Evening star., 1908-01-18

cries of Washington celebrated their an
niversaries this week with appropriate
ceremonies. Washington Commandery
No. 1. was eighty-three years old on
Wednesday evening. and Columbia Com
mandery. No. >, was forty-five years Old
last friday evening. Washington .om-
mandery dates it's years of existence from
It's institution and Columbia Commandery
from the date of the issuance of its char
ter, although the commandery had been
operating under dispensation for several
months before that time.
Washington Commandery numbers
among its members Grand Commander of
Templars Thomas p Morgan. Past Grand
Commander Harrison Dingman. who is
grand captain general of the Grand En-
campment of knights Templars of the
United States; Grand Master of Masons
Augustus B. Coolidge. Deputy urand
Master Henry X. Simpson. Grand High
Priest Claude F. King and many other
Masonic notables.
The feature of the program at the ceie-
bration was the address of Captain Cen
eral Claude KEEPER, who presided over the
exercises i'm the absence of Eminent Com
mander John s. Beach. He said in part:
I'VE are assembled here to c0mmem-
crate the eghty-third anniversary Of the
No. l. Of Knights Templars. and / take
especial pleasure in extending to all of
YOU knightly greeting and courteous vel
come. TO the sojourning knights from
sister jurisdictions our portals are gladly
thrown wide and to the fraters of Co
lumbia. Potomac. DeMolay and ORIENT
communicates We of the mother com
mandery open our hearts in an unstinted
and hospitable welcime.
I'VE stand tonight on the threshold OF
pfRhty-fOnrth
which. while in the main characterized
by good fortune and prosperity, has not
been unmarked by dangers and adversely.
AS we look toward the past our hearts
throb with pride and we rejoice in the
knowledge that whether in eager strife
for the right as we saw it or In the peace
Of fraternal companionship. whether Dat
Ting in the troublouS waves or danger or
anchored in the quiet harbor Of safety.
whether toiling under the dark and
gloomy clouds of adversely or basking be-
meath the sunny skies of prosperity. the
long period of our existence has been re-
plete with glory and respondent with
honor.
Seated here tonight in our commodi-
Gus asylum in the business center OF TINS
Capital city, already expanded and Deau-
titled beyond the most Sanguine hopes OF
it's founders and fast taking its place In the
forefront Of the beautiful cities OF all ma
tions and all times. 1 doubt whether we
can form an adequate conception or the
scene when on December 81. 1874. four
teen devoted fraters met In the western
Masonic Hall, organized as washington
Encampment OF knights Templars, and
then and there laid we'll and securely the
foundation not only OF Washington Com
mandery but OF all knight Tempiarism OF
the District Of Columbia. 1t is common to
say, in speaking of the beginning OF sue
cessful movements or organizations, fhat
the founders thereof 'builded better than
lr n, n I ar n
to our founders their full share OF credit
and their full need Of praise, to applaud
their farsightedness. their wisdom and
their devotion. to magnify their self-sac-
rifice. and to hail them as knightiy IL no
less degree than any of the old crusaders
who battled with reaoy blade in the cause
of Christendoin.
II fafn would draw a parallel between
the scene I have just pictured and that
but a generation before, when band OF
devoted patriots actuated by love OF
liberty and a sincere desire to secure to
themselves and their posterty true self
government. met In earnest council and
evolved plan of government which the
world has since known as the Constitution
OF the United States of America. 1t is
universally conceded that no body of men
ever assembled for the performance of an
assigned duty with loftier motives or
fruer conception and appreciation Of the
far-reaching responsibilities resting upon
for a more perfect manifestation of sim
cerity integrity and honesty OF purpose
than that which characterized their delfb-
erations. And today, after the lapse OF
more than a century. the plan OF govern
ment there conceived and formulated is
practically unchanged, and under II our
country is proceeding to Its destiny.
mighty model for all devotees Of self
government.
Judging by results. it cannot be gain
said that the organizers OF Washington
Encampment of knights Templars laid
the foundations of Templarism not less
securely and with no less wisdom than
did the organizers of our government
And as the citizens of our republic are
reaping the fruits of the unexampled wis
one hand. so are the Knights Templars OF
the District of Columbia profiting by the
integrity and devotion exhibited on the
other
'It needs no seer nor prophet. no gift OF
second sight, to forecast the future of an
organization whose basic principles are
established on the bedrock Of truth and
honor, whose adherents are distinguished
by a fidelity unquestioned, patience and
perseverance answering and a courage
and cOnstancy undaunted. And since such
are 10 be found within the ranks of our
dear old commandery. it's outlook is ra-
diant with hope and it's future bright
with promise. That with advancing years
1t will increase In prestige and enlarge it's
influence and power for good all will con-
cede. and charge you here to renew your
vows Of fealty and devotion. to learn from
past achievement the lesson of determined
emulation. to persevere in the paths Of in
tegrity, truth and honor. to let your con-
duct be such as all men will delight to
initiate, that during our days on earth we
may detract in nothing from the undying
l,ister shed over the name of knight Tenn
plar by those in whose footprints we
tread.
Remarks were also made by Grand
Commander Thomas p. Morgan. Recorder
Henry S. Merrill. who has held Office for
twelve years and a sir knight from Utah
There was i'm addition a pleasant musical
program and Gecitations were given
Nearly two hundred sir knights took part
in the exercises.
The Grand Lodge. l. O. O. T.. held its
annual session on Wednesday and Thurs
day evenings of this week. The meeting
was largely attended and much interest
and enthusiasm evinced. The reports of