Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1883-05-31

ry is altogether accidental. Masonry is by fal
the older. There are many points of contact
yet important differences between the two
Masonry is one of the attempts of which his
tory tells, to unite the race in universal broth
erhood. 1t is moral rather than religious
Based upon those ideas which have found ex
preston in the theology of every people, upor
those essential principles Of right about which
men never question, upon the recognition O
those practical duties which never vary, it take:
into its membership men of many different
creeds. The orders of Knigthood, on the
other hand, are distinctly Christian. They were
instituted early in the history of the Crusades
From the first of these nineteen Christian cen
turies, those localities were counted holy where
the Saviour's feet had trod. That spot was
deemed especially hallowed where the tragic
sacrifice was offered, and where His sacred body
lay. For ages it had been though: mertori
Gus thing to make pilgrimage to these holy
places. The highways of Europe at times
were thronged by hosts that could scarcely be
numbered, making their laborious way to the
Holy Land. While it remained in the posses
sion of the Arabs, into whose hands it had fall
len in the Seventh Century, they were un-
hindered in their pilgrimages, save only that
tribute was exacted before their devotions could
be offered upon the sacred soil. But in the
year 1865 Palestine was subugated by a new
enemy. The city of the Great King was taken,
and with it of course the Holy Sepulchre
passed into the hands of the bgoted and hostile
Turk. The fall of Jerusalem carried dismay
throughout the Christian world Men died of
grief Itwas unbearable that the infdel should
drive his horses across the tomb of Christ
The insult offered to Christian pilgrims stirred
mems souls to their depths, and the crusades to
recover the Holy Sepulchre were undertaken
with an enthusiasm unparalleled in any move
ment before or since. During this period-in
the year IIIS-the Order of the Temple was
founded. 1t was part of the same chivalrous
\ change in the fortune of war
had made Baldwin the Christian king Of Jeru-
salem. Yet the religious wanderers, many of
them aged or unarmed, or worn out by their
long Journey, were insulted and robbed, and
thousands of them cruelty murdered. To pro-
ect these from the Arab hordes, who still in
tested the roads to the Capital, the nine knights
o whom we trace our origin made their brave,
solemn compact. Assigned to quarters in the
palace of Baldwin, near the consecrated local
ty, where once was the site of the temple, they
derived from this circumstance their name
And Templars the followers of Hugh de Payens
and Godfrey de St. Aldemar, with their seven
have since been called.
A dark picture may be drawn of these ages.
They were full Of superstitions. 1t was a Pc
riod in which abject ignorance prevailed. The
intellect Of the race was sleeping, and mems
were in other keeping than their
own. Yet the Order represents the best side of
he century in which it was founded and not
he worst; and it is constructed upon principles
hat would make any life heroic, and which
he world in no moral progress can outgrow.
With that humility which is always character
site of genuine courage, the first nine Knights
Of the Temple styled themselves, "The Poor
Fellow Soldiers of Jesus Christ" Military in
aim and organization, they yet submitted to
bind themselves solemnly by the usual monastic
vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Their
:ules enjoined the most rigid habits of self
control, severe and frequent devotional exer-
,ises, Standardization, fasting and prayer.
Their white robe was symbol of purity which
heir lives did not belle, and the red cross,
symbol of martyrdom, the significance and fit
hess of which the fate of thousands of them
made clear. While charity and hospitality
we're leading characteristics of this valiant and
Order, not less conspicuous was
heir chivalrous reverence for women. Their
owe for feats of arms, which tested their
trength and endurance, arose to passion.
And above all, and directing all, and oonsecrat-
ng all, was that personal love for their risen
-ord, and that zeal which fired them for the |
lefense and propagation of the Christian faith. !
The Holy Sepulchre, the path to which these
rave champions of the cross, fought for two
hundred years. to keep open, is to this day |
estimony to the fact we are here to commem- !
rate. Twenty centuries add their witness of
he best history that could be written-the his.
Dry of deeds that move the heart to quick pull
atoms with something of the same old enthus.
ISM, of fortitude in sore trials, of charity un-
aunted, of self-forgetfulness, of mercy unre
rained, and resolute adherence to duty, which
re less potent only than that majestic Life
'hich was all along their inspiration and ex-
mple.
Look for moment, in conclusion, at the
ay in which our symbols perpetuate the spirit
such a history.
OF visit which he paid to the Knights in
leir retreat at the temple, st. Bernard speaks
18th warmth and admiration: "Their arms,
says, 'are their only hnery, and they use El
lem with courage, without dreading either the
lmber or the strength of the barbarians. All
leir confidence is in the Lord of Hosts. and
| fighting for his cause they seek. sure victory
: Christian and honorable DEATH Il