The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-28
which envelop this interesting SUBJ

JeCt.
Sir Knight r. S. Parvin, formerly
grand recorder of the grand encamp-
nent, says: 1.-THE theory that the
Templary of our day is legitimate
Offshoot from that of the Christian
Knights although beautiful and pop
uar idea, will have to be abandoned
as quite untenabe on historic grounds.
~, conclusion we arrive at, after due
consideration of the slight evidence in
it's favor, is that the Masonic Tenn
plary of today has no connection what
ever with the Templars of the twelfth
and fourteenth centuries"
The American Masonic system is a
growth, the germ of which is to be
found in the older Masonry of the
NIotherland. The American scion diff
fers from the parent stock from which
it was propagated, and it can hardly
be said to be Il reproduction of the
original plant; at most, it is but a
species of the same genus. The sew
eral degrees came to this country in
a greatly modified form from that in
which they are now TO be found. The
work of elaboration and embellsh-
ment began at very early date, and
l,
which may be said to have eliminated
when Thomas Smith Webb's career as
a Masonic luminary was at it's height.
The task of discovering and bringing
to light the true history of the frater-
nifty, which has so long lain buried in
darkness among the rubbish of the
temple, which has accumulated with
the years of it's growth, is rendered ex-
ceedinsly difficult, owing to the en-
treme reluctance with which Masons
formerly committed to writing even
the most trivia matters relating to
the craft. Even in this age, when new
discoveries are being constantly
brought to light it is far too fire.
Quently held to be treason to the
cause to expose to the eyes of the pro
fame" the truth of history, so far as it
relates to the Masonic institution; but,
regardless of the ignorant pretenslons
of those who still teach that the
Master Mason's degree originated and
was formerly conferred in the Sane
tum Sanctorum of King Solomon S
Temple. and that the Templars of this
year of grace are the lineal descend
ants of those who fought for the re-
covery of the Holy Sepulcher, one
myth after another has vanished, until
we no longer hesitate to commit to
writing the averment that, with
scarcely an exception, the ritual of
every Masonic degree now produced in
the United States originated, or was
elaborated, since the American Revo-
luton. The admission of this fact
does not in the least degree detract
from the dignity, high character or
claim to an ancient origin of the in
stitution itself.-Masonic Concordant
Orders.
II would be waste of effort to take
up the introduction of Knight Tenn
plary into the United States. 1t is no
question OF legitimate Masonic history.
That the system came within the
term "unorganized Masonry" until the
present century is too evident for ar
gument, A few Sir knights, having
received the orders in Scotland, Ire
land or elsewhere, met together by APP
pointment in Philadelphia, Boston,
New York. etc. in a retired place and
first testing each other by diploma and
unwritten evidence, would make no
scruple of organizing themselves for
the time being into an encampment or
cohclaye, and assume control of terri
torial jurisdiction, confer the orders.