Templar Clothing In The United States.

this Order sprang that of the Templars , who , in the beginning , were too poor to have anything in the way of distinction , but with the spread of their fame came accessions to their ranks , and their coffers ivere bountifull y tilled . TJic Pope confirmed their organization , and to distinguish them from the bretliren of the Hospital gave them a white habit , and in 111 ( 1 directed them to wear a red cross on the breast ; the white mantle being typical of the purity

of their lives and professions , and the cross a symbol of the martyrdom , to which they were constantly exposed . Previous to this the Council of Troycs ( 1158 ) had , on the suggestion ofthe Abbot of Clairvaux , g iven them a rule embracing directions for their manlier of living , and specifying their dress . Dttpuy , in his history of the condemnation of the Templars , gives tills rule in c . i . laiso . It is composed of seventy-two articlesfrom which I

, lake Addison's translation of the following : — " XX . . . To all the professed Knights , both in winter and . summer , we give , if they can be procured , white garments , that those who have cast behind them a dark life may knoiv that they arc to commend themselves to their Creator by a pure and white life . For ivliut is- whiteness but perfect chastity , and chastity is the security of the soul and the health of the body . And unless every Knight sliall

continue chaste he shall not come to perpetual rest , nor see God , as the -Apostle Paul witnessetb . Follow after peace Avith all men , ancl chastity , Avithout which no man sliall see God . "" XXXI . . . Let all the esquires and retainers be clothed iu black garments ; but if such cannot be found , let them have what can be procured in the province ivhcre they live , so that they be of one colour and such as is of a meaner character , vii ; ., brown . " XXXII . . . It is granted to none to wear white habitsor to

, have white mantles , excepting the above named Knights of Christ . " Portal , in his essay on Egyptian symbols , says : — " The significations given in Hebreiv to the colour white designate purity , candour , nobility , ihe noble , the pure , the white , to he white ; to purge one ' s self of sin . " NOAV if the Knightly reader will refer to the ritual of our Order , he will see at once the propriety of

the white vestment as typical of that neiv life so eloquently set forth therein . But to continue : Dupuy and Addison , in their histories of the Order , Zacconi in bis history of secret societies , and Clavel in his "Histoire Pittoresque , " all give illustrations of the costume , in all of ivhich it is white . Thory , in his "Acta L-itoiiioruni , " describes it as of white ivoollen stuff ' The Scotch and English Templars wear a white tunic , reaching to the knees

, and a white mantle reaching to the knees in front , and tapering away to the ancle behind . Herein may be found sufficient reason for the white ; the black introduced in our costume has reference to the battle Hag of the Order , ivhich was of black and white , signifying that the Templars ivere black and terrible to the Saracens , but white and failto the Christians . The red belt worn around the waist is found

in all the illustrations I have ever seen . I have several printed in colours , and I have also seen one in a very splendid work on the costumes of the middle ages . The arms of Hugh de Payens were gules , or red on a white field . Objection has been made that there is nothing in the clothing to denote our connection with the institution of Freemasonry . To this I answer that the acknowledgment of Masonry as a basis of and a prerequisite for admission into our Order is amply set forth in the ritual , and that ought to bo sufficient Avithout the display of emblems peculiar to the symbolic degrees . The true

symbol of a Templar is the white vestment . Aly illustrious friend and brother , Dr . Mackey , objects to the apron being left off , and though it is not a li ght matter to differ publicl y from one who has so just a claim to be considered authority on all matters connected with Alasonry , still I retain my opinion that the apron is no part of a military costume . The true symbolism of the apron is in its colour and material , white lambskin ical of that

, typ rectitude of life and conduct so essentiall y necessary to those who seek admission into the celestial Lodge above , which is precisely the idea set forth by the white vestment of the Temple . The moment you change tbe colour of the apron , or cover it with fri ppery , you destroy its pure surface and efface the beautiful moral it is intended to convey . Again , the apron is the symbol of labour , and the idea of labour has no place in the le The

Tempsystem . Templars were soldiers , liot-workmen ; thev were the most expert SAvorelsmcn ancl the best riders in Christendom , but they did not work at the Temple- —they defended those ivho journeyed thither to otter up their devotions . Those ivho join our ranks have worn the apron in their previous labours , but when they assume the vows of our Order they arc to wield their swords as Knights in defence of the destitute , the helpless , the innocent , and the Christian religion , aud for this mission the apron is not needed ; nay , more , it is entirely out of place . It is supposed by many that when the Order ivas politically

destroyed by Philip tbe Pair , the feiv remaining Knights incorporated themseli'es ivith the Masonic institution , but this is not warranted by the facts . Numbers of them undoubtedly thus affiliated , but a greater number never lost their original identity . Sutherland , in bis " Achievements of the Knights of Malta , " says , "The number of Kni ghts Templar iu Christendom at the time of the dissolution of the Order was about fifteen thousand . " And

again , "The Order is still iu vigorous existence in the chief cities of Europe , but the modern Templars affect no titular rank . Their bond of union is like that of the Freemasons , mystical and unrecognized as that of a legalized fraternity . " In Portugal they simply changed their name , and the Old Commandery , or Encampment , as it is called , at Bath , another at Bristol , and a third at York , claim to have descended from the

ori ginal Order , and to have perpetuated their ceremonies and costume . I refer to them as a reason why our clothing should be exclusiA'cly our own , and not a mixture of Masonry , Templars , and Kni ghts of Malta . I entertain no desire to interfere with the qualifications of those who seek admission among us , being inclined rather to add to than take from them , but when we put on the costume of a Templar I AA'ould have it pure and simple . The spurs are an indispensable adjunct of Kni ghthood , ami every novice should be formally invested with them . To quote the language of our own M . E . Grand Master : " 111 ancient times

the siA'ord ivas given to the acolyte—but until lie bad proved himself by bis valour ivith that sword entitled to receive the spurs of Knighthood , until be bad earned them on the field of battle , they were not bound upon his heels , and by them alone was he knoivn as a valiant ivarrior Kni ght . Trusting that cA'cry candidate found Avorthy to be admitted among us has already , by bis valour as a Christian man , earned the spurs of Christian Knighthood , they

are presented to him on bis admission . And although ive are not expected to meet the serried ranks ofthe infidel in actual combat , we arc expected to charge home upon the wickedness that surrounds us , and by precept and example to make our felloAV men better and nobler . The spurs are the outward type of one within every Kni ghtly bosom , urging us onward in the Christian warfare against sin , ancl exciting us to perform that ' AVill of God' which

wc believe shall eventually insure the triumph of Christianity throughout the world . " From this it ivill be seen that so far from being a meaningless addition to the uniform , they on the contrary inculcate one of the loftiest phases of Christian chivalry — an clement of character as perceptible among the men of the present clay as among those who toiled over tbe burning sands of Palestine to beleaguer the Holy City , but it is seen , not so much

in the " pomp and circumstances of glorious war , " as in the warm hearts of good men unobtrusively teaching the doctrines of a Divine AIaster , and exemplifying them in their daily walk and conversation .

Knights who have followed me thus far , will , 1 . trust , pardon me the suggestion that the full costume , as described in the transactions at Chicago , ivas intended rather for the asylum ( Encampment ) than the street . For a public parade the white scarf and SAA'orcl , the red waist-belt , gauntlets , and [ cap arc sufficient ; with ordinary care they can be kept in good order for years . It has also been suggested that at the next meeting of the

Grand Encampment another change may be made , and a nciv cxpensc entailed . As I have already saicl , I cannot speak for the body , but we cannot be wrong in assuming that what the Grand Encampment has taken so long to adopt , it will not li ghtly throw' aside ; besides , by 18 C 2 a majority of the Kni ghts throughout the Union ivill have adopted the standard clothing , and it is hardly a supposablc case that their representatives will go to

^ Memphis for the purpose of getting up another , or even making any material change . The resolution of the Grand Encampment requires all delegates at its next triennial conch-rye to present themselves in the costume ; they , as true and loyal Knights , ivill undoubtedly comply , but will they be likely to vote that away and try another' ! I think not , and trust the fears entertained on that head ii'ill not prevent the Knights from putting aside the Kadosh regalia , ancl equipping themselves as Templars .

Cm li ITV .-- ' Charity embraces the wide circle of all possible kindness . Ei-cry good act is charity . A oiir . smiling in your brother ' s face is charity ; an exhortation of your felloAi- man to virtuous deeds is equal to alms giving ; your putting a wanderer in fche right i-o . it ! is charity ; your assisting the blind is charity ; your moving stones and thorns from the mad is charity ; your giving water to fche thirsty is charity . A man ' s good wealth hereafter is the good lie docs in this world to his follow man . AVhen be dies , people will .-ay , 'AVhat property has he left behind him ? ' But the augels will ask . ' AVhat good deeds has lie sent cbforc hiin'f " Washington Irving .