THE MASONIC MANUAL
A pocket Companion for the Initiated
Compiled and arranged by Robert Macoy
Revised Edition 1867
XIV.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
THE Order of Knights Templar, who were originally called "Poor fellow soldiers of Jesus Christ," took its rise about the year 1118.
Nine noble knights formed a society to guard and protect the Christian pilgrims who traveled from abroad to visit the Holy Sepulchre.
These men were encouraged by the Abbot of Jerusalem, who assigned them and their companions a place of retreat in a Christian church, called the church of the Holy Temple, from which they were called Templars.
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PRAYER AT OPENING.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done as in heaven so also upon the earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
DECORATIONS AND STATIONS OF OFFICERS.
The throne is situated in the East; above is suspended a banner; on it a cross irradiated with rays of light; on each side a sky-blue banner, on one of which are arranged the emblems of the Order, and on the other a Paschal lamb and Maltese cross, with the motto, "THE WILL OF GOD." The Most Eminent Grand Commander is seated on the throne, the Generalissimo, Prelate, and Past Grand Commarrders on his right; the Captain General on his left; the Treasurer on the right, and the Recorder on the left, in front; the Senior Warden at the
south-west angle of tbh triangle, and upon the right of the first division; the Junior Warden at the north-west angle of the triangle, and on the left of the third division the Standard Bearer in the west, the Sword Bearer on the right and the Warder on his left; Guards, at the passes; Sentinel, at the door, outside. The Knights are so aranged that there shall be an equal number on each side of the throne and in front. Three tents, at proper distances, in an adjoining room, or in the north of the Encampment, and stationed in front, with a black banner, having a star of nine points; in the centre of the star, a cross and serpent of gold, surrounded by a circle, with the motto, "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES", painted upon it.
UNIFORM.
A full suit of black, with a sword and military hat; a scarf, five inches wide in the whole, of white, bordered with black one inch on either side; a strip of navy lace, one fourth of an inch wide, at the inner edge of the black: the ends of the scarf extend six inches below the point of intersection, hanging on the right shoulder and crossing the body to the left side; on the left breast a star of nine points; in the centre of the star, a cross and serpent of gold, surrounded by a circle, in which is engraved, "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES."
CHARGE AT OPENING.
James, a servant of GOD and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that be is exalted. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. - JAMES i. 1-10-26-27
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LESSON I.
FIRST EXHORTATION
-- I greet thee. * * *
Silver and gold have I none: but such as I have give I thee. * * * * * *
Hearken to a lesson to cheer thee on thy way, and assure thee of success.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water and gave it unto Hagar (putting it on her shoulder,) and the child, and sent her away, and she departed and wandered in the wilderness, and the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs; and the angel of GOD called to Hager out of heaven, saying. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great ration and GOD opened her eyes, and she saw a swell of water
By faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles; for he looked for a city which hath foundatious, whose builder and maker is GOD.
Be ye therefore followers of GOD as dear children, rejoicing in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice. Farewell -- GOD speed thee.
SECOND EXHORTATION.
-- I greet thee. * * * * *
If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, and ye give them not of those things which are needful for the body, what doth it profit? To do good and to communicate, forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men; after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Farewell - GOD speed thee.
THIRD EXHORTATION.
-- I greet thee. * * * * *
He that receiveth you, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is
easy and my burden is light. Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Farewell - GOD speed thee.
LESSON II.
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you. And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Now, the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him,
Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now, when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth, as it is written of him; but wo unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. - MATT. xxvi. 14-25.
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LESSON III.
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then faith he unto them, My soul is ex-
ceeding sorrowful, even unto death, tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What! could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he unto his disciples. and saith unto them,
Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo! Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude, with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus,
and said, Hail, Master; and kissed him. - MATT xxvi. 36-50.
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LESSON IV.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hail, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, king of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they
compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, A place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink, mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet; They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down, they watched him there; and set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. - MATT. xxvii. 24-37.
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LESSON V.
Although it is appointed unto all men once to die, yet the Scriptures inform us, that the Savior of the world arose from the dead and ascended into heaven, there forever he is seated on the throne of majesty in high; and they also assure us, that all who have received Him for their righteousness, and put their trust in Him, shall rise to life everlasting. In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn, toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to see the sepuchre. And behold there was a great earthquake
for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay: and go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo! I have told you." And they departed quickly from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples wood.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, All hail. Aid they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
And he led them out, as far as to Bethany; and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
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The following ode may be appropriately intro duced during the ceremonies:
The rising GOD forsakes the tomb!
Up to his Father's court he flies;
Cherubic legions guard him home,
And shout him welcome to the skies.Break off your tears, ye saints, and tell
How high our great deliv'rer reigns,
Sing how he spoil'd the hosts of hell,
And led the monster, death, in chains.Say live forever, wondrous king,
Born to redeem, and strong to save,
Then ask the tyrant, "where's thy sting?
And where's thy vict'ry, boasting grave?"* * * * * * * *
LESSON VI.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the if disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled which the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of David, spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained
part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalemn; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldamna, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. Wherefore, of these men which have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken ut from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus and Matthias. And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. - ACTS i. 15-26
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