Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-25
IHE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
IN THEIR THREE FOLD ASPECT As PILGRIM,
PENITENT, WARRIOR
The Knights Of the Temple Compared With the
Knights Ofths Oldsn Tine-An Excel
lent Sermon to the Order
by Rev. R. R. Swops.

q clearer insight INTO JCe udVulO va 'HN
order of Knights Tsmplar than most OF
them had previously possessed, and the
members of Wheeling and Cyrene Com
~manderies who were present listened to
an excellent address by the Rev. K.
Rush Swope.
DR.. Swope traced the early history OF
the order when fortresses abounded
through most Of the civilized countries
which were known as the abode OF the
Knights OF the Temple, when the
tramp of steeds and the rattle OF swords
were so often heard as the Knights went
forth to battle 10 the cause of Christ
Now there is no distinct military order
Of knights, but in the asyiums
OF the order meet men from
every walk OF life who are still actuated
by the same motives which moved the
Knights Of ancient times. There Is a
connecting link between the old and the
new. The Knights of old took vows TO
maintain their faith in Christ, to pro-
tect the innocent and the suffering to
dvapce the cause Of Christ, TO uplltt
truth and virtue and to live exemplary
lives. II swords and armor MADE a
true Knight there have been changes,
but AS true hearts beat to-day, and as
knightly'a spirit is kept beneath a sun
of ~broadcloth as ever existed 6eneath a
coat of steel or visored helmet, and the
heart of the knight to-day is the same
as that OF centuries ago.
DIR. Swope spoke of the three fold
aspect in which the Knights OF the
TemDle are known-as the Pilgrim, the
Penitent and the Warrior, and com
nared them in each of these aspects
with the Knights Of old. From all
parts OF the world Jealous Christian
men set out, travelled through the
deserts and the forests, underwent prl-
vatlons and dangers to visit the sepul-
chre OF our Lord. Very often the
records handed down from those days
do not show the Knights to the best
advantage. They often quarreled
among themselves, and sad to say their
conduct was by no means always OF the
hest. The Knights Of to-day are pill
grims as were those, and like theQ lind
difficulties In the way. There aretrapS
and pitfalls, everything that can be de-
vlsed to beguile the eye, to trap the
thought and to plunge the pilgrim
into wickedness and sin. The house
OF the strange stands always
open and the alluring things which
tempt the taste and appetites OF man,
which cause him often to stumble and
fall and to lose his kniRhtly bearing,
are often in the way. The true knight
is he who makes the pilgrimage through
life. following the example OF Christ
our Lord, treading In his footsteps ana
following the directions given by HIN
for passing through this world until be
climbs at last the bright hill
which leads to the heavenly city.
Next the Knight was considered as a
Penitent. When the Knights OF the
crusade, after passing through their
MANY dangers and perils, first reached
the eminence from which they could
overlook the city Of Jerusalem aud saw
il for the first time, they were COM
pletelv overcome; they cast themselves
upon the ground and gave glory to God,
confessing their unworthiness and sin.
A worthy example of humility and
penitence. Our Knights should humble
themselves, remember their Siniulness
and oft repeat the words in the SER
vice of the order: lord, have
mercy upon US, miserable sinners
Not all the Knights were endowed with
this submissive spirit. In fact the con-
trarv was too often true so that the only
charge of those brought against them
nv the enemies of the order which could
be sustained was that they possessed an
Inordinate pride. Successful men are
very apt to have an unjust pride. They
should remember that no man has a
right to pride. Everything Games
from above and we should all use the
talents which are committed to US, but
In the privacy Of his chamber each
Knight should analyze his character
and see that he has not too much pride
but that be possesses that humility
which is becoming to the Penitent Sir
knight.
The Warrior was the third aspect In
which the knight was considered. For
centuries the Knights fought for their
belief and sustained themselves against
all the force the enemies OF Christian
ity were able to bring against them.
Throughout not only ChristeEdom but
throughout all the coutries OF the world
their yaIor was recognized and honor
was bestowed upon them. They were
the noblest, the bravest, the most he
roic order Of Knighthood which ever
trod the earth. But this is all pas
now. War has become too dangerous
10 be INDUCED in often. No longer Is
there opportunity for one armed man to
meet another in tests OF skill anO
strength. a war is ike g game oil
chess in which opposing generals at
tempts TO see which eau most success
fully outwit the other and wiz
the plaudits of the world for himself. But
the Knights Of to-day are soldiers upOI
the grandest battlefield the world has
ever known. They hear no clank Of
steel against steel, no cries OF wounded
men or see no smoke Of battle. This
war is the more terrible for its silence
It is the battle against sin. When on
has found himself face 10 face with q
fearful foe, when temptation comes upon
him and with blow after blow fells hin
10 his knees, he has but to call upon
Christ when grace will be given him L
mt back temptation, the weapon witt
which the enemy fights, and with th'
sword OF faith and the shield o.
salvation he drives the enemy
back and once more gains his upright
position. W. all know the disgrace o.
one who fails to fight as he should
who betrays his cause to the enemy
The terrible example of Benedict Ar
mold is always fresh 10 the minds OF a