The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-15
NICE DISTINCTION.
Is Knights "Templar" or "remplars"
the Correct Form?
Boston Advertiser.

Boston Advertiser.
Knights Templars or Knights Templar?
The question as TO which of these forms
Is the proper title of the Templar order
Is not without interest, albeit the matter
is one OF no great practical importance.
Both titles are used to designate the
order, and each OF the forms may claim a
weight OF official Endorsement in its favor.
The grand encampment of the United
States used the title "Knights Templars"
until 1856, when the term was changed to
knights Templar," the present form of
appelation as II appears on papers and
documents bearing the stamp OF the gen.
eral governing body.
The grand commandery of Massachu-
setts And Rhode Island, from its organi-
term knights Templars, I" this being the
title in the plural as set forth in its earli-
est and latest constitutions
Not only does a different usage prevail
among the Templar organizations, as in
dicated in official papers, but the same
variation is shown in the writings of
prominent representatives OF the Templar
order, while a like conflicting use of
terms may be noticed in newspapers and
other secular publications. Evidently
there is some difference OF opinion as to
pathological rules and grammatical con-
struction, no less than in the matter of
historic sanctions, and the action OF gov
erning bodies expressed at various times.
AS already stated, the grand encamp-
ment of the United States, the highest
governing body of the order in this
country, uses the title knights Temp
lar.n
Until 1855 the grand encampment used
the title, "Knghts Templarsb in its re-
cords, constitution and official announce
ments, The change made at that time
was not expressly authorized by the grand
encampment. One member OF the com
mittee which reported a revision OF the
constitution at that time, Hon. b. Dean
OF Massachusetts,, who afterward held the
once OF grand master in the general
body, has expressed his judgment respect
Ing the change of title as follows: "The
phrase is an erroneous one, and like some
other things In the constitution that have
created disquiet in different parts of the
jurisdiction, should be discarded. -
In 1871, at the Baltimore conclave, this
matter of changed title was brought to
the attention of the grand encampment
by member of this body, Sir Charles f.
Stanberry Of Washington, ID. c., who
offered the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the proper title of the
Templar order is "Knights Templars,"
and not "Knights Templar," as now
commonly used under the sanction of the |
example of this grand encampment.
Resolved, That the use of the term |
knights Templar, Is an innovation, in |
violation of historic truth, literary usage |
and the .philology and grammar of the |
English language.
The grand encampment adopted an ad- |
verse report, virtually declining to pass |
upon the questions involved.
Which OF the titles Is correct? Which |
form has the support of the best literary
authorities?
The Encyclopedia Britannica refers to
the ancient "Templars, so-called, be-
the "Order OF Templars, T" and to the
knights fempfars, distinguished for
being at once a military and religious
body.
Sir Walter Scott, in his writings, per-
tanning to ancient chivalry, always used
the title in the plural with a final "s,"
and his example in this respect, harmonic
ing with that of Addison, Burns, ETC., has
been generally followed.
There Is scarcely an author in Europe
or America who writes I ne term knights
Templar. The best literary usage ac-
cords with the grammatical construction,
which has so strong support
Dr. Mackey, an eminent writer on Free
and Templary, says that he used
both forms OF the title in his "Lexicon of
freemasonry, but careful inquiry into
The etymology of the term convinced him
that knights Templars" is the correct
title.
Historical and grammatical authority,
together with the best literary usage, is
nnquestionably on the side or adhering TO
the form OF appelation approved in the
Of Massachusetts and Rhode
Island, since the first distinctive organiza-
tions were instituted, nearly a hundred
years ago.