Musing´s of your Grand Commander
As I sit her early in the morning contemplating on what to write about in this great Christian Order we are engaged in, I reflect on a paper by Eminent Sir Knight Russell D. Ramette, titled "Knights Templar-A Unique Order".
Thinking about this, I thought that this is something that every Knight Templar should be awarer of, so here it is:
First of all the word unique may not be qualified or limited. Something is either unique or it is not. Nothing in between. Unique means the only thing of its kind, unmatched or unexampled. Webster defines unique as being without like or equal, single in kind or excellence. Our order of Masonic Chivalry is unique in more ways than one.
First; It is unique in the Masonic Family of rites in that it is the only branch of Freemasonry, (York or Scottish Rite) which is predicated upon the Christian religion. In applying to the Orders of Templary the applicant must declare his belief in and the practice of the Christian religion and virtues.
Second; Our Order is unique in that it is the only branch of Freemasonry under one national Sovereign Power. The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar is the only national Sovereign Body in the United States of America. The Scottish Rite has a Northern and Southern Jurisdiction that is Sovereign only in their area. The Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter and Grand Council have complete authority only within their own State.
Third; The Knights Templar is the only body in the United States that each candidate receives the same ritual. Our Order has but one ritual and every Commandery wherever located must use that ritual. The ritualistic work is the same in every state of the union. This cannot be said of any other Masonic body.
Fourth; Our Order is the only branch of Masonry that has adopted a complete formal dress for its members. The Order of Knights Templar declares in its constitution to be a uniformed Order and this uniform must be worn by every Knights Templar who wishes to participate in the ceremonies of the Order. The uniform is just as necessary to a Knights Templar as the apron is to a Master Mason. The appearance of the Knights Templar in uniform is a grand thing that is always remembered by the public when viewing a parade.
The list could go on and on. The Knights Templar is the only branch of the Masonic Family that makes an effort to observe the three great Christian religious days, Christmas, Easter and Ascension Day. It is fitting that we should observe these days as Americans because our country is basically a Christian Nation. We are very proud of the Knights Templar Educational Foundation, Which operates for the purpose of providing monetary grants to college students to complete their college education. We are also very proud of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation that has helped so many with sight problems in an effort to prevent blindness. Our Order is also unique in the annals of history during the Crusades which the Knights Templar and Knights of Malta played such an important part in wresting the Holy Lands from the infidels and we should be proud of our historical background.
Truly our Order is Unique in the structure of Freemasonry. Membership in a Commandery of Knights Templar is the last step in York Rite Masonry. No higher honor can come to a Freemason than to be created a Knight of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple, a true soldier of the Cross.
GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU, Sincerely,
Jack and Louise Smith
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Meet your Grand Commander (Continued)
Brother Smith is also a member and Past Worshipful Master of Philosophic Lodge of Research; a member of Gaspee Order No. 99 and Past Honorable Grand Commander in Chief of Nutmeg Order No. 106, Swords of Bunker Hill; a member and Past Excellent Chief of Mohawk Council No. 28, Knight Masons; a member and Past Sovereign Master of Nathan Hale Council No. 78 of the Allied Masonic Degrees; a member of Connecticut College of the Masonic Rosicrucians; Ye Ancient Order of Corks; Knights of the Masonic Order of the Bath of the USA; the Philalethes Society; The Grand College of Rites; Oxford Lodge No. 1 of Royal Ark Mariners; Royal Ark Mariners in the Supreme Grand Council, Eastern Jurisdiction of Canada; Royal and Select Masters, Order of Old Saratoga; The Royal Order of Scotland; and Hartford Chapter No. 56 National Sojourners, Inc. where he serves as President.
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Holy Land Pilgrimage to resume in 2008
The Grand Encampment has decided to go ahead with a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in early 2008.
Please look to the Connecticut Grand Commandery web site for full information in SK William Miller´s letter.
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KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION
Sir Knight Bruce R. Bellmore, Chairman of the Eye Foundation Campaign urges each Sir Knight to set aside $1.00 each week for the Eye Foundation so that at least $52.00 can be sent to Lorie Cowie for this year´s campaign.
We give so that others may see!
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Ascension Day 2007
On Thursday May 17, 2007 approximately 56 Sir Knights and other Masons attended a very impressive Ascension Day service in the Memorial Chapel of the Hillside Cemetery in Torrington, Ct. In attendance were six Past Grand Masters, five Past Grand Commanders, five Past Grand High Priests, seven Past Most Puissant Grand Masters, along with the presiding Grand High Priest Carl Aspland, the presiding Right Eminent Grand Commander Jack Smith, and the presiding Grand Master of Connecticut William L. Greene. After the service we journeyed to the Kaaban Club in Plymouth for a delicious meal and plenty of fellowship. If you have never attended this service you have certainly missed an impressive time. Next year it will be held on May 8th, 2008. Be sure to attend!
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A message from the Membership Committee
"If YOU don't do it; who will do it?" Every Christian should be a Mason.
EVERY CHRISTIAN MASON SHOULD BE A KNIGHT TEMPLAR
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NEWS FROM THE COMMANDERIES
While our Commanderies are not holding Conclaves during July and August, plans are being made for a busy and productive Fall Season. Please support your Commandery.
Washington #1 S.K. Sivert R. Jacobson, Em. Commander S.K. Charles B. Fowler, Recorder
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New Haven #2 S.K. Jack H. Stevens, Em. Commander S.K. Leonard H. Bucher, Recorder
Have a great summer. See you in September, Fully recharged and ready to go.
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Stamford Clinton #3 S.K. Charles D. O´Neill, Em. Commander S.K. Charles A. McCollum, Recorder
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Hamilton #5 S.K. Edward R. Ham, Em. Commander S.K. James S. Demko, Recorder
In August a picnic will be held to review the fall programs.
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Palestine #6 S.K. Oscar Legaspi, Em. Commander S.K. John A. Birdsall, Recorder
A picnic will be held in early August to make plans for the Fall.
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Cyrene #8 S.K. Lloyd D. Drager, Em. Commander S.K. Vincent A. Cowie, Recorder
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St. Elmo #9 S.K. Clyde W. Kayser, Em. Commander S.K. Arthur M. Pugh, Recorder
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Crusader #10 S.K. Charles A. McCollum, Em. Commander S.K. James A. Backus, Recorder
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St. Johns #11 S.K. Michael Dodge, Em.Commander S.K. Thurman P. Sharples, Recorder
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Coming Events
Sept 7-8 Northeast York Rite Conference in Mystic Ct.
Oct Semi-Annual Communication of Grand Lodge
April 5&6 Grand Commandery of Connecticut
We welcome information and pictures which may be of interest to the Sir Knights of Connecticut. Information about a Commandery event must be sent to the Editor at least sixty days before the event is scheduled. Send to Bob Sherrick, 5 Lawrence Avenue, Milford Ct. 06460-7335, or you can send E-Mail to RDSherrick@gdoc.com
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Grand Encampment has a new web site located at www.knightstemplar.org The next time you are online, check out the site and let them know you visited by signing the guest book.