit of tho Order wo mnst not look upon thoso instances whero the rudo and licentious habits of the timo mixed up

a portion of evil with its genuine character , bnt turn our eyes to tho splendid examples of noble acts performed by that famous soldierywhoso chivalrous feeling raised to a pitch of enthusiasm , inspired them to such deeds of conragc and devotion in defenco of the Christian faith and its followers , that they were looked upon with wonder and admiration by tho wholo world , and Avhoso subsequent

fate was as undeserved as it was terrible . Tho accusations against them were as preposterous and ridiculous as thoy Avere false and malicious , only fitted for the gross ignorance and superstition of tho ago , and meant as a cloak to conceal tho real designs of their persecutors , actuated by an intensity of jealous hatred and cupidity , at tho haughty pride , ambition , and enormous wealth of the knights , which

had corrupted tho puro principles on which the Order Avas originally founded . Tho Papal Bull was published in May 1312 , and tho Order which had fought and bled in the cause of tho Cross for two centuries , extinguished by the Pope , although ho avowed that the proof had failed so as to carry definite judgment .

Tho genuine Ordor of tho Temple still exists in unbroken succession in Portugal , now conferred as an honorary distinction by the Sovereign and called " Tho Order of Christ , " also , until the suppression of tho Pope ' s temporal authority , in the Papal States ; even yet it may exist there . The Knights of Christ , established by King Dionesins in 1319 , wero the Old Templars , under a new namo in

order to avoid any conflict with tho Papal power ; but tho Order , tho statutes , the knights , wero thoso of the Order of Tho Temple , just as tho Jesuits existed during tho suppression under another namo , but continued Jesuits still . In conclusion , it may not bo out of place to add a short list of such historical works , relating to the Order , as arc easily attainable , tho

perusal of which Avill assist in dispelling tbe erroneous impressions disseminated by many of the Masonic magazines and monitors , purporting to give its true history and usages : " Secret Societies of the Middle Age , " Article "Tomplars , " published in Library of Entertaining Knowledge , 1 S 37 . " Addison ' s Knights Templars , " English edition , 1842 , in

preference to the later ono of 1853 , or to the American edition by " Macoy , " in which " Addison ' s" text has been in many places altered to suit the American Masonic system , and therefore calculated to mislead the Historic Templar Student . " Anthony O'Neil Haye's History of the Knights Templars , from their rise , to tho third Crusade , " as also his "Persecution of tho Knights Templars , " Edinburgh , 1 SG 5 .

" Burne ' s " Sketch of tho History of tho Knights Templar , Edinburgh , 1 S 37 . " Sketch of the Knights Templar and St . John , with Notes on tho Masonic Templars , " byKichd . Woof , F . S . A . Worcester , London , 18 G 5 . " Porter ' s " History of the Knights of Malta , 1858 . Theso works will be found sufficient to give an accurate idea of tho Orders of the Temple aud Hospitallers of St . John or Knights of Malta .

Not'K . —Since the above list was printed Sir Patrick Colqnhoun , Q . C ., LL . D ., has published a " Concise History of the Order of tho Temple , " an interesting historical work with his own deductions on tho "legitimate descent theory . "— ( It . HilUt Co ., Bedford , England , 1878 ) .

The Re-Opening Of Tewkesbury Abbey

THE RE-OPENING OF TEWKESBURY ABBEY

I in : time for the re-opening of the noble Church has been fixed for Tuesday , 23 rd September , and in addition to the opening services on that day , it is proposed to hold special services during the seven following days . Among tho preachers who have promised their assistance during the octave , are the Bishop of the Diocese ( Gloucester and Bristol ) , the Bishops of Oxford , Ely , and Derry , tho Revs . Canon

Carry , 0 . Portal , G . Body , W . J . Knox Little , aud W . Foxley Norris . During the week a Masonic gathering has been arranged at Tewkesbury , to commemorate the Restoration by the Freemasons of Gloucestershire of the 13 th century chapel , adjoining the north transept of the Abbey , and at tho service on that day , tho Rev . G . F . Portal , rector of iUirghclerc , Newbury , will be the preacher . On the last

day of the octave , 30 th September , a festival of parish choirs from tho neighbourhood will terminate the proceedings . The Lord Bishop of Derry will preach on the occasion . Tho holy communion will bo celebrated daily , during the festival , at 8 a . m ., and at a later honr , mattins ( full choral ) will be sung , in addition to tho services , for which special preachers are appointed . There will also be a service

for children during tho week . Arrangements aro being entered into with the railway companies , Avitha view to the convenience of visitors from a distance , and particulars will shortly bo published as to hotel accommodation , private lodgings , Inncheons , and reading and writing rooms , and other matters , whoreby tho comfort of those who may he drawn to the old town may bo ensured . Wo are asked to say that funds are urgently needed to complete the restoration work .