Arizona republican., 1903-04-13
THE KNIGHTS TEMpLAR
Sermon Preached to Them Last Night
 by Dr. Halsey.

verse in the sixth chapter Of Numbers: | 'To VOW vow Of a Nazarite, to separ- ate themselves unto the Lord"
 He said in part: Masonry means more than morality. This comes as q new thought to men who do rot know the meaning of masonry. It is easy for one organization or for one individua; to misjudge another. Masonry is mis- understood. It has been said that it is easy for an old man to see the faults of boy, and easy for boy to dis cover the failings of an old man.
 'I have heard Christians condemn masonry, when perhaps the institution of masonry never would have existed had the church done her full duty to the world. l have known Masons to condemn the church when to do so ls to strike away the foundation of the masonic fraternity. George Robert Cairns. the evangelist, paid higa tribute to masonry but told an anec- dote not to be forgotten. When he was called to conduct evangelistic meetings ir a certain city he was told of a man who prided himself on his infidelity. One day he was introduced to this gen. tle!nGn in the postoffioe and invited hin to attend the meetings. The reply was: ''No sir! I never go near that nest Of hypocrites up at the church on the corner. And I am president of the Atheist club.
 MT. Cairns looked him in the eye and said: Doctor you are the biggest hypocrite in this toWn,' What do you mean, sir. Do you want to fight me- What does that letter G mean on the badge you wear? I happen to know that no man can become a Mason without protesting himself a believer n God. That is what I mean
 Masonry means more than morality. To men who know Of masonry only what it's enemies tell them, to men who do not believe in social or fraternai organizations like the ancient Recha- bites and Nazarites,to men who think that there should be no Christian or ganizations outside of the church and therefore stand oppressed to the Young Mems Christian organizations and the Good Templars, to men who do not be- lieve in passwords and signs and sym bols, and to whom the word shibbolefh savers of the satanic. to one who con- deInns an organization because some or many of the members do not live Up 1 to their professions and obligations, to such men masonry is and ever must | be incomprehensible. Masonry is built upon belief in God and in the Bible i Its teachings rightly interpreted n practice make it's members better brothers, better husbands and fathers l better citizens.
 1 It. extends no invitation, offers no merceaary inducement, opens it's doors alike to the rich and the poor makes as it's initial requirements belief in God, ! in the Bible and in brotherhood. The i blue lodge teaches man to take the | Bible as the rule and guide of his faith and practice. The chapter brings be- i fore man the theology and temple of i the Jews, the commandery has for it's i center and it's circumference faith in 1 Christ, it's symbol is the cross of Christ, i it's watclword is the name Of Christ, it's teaching is the thought of Christ ! innocence, charity, humility.
 It is the one great human organiza- ton which puts something else before itself. It recognizes first, obligation to God; second, obligation to family;
 third, obligation to the state: fourth, obligation to masonry.
 Like the vine, templarism exists nc, i for itself but for others, to feed the
 hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted. According to it's teachings the ; croWning virtue is humility.
 The bravest are the tenderest,
 The loving are the daring.
 The best expression of masonry is i humanity, of knight templarism, Chris
 tianity. What this old world needs,
 what we all need, is more charity for others and less charity for ourselves. | Let a man examine himself" is the i teaching Of the Word. Another happy custom has been inaugurated by the
 Knight Tenplars of New York. and :s most cordially commended by Eminent Commander B. C. Delavan. Last Christmas several communicates in New York gave in all $4,20O to institu- tions of benevolence. one, Apollo con- mandery of Troy gave $500. St. Au-
 gustine of Ithaca gave S155.
 | Free masonry needs no justifcatic'i or defense. It stands four-square to all 1 the winds of heaven-a noble temple erected for the good Of man and the
 glory of God. It bears upon it's rolls the names Of many of the noblest and l bravest of the sons of men. Wash ington and Mckinley were proud to 0e
 numbered among m3sons. 1 love my
 native state of New York and look upo1
 the governorship of that state as the second highest position of honor in the United States. There must be some
 thing of surpassing interest whicf
 would lead the man just about to taEc
 the office of governor of that state (th,
 state which only a few days ago vote
 to eXpend $101, ,O00,0C0 to enlarge it;
 great canaD to petition for and receive the degrees of freemasonry.
 Only recently we were called upor
 to mourn the loss of one of the most
 honored of our sir knights here al | home-Co!onel William Christy-a ma
 respected, honored, loved wherever hS , was known. He was true 10 his trusts , faithful to his friends. loyal to his Lord
 That nOblest work of God, an hones