Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-27
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR TOAST
Members Gather on Christmas Day
and Drink to Grand Master.

and Drink to Grand Master.
In accordance with its annual GUS
tom members Of Old Dominion COM
mandcry No. II. Knight Templar,
gathered in Masonic Temple on
Christmas day at noon and drank 4
toast to the grand master of the
United States and to the eminent
commander Of Virginia. The toast was
proposed by Claude w. Fletcher, en-
inent commander of Old Dominion. It
was as follows:
"To Right Eminent Sir Lee S.
Smith, Acting Grand Master:
"While we rejoice in the numerical
increase and growing Influence of our
Order, may we more earnestly pray
that the ruling motive Of each life
be kindness and brotl1erliness to all
seeking to extend helping hand to
whomsoever may stand in need, re-
membering the words Of the Blessed
Emmanuel. Tnasmuch as ye did it
unto one of the least of these, We did
it.unto me-
"The Acting Grand Master sent the
following response:
" Sir Knights:-Tn responding to
the appropriate and beautiful senti-
ment expressed in your toast. I
heartily and earnestly enter into the
spirit Of the same. 1t is easy for me
to do this, as the object aimed at
has been one Of the ruling passions
Of my life; q desire to bring sun
shine into the lives of others; as
consider that no amount in bronze or
marble can equal living monument
in the hearts of our; fellow beings.
To so live and act that the world may
he better because we have lived in
it. should be the aim Of all members
Of this valiant and magnanimous
Order, founded upon the life and
teachings of Him of whom it is writ
ten. "Never man spake like this man.
who devoted His short earthly life
for the benefit of mankind.
'sThe. occasion that called the Order
of Christian Knighthood into being
was the cause Of those needing help
and protection. The present day
Tcmplar has a sacred duty to per-
form. though of a different character.
81 reiterate the appeal for chari-
. table acts, not words, issued by Grand
Master Melish in Christmas response
of 1910.
81 call upon eachsof the nearby one
quarter of a million Knights Temp
lar under the jurisdiction of the
Grand Encampment to individual re-
conservation in.the cause of humanity
Have you an enmity against a SOU
on earth? Go to him and be reconcil
ed. Have you wronged any one? Make
it right. Are there those about you
who have little Of this worlds nee
assities or luXuries, or upon whom
fate has frowned in other ways =!
Then, at this happy Christmas time
20 to them either with a smile o,
material help, and thus bring little
of the sunshine with which God ha!
. blessed you into the lives Of others
: By this you will prove to yourself
. the truthfulness of the saying, at j:
; more blessed to give than to receive.
"since our last Christmas service
: our beloved Grand Master. Arthu
= Macarthur, has answered the final
call and passed to the Grand Asylum
above. He fell full knightly, with hi
Il armour on. Let us revere his memory
: emulate his life, and follow the teach
n ing derived theref,Un Let us pres
d onward in life's warfare by beautiful
:. work and good acts. Let each day em
d brace some good deed, some kindl,
!. act, some thought for others tina
ourselves"