Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-18
ASCENSION DAY SERVICES.
Exercises Under the Auspices Of
st. Johns Commandery.

scented by District Attorney Grahnin and
tile Rev. Charles T. Morgan Of Philadei-
phia-- nights Mt worship.
The Ascension Day services Of 81. Johns
Commandefy, No. \, ", Thursday even
ing in the Opera House, were extremely
interesting and largely attended. Promptly
at $ O'Clock the knights in SNOWY uni
forms. filed In and proceeded to seats ON
the stage. The scenery set in representa-
ton Of woodland scene and the front Of
the platform skirted by a deep border of
foliage and Towering plants, together
with the banners and emblems of the
order brought to view, made Il refreshing
and beautiful picture The stage was cont
peIely filled with knights. The box to
Tie left OF the platform was occupied by
Mrs. George $. Graham, Mrs. John =.
Grohe and Mrs j. b. Carpenter and the
one opposite contained senator Gray
Judge Marvel, Captain Dasey II. e.
Conrad, II. +. Cannon and DIR. George W.
Marshall.
The exercises began with the "Adolph
March, by Michaelis, which was splen-
didiy played by Grace Orchestra. Emi-
nent Commander f. l., Carpenter VINO
presided. delivered brief address, during
| which he mentioned the fact that the |
| coinnandery attends service once each |
| year. 1t has been its custom to worship |
on Good Friday, an occasion of sadness,
but this year il selected Ascension Day, |
| which is commemorative Of the risen
| Lord. Next there was the tie deum BY
Evans, which was finely sung by the
| quartet choir Of Grace Church, composed
| Of Mr.. ana Mrs. Thomas Benson, Miss NJ
| X 1'hielman and W. l.. Todd. Prayer
was offered by the Right Rev. Leighton
Coleman, past grand prelate Of the Grand
Encampmcut Of the United states Of
| America A solo, Kingdom Of Love-"
finely sung by Miss Thielman, followed.
The speakers were introduced BY Chief
Justice Lore, who, in presenting them,
| made pleasing remarks.
George ). Graham, district attorney of
Philadelphia the first speaker, delivered
IN entertaining address. He said he had
had little time for the orderly arrangement
which the occasion demanded and would
indulge in Il little chat, He was simply u
skirmish line: the heavy battalion would
follow in a little while and then would be
heard the address Of the evening After
iudalginly iii further wittlcism he devoted
his remarks 10 reference to the order. He
said there is something in the fraternity
which makes one feel at home and he
would confess that on tins OCCASION he
felt at home. He invited attention
to some Of the great things which
concern this linighthood. Continuing
lie said iii part. True we dress in
military truppings, carry swords and walk
with martial tread, yet this order Of Chris
tian knighthood is not All organization for
show OF amllsennent. 1t has grand under
lying principles as eternal us the ages
themselves. Every man who takes place
in these ranks is bound to display Chris
tan virtue. ask our friends 70 not judge
this great order by its worst but BY its best
) opponents. Il is an order in which fra
| terllity is cultivated. Some Of the cher
[ ished friendships Of life are formed in the
S asylum. We teach that friendship is real
and true. We are bound together BY bonds.
Z 1t is an order in which courtesy is taught
| courtesy to man but above all courtesy to
!. woman. IL is one Of the powers in the
| world second to none but Christianity.
! Templar Masonry lifts woman to her ideal
/ place. 1t teaches charity and love. What
. would this world of ours be without the
a sweet influence Of charity? Charity has
] found a place not only in the Chris
Q tian church but in the aSylums all
It over the country. Ours Is the charity
n which comes from the head Of the
d Church, charity that is long-suifering and
. that lifts the oppressed and weak, There
is a grander thought than this il Templar
Masonry. That Is the Christian knight,
hood takes for its symbol the cross. What
}. a contrast there is between that cross to-
day and before the days Of Constantine
d Then 1t was the synonym of ignomy and
reproach; now it is the symbol of honor
d and glory The order carries the cross
It and crown. 1t lifts man in faith to VIVA,
n has been accomplished in this world. il
Is is a Christian order of knghthood anC
r every man, whether a Christian or not, il
r made better by associatng with thcst
(. things. 1t teaches hope. In orr symbols
% we have not only the cross but the crown
lie 1t teaches us that when the soldier has
" finished his course OH earth he has q crow
i'll heaven. We are pleiged to the Chris
e tian religion If the time comes to I'm
NJ sheath the sword to protect the principle
IT of the Christian religion YOU VIII find NJ
A invincible army in these knights. Thi
70 order presents to the world the cross linket
D. to the crown
ID "Sce Now the Altar by Faure, wa
as sung by the quartet with orchestr;
~ accompaniment.
$ Previous to introducing the Rev Charlie
L. Morgan, fieneralissimo Of kensingtoi
IS Cpmmandery, No, ~ of PHILADELPHIA
a. Chief Justice Lore stated that Sice-presi
re dent Stevenson, who it was expected
or would be present, had been detained a
81 Bloomington, ILL.,, by the illness OF hi
or wife. Mr.. Lore announced that 4 Telegram
us and q letter Of regret had been receivcl
from the Nice.presideht.
Mr.. Morgan also gave a delightful aCl
dress. In lis opening remarks he said L
IN have 10 follow one Of Philadelphiu's mos
IS distinguished citizens and eminent lawyer
or Was alarming but TO have TO act as suhst
he tute for the NiCG-prcsdent was overwhc!n
y, ing Proceeding ne said in substance
W This knjghtlluod presents principle
mt which it would he we'll for every man /
Of study. All assume thut all tncn need hell
h, In Ojr study Of modern life and though
An we sCfutili2e environment some TIM
y. between Ills and ll3O there WAS born j
an this world the Christian kuigH,hood e.
", emplllied ~ knight Templarism. Info
on tunatcly for us, with all our records, v
as cannot reproduce that epoch Or its IT
N, ligious sentiment. 1t must be rcmembere
an that the place WheIe ,ltStIs WAS cruCitio
1t, Was III the hands Of intidGl Turks, brut;
lie in the extreme Ii must be remenlbere
M various ways for relief had been sough
he plradingS and effort of various kind, INT
les there came that wonderful phenomena tt
ias mmgling ii religion and military. III
ire shot of the first crusade is over and out
Of the JOY attending it sprang Knights Ion
he plarisn. The name was derived prl
ire Cipally because the quarters udiuincd Kin
Il James temple, but the name they took
er themselves was the Poor Knights Of ii
Holy Cily. That these knights should b
come powerful was forcsonc conclusion
We are heirs, We enjoy their heritage.
nal is for us to find what was best in them Gll
TIL put it where it belongs. For 2uO years II
*, Christian Church forgot its Lord At
it'll Christian Church of to-day believes tn
GS- Christ is living, not only that Flo died an
ars was buried but that llearoscand 1scendc
ing We believe il. These men are strlggIii
vas towards it, We believe not only III ii
ars uruciitd Lord but i'll Lord who lives All
ere has assembled. Long before the time
llS Constantine, Christians found out VIII
ty tue cross was, We not only wear it us
rec badge aud ornament, but we sing of it n
m take it To our hearts, 1t brings lis near
ere God.
lut Next the orchestra played the minuet
a rhailon, after which Mrs. Benson Al