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

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARfaith ;to observe and maintain the seven sacramentsof the church, the fourteen articles of faith, thecreeds of the apostles an^J of Athanasius;* to upholdthe doctrines of the two Testaments, includingthe interpretations of the Fathers, the unity of Godand the trinity of his person, and the virginity ofMary both before and after the birth of the Son;to go beyond the seas when called to do so in defenseof the cause ;to fly not from the foe unless assailedby more than three infidels at once. Hugh de Payens,thus provided with a rule that gave permanenceto his Order, and encouraged by the approvalof the church, returned to Jerusalem. Humilitywas one of the first principles of the membership.The helmet of the Templar should have no cresthis beard should not be cut his demeanor should bethat of servant of his fellows. Each member, onassuming the garb of a Knight, must be girt witha linen cord in token that he was henceforth boundtoservice.The primal object sought in the institution ofthe Order was the succor of needy pilgrims but as;the Moslems recovered after the capture of Jerusalem,and in increasing numbers threatened theChristians on every side, the organization from necessityassumed a more distinctively military character,and ultimately became the right arm of theChristian armies in their several operations againstthe foe. St. Bernard, who visited them in theirTemple retreat, speaks in the warmest terms oftheir self-denial, their frugality, their modesty,their piety, and their bravery. Their banner wasthe Beauseant, of divided white and black, indigo