Part 19 (1/2)
Q. What followed? A. The Generalissimo thus addressed the Grand Commander: ”Most Eminent, by the extinguished taper on the triangle, I perceive there is a vacancy in our Encampment, which I propose should be filled by a choice from among those valiant Knights who have sustained the trials and performed the ceremonies required by our Order.”[18]
Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then ordered the lots to be given forth, which being done, I was elected, and the Grand Commander thus addressed me: ”In testimony of your election as a companion among us, and of your acceptance of that honor, you will relight that extinguished taper; and may the Almighty lift upon you the light of His countenance, and preserve you from falling.”
Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then directed me to kneel, and said by virtue of the high power in me vested, as the successor and representative of Hugh De Paganis, and Geoffrey, of St. Omers, I now dub and create you Knight Templar, Knight of Malta, of the Holy Order of St. John of Jerusalem. [This is repeated three times, at the same time laying the blade of the sword first upon the right shoulder, then upon the head, and then upon the left shoulder of the candidate.]
Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then presented me a sword, and thus addressed me: ”This sword in your hand, as a true and courteous Knight, will be endowed with three most excellent qualities; its hilt be justice impartial, its blade be fort.i.tude undaunted, and its point be mercy; and let it teach us this important lesson, that we should ever be a.s.sured of the justice of the cause in which we draw our swords, and being thus a.s.sured, we should persevere with the most undaunted fort.i.tude, and finally, having subdued our enemies, we should consider them no longer such, but extend to them the most glorious attribute of G.o.d's mercy.”
Q. What followed? A. The Grand Commander then communicated to me the due-guard, the penitent's pa.s.s, and the grand sign, grip and word of Knight Templars.
Q. Give the due-guard? [The sign is given by placing the end of the right thumb under the chin.]
Q. To what does it allude? A. To the penalty of my obligation; to have my head struck off and placed upon the highest spire in Christendom.
Q. Give the penitent's pa.s.s? A. It is given as before described; the word is Golgotha.
Q. Give the grand sign. [This sign is given by placing yourself in a situation representing the crucifixion of Christ.]
Q. To what does this sign allude? A. To the manner in which the Saviour expired upon the cross, and expiated the sins of the world.
Q. Give the grip and word. [This grip is given by interlacing the fingers of the right and left hands of the candidate, which forms a cross.]
Q. What is the word? A. Immanuel. [The word is given at the time of giving the grip, and is the name of the grip.]
Q. What does the grip teach us? A. That as our fingers are thus strongly interlaced, so should the hearts of Knight Templars be firmly interlaced in friends.h.i.+p and brotherly love.
Q. What is the motto of our Order? A. Rex regum, et Dominus dominorum.
Q. How do you translate it? A. King of kings, and Lord of Lords.
KNIGHTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MARK, AND GUARDS OF THE CONCLAVE.
This Conclave is governed by an Invincible Knight of the Order of St.
John of Jerusalem, a Senior and Junior Knight, six Grand Ministers, Recorder, Treasurer, Conductor, and Guard.
OPENING.--”Sir Junior Knight, are all convened in a secret place, and secured from the prying eye of the profane?”
”We are, Invincible.”
”Sir Senior Knight, instruct the Sir Knights to a.s.semble in form for the purpose of opening this Invincible Order.”
The members kneel on both knees in a circle, each with his right hand on his heart, his left on his forehead.
PRAYER.--”Eternal source of life, of light, and perfection, Supreme G.o.d and Governor of all things, liberal dispenser of every blessing! We adore and magnify Thy holy name for the many blessings we have received from Thy hands, and acknowledge our unworthiness to appear before Thee; but for the sake, and in the name of Thy atoning Son, we approach Thee as lost and undone children of wrath; but through the blood of sprinkling, and the sanctification of the Holy Ghost, we come imploring a continuation of Thy favors, for thou hast said, that he who cometh to Thee through faith in the Son of Thy love, Thou wilt in no wise cast out; therefore, at the foot of the cross we come, supplicating pardon for our past offences, that they may be blotted out from the book of Thy remembrance and be seen no more, and that the remainder of our days may be spent as becometh the followers of the Holy One of Israel; and graciously grant that love, harmony, peace, and unity may reign in this Council; that one spirit may animate us--one G.o.d reign over us--and one heaven receive us, there to dwell in Thine adorable presence forever and ever. Amen.”
The Invincible Knight takes the Bible and waves it four times over his head, saying, ”Rex regnantium, et Dominus dominantium;” [that is, King of kings, and Lord of Lords;] kisses it and pa.s.ses it on his right; it goes around until it comes again to the Invincible Knight, who opens and reads, Matthew v. 3-12, 16.
Always interlace the fingers of the left hand, draw your sword and present it to the heart, and say, ”Tammuz Touliumeth, I p.r.o.nounce this Convention opened in ample form. Let us repair to our several stations, and strictly observe silence.”