The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-05-12
TEMPLARS
AT CHURCH..
ArChdeacOn Hall breaches
to the Order on Gods
Lifting Power.

st. Johns Commandery, Knights Tenn
plar. celebrated Ascension Day by holding
service in St. johns Church last night.
The Knights were in full reyalia, and
were accompanied bv Hyatt's Military
Band A number of ladies were present.
Archdeacon Hall was the preacher and
his discourse was from the text Acts 3, q;
ann he took him by the right hand and
lifted him up"
The minister said thatit was both a
pleasure and privilege TO welcome he
Sir Knights to tho church on Ascen sion
Day which to tho minds of many people
is the most beautiful and dignltiel festival
in the Christian ca.endar. After spenk-
ing Of the meaning o. the day tho speaker
said ithar, while he actual ascension Is
related only by Sain Mark and Luke, it
is spoken Of by others. The ascension is
we'll nttested and must te considered in
connection with the resurrection OF our
Lord.
DR.. Hall then took upthe Bible story of
the two apostles meeting the lame baggar
at the gates, and St Peter taking hin, by
the hand ard lifting him up. From this
number of IL oiul lessons were drawn
Further In hi, sermon he said:
II repeat that 1t Is an honor to be asso-
cas ed with you in this molly and impressive
conllnem0ration. Free masonry is one OF
the most venerable Institutions in the
earth There are those who say its founda-
ton was laid at the commencement of tho
world; thatit, since symmetry began and
harmony displayed its charms. hni had
being It, moreover, iSa praise that sli
he rites and degrees Of Free Masonry
have reference to religion and involve the
facts and tho interests Of the ctornal
future. Beginning with simple FORMS
and primary truths it ndvancs from glory
to glory, til! Christian kuighthood has II
proud place in its tumple Il Is thi phase
of our order tnat you t, might represent.
In tho twelfth century, after Jerusalem
had been captured by the Crusaders, old
men and 'Somcp, virgins and nnrAns,
thinking tho oad open and su!e. set ont
from all parts OF Europe for the holy city.
But the iniidei still is in tho land. and
they daily are exposed to plundor and
death In this crisis nino noble knights.
who had distinguished themselves in the
siege and capture Of Jelusululn, formed n
holy brotherhood to clear the highways
and protect the pilgrims 1t Is saiG that
the knight cemplar who comprehands the
history and meaning Of his order cannot
be u bad man without betraying his nsy-
lum and di,honorng his sword; that his
hand and heart are solemnly set apart.
and that he cannot secure the essential
cfoWElEs grace ot MS kHlSntnOoulll llll NJ Is
solemnly consecratcd to God and hi, SER
vice in his holy templei that while the
state can always depend on his loyalty
osI ecially when ;he ssWord Of God, The
Christian reli sion and he mo as o. cou-
munitius are struggling in the nrepa-Ec
rather than unsheath his sword in the
cause of oppression and injustice. lets it
consume with rust in its scaUbard
There cannot be anything higher and
finer than thai, and now ask you knights
Templar and wo who in the church OF the
living Col arc pledged to. qui'e as much
that is glorious renew our oath in this Di-
vine presence, and say that Wa together
viii be the unyielding foes of injustice
and oppression and wrong; of everything
that is peril to society. Lot US begin at
home, in cur own s,ute and be bravo and
patriotic enough to shield tho sanctity Ct
the tiresde, to drive the profano out Of
the court of justice, to expel tho Shiny
minions OF intrigue and corruption f,om
The hall OF Legislation from the body poll
tic-io make our commonwealth hs hap
py nd beau,i'ul dwelliug'place Of II right
Q rus ami Gu, fearing leoplt. We eau il
W. will. We in the society OF God, whore
the ascended Lord gives the blessing Of
holy zsnl and nigh, can acquire the
power by which the lhine man is healed"