The Modern Order Of "Knights Templar" In The British Dominions.

The impetus given of late years to the Templar Order in the United States , and the popularity it has acquired there , is to be attributed to the attractive form it has assumed , by the adoption of a quasi military uniform , Knight errant excursions aud picnics , stirring orations , parading with bands of music , and intricate formations in imitation of military evolutions , all of ivhich are both enjoyable and harmless recreations , and very pleasing spectacles , but certainly are neither Masonic nor chivalric ,

and do not convey a very accurate idea of the Great Order of the Temple , or Avhat it is intended to represent , Aiz ., the stern , mail-clad warrior monks of the crusades , surrounded by their men-at-arms and numerous retinue of retainers , the Knights distinguished by then- flowing white mantles adorned with the blood-red Cross of Martyrdom , the rest in sombre habits of russet brown . In thus alluding to the customs of the United States TemplarsI must not be

, misunderstood as wishing to interfere with their system or draw invidious comparisons , but merely to point out the totally different views entertained of the Order by the two jurisdictions , ancl to explain what these are to members of the Order in Canada who , attracted by the magnificence of the displays they have witnessed , have expressed a wish to imitate them .

In our Templar costume we follow that of the Ancient Knights , which is intended to symbolize the principles of the Order , but never meant to be paraded before the eyes of the public . Such exhibitions are not the custom of the country , all public Masonic displays being looked upon as most objectionable , and a Templar procession with us woidd appear as ridiculous to the common observer as if the Knights of the " Garter " and the " Bath " in theirstate robes or gentlemen in court dress were to parade

, the streets for the admiration of the multitude . Show and parade are sometimes necessary , but in matters connected with Freemasonry the less so the better ; like Christianity , it is more appreciated in its unobtrusive character than by public demonstrations , and the unnecessary expense incurred better applied in promoting the object and aim of all Masonic systems .

I have taken considerable pains to ascertain from the highest Masonic authorities in the United States the origin of the Templar Order there , and find that mention is made of it as an honorary degree , practised in a Royal Arch Chapter at Boston , so far back as 1769 , where it was given by members of Craft Lodges attached to British regiments quartered there at the time , who were in possession of the degree and visited the Chapter ; but the earliest distinct body or Encampment of Templars was not formed until the middle of the decade of the last century , in Pennsjivania , it is said , by Irish

Craft Masons ; but no one seems to know by what authority or where they first , obtained the degree ; it died out after a short existence—then it started in New England , and a ritual wholly made there , ivhich is of itself sufficient proof that the persons who set it on foot never had the correct degree at all ; if they had it they would'have retained the ritual by which they received it , without ivhich they cotdd have no connection with the degree elsewhere . The New York Grand Encampment was chartered by the " Cerneau " spurious Grand Consistory . United States Templary is ,

therefore , essentially a modern American degree , framed to suit their Masonic system , ancl , according to their own idea of the supposed forms and practices of the Ancient Knights as Masons , with but little attention paid to the usages of the old Orders of Chivalry which ive are endeavouring to follow ; therefore , how can the Templar Order in the two systems be considered as one , when the rituals and customs in no respect resemble each other ? The O . B . are unlike—ours is a Trinitarian Order , whilst the other is decidedly not , ancl might be wholly Unitarian , and be just as much Templary as it is

noiv ; Avithout Trinitarianism there is no Templary , and it is necessarily so distinctive a characteristic of the Order that it is difficult to understand how any system without it can be entitled to style itself Templary . This , then , is where the great difference exists between the two systems , and the difficulty in the way of forming a "treaty of alliance " so desirable ancl so strongly advocated . I woidd still join in doing much to bring about a union of the English speaking Templars , but let it be done in moderation , fairness , and charity to all . The recent assumption of superiority by the Grand