Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
seat in Scotland , the members of which are erroneously designated by Bro . AA ' alter as the Scottish Templars ; " and in doing this , 1 may be held to touch upon what appears to me to be the proper method of restoring the Order in England . Before entering upon these remarks , however , let me bear testimony to the general accuracy of the statements in Bro . Walter ' s letter , which evince much knowledge of the history of the Order as it flourished in
the clays of chivalry ; although in regard to its existence and preservation in Scotland subsequent to the death of De Molay , Bro . AV alter does not seem to be quite so well informed . Differing as 1 do from that Brother , with respect to the connexion between the Order of the Temple and Masonic fraternities , I cannot see that any necessity exists for debarring from admission into a chivalric order all gentlemen except such as belong to a fraternity of Freemasons .
Indeed , 1 conceive that so long as such a connection is maintained , the Order of the Temple will never be considered either by the uninitiated —nay , I may add , by many of the initiated—as anything but a degree in Masonry , and as an important step in the Masonic ladder . Such a connexion has been partially dissolved by the Chivalrous Order , at the head of which is placed the gallant ancl venerable Sir David Milne , G . C . B . No one who did not belong to the Order—the head quarters of which are at present , though not necessarily , in Scotland—and at the same time take an active part in the proceedings from the year 1825
downwards , or be otherwise conversant with its proceedings , is well qualified to form a judgment upon the expediency of innovations which have since then been introduced into an ancient institution for the purpose of purifying the Order , and restoring it to its pristine position . Such innovations may easily be avoided in forming a new society , such as that contemplated in London ;' ' ' but in correcting the workings of an old and established order , new regulations could alone have availed for
carrying out the objects which the chivalry of the Temple had in view . As a duly admitted Kni ght , I have no hesitation in so far agreeing with what Bro . Walter has advanced as that the Commanders ancl Grancl Crosses may be innovations upon ancient simplicity . At the same time , the Knights of Malta certainly had such gradations ; ancl considering the low state into which the Order had fallen during the half century that had elapsed since an amalgamation between it and the Masonic or
irregular Templars took place in Scotland , without the introduction of some such degrees , and the adoption of a distinguishing costume , gentlemen of rank and station coulcl not be expected to join it , and the Order would not now have attained the high position which it has again been able to resume throughout the Christian world . Should it continue to progress , as I sincerely hope it may do , and be exclusively composed , as in former daysof members holding nearlthe same rank in civil
, y society , then the distinctions of Commander ancl Grancl Cross may very properly be done away with , the three primitive classes restored , and alone acknowledged in the Order . There has been no "Grancl Prelate" in the Order since March lasta committee appointed on the subject having reported , that in a cosmopolitan Christian Order such an appointment might involve reli gious questions . They , therefore , recommended that the office should be
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
seat in Scotland , the members of which are erroneously designated by Bro . AA ' alter as the Scottish Templars ; " and in doing this , 1 may be held to touch upon what appears to me to be the proper method of restoring the Order in England . Before entering upon these remarks , however , let me bear testimony to the general accuracy of the statements in Bro . Walter ' s letter , which evince much knowledge of the history of the Order as it flourished in
the clays of chivalry ; although in regard to its existence and preservation in Scotland subsequent to the death of De Molay , Bro . AV alter does not seem to be quite so well informed . Differing as 1 do from that Brother , with respect to the connexion between the Order of the Temple and Masonic fraternities , I cannot see that any necessity exists for debarring from admission into a chivalric order all gentlemen except such as belong to a fraternity of Freemasons .
Indeed , 1 conceive that so long as such a connection is maintained , the Order of the Temple will never be considered either by the uninitiated —nay , I may add , by many of the initiated—as anything but a degree in Masonry , and as an important step in the Masonic ladder . Such a connexion has been partially dissolved by the Chivalrous Order , at the head of which is placed the gallant ancl venerable Sir David Milne , G . C . B . No one who did not belong to the Order—the head quarters of which are at present , though not necessarily , in Scotland—and at the same time take an active part in the proceedings from the year 1825
downwards , or be otherwise conversant with its proceedings , is well qualified to form a judgment upon the expediency of innovations which have since then been introduced into an ancient institution for the purpose of purifying the Order , and restoring it to its pristine position . Such innovations may easily be avoided in forming a new society , such as that contemplated in London ;' ' ' but in correcting the workings of an old and established order , new regulations could alone have availed for
carrying out the objects which the chivalry of the Temple had in view . As a duly admitted Kni ght , I have no hesitation in so far agreeing with what Bro . Walter has advanced as that the Commanders ancl Grancl Crosses may be innovations upon ancient simplicity . At the same time , the Knights of Malta certainly had such gradations ; ancl considering the low state into which the Order had fallen during the half century that had elapsed since an amalgamation between it and the Masonic or
irregular Templars took place in Scotland , without the introduction of some such degrees , and the adoption of a distinguishing costume , gentlemen of rank and station coulcl not be expected to join it , and the Order would not now have attained the high position which it has again been able to resume throughout the Christian world . Should it continue to progress , as I sincerely hope it may do , and be exclusively composed , as in former daysof members holding nearlthe same rank in civil
, y society , then the distinctions of Commander ancl Grancl Cross may very properly be done away with , the three primitive classes restored , and alone acknowledged in the Order . There has been no "Grancl Prelate" in the Order since March lasta committee appointed on the subject having reported , that in a cosmopolitan Christian Order such an appointment might involve reli gious questions . They , therefore , recommended that the office should be