Knight Templarism In Canada

however , that the Grand Encampments of the United States , claiming absolute and exclusive power over Foreign relations does not tallow the same to be exercised * by their State Grand Commanderies , and issued an edict to that effect , and restrictinsg this interchange of representatives :

regretting that I should in any way trespass upon the privileges of the Grand Encampment of the United States , I have directed the Grand Chancellor to notify the fratres to whom rank in the Grand Priory was thus accorded , that we hope , if it does not interfere with their allegiance , that will consider themselves still Honorary Members

of this Grand Priory . With regard to myself and the Grand Officers appointed Canadian Representatives of the State Commanderies , as a matter of course our functions and duties as such must cease .

The visits of Encampments from the Unnited States to Canada has given rise to a wish on the part of several of our fratres for a change of costume to admit of their taking part in processions and masonic demonstrations . For my own part I cannot agree with the necessity of this

change . The order of the Temple as now constituted was never intended for the public gaze or street display , and the modern innovations of a military uniform and drill , so much thought of in the United States , does not convey to my mind the dignified position we ought to assume

as successors , although by adoption , of our predecessors , the Knig hts of old , and although I have no wish or intention to disparage the feelings which actuate the order in the United States , it does not follow that we should approve of or adopt their views ; and however consistent

may be the military undress with the cocked hat adopted by them as memento of the dress worn by the soldiers of the revolution , It certainly is not an appropriate one . for us . I am always glad to entertain and recommend any proposition for the good of the Order , or that would gratify

the members , but I fail to see any good in this contemplated change , about which am in receipt of several communications . Our costume , assimilating as it does to that worn of old , is emblematical of the Order , and at the installation of an aspirant the beautiful ceremony of initiation

fully explains it , —the white mantle and overcoat is to represent a pure life , with a red cross as a symbol of martyrdom . The argument used , that it is not a suitable one to assist at the laying of foundation stones

or other masonic demonstrations , cannot be applicable to the Temple—such ceremonies being entirely within the province of the Craft degrees of Freemasonry , and never could have formed any part of the duties of the Knights Templar . I am myself strongly imposed to

all public displays , and deprecate them most strenuously . There is too great a desire to blazon forth all our doings , which neither can be understood nor appreciated by the public at large . The following quotation from a recent masonic address it New Orleans , by Bro . the Rev . W . V . Tudor , conveys all I could wish to say : — - " Secrecy . is

a peculiar feature of masonry ; and the meaning and power of masonic secresy lies in another word , and that is—silence , and may be read in these words : — " When thou doest thine alms , let not th y left hand know what thy right doeth ;" or this , " He shall not cry or lift up , nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets . "

One argument adduced m lavotir ol the proposed change is , " that it is the only way in which the success of the ( h'der in Canada can be secured . " It is a matter of much regret to me that the principles oi ' the Order of the Temple , its history and antecedents , is so little

understood as these sentiments would seem to imply . If the opportunity of exhibiting themselves in public with an attractive costume be really the principal inducement for persons wishing to join the Order , such accessions to our ranks would do us but little credit , and there are surely enough of other distinguished . societies

where thev might readily obtain the opportunity of the public display they covet , and without being hampered with the vows of the Templar . I have already appointed a Committee to inquire into , and report upon , such malC-rs as may be thought conducive to the prosperity ol the Ord' -r hi 'Mm-- " ) : •:. 't ilh - •\ eiw to the removal

Knight Templarism In Canada

of every possible cause of difference , and the strengthening the ties that bind us to our English allegiance , and although so entirel y opposed to any alteration in the costume , will request that this desire for an out-door dress be also taken into consideration for submission to the Supreme

Grand Conclave m England . To the same Committee , I would also speciall y refer the consideration whether , as we have now so many Encampments formed , it would not be expedient at once to establish one or more Provincial Grand Conclaves , the formation of which would , I

strongly ieel , be the means of advancing the prosperity of the Order , which depends so much on unity of action and a strict adherence to the princi p les b y which we profess to be governed . I have to announce to you that I have directed credentials to be made out , conferrins : the rank

of a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Commander and Honorary Corresponding Member of this Grand Priory on Sir Kni ght Richard Woof , F . S . A ., of Worcester , England , Past Commander of the " St . Amand" Encampment , Worcester , a

member of the Supreme Grand Conclave , and one of the Committee now engaged in revising the Statutes of the Order . Frater Woof is well know as the writer of several able treatises , amonsr them a most excellent and interesting

little work , which I strongly recommend for the perusal of all Templars , intitled , " A Sketch of the Order of Kni ghts Templar and Kni ghts Hospitallers of St . John of Jerusalem , with notes on Masonic Templars . " ( London : Robert Hardwick , 192 , Piccadilly , J 86 5 ) .

It would appear an impression is entertained by some Encampments in the United States that there are other Degrees in Masonry considered as a necessary pre-requisite to the Templar . As I have been , instrumental in introducing several of those degrees and orders into Canada , it may

not be out of place to allude to them , antl state that no other degree is required for a novice of our order than that of the Royal Arch , as practised in England . The Order of the Red Cross of Constantine , although a Christian one , has no connection whatever with that of the Temple ,

and is held under quite a separate jurisdiction . The historical notice , in the Statutes of that Order , has unintentionall y been the means of disseminating a very great error , which was contradicted b y a declaration from the Grand Sovereign of that order last year , namely , that

this Masonic Red Cross was the actual representative of the ancient anil still existing public ( trder of that name , supported b y a wild fiction that Abbe Giuistiniani , who was attached to the Venetian Embassy in London , and was himself a Grand Cross , had conferred the novitate cross on certain Freemasons . It is clearly shewn that

this is not the case , and it merel y claims to be a revised branch of the masonic brotherhood which formed part of the system of the Baron Huntie , about i / jo , and is the same Order as that over which the late Duke of Sussex presided from 1 S 13 to 1 S 4- .- , for reception into which the degree of Master Mason is a necessary qualification .

By the last mail J am in receipt of a communication from the Grand Vice-Chancellor , informing me that an Encampment , known in London as the" Hol y Cross and Beaunomir , " is not on the Roll of Grand Conclave . , the committer having declined to recommend the granting of a warrant of confirmation of an old warrant dated

111 179 , 5 . ihe holder of tins warrant , Brother . Morton Edwards , not a Kni ght Templar on Grand Conclave Register , and who claims to be the Commander by virtue thereof , has been

suspended by the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , of which bod y he was a Grand Odiccr , on the complaint of the authorities of ( irand Conclave , under the Tripartite Treaty of 1 1 ih March , 1 S 71 , between the simreme authorities of the United

Orders 01 the lemple and Hospital , and Alalia , the , ) . > rd Degree , anil the Grand Lodge of Mark Master for pretending to confer the Degrees of Kni ght Templar and Kni g ht of Malta in England . The Grand Chancellor will read

a circular , also received in connection with the Treaty above nam ; d . Since writing ; the above , I very much lvgrct to say that our valued frit nd and V . E . Frater , T . D . Haiini'toii , t ' ne Deputy Grand Prior of the Do-

Knight Templarism In Canada

minion , has written me to say that his health for some time past i has been so impaired as to render it impossible for him to attend Grand Priory , and as . he has been recommended to avoid all exertion and excitement , he finds it necessary to tender me his resi gnation as Deputy

Grand Prior . I know I express all your feelings in saying _ with what pain on the one hand wc receive this intelligence of his indisposition , and with what gratification on the other , we will hart his restoration to health and his appearance again amongst us . I am further sure of

meeting your fullest and most hearty approbation in nominating as his successor our valued and esteemed V . E . Frater Samuel B . Harman , one of the shiest of the Grand Officers and members of the order in the Dominion , who will now be proclaimed and saluted as Deputy Grand Prior of the Dominion .

And now , Fratres of the Temple , let me thank you for the kindness you have always manifested towards me , and the respect you have been pleased to entertain for my opinions in all matters connected with the Order—giving me credit for motives of active zeal to advance the interests add ensure the prosperity of the Canadian Branch of the Temple , and I remain ever ,

1 our faithful Frater , I W . B . MACLEOD MOORE , Grand Prior of the Dominion of Canada .

Scotland.

Scotland .

AXXI ; VISIT or Tin ; PROV . G . MASTER 01 ROXBURGHSHIRE , TO THE LOIIOES or ST , J OHX AND ST . J AMES , HAWICK . On Friday night the 6 th inst ., the Lodges St . John , No 111 , and St . James , No . 424 , Hawick , received the annual visit of the Grand Alaster

Henry Scott Inghs , Esq ., of Torsonce . The worth ) ' gentleman was received at the Railway Station by a deputation of the brethren , headed by Bro . William Irvine , manufacturer , Hawick , Substitute Prov . Grand Master that was to be . From the station they wended

their way to the Tower Hotel , where the honorable gentleman received further deputations from both lodges . From this favourite hostelry , after dressing , they bent their steps to St . John ' s Lodge Room , where the brethren were assembliii" - in goodly numbers , among which were deputations

from the Hawick Lodge , " Journeyman , " No . S , Edinburgh , also from the " Flowers of the Forest , " Selkirk , No . 32 , while the lodge from the city of "Sour Plums , " Galashiels , put in an-appearance , among whom were distinguished the stalwart fcrin of Councillor Thomson . Lodge

Jedburgh , No . 14 , was not wanting , and again was heard the ancient slogan , heard in many a well-contested border fray of " Jetharth ' s here . " Last of all came a deputation from the worth y P . M . ' s own Hall Gates , Stow , and the manner in which it acquitted itself proved that the light of

. Masonry did not burn lonely in the distant village , In due lime the brethren formed into procession , preceded by sword-bearers , marshalled by I . P . AL Bro Kyle , and stepped blithely forward , on their way to St . James Lodge in the Exchange , to the enlivening strains of the old Masonic

inarch , " The Merry Masons , " played by the Hawick Saxhorn Band , Here a goodly company , upwards of one hundred , sat down to a most tvehcre banquet , furnished b y Brother Pakison . of the Bridge Hotel . After discussing the good things set before them amidst an incessant flow

of wit and repartee , business was proceeded with , the books were examined , and everything being found in excellent order , both lodges received the hearty commendations of the P . G . M ., after which the fun and hilarity of the evening began , and soon grew fast and furious .

ihe first toast of the evening , " l ' o the Memory of the Holy St . John" by the Prov . G . M ., was drunk in solemn silence , after which followed "The Queen , " with all the honours . , Bro . fav ' son leading oil" with the anthem in his usually happy style , in which he was assisted by the whole company .