The Modern Order Of "Knights Templar" In The British Dominions.

generally entertained ; it arose from the changes that have taken place from time to time since the introduction of the Order into English Freemasonry , and we find by reference to Masonic records that it was first conferred as au honorary degree , given either before or after the Royal Arch , evidently with a very short ceremony , mention being made of the recipient receiving other degrees at the same meeting . Unfortunately , the Masonic teachers and writers of the last century fell into very

grave mistakes as to the practices and history of . the old Knightly fraternities , possibly arising from there being at the time no popular historic knowledge of these Orders disseminated , leading them to invent as their fancy dictated what they supposed were the correct usages , without much regard to historic accuracy . Their idea would seem to have been that the Order of Knights Templar and Knights of Malta were synonymous . No doubt this blunder caused the degree of Malta to be mixed up with that of the

Templars , ivhich there is every reason to think was never contemplated when Templary was first attached to the Craft ; but as the Union , whether by design or accident , has been so long established , it is not now desirable nor advisable to dissolve it , the history and doctrines of the Orders being so much alike and the object of both being to attain the same end . In the earlEncampmentsas these combined bodies were calledthe ceremonies

y , , were not of a very uniform character , and considerable differences existed , some referring more to the Hospitallers of St . John , wearing the black habit or costume of that Order , whilst others followed the French " Order du Temple , " representing the Templars of the Crusades , using the white Mantle , the true badge , thus giving rise to the discrepancies

that have been found to exist in different jurisdictions . The degrees of the " Rose Croix " ancl " Kadosh , " now of the A . & A . S . Rite , as also that known as " Kt . Templar Priest , " formed part of the system , to which was added a short ceremony for the Degree of Malta , this latter being merely intended as a brief historical record , to show that the Kts . of St . John , having established themselves iu the Island of Malta , assumed that name , the Masonic Malta Degree being a mere allusion to , but having no inept

pretensions to a connection with the " Sovereign Order of Malta . " Great care appears to have been taken by the Commission to ascertain the aucieut ceremonies of the Templars , evidently from researches into the most authentic documents extant on the subject " , and in preparing a simple and impressive ritual , going back to first principles and keeping it as nearly as possible to what it ivas in the olden time , before Masonic innovations had crept in ivhich had no place in the earlOrder . This explanationit is to

y , be hoped , will prove satisfactory to those interested in the subject whose time aud class of reading may not have led them to a knowledge of its true history , but who wish without trouble to be correctly informed . No arguments or explanation will , however , have any weight where there is a determination not to be convinced , and an obstinacy of purpose to attain a selfish end . A dislike of change is a characteristic of most of us , and we are naturally in favour of what has been sanctioned blong useclinging to old

y , associations ; but the antiquity to be desired and retained is that which carries us back to the beginning ; the working of any new system being most irksome , it is wise to make all radical changes gradually , respecting the prejudices of those who are opposed to extreme measures .

There cannot be a doubt that in modern Templary many customs have been introduced by those ignorant of its history who , taking vulgar error and fiction for fact , have perpetuated absurdities as genuine evidence , which it is now difficult to eradicate , although shown to be historically incorrect . In former times there were two separate classes of Knighthood : the earliest ( non - extinct ) originated with the Crusades , being independent military fraternities , or bodies

of soldier Monks , which the modern Templars represent . The second class , or titular Knighthood , established long afterwards by Royal authority , still survives , ancl is a distinction of high honour , resting in . the hands of Sovereigns , granted for distinguished sendees to the State , to which the title " Sir" or " Chevalier" prefixed to the Christian name is alone applicable . Masonry has no power nor ever had of conferring Knighthood ; the only authority