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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
friends of humanity and justice can but lament the fate of an Order whose origin was small and insignificant , its growth quick and powerful , its deeds glorious , and its influence throughout the Christian world unparalleled . But great as was their power , far greater were the accusations of their enemies against them : A varice and Jealousy pronounced judgment , and cruel was their end . In order to clear up the confused number of titleshy which their
, principal provincial dignitaries were called , I have , perhaps , in the following account been fortunate enough to satisfy the question of Brother Noachida Dalruadicus . The Grand Master of the Templars was their principal officer , and was elected for life in full Convent of the Order in Jerusalem . He held the rank of a prince , and although not in priestly order , the privileges bestowed upon him by the Pope , gave him episcopal jurisdiction . At
his election he took a vow of fidelity to the statutes of the Order , and was proclaimed ; " Te Deum Laudamus" was then sung by the Brethren , after which , the seal of the Order was handed over to him . * The next officers were divided into two classes , namely , priests and Knights . At first they had no Priests , but Pope Alexander III . granted them priests to perform divine service for them , and to recite the horas or breviary with the Knights , and also to serve them as scribes . They wore a close toga of white cloth , with a hood to cover the head ' , and a red cross fixed at the breast . They also accompanied the Knights to battle .
The Grand Compthier , or Grand Prior , was the next officer in rank to the Grand Master . He filled the office of the Grand Master at his death , pro tempore , and convened a Grand Convent or Conclave at Jerusalem soon after the interment . He presided in Convent over the Knights , but subject to the Grand Master ' s orders . The Grand Marshal was the next in rank ; he commanded the Knights under the Grand Master , but was Commander-in-chief in his absence . The office of Treasurer was generallfilled by a Sub-Compthier ;
y he managed , with proper assistants , the financial affairs of the whole Order ; and to him all their provincial treasurers were obliged to render their annual accounts termed responsions . The Grand Draper was entrusted with the wardrobe of the Knights-, and with the armoury . The conventual or domestic dress of the Knights consisted of a full loose toga , or habit of white cloth , with a cross of red cloth on the left side of the cloak near to the heart . They wore hats
turned up in front , and displayed a plume of feathers . The serving Brothers wore only the red cross on the front of their caps , and also a large red cross on their breasts . Their war dress consisted in a light armour , a sword , and a lance . The Grand Turcopolier commanded the light cavalry , and had Turcopoliery of troops under him ; some of the latter carried the banners of the Order before the Grand Master and Grand Marshal .
There were several minor officers attached to the Grand Convent , as well as to the Grand Provincial Priories , which were obligated Brethren , such as cooks , smiths , armourers , and the youths in training for the greater duties of the Order . The parents of noble families considered
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
friends of humanity and justice can but lament the fate of an Order whose origin was small and insignificant , its growth quick and powerful , its deeds glorious , and its influence throughout the Christian world unparalleled . But great as was their power , far greater were the accusations of their enemies against them : A varice and Jealousy pronounced judgment , and cruel was their end . In order to clear up the confused number of titleshy which their
, principal provincial dignitaries were called , I have , perhaps , in the following account been fortunate enough to satisfy the question of Brother Noachida Dalruadicus . The Grand Master of the Templars was their principal officer , and was elected for life in full Convent of the Order in Jerusalem . He held the rank of a prince , and although not in priestly order , the privileges bestowed upon him by the Pope , gave him episcopal jurisdiction . At
his election he took a vow of fidelity to the statutes of the Order , and was proclaimed ; " Te Deum Laudamus" was then sung by the Brethren , after which , the seal of the Order was handed over to him . * The next officers were divided into two classes , namely , priests and Knights . At first they had no Priests , but Pope Alexander III . granted them priests to perform divine service for them , and to recite the horas or breviary with the Knights , and also to serve them as scribes . They wore a close toga of white cloth , with a hood to cover the head ' , and a red cross fixed at the breast . They also accompanied the Knights to battle .
The Grand Compthier , or Grand Prior , was the next officer in rank to the Grand Master . He filled the office of the Grand Master at his death , pro tempore , and convened a Grand Convent or Conclave at Jerusalem soon after the interment . He presided in Convent over the Knights , but subject to the Grand Master ' s orders . The Grand Marshal was the next in rank ; he commanded the Knights under the Grand Master , but was Commander-in-chief in his absence . The office of Treasurer was generallfilled by a Sub-Compthier ;
y he managed , with proper assistants , the financial affairs of the whole Order ; and to him all their provincial treasurers were obliged to render their annual accounts termed responsions . The Grand Draper was entrusted with the wardrobe of the Knights-, and with the armoury . The conventual or domestic dress of the Knights consisted of a full loose toga , or habit of white cloth , with a cross of red cloth on the left side of the cloak near to the heart . They wore hats
turned up in front , and displayed a plume of feathers . The serving Brothers wore only the red cross on the front of their caps , and also a large red cross on their breasts . Their war dress consisted in a light armour , a sword , and a lance . The Grand Turcopolier commanded the light cavalry , and had Turcopoliery of troops under him ; some of the latter carried the banners of the Order before the Grand Master and Grand Marshal .
There were several minor officers attached to the Grand Convent , as well as to the Grand Provincial Priories , which were obligated Brethren , such as cooks , smiths , armourers , and the youths in training for the greater duties of the Order . The parents of noble families considered