Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-21
Most Eminent Grand Master Rugg Ad-
dresses St. 0mer, Trinity, Gardiner
And Lewiston Communicates.


service at the First Baptist church,
where an eloquent sermon was deliv-
cred before the visiting bodies by Rev.
Sir Henry Warren Rugg, most eminent
grand master of the Grand Encamp-
ment of the United States. The church
was crowded and extra seats wer5
placed in the aises.
The parade of Templars was most
beautiful affair and fully 400 partici-
pated. st. Omer COmmandery. ac-
companied by the Waterville Military
Band, left the Common at o'clock
and marched to the station, where they
met De Molay Commandery from
Skowhegan, which arrived by special
train The lines reformed and march
ed to the Winslow end OF the Ticonlc
bridge, where Trinity Commandery of
Augusta, <Lewiston Commandery Of
Lewiston and Maine Commandery of
Gardiner were met. The order of the
march to the church was across BridS"
to Water, to Main, to Silver, to Spring.
to Elm, hence to the church. The pa
rade was under the command of Vely
Eminent Deputy w. c. Philbrook Of
Waterville.
$50 o'clock AS the TempIars march
ed into the church. Onward Christian
Soldiers" was sung by the Unitarian
choir. After the responsive reading
and the singing of an anthem, the Sir
Knights joined with the prelate, Rev.
c. A. Hayden of Oakland, in the read
ing of the avowal of faith. Prayer
was offered by Rev. Mr.. Hayden.
The sermon was then delivered ry
Rev Sir Henry Rugg of Providence.
r. I. He spoke in part as follows:
"All down the history of the ages men
have been taken out of selves and made
Gods provdental leaders. Jacob was flee
ing from his early home in weakness
when there came to him the vision which
touched his life with a new purpose. as
he built memorial, saying in the eX-
preston of his quickened and devout soul
This is none other but the house of
God. and this is the gate of Heaven
'iMoses, The leader and deiverer of his
people, was inspired by the vision that
came to him as he kept the flocks of his
father-in-law on the side of Mount Mid
ian. Thus the shepherd became the ruler
and the leader of an enfranchised peO-
pie. He faltered not in the accomplish
ment of the great and mighty task given
him.
How often in the progress of man to
better things has the same victorious
power been seen as the outcome of spirit
ual vision. Abraham Lincoln had gone
from his lOwly Kentucky home in early
manhood to Louisville, where he saw on
the auction block a slave girl. being sold
no Tic
wrought into intense feeling by the spec
tacle. prompted him to cry out against
human slavery and he said If l ever get
chance l will hit that thing and l will
hit 1t hard Later on there came to
President Lincoln the opportunity and he
issued the proclamation which set free
100000 slaves. Abraham Lincoln was a
prophet and a seer, never disobedient to
the Heavenly vision: to the voice which
called him to the highest service for his
country and his God
THE slender maid of Donremy saw the
vision. heard the voice and went forth in
strength not her own to lead the armies
OF France to victory. I may not explain
the miracle how she could thus be given
power to raise the siege of the beleagured
city and unfalteringly to meet the mar
tyr's fate. but ! rejoice that after all
these centuries the Roman Catholic
church has recognized the service rem
dered for faiths sake and for loves sake
by Joan of Arc and has canonized her as
saint These Illustrations but attest the
fact that such seeing of visions gives to
the world its best things.
I'm this presence may properly speak
n he OF 0c
ue. Our beloved order is essentially
Christian and its visions and ideals close
~ correspond to those of the Christian
believer. though they may be differently
interpreted or expressed. 1t is these Wis
ions which have inspired the highest ex-
preston Of the Templar's faith and teach
ing To these visions. translated into
life. our great institution, now approxi-
mating 100000 members, owes much of its
present prestige and power
There are three visions of Templary
TO which / would especially call your at
tention First. the vision of character.
which comes to every Sir Knight with ap-
pealing force. He sees what manner of
man lie may become. He looks out upon
tne world of noble souls, eXemplars of
virtue and heroic attainment. The Tenn
piar order will best justify its existence
ny the upright character of the men who
stand within Its lines Not little of its
glory consists in what it fosters and
forms of character and life.
Second. it is the vision of service that
VIII lead the modern Knight to self sac
rihce and untiring effort for the welfare
OF others. If he has any strength he will
exert IT FOR the benefit of those weaker
than himself. If he has wisdom he will
Instruct the ignorant If he has grace
ana goodness he will minister sympatbet-
icaiiy to those who are bearing the great
burdens Of sorrow and sin. He will see
the vision and he will not be disobed;ent
to the Heavenly call which bids him on
rich his own life by the giving to others
OF his thought. his means and himself
The Templar order does not rest on .
creed or profession any more than does
Christianity itself.
''Sir knights. it is not our province 70
30 forth to the Holy Land and preserve
the tomb OF our Lord from DISSERTATION
but so to live the Christ life before mo,
that their souls shall be enriched and
blessed. The poor. the weak, the needy.
OF every class-helpless orphans and das.