The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-23
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AT CHURCH.
ssTHE SWORD THE SUBJECT OF
REV. A. VI. WILLIAMS ADDRESS.


tended Service ut Wesley MOnu-
mentaI-The Origin and Mission OF
knights TempIar-It Is an order
Founded on Christian Principles,
and an Agent in Character Build
tnE-ChriSt Came Not TO send Peace,
But a sword.
Interesting services were held last night
at Wesley Monumental church. the Oc-
casion being the appearance in fuu uni
form OF the members Of the Palestine
Commandery No. :. Knights Templar.
About sixty members of the command
cry were present and occupied seats just
before the pulpit The mem bers Of the
oommandery entered in a body. Eminent
Commander f. A. Cults and Generals
simo DR.. A. B. Simmons occupied seats
on the pulpit platform, TO the right and
left OF the pastor. Rev. Mr.. Williams,
who is the prelate of the commandery.
was attired in the cap and gown, signifi-
cant Of his Office in that connection.
A special musical programme, consist
ing principally Of hymns appropriate TO
Christmas time. was prepared and rem
dered by the choir. Miss Florrie Colding
sang very sweetly, THE Lord Is Ny
Shepherd"
Rev. Mr.. Williams preached on THE
Sword" His text was Matthew x3i. 4
came not TO send peace. but a sword"
Masonry" he said may be taken as
the representative of the grand secret So
ciety system now prevalent throughout
the world.
cit is surprising that sociologists have
given so little attention to this movement.
In numbers. influence and the dispensing
10 tn ba If
the forces affecting our life.
Masonry is based on the social instincts
Of man. 1t provides for the qualification
Of this instinct under the most wholesome
and elevating surroundings. It's teachings
are Of the purest and MODEST moral char
acter
at is charged that there are dangers
connected with the system, and l viii not
deny them. First. IL is charged that Ma
sorry satisfies consciences and keeps man
from his duty to the church and religion;
and, second, it is also charged that there
are sometimes attached to secret societies
customs that are evil in their tendencies. |
Without a full discussion of these points, |
and without desire to deny them univer-
sally, l want to say that none of Theses
evils come out of the system, and all Of
them are in direct opposition 10 its teach
ings. The church has similar dangers
connected with IT,. There are formalities
in the church and many evils have at
tached themselves to the purest faith, !
The inf1del makes this argument against
the church, but it is answered, and so the
argument against Masonry is answered.
Masonry is a grand system of SYM
bolic teaching for the building of a SPLEEN |
did character. Templarism is of late ORR !
gin 1t was formed after the order of
Knights Templar. This order was organ |
lied in the twelfth century TO protect pill |
grims visiting the sepulehre. Of the Sa-
vior. Its asylum was located in the pal |
ace of the Latin King on Mt. Moriah |
This building succeeded the temple and |
so the order took its name from the tenn
pie:
Masonry means character building; |
templarism means character dedicated to |
peneyolent work ana aggressive warfare |
for the right. It's distinguishing tool is |
the sword. 1t assumes a speculative or
moral warfare. There is a paradox that
has troubled many minds. In the angelic
annunciation It is declared peace on
EARTH, and Jesus has been called the
prince Of peace. In our text he says, Il
come not to send peace, but a sword"
1T means that Jesus has in his teach
ings and work that which is eventually
10 establish peace, but that in the effort !
70 establish those principles there shall |
be many a conflict. Peace is the ultimate |
goal, but 1t must be established upon a |
sound righteous basis.
christian work on the line of those
historic words will some day bring a real |
Zatlon Of those famous words Of the poet, |
Tennyson:
Ring out the thousand years of war.
Rlng in the thousand years of peace"
premature peace would be a compro- |
mise and essentially a curse. The wisdom |
which is from above must be pure before |
It can be peaceable. There is then many
a battlefield between the present and the |
punishment of permanent peace.
IDi this moull warfare The Knight |
ienplaf must take part. There are in |
nuences at work which tend to corrupt |
our morals and ruin our manhood The |
righteous must enter the endless contest
uu victory come. There are dangers |
that threaten through corruption the lib |
erues beQueathed US by our forefathers |
This battle must ne'er give DER
There are wrongs in the settlement
petWeen classes that can never be ad- |
1usted snort of eternal principles of right
and we must needs engage on the side Of
the truth. There is the conflict that guar
antees the right Of residence. travel, trade
ana creed throughout the world, in which
we dare not be neutral. There is the con-
test that insures the just rights of our
weakest neighbor and the support Of the
wise traditions of the fathers of our
country, which enlists our hearty sun
port. In many forms this struggle goes
forward, and as noble knights we must
The sword we hold in our hands
teaches the true principles on which this
i,sf,o nlus 81 proceed. It's hilt represents
guslce. Our wars must not be for selfish
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or for petty frivolous
causes. It's blade is clothed with cour-
favor when fortified with the feeling of a
true and noble cause. 1t knows no sac
rnce OF q principle for sordid gain In
the old times the poet tells us that con-
science makes towards of us all =" Some
times now l am tempted to feel it should
hiAttSil, pockelDO0kS make towards
81 us all It's point is clothed with mer-
cy unrestrained. 1t is not the sword Of
blows 40
inspired by the symbolic teachings of
such an order, chivalry of peace should
pFeYan that would prove a mighty power
Tor good in our country-our natures
snoud receive this impression and the
practical influence of our association
should not be dissipated in mere anuse-
ment but lift US into noble supporters
good" iiU inc
At the conclusion of the service. the
eohgregation remained seated until the
temple. i
AT TIE ,rr-zzI.r or CRY