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Article TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 of 1 Article NOTES ON THE "UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL." Page 1 of 2 Article NOTES ON THE "UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL." Page 1 of 2 Article NOTES ON THE "UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL." Page 1 of 2 →
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Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Orders of the Temple and Hospital 591 Proceedings of the Grand Lodgeof Massachusetts ... 1 * 1 ) 3 Grand Lodge of Scotland 5 US CORRESPONDENCE : — Masons at Public Meetings 595
The Ballot for W . M S 95 The Spurious Rite of Mempis 59 6 CitAFT MASONRY : — Metropolitan 596 Provincial 59 G
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmoreland 59 6 Masonic Tidings Coo Masonic Meetings for next week 600 Advertisements 589 , 190 , 601 , fioa Go . ** , 604
Notes On The "United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital."
NOTES ON THE "UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL . "
A Lecture delivered before , the Fratres of the Pru ilence Encampment tf Masonic Knights Tem plar . al Ipswich , on the 31 st Juli / , 1 S 72 .
BY EMRA HOLMES , 31 , Eminent Commander of the Encampment , Giand Provost of Kngland , Provincial Grand Hanner Hearer of the Hoyal Order of Scotland , Arc .
ft un tin tied J rum pu ^ e CJJJ . ) Mackey , < jnoting from Clavel , thus speaks of the Rite of Strict Observance , before alluded to . * " The Rite of Strict Observance was a
modification of Masonry , based on the Order of Knights Templar , and introduced into Germany in 1745 by its founder , the Baron Hunde . It was divided into the following seven degrees : —
r . Apprentice j 2 , Fellow Craft ; . 3 , Master ; 4 , Scotch Master ; 5 , Novice ; 6 , Templar ; 7 , Professed Knight . According to the svstem of the founder of this
Rite , upon the death of Jacques Molay , the Grand Master of the Templars , Pierre d' Aumont , the Provincial Grand Alaster of Auvergne , with two Commanders and tiva Knights , retired for
purposes of safety into Scotland , which place they reached , disguised as operative Alasons , and there finding thc Grand Commander , George Harris , and several Knights , they determined to
continue the Order . Aumont was nominated Grand Alaster at a chapter held on St . John ' s Day , 1 , 31 , 3 . To avoid persecution the Knights become Freemasons . In
1 . 316 the Grand Alaster of the Temple removed his seat to Old Aberdeen , and from that time the Order , under the veil of Masonry , spread rapidl y through France , 'Germany , Spain , Portugal ,
and elsewhere . These events constituted the principal subject of many of the degrees of the Rite of Strict Observance . The others were connected with alchemy , magic , and other superstitious
practices . The great doctrine contended for was " that every true Alason is a Kni ght Templar . " He also says that the Clerks of Relaxed Observance were a schism from the Order of Strict
Observance . They claimed a pre-eminence over not only the latter Rite , but over all Alasonry . The Rite was divided into ten degrees , called Apprentice , Fellowcraft , Master African Brother , Kni ght of St . Andrew , Knight of the Eagle ,
Notes On The "United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital."
Scotch Master , Sovereign Magus , Provincial Master of the Red Cross , and Knight of Lig ht . This last degree was divided into five sections , comprehending Knight Novice of the
third year . Knight of the fifth year , Kni ght of the seventh year , Knight Levite , and Knight Priest . To be initiated into the mysteries of the clerks , it was necessary to be a Roman
Catholic and to have taken all the military degrees ofthe Rite of Strict Observance . Alchemy was one of the objects of their secret instruction . Findel says * " Towards the end of the year
1778 , the Scotch directories in Auvergne and Burgundy invited to a Convent National des Gaules , in Lyons , which assembly was actually convened in November and December .
The name of Templar " was exchanged for that of Chevalier Bienfaisant de la Sainte cite , " and some important changes in the ritual of the Strict Observance werc made , without , however ,
causing any breach with this latter . It appears that Bro . ; Von Weiler had in 1774 , received from Baron Von Hunde , Grand Alaster of the Strict Observance , a warrant to
establish the Order 111 France . He was very successful , and thc Grand Orient , whose chief officers secretly belonged , Findel says , to the
Strict Observance , resolved in 1755 , to unite themselves to those directories formed by Weiler , and in tho following year a treaty of union was approved of by a very large majority .
I have before noted the tradition about
D'Aumont , whicli is quoted again from Alackey , in relation to the Rite of Strict Observance , and have mentioned some of the objections to it . The readers of the Freemason will , I dare say ,
pardon me , if I return for a moment to thc subject of these traditions . I dare say many will take a greater interest in the subject , when they learn that Jacques de Alolay was intimately
connected with the Order in England . Addison informs us that Jaques de Molay succeeded the Grand Alaster Gaudini , 129-3 ; that
he was of the family of the Lords of Louvic and Raon , in Burgundy . This illustrious nobleman was at the head of
the English Province of the Order at the period of his election as Grand Alaster . He was first appointed Visitor General , then Grand Preceptor of England . During his residence in Britain he
held several chapters or assemblies of the brethren at the Temple at London , and at the different preceptories . Hc stood as sponsor to the son of Philip le Bel , and [ visited France for that
purpose . He also informs us at that time Bro . Himbert Blancke , Knight , Preceptor of Auvergne , who was one of the Knights examined when the Order
was suppressed , had been in the Order thirtyeight years . He was received at the city of Tyre , had been engaged in constant warfare against the Infidels , and had fought to the last in defence of Acre .
When he was asked why they had made the reception and profession of brethren secret , he replied " through our own unaccountable folly . "
Bro . Thomas le Chamberleyn , in his examination , said the reception was the same in England as beyond the sea , that all seculars were excluded , and that when hc himself entered the Temple
Notes On The "United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital."
Church to be professed , the door by which he entered was closed after him . On being asked why none else were present but thc brethren , he said he knew of no reason , but that it was so written in their book of rules .
Addison states that the Templars were imprisoned over three years in England ; so that it is not at all impossible that Himbert de Blancke may have been succeded by D'Aumont during
his imprisonment , or D Aumont may have been his deputy , and acted as Grand Prior of Auvergne during his absence in England . One of the rack-extorted confessions of
Templars which was exibited in London , and which had been obtained in France , was from Robert de St . Just , who had been received into the Order
by Brother Himbert , Grand Preceptor of England * ; one would be glad to know what , if any , connection there was between the Grand
Preceptor of England and the Grand Prior of Auvergne . It has been objected that the names mentioned in the traditions of the Knights who perpetuated the Order cannot be traced . It
would be surprising if they could . From the "Student ' s France , " edited by Dr . Smith , * I gather that at the time of the suppression of the Order the Templars formed a bod y
of 15 , 000 veteran warriors . Dr . Smith says " no less than 546 Templars appeared before the Royal Commission , formed to try them , from different parts of the Kingdom , all of whom
agreed in declaring that the accusations against them were utterly false and calumnious , —that the faith of thc Order was and always had been
immaculate , —that its original rule had been faithfully and strictly observed , —that all statements to the contrary were base and infamous
perjuries . " The Archbishop of Sens , one of Philli p ' s creatures , assembled a Provincial Council , and
condemned hfty-four of [ the Templars . The sentence was carried into effect on the ioth Alay , 1 3 , in the Faubourg St . Antoine , at Paris .
The unhappy sufferers died with the utmost constancy , and protested with their . last breath their entire innocence . "
The editor , speaking of Clement V . ' s suppression of the Order , which the Pope pronounced 22 nd March , 1 , 312 , mentions that two-thirds of their moveable property was claimed by the
French Crown , " by way of compensation for the expenses of this iniquitous prosecution . " He goes on to say that the Grand Alaster , Jaques de Alolay , and his three brethren , the
Preceptors of Normandy , Acquitaine , and Poitu , rernained still to be disposed of . They were then kept two years longer in confinement in Paris , and on the nth of March , 1314 ,
were brought forth before a Commission , named by the Pope , to hear their final sentence , which condemned them to perpetual imprisonment . The presiding Cardinal had no sooner ceased
than the Grand Alaster and the Preceptor of Normandy suddenly stood up , and , in energetic language , recanted the confessions formerly extorted
from them , and called Heaven to witness that they werc wholly guiltless . The commission was adjourned till next day , but Philip caused the two prisoners to be conveyed the same night
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Orders of the Temple and Hospital 591 Proceedings of the Grand Lodgeof Massachusetts ... 1 * 1 ) 3 Grand Lodge of Scotland 5 US CORRESPONDENCE : — Masons at Public Meetings 595
The Ballot for W . M S 95 The Spurious Rite of Mempis 59 6 CitAFT MASONRY : — Metropolitan 596 Provincial 59 G
Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmoreland 59 6 Masonic Tidings Coo Masonic Meetings for next week 600 Advertisements 589 , 190 , 601 , fioa Go . ** , 604
Notes On The "United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital."
NOTES ON THE "UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL . "
A Lecture delivered before , the Fratres of the Pru ilence Encampment tf Masonic Knights Tem plar . al Ipswich , on the 31 st Juli / , 1 S 72 .
BY EMRA HOLMES , 31 , Eminent Commander of the Encampment , Giand Provost of Kngland , Provincial Grand Hanner Hearer of the Hoyal Order of Scotland , Arc .
ft un tin tied J rum pu ^ e CJJJ . ) Mackey , < jnoting from Clavel , thus speaks of the Rite of Strict Observance , before alluded to . * " The Rite of Strict Observance was a
modification of Masonry , based on the Order of Knights Templar , and introduced into Germany in 1745 by its founder , the Baron Hunde . It was divided into the following seven degrees : —
r . Apprentice j 2 , Fellow Craft ; . 3 , Master ; 4 , Scotch Master ; 5 , Novice ; 6 , Templar ; 7 , Professed Knight . According to the svstem of the founder of this
Rite , upon the death of Jacques Molay , the Grand Master of the Templars , Pierre d' Aumont , the Provincial Grand Alaster of Auvergne , with two Commanders and tiva Knights , retired for
purposes of safety into Scotland , which place they reached , disguised as operative Alasons , and there finding thc Grand Commander , George Harris , and several Knights , they determined to
continue the Order . Aumont was nominated Grand Alaster at a chapter held on St . John ' s Day , 1 , 31 , 3 . To avoid persecution the Knights become Freemasons . In
1 . 316 the Grand Alaster of the Temple removed his seat to Old Aberdeen , and from that time the Order , under the veil of Masonry , spread rapidl y through France , 'Germany , Spain , Portugal ,
and elsewhere . These events constituted the principal subject of many of the degrees of the Rite of Strict Observance . The others were connected with alchemy , magic , and other superstitious
practices . The great doctrine contended for was " that every true Alason is a Kni ght Templar . " He also says that the Clerks of Relaxed Observance were a schism from the Order of Strict
Observance . They claimed a pre-eminence over not only the latter Rite , but over all Alasonry . The Rite was divided into ten degrees , called Apprentice , Fellowcraft , Master African Brother , Kni ght of St . Andrew , Knight of the Eagle ,
Notes On The "United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital."
Scotch Master , Sovereign Magus , Provincial Master of the Red Cross , and Knight of Lig ht . This last degree was divided into five sections , comprehending Knight Novice of the
third year . Knight of the fifth year , Kni ght of the seventh year , Knight Levite , and Knight Priest . To be initiated into the mysteries of the clerks , it was necessary to be a Roman
Catholic and to have taken all the military degrees ofthe Rite of Strict Observance . Alchemy was one of the objects of their secret instruction . Findel says * " Towards the end of the year
1778 , the Scotch directories in Auvergne and Burgundy invited to a Convent National des Gaules , in Lyons , which assembly was actually convened in November and December .
The name of Templar " was exchanged for that of Chevalier Bienfaisant de la Sainte cite , " and some important changes in the ritual of the Strict Observance werc made , without , however ,
causing any breach with this latter . It appears that Bro . ; Von Weiler had in 1774 , received from Baron Von Hunde , Grand Alaster of the Strict Observance , a warrant to
establish the Order 111 France . He was very successful , and thc Grand Orient , whose chief officers secretly belonged , Findel says , to the
Strict Observance , resolved in 1755 , to unite themselves to those directories formed by Weiler , and in tho following year a treaty of union was approved of by a very large majority .
I have before noted the tradition about
D'Aumont , whicli is quoted again from Alackey , in relation to the Rite of Strict Observance , and have mentioned some of the objections to it . The readers of the Freemason will , I dare say ,
pardon me , if I return for a moment to thc subject of these traditions . I dare say many will take a greater interest in the subject , when they learn that Jacques de Alolay was intimately
connected with the Order in England . Addison informs us that Jaques de Molay succeeded the Grand Alaster Gaudini , 129-3 ; that
he was of the family of the Lords of Louvic and Raon , in Burgundy . This illustrious nobleman was at the head of
the English Province of the Order at the period of his election as Grand Alaster . He was first appointed Visitor General , then Grand Preceptor of England . During his residence in Britain he
held several chapters or assemblies of the brethren at the Temple at London , and at the different preceptories . Hc stood as sponsor to the son of Philip le Bel , and [ visited France for that
purpose . He also informs us at that time Bro . Himbert Blancke , Knight , Preceptor of Auvergne , who was one of the Knights examined when the Order
was suppressed , had been in the Order thirtyeight years . He was received at the city of Tyre , had been engaged in constant warfare against the Infidels , and had fought to the last in defence of Acre .
When he was asked why they had made the reception and profession of brethren secret , he replied " through our own unaccountable folly . "
Bro . Thomas le Chamberleyn , in his examination , said the reception was the same in England as beyond the sea , that all seculars were excluded , and that when hc himself entered the Temple
Notes On The "United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital."
Church to be professed , the door by which he entered was closed after him . On being asked why none else were present but thc brethren , he said he knew of no reason , but that it was so written in their book of rules .
Addison states that the Templars were imprisoned over three years in England ; so that it is not at all impossible that Himbert de Blancke may have been succeded by D'Aumont during
his imprisonment , or D Aumont may have been his deputy , and acted as Grand Prior of Auvergne during his absence in England . One of the rack-extorted confessions of
Templars which was exibited in London , and which had been obtained in France , was from Robert de St . Just , who had been received into the Order
by Brother Himbert , Grand Preceptor of England * ; one would be glad to know what , if any , connection there was between the Grand
Preceptor of England and the Grand Prior of Auvergne . It has been objected that the names mentioned in the traditions of the Knights who perpetuated the Order cannot be traced . It
would be surprising if they could . From the "Student ' s France , " edited by Dr . Smith , * I gather that at the time of the suppression of the Order the Templars formed a bod y
of 15 , 000 veteran warriors . Dr . Smith says " no less than 546 Templars appeared before the Royal Commission , formed to try them , from different parts of the Kingdom , all of whom
agreed in declaring that the accusations against them were utterly false and calumnious , —that the faith of thc Order was and always had been
immaculate , —that its original rule had been faithfully and strictly observed , —that all statements to the contrary were base and infamous
perjuries . " The Archbishop of Sens , one of Philli p ' s creatures , assembled a Provincial Council , and
condemned hfty-four of [ the Templars . The sentence was carried into effect on the ioth Alay , 1 3 , in the Faubourg St . Antoine , at Paris .
The unhappy sufferers died with the utmost constancy , and protested with their . last breath their entire innocence . "
The editor , speaking of Clement V . ' s suppression of the Order , which the Pope pronounced 22 nd March , 1 , 312 , mentions that two-thirds of their moveable property was claimed by the
French Crown , " by way of compensation for the expenses of this iniquitous prosecution . " He goes on to say that the Grand Alaster , Jaques de Alolay , and his three brethren , the
Preceptors of Normandy , Acquitaine , and Poitu , rernained still to be disposed of . They were then kept two years longer in confinement in Paris , and on the nth of March , 1314 ,
were brought forth before a Commission , named by the Pope , to hear their final sentence , which condemned them to perpetual imprisonment . The presiding Cardinal had no sooner ceased
than the Grand Alaster and the Preceptor of Normandy suddenly stood up , and , in energetic language , recanted the confessions formerly extorted
from them , and called Heaven to witness that they werc wholly guiltless . The commission was adjourned till next day , but Philip caused the two prisoners to be conveyed the same night