Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-08
BOSTON The MASONs' MECCA.
Great Knights Templar Gathering to
be Held During August.

be Held During August.
Thousand Uniformed Knights
WIN Psrade--sketch of the Grand Master,
Most Eminent Sir Knight Hugh Mcourdy
of Cornnna, Mich.
New York World.
Boston has scarcely recovered from
the crush of Christian Endeavorers be-
fore il sees the advance guard OF the
knights Templar of the United States,
who will assemble there on August
9th. The committee, warned by the
enormous crowds of young Christians,
are making unusual preparations to re-
ceive the vast cohorts of Sir Knight.
This will be the 26th conclave OF the
Grand Encampment. For the first time
in 40 years the Grand Eneampment will
meet with the Oldest OF it's subordinate
grand Communicates, the last concave
in Boston having been held in 1850
OF the 80 grand communicates under
the jurisdiction Of the Grand Encamp-
ment OF the United States that of Mas
sachusetts and Rhode Island is by far
the Oldest, having been organized in
1905. The Grand Commandery of New
York was organized in 1914, and that
OF Connecticut in 1927.
The anti-Masonic excitement pre-
vented further extension until 1843,
when the Grand Commandery of Ohio
was organized Though not introduced
into this country until about the be-
ginning of the present century, the
order Of Knights Templar is of great
antiquity, dating back to the time OF
the first crusade to the Holy Land,
when the military order of the Temple
was called into existence for the pur-
pose of checking the power of the inf
dels and defending the Holy Sepulchre
and other sacred places of the Chris
tian faith in Palestine
The order was instituted in 1113,
with nine knights, who embraced the
VOWS of perpetual chastity, obedience
and poverty, after the manner of monks
and devoted themselves to the task of
clearing the highways and protecting
the pilgrims on their way TO the Holy
City,
There are now 80 grand commander
les in the United States, having under
their jurisdiction at the last report 972
subordinate Communicates and 103, 303
members. Pennsylvania has the largest
membership, 1854, followed by Mas
sachusetts, with 1854; New York,
with 10,018; Illinois, 1923; Ohio,
1866 Maine, 2,756; New Hampshire,
l,953; Vermont, 1,2S3; Connecticut,
2,o99 About 40 per cent of the total
membership is within 800 miles Of Bos-
ton, which insures the largest attend
ance at any triennial
Accommodations have already been
secured for 10000 visitors, and it is ex-
pected that at least 3S, 600 Templars
will be in line for the grand parade
Tuesday, August 9th. Most of this vast
host will be lodged in hotels and halls,
but track room has been provided for
900 sleeping cars, which will give acs
commodations for over 10, 900 visitors.
The badge is one Of the most beauti-
full yet provided at any triennial. 1t
consists of the device peculiar to the
Grand Encampment of the United
States, the cross Of Salem, which is a
cross with three bars, the middle one
being the longest, enamelled in purple,
that being the color worn by members
of the Grand Encampment. Upon this
is placed the eight pointed cross, some
times incorrectly called the Maltese
Cross, enamelled in red, and bearing
the seal Of the Grand Commandery Of
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, which
is St George and the dragon in cir
Gle, with the name of the commandery
in the margin.
Surrounding the whole is a gilt cir
Gle with tx, T. in ovals at the side,
and surmounted by scroll. On the
scroll and circle are enamelled in black
''26th Triennial Conclave of the Grand
Encampment of the U. s. This is
suspended from gilt hanger, which
bears the arms Of the two States that
compose the jurisdiction, and the words
Boston, 1885, in gilt letters on black
enamel The hanger also displays two
swords in satire, points upward, and
is surmounted by a knights helmet,
Most Eminent Sir knight Hugh Nc
Curdy, Of Corunna, Mich, will be
Grand Master of the Grand Encamp-
ment. His term of office expires at the
conclave in Boston, he having been
chosen at the meeting in Denver three
years ago. His successor will probably
be w. La Rue Thomas, of Marysville,
Ny, now the Deputy Grand Master of
the order
Grand Master McCurdy has been Cir.
cult Judge, Prosecuting Attorney and
State Senator, all as Democrat. His
Masonic career covers 40 years. He
was initiated in 1850 in Birmingham
I.AioS, w. Il. Alc pCNdllt d LhOydl
Arch in 1864. He established Corunna
Chapter, No. 80, January 10th, 1865, and
was its first High Priest, in which
chair he remained for six consecutive
years. January 18th, 1869, he was elected
Grand King of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masous of Michigan. No
vember 18th, 1873, he received the 33d
degree, and was created an honorary
member of the Supreme Council of the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
for the northern Masonic jurisdiction
of the United States at Chicago.
September 9th, 1883, ho was elected
and crowned an active member of the
Supreme Council ad vitam. March 9th,
1894, he was elected Illustrious Com
mander- in Chief of Detroit Consistory,
of DETROIT. He is also member of
the Royal Order Of Scotland and is
Noble of the Mystic Shrine. August
10Th, 1880, he was elected Grand Senior
Warden of the Grand Encampment of
Knights Templar for the United States
at Chicago; August 23d, 1883, Grand
Chaplain General of the Grand En-
campment of Knights Templar of the
United States at San Francisco, Cal.
September 23d, 1886, Grand Generals
simo of the Grand Encampment Of
Knights Templar of the United States
at st. Louis, Mo. October 10th, 1889 he
was elected Right Eminent Deputy
Grand Commander of the Grand En-
campment of Knights Templar of the
United States at Washington, d. G.,
and August 18th, 1892, he was unani-
mously elected Most Eminent Grand
Master at Denver, Col.
-
Governor Mckinley and the A. p. A.
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