Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-12
KNIGHTS TEmPLAR
Continued from page ~

| understand the motives that would in
duce prominent men from every sta
! ton in life to cast aside all business
affairs for the time being. and, leaving
their homes and families. travel hum
| dreds of miles to mingle again with
| friends and brothers. They know
nothing of the sacred tie that binds the
hearts of all these Sir knights 50
closely together They have only seen
them as they have appeared in pubic
| clothed in their beautiful uniforms.
marching to the strains Of delightful
music They know nothing of tn,
sweet moments in our lives, when IN
our asylums. to which the eye Of the
world is closed. all the purest and
noblest emotions of our hearts are
aroused. 1t is there that the better
parts Of our natures show themselves
1t is there that the noble precepts If
cur order find lodgnent in our hearts
and the seed is s0wn that brings forth
he richest harvest. 1t is here that we
hold sweet communion with each other
and renew our pledges of devotion TO
our principles. 1t is here that the life
and character Of the Saviour Of the
world is shawn forth and we are taught
TO take Him as our example through
life and our hope for the life beyond.
Our hearts are stirred to their greatest
depths by the reeitals of the life and
death and resurrection and ascension
Of our Saviour, and one must verify be
hard hearted whose better emotions
are not aroused when witnessing such
scenes. Ii is then that we feel our
r.tter helplessness: ii is then that we
feel our absolute dependence; it is then
we feel closer TO our brethren: il Is
then we forge still tighter the chains
of love and confidence that bind us to-
gether: il is then we exciaim, 'Emanuel
God with us
1t is in the interest of such prin-
eiples and motives that we assemble
today Actuated by a strong desire to
build up our order, and as evidence 0f
our love and devotion to the pure
teachings on which ii is founded. we
come together To renew our pledges
and take counsel with each other as to
the best methods OF accomplishing our
objects. Let US enter upon this work
with pure and loving hearts, laying
aside and forgetting all else save the
good of our order, and the up building
of the Masters kingdom.
1t is my pleasure to inform you that
our order is in a prosperous and -four
ishing condition. The growth during
the last three years. Notwithstanding
many discouraging conditions, has ex-
ceeded anything in our history Peace
and harmony nave reigned supreme
throughout our Templar jurisdictions.
and nothing has occurred to call forth
exercise nf the a nd
ity vested in the grand master. The
most encouraging reports have come to
rs from all quarters, testifying to the
love and loyalty our members have for
the order and for the grand encanp-
ment. good and healthy increase is
shown in most of our grand command
cries. and the officers of these grand
bodies have shown themselves to be
thoroughly alive to the best interests
cf cur order and are doing all those
things necessary to maintain the high
.andard we have attained.
But While We as knights Tenplar
have been moving along in the quiet,
even tenor of our way. stirring events
have been transporting around us in
which one and all have been deeply
Interested. The Star Spangled Banner,
tttil SiiibiGii. w liDtIly anu justice, Id-
Eeen unfurled and, kissed by the
freezes blowing from every section OF
cur beloved country. has been borne
aloft by loyal and brave men ready to
Gle in its defense. The cry and wall
&C the wntrodden and oppressed
YEA, of the starving men and women
81 near our own shores at length awo1e
a strong and powerful nation to Il
sense OF justice and duty. Whatcve,
was left of sectionalism was wiped out
l'1rty lines were forgotten Patriotism
asserted full sway and each section
We'd with the other in demanding that
the dastardly crime of the destruction
q one Of our noble ships freghted with
american seamen be avenged. The
Executive Chair was occupied by one
who had been taught never to draw
his sn ord save in a just and virtuous
cause and, who, believing that beauti-
ful teaching should apply to nations
as well as individuals, did all that
could be done consistently with the
honor of a great nation to avert tie
calamity of war. But it was not to be.
With a nation STEPPED in ignorance
wee and superstition. and with an ar
loSance unbearable, it was impossible
10 come to any honorable terms. With
nation which had made no progress
since the dark days of her inquisition
and whose whole civilization con-
sisted of tyranny and oppression, it
was not possible to deal save by the
Litter arbitrament of the sword. Il
was then that Sir Knight William Nc
kinley. President of the United states,
being satisfied of the justice of his
cause. pressed forward with fortituda
undaunted.' He sounded the tocsin of
war. He held aioft the Starry Banner
and in the name OF an oppressed and
dcwn-trodden and starving people
called his countrymen TO the rescue.
And never. in the history of the world
did men respond more quickly or nobiy
to the call of gallant chieftain. Rich
and poor, Old and young, men from
every section and of every party name
rallied to that call. European nations
looked on with wonder and surprise
We had been regarded as a peace-lo low
iES people. and it was supposed that
we would be as deaf to the cries of
suffering humanity as they had
shown themselves to be. Our great re-
sources were known and talked of h,,-