Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-06-07

of knight Templar," or rather the
origin of it, has never been definitely
settled by the quidnuncs of history
but the oest authority upon this sub
ject says that the name was acquired
through the influence of Baldwin the
second King of Jerusalem.
1t appears that the knights known
as Hugo de Paganis and Godefrold
D'Aphemer, or Geoffry, Of st. Omer,
had greatly distinguished themselves
at Jerusalem in a seige, and they, to-
gether with seven others, banded
themselves for the purpose of protect
ing the pilgrims against the infdels
and robbers that infested the high
way leading to the Holy City. These
nine Knights styled themselves poor
fellow soldiers of Jesus Christ, and in
consequence Of the valuable services
rendered to the Christians, Baldwin
ii. gave them for habitation the Royal
House, located south of King Solo
mons Temple, and within the sacred
inclosure of the Temple on Mount
Moriah. Hence the name knights of
the Temple.
However, it is said by others Of
good authority, among whom is the
learned Reghellini, who assigns a
different reason for the origin Of the
name. Reghellini declares that Pope
Eugenius II. confirmed certain privi-
leges to the fellow soldiers of Jesus
Christ, and dubbed them the knights
of the Temple, because of their resi-
dence in the Temple. Since then
says this elegant writer, the Order Of
the Fellow Soldiers have been known
by that name, or Holy knights of the
Sepulchre, in Hebrew.
"Kadash, and have been more or
less associated with the history of
Templars.
Ormessius, a Seraphic Priest of
Alexandria, Egypt, with six bretheren
of his school, embraced Christianity,
it is said, at the solicitation of st.
Mark, the Evangelist, a. ID. 46. The
foundation of the Order of Rose Croix
is attributed to the Seraphic Priest,
who brought it to Europe, after his
conversion, though it taught the doc
trines of Jesus.
Many writers liken the subjects of
the Red Gross Knighthood of to-day,
INTO the ideas produced in the Order
of Rose Croix. There are others of
equal reputation who say that the
Rose Croix" was the result of the
admission of 10000 Scottish Masons,
who aided the pilgrims in the first
crusade.
Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem,
used every effort to extend the .inhu-
ence of Templars over Europe, and
enlisted the most prominent friars in
the cause.
Another legend of equal authority,
in the school of problems to fix the
name of Knight Templar as the result
of visit to Normandy, England and
Scotland, by Hugh De PayenH, who
obtained large grants of land, money,
and special privileges under the IT,
tie.
It is said in this legend that eighty
one Masons. under Gairmont, the
Patriarch of Jerusalum, crossed over
into Europe and went to the Bishop
of Upsal who received them favorably
and was in return initiated into their
mysteries. A strong bond of friend
ship sprang up between the bishop
and the Masons Of Copts. and as they
were bound further northward the
Masons deposited with the bishop
certain secrets and symbols of their
art. Nine of these Masons under
Hugh de Payens, says the legend es-
tablished in Europe the Order of
Templars, and thereby became the
conservators and, guardians Of the
rites and ceremonies brought from
the East BY the aforesaid Masons.
The name "Templar" was applied 90
Masons under de Payens because they,
the said Masons, claimed to have de-
rived their mysteries after the Tenn
pie had been rent in twain by finding
them secreted in the great vaults,
with the keys Of explanation. What
ever may have been the origin Of the
name it il evident that there Is much
obscurity surrounding it and great
deal more Of speculation and hard
guessing in attempting to fix the time
and circumstances.
Baldwin II. is certainly more en-
titled to the honor, and we believe,
furnishes the best evidence Of the pa
ternity.