The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.. Raymond, and Peter the Hermit seated on a mule.Pfc^*^^This immense army pressed steadily forward, and/ after capturing Nice, Antioch and other cities on^ the way, this army, though greatly reduced in numbersby privations and conflict, at length came upon1 the object of its ambition, Jerusalem, in the yearIOQQ^ The city was taken on the I5th of July, afterx^an obstinate siege of somewhat more than fivej^weeks. Assault after assault was made upon theunyielding walls, only to be repulsed, and the jadedremnant of only 40,000 of what was once a vastarmy, were on the point of abandoning the undertaking,when Godfrey, looking up to Mount Olivet,beheld there a mighty horseman waving on higha buckler. "Behold," cried the hero, "St. Georgecomes again to our aid and makes a signal for usto enter the Holy City/' The effect was magical.The army, seized as ifby an electric enthusiasm,made an irresistible charge, carried the walls, and*Jerusalem was taken. IHistory has remarked thatI the Christians entered Jerusalem on a Friday,J atthe hour of three in the afternoon ; exactly the sameday and hour at which Christ expired for the salva-/ tion of the human race.. Among those who receivedthe greatest congratulations by the victorious multitudewas Peter the Hermit. The little fanaticmonk was singled out as the greatest of all thehuman agencies by which the deliverance of Jerusalemhad been accomplished. Around him, clad inhis woolen garment and mounted on his mule, themediaeval Zealots gathered in enormous crowds,and did obeisance as to a liberator and savior.Godfrey of Bouillon soon came in for his share ofglory. Within eight days after the fall of the cityi 138