The record-union., 1898-10-10
The Meeting Inauguratsd by a Festival
Sermon at Trinity Church,
Rev. Cornelius L. Ewing Of Brook
1yn Gives a Graphic Description
of TempIarism as Related to
the Relieving of Distress and
the Uplifting of the Fallen, and
Pays a Glowing Tribute to the
Bravery of Those Who Took
Part in the War With Spain.

PITTSBURG, Oct. 9.-Not in the his
tory of Knights Templar conclaves,
from 1916 to this day, has a conclave
ever been opened on a more beautiful
day than it was in Pittsburg to-day.
The sun, after having been hidden be-
hind clouds for several days, burst upon
the awakening city this morning and
threw his rays of smiles and admiration
upon the festival array Of the streets
and buildings, which made everyone
feel that this was an omen of the
weather god.
The influx of Knights, which COM
menced yesterday, continued during the
day and up to midnight. When the for
NAL opening of the conclave was inaug-
urated with the festival sermon ct the
Trinity Episcopal Church, there was a
congregation assembled larger than this
historic building has ever held.
The first formal event on the pro-
gram of the twenty-seventh triennial
conclave Of Knights Templar took
place in Trinity Protestant Episcopal
Church. 1t was the official divine SER
vice of the Knights Templar, and was
very impressive and largely attended.
Most Eminent Sir Knight Warren
Laurue Thomas, Grand Master, was es-
corted to Trinity Church by 500 Tenn
plars, and as many more crowded the
church yards unable to obtain admit
tance. Rev. Dr. Alfred Arundel, rector
of Trinity, read the service, and the
sermon was delivered by Rev. DR.. Cor
nelius L. Ewing, rector of Calvary
Church, Brooklyn, and Grand Prelate
of the Grand Encampment.
After a graphic description of Tenn
plarism as related to the relieving of
distress and the uplifting of the fallen,
DR.. Ewing said:
To-day we meet in this beautiful
temple erected to God and consecrated
to His worship, to ask His presence
and His blessing upon the labors in
which we shall be engaged and upon
the pleasures we shall enjoy. From
every part of our land there comes to
this goodly city thousands of Knights
Templar. We come in peace, from all
parts of a land that is at peace. The
sound of war has ceased; the strife is
over; the bravery of our army and
navy have won a glorious victory, and
war that has lasted 100 days has
advanced civilization 100 years in the
lands that have been freed from the
power Of a nation that has always per-
secuted Freemasonry and, tried by in
quisitorial methods to suppress it.
Thank God for that victory; thank
God for the loyalty and patriotism of
the entire United States. Thank God
for the good examples Of the brave boys
who have given up their lives for the
cause of humanity and progressive lib
erty
The Grand Encampment soon to as
semble in triennial conclave represents
the glorious order of Christian knight
hood. Like our ancient brethren, we
are marching toward Jerusalem, but not
the one of Judea, but the Jerusalem on
the hills of heaven. In hoe signo vinces'
was the motto of the heroes of the cross
in the past. They put the precepts of
the Christian religion into practice, and
it bore fruit in their lives and action
We must do likewise or our profession
is vain and idle thing
During the day enough Knights ar
rived in the city from all parts of the
country to swell the number now here
to something like 10000. The local Re-
ception Committee expects at least %
day.
The following Communicates arrived
to-day: Los Angeles, No. 8, Los An
geles. CAL; Potomac, No. 3, of Wash
ington, d. c.; De Molay No. f. of Wash
ington, d. c.; Anderson, No. 32, of
Anderson, Ind; Apollo, No. 10. of
Kendalville, Ind; The Grand Com
mandery Of Missouri, the Grand Com
mandery of Indiana, the Grand Com
mandery of Massachusetts the Grand
Commandery of Tennessee, the Grand
Commandery of Virginia, ST. Andrews.
No. B. of Richmond, Va; Old Domin-
ion, No. II, of Alexandria, Va; Grace.
No. 16, of Norfolk, Va.
To-day's festivities were marred bv
one mournful feature. The remains of
Sir Knight George w. Starr who died
on the train en- route to Pittsburg. were
to-day escorted to the station to he
conveyed to Baltimore for interment
The deceased knight was Past Grand
Master of Baltimore Commandery. No.
=, and Potentate Of Boumi Temple of
Baltimore.