Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-18
KNIGHTS TEMPLARs.
Something of Ancient Masonry ard Tenn
plarism.


plarism.
The origin of Masonry is shrouded in
the haze and twilight of antiquity. Whether
it originated in the mysteries of Isis and
Osiris in Egypt, or of Eleusis in Greece, or
had some relation with the sun and star
mythology OF Persia, as many think, or
originated at the building of King Solo,
mons Temple, as our best Masonic archie.
ologists believe, is q matter really of very
little consequence. Ali admit that it is
the most ancient fraternal Order in the
world, the trunk principle, the mighty
tree, under whose boughs all other secret
Orders have sprouted and drawn their Vi
tally and inspiration. The early Masons
were a peaceful class, fond of science and
occult studies. Possessing considerable
knowledge of the laws of proportion, har-
mony, symmetry and beauty, and bound
together by
MYSTIC WORDS AND SIGNS,
They went forth from some central school
or Lodge to build the palaces of kings and
the fanes OF religion. Their symbols have
been found under the obelisks at Alexan-
dria, on the ruins of Karnac, and their Ca
magnificent cathedrals, the spacious arches
and pilasters of medieval Europe
Bat no dark cloud of myth or tradition
hangs around the origin of the Order of
Knights Templars. We know it's date and
the path it has come. It was the child of
war, born sword in hand, and Graded on a
shield. Its history begins with the cru
sades, those tornadoes of religious and mill
tary enthusiasm which blew at intervals
across Europe for three centuries. At the
breaking out of these wars, the soDs
of noblemen, stimulated by piety,
love of glory or adventure, wild, restless
spirits who loved martial sports and the
hustle and excitement of camp life, offered
their services, and were taken into the pay
of the great bsrons and chieftains. The
proves, the daring and the renown of
these valiant knights have been
CELEBRATED IN ROMANCE,
Art, poetry and song. Among the numer.
GUS Orders that sprung from this form Of
knighthood, the Hospitalers and Templars
are the beat known and the most distin.
guised. The Hospitalers and Brothers of
st. John of Jerusalem, or Knights of
Malta, as they were subsequently, called,
were instituted in 1910 for the purpose of
nursing the sick and wounded crusaders.
and consoling the dying. It was the first
sanitary commission that ever followed in
the burnt path of war. After being driven
out OF the Holy Land they first occupied
the Island Of Rhodes, and then Malta,
whence they were expelled by Napoleon
Bouaparte, in l79S.
The Order of Templars was founded in
Ills. Nine French gentlemen, pious and
valiant knights, bound themselves under
solemn vows OF charity, poverty and obe-
dience, and to employ their swords In de.
Tense of poor pilgrims on their way to the
Holy Sepulcher. Their rigid austerity,
their ,valor and enthusiasm soon attracted
the attention of their King, Baldwin IL,
who gave them an apartment in the palace,
near the supposed site of King Solomon's
Temple. Hence they became known as
Knights of the Temple or Templars. The
rules of the Order were prepared by the
Council of Troyes and ratified by the Pope.
They were commanded to wear white
msntles, in order to distinguish them from
the Hospitalers.
THE RED CROSS
Was also prescribed by this Council as a
badge of distinction, and was worn over
the heart. For many years the Templars
lived in great poverty, fed and clothed by
charity, and giving all they could spare to
the poor pilgrims who had been spoiled by
the enemy. So poor were they that two
often rode the same horse, and rough,
cheap dagger was all they could afford as a
ransom for captured brother. They were
IL
aceticism of the day, that believed the
devil was in everything bright, beautiful
and enjoyable, and could only be driven
out of human nature by watery diet,
horrid smells and bad air The motto
upon their banners, mot unto us, Oh
Lord, not unto US, but to Thy name give
the glory" was no empty declaration of
self abnegation. They ate in silence. 1t
was unbecoming good Knight to indulge
in boasting or frivolous conversation. The
Evil One was concealed in laugh or joke,
and to kiss even mother or sister was
considered as dangerous to the purity of
the heart and desires as the touch of frost
on flowers.
BUT THIS RIGID, MoNKIsH AUsTERITY
Did not last long. The Count Anjou made
a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and became SO
deeply impressed with the piety and valor
of the Order that he joined it; and his
example was soon followed by other pious
and chivalrous princes. The Order rapidly
became the most popular and powerful in
Europe. The spoliation of the heather,
and the donations of kings and noblemen
made it extremely rich; and the vow of
poverty was forgotten. The Templar
never lost his courage, but the stout arm
which had flashed the sword where the
battle ragged the fiercest against the Sara.
cen, in luxury and ease had lost its cum
ming and when the great Sslsdin mustered
his hosts to recover Jerusalem, he won an
easy victory at the battle of Hittin. When
the Crusaders were finally driven out of
Palestine, the Templsrs were the last 20
yield. They threw themselves into the
strong fortress of st. Jean d'Acre, and
there
FOUGHT THEIR LAST BATTLE
For the possession of the Holy Sepuleher,
only eight or ten escaping the terrible car
mage. The shattered remains of the Order
fed to Cyprus, and elected Jacques De
Melay Grand Master, and for season
prosperity smiled upon them, and they
again became rich and powerful. But
their wealth became an object of envy to
Philip w., King of France, and he per-
suaded Pope Clement ", servile minion
he had elevated to the Papal See, to sup.
press them. They were accused of the
abominable heresy of Optic, Gnostic, and
even Mohammedan practices especially
the worship of the Baphomet, human
figure carved out OF stone, with two heads,
male and female, and entwined with SER
penis and astrological devices. De Molay
was enticed to Paris and treacherously
seized and burned alive. a large number
of his followers suffered the same fate.
Fifty-four Templars were
BURNED IN PARIS
The same day. With the death of Molay.
it was supposed the Order had persisted,
but he, in anticipation of danger, had ap.
pointed John Mark Samienius his success.
sor, and the chain Of succession Of Grand
Masters from him has never been broken.
The Encampment of Baldwin, establish
ed at Bristol, by Richard l., on his return