JULY - Grand Encampment, Knights Templar

Prelate’s Chapel
by
Rev. William D. Hartman, Right Eminent Grand Prelate of the Grand Encampment
“For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit
again to a yoke of slavery... For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not
use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of
one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor
as yourself’... Walk by the Spirit... [for] the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... If we live by
the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit... So then, as we have opportunity, let us
do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
(Galatians 5 & 6: selected verses)
I can’t help but believe that these words of St. Paul inspired men 250 years ago
to pursue the dream of a new country, “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal.” The tyranny of England over the American
colonies became so oppressive that rebellion became the course of action; declaring
independence and laying one’s life on the line to pursue an ideal of freedom
and equality in a new land. 1776 remains for all Americans a decisive moment in
history that changed history for all time.
I still think that St. Paul’s advice needs to be practiced every day in today’s world
too, for we need to rebel against the inequalities within our land; we need to “walk
by the Spirit” of the God who created us and loves us and guides us in our daily
living. We need to put forth the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With all the violence and
evil we read and hear about every day, we need now, more than ever, to live by the
Spirit and to walk each day by the Spirit to do good unto all and especially to those
who are of the household of faith. As modern-day Knights Templar, we need to
show forth these qualities lived and taught to us by the great Captain of our Salvation.
It is not the political rhetoric of this election year that will keep our country
strong. It is the citizens of this country who are willing to live by and walk in the way
of the Spirit of the one, true living God.
“Thy love divine hath led us in the past; In this free land with thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.
From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way; Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine, And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.
Daniel C. Roberts - 1876
6 july 2012