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By Sir Knight D. David Will, Jr.

The title stems from an old saying in the Craft, and I have come to realize that it is every bit as important today as it always has been. The Blue Lodge, or what we sometimes call “Old Craft Masonry,” is a splendidly beautiful expression of our Brotherhood in this holy order, but for many of us, we realize that it is not complete. There is much more to the journey through Masonry that we cannot find just through the three degrees alone. I personally discovered this when I was Knighted in January of 2010.

Yes, the raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason is the completion of Old Craft Masonry, and is all that is truly necessary to be a Mason. In fact, there are those that believe that one is better off to remain with just the Blue Lodge, because without it there is no Masonry. Yet, the new Mason is left with a cliff-hanger. A truth that has been lost, and a history that is unresolved. The temple stands uncompleted, and is left without the guardians that it so preciously needs and deserves.

This is is where York Rite Masonry comes in, and most especially the Order of the Knights Templar. Templars throughout history have been charged with defending the widow and orphan, and coming to the aid of the Christian faith itself whenever we are called to serve. As men throughout my family's long history in Masonry have experienced, I too received that call to take my love of Masonry one step further into the Knights Templar.

Wheeling Commandry No 1 is located in Wheeling, West Virginia, on the Ohio River at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. An old building, with a rich history, the Cathedral has an amazingly imposing presence from the street that set the stage for how great and important of an undertaking I was about to enter. That day, five of us came together seeking still further light in Masonry through the Order of the Temple, arriving as Masonic Brothers together, but truly understanding and appreciating that Brotherhood when we left.

York Rite Masonry is a fascinating bond in our beloved organization. To put on the work that day, men traveled from across the state on a particularly beautiful day, just to spend it inside. When other men probably took that Saturday to get done some necessary yard work, complete a project, or just commune with the beauty of nature that we enjoy here in West Virginia, these men used their time for the benefit of others. Asking nothing in return, they gave of themselves to ensure that the vows that they once took to support and uphold the Christian Faith as Knights Templar would continue for another generation.

After a wonderful reception from the Brethren, we proceeded with the initiation. Instead of degrees, the progression to the Temple is done through Orders. The three Orders of this process are of the Order of the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, and the Order of the Temple. Depending on various factors, a long form of the ritual or a short form thereof can be used. In this case, the short form was used for both the Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta.

The Order of the Red Cross is set during a story of the time of Zerabbubel and the building of the Second Temple. Through the beautiful narratives contained within, it sets the stage for a day of engrossing wonder as the candidate is introduced to a story of the nature of truth, helping the candidate to understand everything that will come after. Although composed of a story from before the life of Christ, the truth that the narrative conveys becomes clear as the rest of the day unfolds, adding its own unique depth to the tale as the day continues.

The Order of Malta is the step leading up to the magnificent Order of the Temple. Finding itself told through Paul's time on that island, as well as several other stories from the New Testament, trust and faith in God through Christ is impressed upon the candidate as they are prepared for the journey to
follow. The history of the Knights of Malta is detailed, and then the candidate is reminded of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While the story of the Gospel is alluded to throughout the rituals of even the Blue Lodge, this is the first chiefly Christian degree in Masonry.

The Order of the Temple is one of the most staggering experiences in the whole of Masonry. The beauty of going through this degree is such that it's matched only by the ritual of the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The Third Degree will always be the most important and most memorable experience in the life of a Mason, but in my eyes the Order of the Temple has become a close second. Over the past week since my Knighting, I have had time to reflect on what went on during the ceremonies and have realized that it is a life-changing experience.

Before beginning any journey, it is necessary that the candidate take time for solitary prayer and reflection. We have learned in Masonry that no task should be undertaken without consulting God before we begin. This was no different. Even that moment of prayer and reflection will have a lasting impact on me, as we candidates were confronted with the reality of life and death, and implored to continue to put our faith in Jesus Christ as we proceeded.

The ritual itself was representative of the pilgrimage that our early Brothers made in preparation to become a Knight of the Temple. Such an undertaking wasn't simply a matter of picking up a sword and declaring willingness to chase after damsels in distress and fight glorious battles. The manner of chivalry that these men held dear was a devotion to God first, in defending Christianity, and then caring and protecting those who no one else spoke for.

A pilgrimage was necessary of these men, and a ritual representing that pilgrimage was demanded of us, with appropriate lessons to reinforce the virtues espoused within. The pilgrimage was broken into three sections, each of which brought the candidate deeper and deeper into the beautiful mythos of the Order, while further strengthening the bonds of the Knight-to-Be with their own faith.

The last section of the Order of the Temple was one of the most solemn and beautiful experiences in my life. Sealing within the heart and mind the vows that we, as newly-made Knights took, we reaffirmed our desire to stand as guardians of the Christian faith for all time.

As Knights, we are impressed with what is our bounden duty to be defenders of the faith, just as the Knights of old have done, but today's Knights Templar have a farther reach still. Today's Templars are intimately connected to the communities in which they are a member through the charity work that they do. The Templars provide vision care for those who cannot afford it through the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, “so that others may see,” and educational scholarships through the Educational Foundation. Also, the Grand Encampment provides grants for clergy to take their own pilgrimage to the Holy Land. These charities are just part of everything that the young Knight has before him to enjoy.

Having just been through my Knighting myself, I can say with certainty that I recommend it to any Christian Mason who wishes to take their journey in Masonry a step further. The rich depth and beauty of the ritual has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind, bringing me closer still to God than ever before. Every Christian Mason should become a Knight Templar and experience as I have the full measure of what York Rite Masonry has to offer.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 4:04 am and is filed under Commandery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.