Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-11

tion, so in Masonry we have the
ascending degrees indicating the pro-
ficiency and advancement Of the
searcher for truth
knights Templars, like the Hospi-
tallers and the Teutonic, Knights, were
the outgrowth OF the Crusade. Two
comrades, Hughes de Payere and
Geoffroi de st. Adhemar, comrades In
the year 1119, bound themselves with
seven others French Knights, to guard
pilgrims to the Holy places from the
attacks of the Saracens. They took
solemn vows of chastity, [overty and
obedience before the Patriarch Of Jeru-
salem. King Baldwin the Second gave
them a part of his palace, which was
built on the site Of King Solomon s
Temple, and quarters. This was also
near the church of the Holy Sepulchre,
and from this they took their name.
doubtless. In 1928, at the council OF
Trayes, Bernard of Clairvaux drew up
it's rule in " statutes, which was the
ground work of what was revised IN
the Thirteenth century. The order az
first consisted Of Knights alone, but
later it admitted several ranks OF per-
sons of noble birth. The Knights took
the VOWS for life or specified length
Of time The seal bore the design OF
the Temple, and later two riders on
one horse, Templar and helpless
pilgrim While the Templars pre-
served martial appearance. they were
not naughty nor eXtravagant. Their
discipline was austere. excluding all
needless luxury or display in d<ess or
III noc
forbidden. They were not allowed to
marry, and they were enjoined to
avoid the kiss of woman, even a
mother or sister. It would be well,
my brethren, for all Sir Knights to
study the first principles of the order
and from which we have gone too far
| do not mean in regard to the rela-
ton with the ladies, and yet we could
learn and improve on that subject, but
on the principles Of self-denial.
1T is to be remembered that Temp
larism was organized, or is an evolu-
ton of Masonry, in search Of the
truth, having for it's ideal the Incar-
nate Son of God. Their success was,
like thousands Of others, their mis-
fortune. Men of the highest courage
and purest devotion swelled their
ranks, bringing with them their gold
to fill their Golfers. In 1860 they num-
bered 10000 Knights, most OF them the
noblest type of humanity. Never did
men sacrifice their lives more hope
lessly Never did a Templar play the
coward, or become q traitor to his con-
victions, even to save his life. But
when their standard CT honor was
lowered, they were conquered, like
Alexander from the foe within, doing
what the foes without could not do,
Their wealth and pride sowed 1eds of
hatred and fear Their loyalty to the
Pope and their privileges aroused the
jealousy Of the Bishops, and their
secresy only added to the fire, until
the flames became destructive in 1243
Philip the Fair, Of France, had the
form of piety, but was only for world
ly purposes He placed Clement Y
in the papal chair in 1905, end in him
he had a man to carry out his pur-
poses. The wealth of the Templars
tempted the King, and the chain of
treachery for their destruction was
soon entwined about them. The
Grand Master, Jacques de Malay, was
summoned from Cypress by Clement Y
in 1906. Bringing the treasures with
him from France, he awaited his fate.
He and 140 other Templars were put
in prison under false charges, and
nothing but death would be accepted.
AS many as thirty-siX Knights sue
cumbed to the most outra geous tor
lures in Paris at one time. Many were
burned at the stake in perfect innO
cence of any crime toward God or man.
Tradition tells that as James De
Malai the last Grand Master, sank in
the flames at a stake, he soon warned
both the Pope and King to meet him
before the bar of Almighty God within
a year, and history relates that In less
than a year they both went to their
account Truth crushed to earth will
rise again
The knights Templar are flourish
ing to-day as never before. And, Sir
Knights, as long as you are true to the
chief cornerstone of the order you
can not fail, but must and shall sue
coed. Since the first encampment, in
New York, June 20, 1916, with De
Witt Clinton, Eminent Commander
then, has been almost multiplied pro-
gress."