National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-04
OUR KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
IMPOSING ExERoLsEs AT ST. JOHNS
CHURCH LAST EIGHE


CHURCH LAST EIGHT
sER1Eon BIZ REV. J. VAUGHN LEwIS-rHE
GROSS OF CHRIsT-THE TRUE SPIRIT OF
KNIGHTHooD-sAINT PAUL AND KING
SOLOMON AS KNIGHTS.
Saint Johns Protestant Episcopal church was
densely crowded last night by interested wit
nesses Of the highly Interesting servicss held
there for the Knights Templar Of the city.
Rev. ]. Vaughn Lewis, the rector Of the parish
was assisted by Drs. Harold, Hobbie and Mckee
70 the administration Of tho services.
Columbia Commandery, No 2 Knights Tempiar;
or this city, and Potomac Commandery, No. 8, OF
Georgetown, were subjects ofthe special entertain,
ment and turned out in full force. They presented
an appearance in thor resplendent regslia Of the
most creditsble character. There were about LIS
knights out, and the familiar faces Of many OF
the most favorsbly known business men and citi-
Gems Of Washington were recognised In this num-
Der.
The Columbia Commendery occupied the front
seats In the center IF the church, and were IN
command Of the following named ohieers: J.. n.
Thompson, Eminent Commander; +. NJ. mar
shall, tGeneraIlissimo; J. E Waugh, Captain
General, and E. F. Steel, PrelRte-
The membars Of the Potomac Commandersy o.
Immediately in rear OF Columbia, and was ON
cered by the following knights: George Z. Cor
son, Eminent Commander; II. SeIgson, captain
General, and DR.. Trimble, Prelate.
The ritualistic forms Of the Church, without any
abridgment, were used on the occasion, to which
they impaired q grandeur and solemnity seldom
witnessed In Protestant church. The officiating
clergy appeared to celebrate the services with
unusual JUNCTION, while the deep impression was
intensified BY the fine rendition Of the responses
H.vtf a 49, nh nhraa mil gentlemen
the most approved musical talent Of the city,
among whom were Messrs. Burnett, Ever, Daw-
son, Patterson, and Bradley
THE sBRMoN
was specially intended for the occasion, and was
delivered by Rev. J. Vaughn Lewis, who wore, In
addition TO his ecclesiastical robes the regalia Of
the Knights Templar.
The announcement Of the text was preceded by
o chant, which was finely rendered by the cheir,
and bearing as its title the words sRemember
now thy Creator in the days Of thy youth" At
the conclusion Of the chant DR.. Lewis gave his
text from Epheslans, Rivals, "God forbid that
should glory save In the cross Of Christ, by whom
the world Is conquered unto me and unto the
world" The speaker said: o.
Eminent Commander and Sir Knights, 1t was
an unpremeditated impulse Of my heart which
made me invite you to spend this Good Friday
night in St. John parish, and yet It is net charac
terized by any regret except that more time was
not my portion to prepare the sermon for the &C.
caslon; but am not ashamed OF the Gospel Of
Christ nor to speak 1t unto you at all times, under
any circumstances.
III were your orator instead OF your minister, ]
might speak to you on the theme chosen for me BY
the public prints viz: the influence Of the Chris
tian order of knghthood on Christianity; but this
cannot be my theme on Good Friday night and In
the church. / am not here to deliver you an ad
dress, but preach you q sermon, and to magnify
my office for the glory Of souls.
There is no theme 50 worthy as
| TIE CROSS OF cHRysT.
Even the thieves ceased their ribaldry in sight Of
the Gross, and the centurion uttered the sentiment
Of every heart when he said, Truly thisisth Sor
OF God"
TIA Jewish mob can be sIlsncsd to reverence b.
the sight OF the cross, surely It shall make you
Christian knights, grasp your knightly Standard
more firmly, and swear with your hands on YOU
sword hilts renewed allegiance to the Gross.
will reverse the subject announced, and speak or
the influence Of Christianity on the Christian
knighthood.
ST. John is the witness that he came into the
world and the world received him not, but to sucl
as received him he became the Son Of God.
have no pathetic appeal to make to you, 81
Knights. Your motto means that you shall have
Victory over the WOrlu, INC Anu tHe uoNil
You are inheritors of an illustrious name, de
scendants of q noble ancestry, who fought for tn
cross of Christ. Consider, then, the apostle, tn
high priest Of our profession,
| NAILED TO THE CROSS,
and ask yourselves, Why is thisi
Hear what st. Paul says: HE became obedien
unto death, even the death Of the cross" asl
you to ask yourselves who is this that is crucied
and why is II sol Your order brings this homo Il
you, Templars! What wonder that Paul ex
claims: "God forbid that should glory, save IL
the cross Of Christ." Where Is the man who cal
look upon this cross and refuse to renounce thu
worldH Touching Righteousness as 1t was in the
law, Paul was blameless; he had even persecutet
Christ with his own approval, and yet he exclaims
''God forbid that I should glory, save In hi
cross" -.
HIS allegiance was true, as should be that 0
every knight who bears the sign Of Christ's eros
upon his breast, as 1t was IN those Knights OF tn
Red Cross, and in the early Knights Of the Cru
SADIE, who became the champions Of pure system,
and whose city became o refuge. And what shall
say Of the glorious Knights Of Maltsf May GU
knighthOod never become mere pageant show
spectacular thing outwardly, but inwardly full
of rottenness and dead mems bones.
Will you say you are willing to marshal unde
the sign Of the cross, and yet be not Christians
that the cross shall be only tinsel pasteboart
show? Then am no snch Knight Templsr, AM
there is no such Christian knight who can CLAIM
my respect.
Let US turn from st. Paul and look at hlm-wh
asked only "Wise and understanding heart
viz King Solomon. None Of US can shake of GU
Christian surroundings, we are in some respect
more Ike Solomon than like Socrates. Man,
recognize that religion is o good thing, but dem
and disregard its personal claims on Thorn.
such knights there be here, I turn their views :
the example OF King Solomon. Solomon made
desperate search AFTER the chief good through
everything physical; he had worshiped science
music and riches; his fame had gone to the end
Of the earth, and yet while seeking many pearl
he found not
THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE,
and therefore eIclaims, all is vanity
Vanity increases with every seIEindulgence
and worldliness is summed up in one aphorism
let US eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow VI
die.
All human experience teaches man the vanit,
Of this search to win Christ in any tempora
outward forms. If we have not hope in Christ vi
are Of all men most miserable. Death still lurki
within and takes away the sweetness Of all pleas
ures.
In primitive times the passion for martyrdon
became disease, until the ancient king pro
claimed there are ropes enough to hang your
selves with If life is unbearabIe.
It is only living on and in Christ, eating Of hi
body, and blood, that can make US worthy Knight
Templsr. What wonder that Paul exclaimed, for
bid that should glory save in that cross.
Templars, what o shame that any of US SHOULD
fail to fight manfully under Christ's banner. AL
the grand rituals Of our order and the names o
the great! nen connected with 1t show II is
shame that any knight wear the helmet withou