The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-18
SIR KNIGHTS AT WORSHIP.
PALESTINE COMMANDERYrs AsCEN-
SION DAY OBSERVANCE.


the Service.
Ascension day was observed by the
knights TempIar of Palestine command
cry 10y attending the service designated
for the day at the Evangelical Lutheran
church Of the Ascension. This was by IN
vitation OF the pastor OF this church.
Rev. W. C. Schaener. D. D., who is him
self a Sir knight Of many years standing.
The knights assembled at their asylum
in Masonic temple al 7.i5 o'clock, and
marched 10 the church. forty-live strong.
under command OF Eminent Commander
T. A. CUTS. The services were interesting
and impressive. The beautiful ascension
day service of the Knights Templar was
gone through with in its entirety. The
choir contributed much to the service, rem
derlng the chants and anthems in their
prescribed order, including the "Bonum
Est Conftieri" and the Deus Miserea-
tur." The service consists Of Psalms read
responsively, the Lords prayer, and apos-
ties creed. and prayers and collects.
At the conclusion Of the ritual a sermon
was delivered 10y Dr. Schaeffer, addressed
to the knights. The subject of the sermon
was the ascension Of Christ, the text being
from Luke 24;52 "And they worshiped him
and returned TO Jerusalem with great
Joy" The birth and life of Christ, his
death, resurrection and ascension, and the
meaning of all these to the world, were
briefly discussed.
DR.. Schaeffer drew particular attention
TO the fact that whereas the disciples had
been depressed and sorrowful during
Christs ministry, troubled because of his
approaching death, and harassed with
doubts and fears, yet when he departed
from them forever they were filled with
great JOY. An apparent inconsistency, but
they had witnessed his eXaltatiou, ana
they knew that his ministry was complete
They then knew that indeed the stone
which the builders had rejected had be-
come the head stone Of the corner.
Or. Schaefter then addressed his dis
course directly to the knights.
Sir knights he said, do you recall
the thrilling scenes of your initiation to
knight Tempary? What a succession Of
accumulaungly solemn and imposing OBJ
legations carried you from degree to degree
until you We're crowned a Knight Templari
With most impressive ceremonies, IN view
OF sublimest scenes, you were admitted
into the noblest order ever instituted by
man. Next the living church of the risen
and living Lord stand the knights Tenn
plar, ana they are its sworn protectors
ana defenders. You began the pursuit Of
this high and distinguished dignity when
you entered the lodge an apprentice rec
commended "a good man and true" Then
you promised TO take the Word of God,
as delivered by the Great Jehovah, as the
rule of your faith and practice. True ODE
dience to the law given on Sinai was the
schoolmaster to lead you to the Son of
God, who died on Calvary for lost world.
Well trained, well tried, we'll recommended,
and Endorsed by lodge and chapter, you
sought admission to the asylum, where
you protested to accept Christ as your
Savior, through whose atonement for sin
you seek salvation. Thus you took the
holy name and solemn vow of a poor sol
der of Jesus Christ. true Knight Tenn
plar, therefore. is a Mason who believes
Jesus Christ 10 be the Goldman the only
begotten Son of God through whose death
for sin eternal salvation can alone be had.
Masonic knighthood is a Christian insti-
tuition The revelation which God made
of Himself in the Old Testament is the
craftsman's rule of faith, and the precepts
therein contained are his guide to practice
What Jesus says of His Father and OF
Himself and of His atoning work for mar
in the New Testament is the Templar'
rule of faith and the precepts therein con.
tanned are the guide to his practice. Nc
man can be a Mason until he has volunta-
Iily given his solemn pledge that he will
keep the commandments of God; and nc
man can be a Templar until he
has voluntarily entered into a sol.
emn contract, properly signed and
sealed, that he accepts and will
hold Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior
for life, and will follow and obey Him IN
all things" And, Sir Knights, from this
obligation there is no release. Wilful VIC
lation declares a man dishonored, dishon-
est. and perjured!
patron, but more! Christ is his hero; bul
more! Christ above all else is the Tenn.
plar's God and the Tempars Savior. In
Him dwelleth all the fullness of the god
head bodily. His incarnation is assumed
His divinity is Acknowledged His mission
70 seek and save that which was lost, is
recognized. His atonement, dying the sin
ner's death that the sinner might go free
Is emphasized. His resurrection, the pledge
and proof that God hath accepted the
great sacrifice is eXultingly believed
Assembled on high, our high priest a
Gods right hand, We adore and worship
a y #nNNa sol Ha1ne INF .nal Ta1rn
we must do whatsoever he commands US
knight Templary finds its cap-stone in &
perfected manhood of which Christ alon'
is the ideal, the eXemplar the source.
soldiers OF Christ, is
To preserve truly Christian character
subjectng our will to Gods will in Chris
denying self devoted to deeds of pures
charity and sweetest beneticenCe.
To defend the Christian faith and tn,
cause of Jesus, the author of that faith
against every species of infidelity. HI
must contend against every form of vice
His sword is ever drawn against what
ever and whoever opposes the reign O
Christ and His principles, His divinity
and His atoning work, or undermines thu
morals of society, the purity of woman
the protection of the orphan, or The happi
ness and salvation of man"
The Knight Templar must help and pro
tect every person, cause, and 1nteres
which the Christian religion aims to bless
The widow, the orphan, the needy, th'
i eague l9S Christian. and he Christar
church. are all objects of the true Tenn
plar's care.
How can we qualify ourselves for so higl
and holy life?
BY becoming truly converted to God 10y
repentance from sin'and faith in our Lore
Jesus Christ No blasphemer, no dishon
est, hcentOus, nor drunken man can be
true Knight Templar.
By faithful attendance upon all the meet
dngs of the commandery.
BY keeping fresh in mind the doctrines
of our noble order.
BY a regular and faithful study of Gods
word, communion with Christ, and watch
ing unto prayer.
BY faithfully seeking opportunity to dc
good and our Masters will.
Judas betrayed his Lord. Shall We?
There was a large congregation present
IN addition to the knights and the sermon
was enjoyed by all. DR.. Schaeffer wore his
badge as a member of the St. Andrews
commandery of Richmond, pinned on the
breast Of his gown. The service of the
choir under the direction Of Prof Hubnel
was very fine and was much enjoyed by
the visitors as well as the congregation
A LIVELY DAY At THE RESORTS