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

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARcative of peace to their friends, but destruction totheirfoes.The organization of the Templars embraced fourclasses of members Knights, Squires, Servitorsand Priests. Each had their peculiar duties andobligations. The presiding officer of the Order wascalled the Master afterwards the Grand Master.England, Germany, France and Italy, in fact, nearlyall the states of Christendom, were divided intoprovinces, and over each was set a provincial Mas-% ter. The Grand Master of Jerusalem was regardedas the head of the entire brotherhood, which soongrew in numbers, influence and wealth to be oneof the most powerful organizations in the world.Counts, dukes, princes, and even kings, eagerlysought the honor which was everywhere concededto the red cross and white mantle of the Templar.In course of time the Knights of the Temple becamea sovereign body, owing no allegiance to anysecular potentate. In spiritual matters the Popewas stillregarded as supreme, but in all other affairsthe Grand Master was as independent as thegreatest sovereign of Europe. The houses of theKnights could not be invaded by any civil officer.Their churches and cemeteries were exempt frominterdicts their ; properties and revenues from taxation.So great were the immunities thus enjoyedthat thousands of persons sought to be affiliatedwith the brotherhood in order to share its benefits.To the Knights Templar and the Hospitallerswas largely due whatever success or glory the subsequentCrusades achieved, of which there wereseven. They were the flower of the armies, alwaysin the van with their glittering swords and waving144