Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-15
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Ar oHURCH.
The Observance or Ascension nay by
Palestine Commandery Last Night
Interesting Services at st. Johns.


Interesting Services at st. Johns.
Palestine COmmandery No. 7, Knights
Templar, met last evening at its asylum
in Masonic Temple, for the purpose Of
keeping Ascension day, in accordance
with the customs of the order. After the
usual ceremonies in the asylum the Sir
knights, numbering 81, in full uniform,
headed by band of music, marched to
st. Johns Church Arriving at the vesti-
bule they entered, and marching up the
centre aisle were halted. Facing in
wards, an "arch of steel' was formed by
the crossing of swords. and Eminent
Commander Thomas Bal antyne and
"council'' marched to the front and took
positions before the altar. The order was
given for the Sir Knights to ''uncOver''
and be seated. Asst was announced they
filed into the pews.
An anthem was sung by the Templar's
choir, when the order, "TO your devo-
tons. Sir Knights" was given. and, kneel-
ing. the Lords Prayer was said
Sir Knight Rev. &. II. Strong, as Pre-
late, said: go Lord, open Thou our lips"
and the Sir knights answered: "And our
mouth shall show forth Thy praise" All
standing up, the Prelate said: "GlOry be
to the Father. and to the Son and TO the
Holy Ghost" and the Sir knights re-
sponded: "As it was in the beginning, is
now, and ever more shall be, world with
out end. Amen
Prelate-"Praise We the Lord"
Sir Knights-"The Lords name be
praised"
Paam xiv. was recited and the
"Gloria Patria" was sung. The Psalm
xvii. was also recited and was fol-
lowed by the ''Gloria in EXcelsis." The
Sir Kni hts being seated. the first scrip.
tural lesson from II. Kings ill.,, ZIP. was
read by the Prelate, after which Psalm
Xcii. was sung. The second lesson. st.
Luke XIV, Al, was followed by the sing
ing Of Psalm Xvii, the Sir Knights
standing.
The order was then given to "draw
swords" and present" and the Apostles
Creed was recited in concert.
The prayers appropriate for the occa-
sion, and the collect for Ascension day
were read. and HYMN was sung.
Al the close of the rituaiistic ceremO-
les the Rev. Mr.. Strong delivered an adj
dress on ''remplarism, Past and Present"
The DISTINGUISHED divine gave a
sketch Of Templarism, as far as
its history is known, pre-
facing it with sketch of the brave
and chivalric deeds Of warriors who lived
long before the days Of the remplars. He
told the story of the herOism Of the Chris
tian soldiers in their efforts TO recover the
tomb of the Saviour. and their devotion
TO deeds of charity; the or
ganization of the order of the
Temple. and the power welded by the Sir
Knights; how after many years the order
fell under the ban Of Kings, and its lead
ers were killed, and its surviving NOM
bers sought shelter under the protecting
arm of Freemasonrv.
The speaker maintained that Templar-
ism Of to-day is, in all its good qualities.
the same as il was Of old. ltbad changed
only as all things change in this progress
sive world. There is now, he said, no me-
cessity Tor men 10 20 forth in steel-clad
armor 10 battle for the right; Templar-
ism maintains no asylums for the way
worn pilgrim, but it. still incul-
Gates Christian charity, and
the protection Of the helpless widow and
orpt an. The address occupied about forty
minutes in It's delivery, and Was listened
10 with the closest attention. The church
was well filed with ladies' and gentlemen
who had come TO witness the ceremonies
Of the evening and % hear the address.
After the closing hymn tn henediction
was pronounced. The Sir knights then
retired from the church, the line was re-
formed and the Commandcry under COM
mand Of Captain General X. II. Ander-
son. marched throuvh several Of the princi-
pal streets to Masonic Temple and was
dismissed.
A solution was passed requc sting
Rev. Mr.. Strong q furnish tte Com
manderv with copy OF his address for
publication.