St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1872-03-08
knights Templar Levee.
Reported for the Caledonian.

| 'hJoNd Dlt ellltI ds d LITERARY, Social,
festive or musical entertainment. Plac-
ed in the East and thanked by the state
and national flags was Knights Tenn
plar Banner. The banner in size is IS
by 56 inches. OF white silk with black
silk hood, both bordered with gold
fringe and mounted with gold tassles.
Both banner and hood are triparte at
the bottom. On one side is represent
ed Knight of old in armor with shield
and lance. The Knight is mounted on
Il powerful war horse. On the other
side is a crimson cross edged with gold,
with radiating rays of light. Over this
is placed the Templar motto an hoe
signO rjnccse." Beneath the cross an
other motto, Non nobis Dominic! non
nobis, Sed Nomjnj tao dd GiOridm ~ 1t
bears other emblems not mentioned. 1t
is IL beautiful thing and should be seen
To he appreciated. 1t was designed by
the Commander and painted by Abner
CroSSman of Montpelier, Vt.
The Officers of the Grand Command
cry present, +. Sirs Jos. l.. Perkins,
Dept. G.. G., Rev. +. F. Stewart G.. Pre-
late, w. II. 5. Whitcomb &. Recorder,
and n. p. Bowman p. Dept. G. c., were
escorted to the East by detachment
of Knights Templar, in full uniform,
commanded by f. Sir }. Bacon I'd c.
Sen. Warden. The presentation of
banner was made by the f. commander
JOS. l.. Perkins as follows:
Sir Knights Ladies and Gentlemen:
Our vacnt and magnanimous order was insti-
tutcd ill the interest of humanity and the Christian
religion And was evoked by those wonderful
CrusadcS, when thousands of pilgrims were obliged
Ia pass through an intidrl and hostile country Ia
reach Jerusalem Ia pay their and offer their
prayers at the Scpulchr' of our risen Lord
I" keep open communication between Europe
and the Holy Land was IA special object of our or
ginization.
the battles of til" unarmed pilgrims and defend
them against their enemies. The Knights Tcmplar
Banner which We present tonight is commcmnra
tive OF those days. 1t is happily placed between
our State and National flags.
Our flags represent "a government which we be
lievr I" be the best the shines upon. Our ban
ncr represents an organization which We know to
he founded upon the purest and nublcst of princi-
plrs-those Of the Christian religion and the prac
tice of the Christian virtues
Upon side of banner We have represented
a Knight of old; ON the opp"sit" side pure white
ground is broken by the crimson of the cross. The
broad shield of the knight is ready for defence and
his lance Ia do battle for the faith. We are not
called upon {" fight with battle AK" and spear, but
by the principles of our Order. are bound to as
sist the needy protect the innocent. succnr the
helpless and bind mp the wounds of the afflicted.
In asylums Christian principles taught and
rnjnined. Sir Knights. while We ri.idly preserve
and cherish our principles let us not fail IN their
practice.
i ,
true knishtly lives. and incit"s us t" emulation
The crimson is mathematical Of the martyr
dom which was n"bly endured in it's defence.
To us IT no longer signifies martyrdum for our
faith but points Is t" the n"hlr life once sacrificed
thereon and leads us t" contemplate how much
divinity exist with humanity until i'll the full
ness Of time the cross eliminates the human and
tod appears
If We find ourselves daily more and more trans
formed into His image. then we have found the way
81 the cross and are true Knights
If not We have been knightrd in vain by human
hands, II" Divine amounting oil having reached our
hearts. To all true Knights give rev
errnce due, tn all rrcrcant ones We say Com"
let us -triv" together for III" truth which est
magma Il pTerdlibit" Our devotion Ia our banner
Is mingled with our devotion t" our STATE and Ma
ti"nal tiass. All have received the baptism of irr
and right require II, We Civ" our lives.
The G. Prelate Rev +. F. Stewart
then delivered an excellent address on
Christian Chivalry. He gave Il brief
summary of the order of the Temple.
their origin and history. stating their
principles, and according to his conccp-
ton, to Ice Il true Knight Tcmplar Il
man must he IL Christian in faith and i'll
deeds. As we understand the address
is to he published we give no extracts
from it. The Sen. Warden WAS then
ordered to form the escort and conduct
During the execution of this order Sir
Knight Bowman arose and to the sur
prise of many present spoke AZ follows:
Eminent Commander:
y pleasant and agreeable duty was assigned tn
"nr # the Sir Knights perform this evening hut
"" have just learned that he is unable t" be- pres
rnt and that duty unexpectedly devolves upon me.
Sir knight Perkins. sine" the formation OF fal'S-
tine Cunmandrry y0u have been its chosen leader.
For six consecutive wears You have presided over
its deliberations with signal ability and success
Y our zeal has been untirng i'll promoting the IN
t,Tt-ts and advancement of our cherished lnstItu-
tiun. We aware sir that through Your "N"r-
tons through your constant care and watchfuncSs.
through yuur sacrifices, are We mainly indebted for
our present prosperity and advancement. In view
this. and in view of the many allegations We are
under To- ynu have the honor tins evening. IN he
half of the Sir Knights of Palestine C"mmandcry.
warmrst wishes and heartfelt regards of the donors.
TAX" it, Sir and may it remind You OF the lir"th"i-
~ love. friendship and affection We have tor you,
and in thu, future when dream of the past, let
the memories of the tolls and anXlrtirs You have
had for this C"mmandrry hc made Joyous and glad
by the pleasing reflection that they w"r" Hpprer'dt-
This was IL surprise, Il complete one,
to the Commander, and shows how well
his Brother Knights played their parts.
The surprise, mingled with the graft
tude that WAS yelling up in his heart
for time, placed him i'll Il state of
What shall dog He soon recovered
himself and made the following reply
which is characteristic for the amount
it suggests, and which will he rcmcm
hered by all Sir Knights present:
Very Eminent Sir and sir knights
Words fail To express til" pleasure you give me
10y these tokens of your regard This is truly II
princcly gift shall prize for its intrinsic value
but most highly that in the fnllness of your hearts
you have thus kindly remembered mt. Not t. me
alone should he attributed the success of our Com
mandcry. have ever had y%nr sympathy ana
our clus, for good and trust with profit Ia all.
l thank y"n for this knightly gift, and if to You
lit is more blessed to give than receive Judging
from my own heart, your JOY must De iuli.
The gift consisted of a heavy hunter
cased gold watch. Covering the entire
outer surface of one case and elaborate
" engraved, are Il cross and crown, with
rays of light radiating in all directions.
Within the outer circle of these rays, is
this inscription, BE thou faithful unto
death and / will give thee crown of
life