Aug - Grand Encampment, Knights Templar

VOLUME LIX AUGUST 2013 NUMBER 8

VOLUME LIX AUGUST 2013 NUMBER 8Published monthly as an official publication of theGrand Encampment of Knights Templarof the United States of America.ContentsGrand Master’s MessageGrand Master David Dixon Goodwin................ 3David Dixon GoodwinGrand MasterJeffrey N. NelsonGrand Generalissimo and Publisher3112 Tyler ParkwayBismarck, ND 58503-01922014 Knight Templar Pilgrimage to France....... 6A Chronological View of the Crusadesc.A.D. 550 – c.A.D. 1325Sir Knight Douglas M. Row............................... 9The Tragedy of Sir Knight Daniel D. Tompkins:Grand Master, Governor, Vice PresidentSir Knight Ivan Tribe....................................... 252013 Holy Land Pilgrimage............................ 31FeaturesPrelate’s Chapel ...................................................... 4From the Grand Recorder’s Office............................ 5A Chat With The Managing Editor............................ 8Recipients of the Membership Jewel..................... 16Letters to the Editor............................................... 17Grand Commandery Supplement........................... 18The Knights Templar Eye Foundation..................... 22Address changes or correctionsand all membership activity includingdeaths should be reportedto the Recorder of the localCommandery. Please do not reportthem to the editor.John L. PalmerManaging EditorPost Office Box 566Nolensville, TN 37135-0566Phone: (615) 283-8477Fax: (615) 283-8476E-mail: ktmagazine@comcast.netMagazine materials and correspondenceto the editor should be sent in electronicform to the managing editor whose contactinformation is shown above.Materials and correspondence concerningthe Grand Commandery state supplementsshould be sent to the respectivesupplement editor.Lawrence E. TuckerGrand RecorderGrand Encampment Office5909 West Loop South, Suite 495Bellaire, TX 77401-2402Phone: (713) 349-8700Fax: (713) 349-8710E-mail: larry@gektusa.orgIn Memoriam........................................................ 32Beauceant News.................................................... 33Knights at the Bookshelf........................................ 34The cover photo is of the ruinsof the Parthenon on theAcropolis in Athens, Greeceand was taken by the editor.Grand Encampment Web Site: http://www.knightstemplar.org

Grand Master’s MessageAugust has rolled around, completing the firstyear of the 66 th triennium of the Grand Encampment.The year has gone by very fast,and I sometimes really wonder just where it went.Your officers have been very busy on your behalf. Wehave conducted Department Conferences, visited AnnualConclaves of the Grand Commanderies, visited oursister Masonic organizations, attended meetings of theBoard of Trustees of the Knights Templar Eye Foundationand the American Academy of Ophthalmology, andvisited Grand Lodges and some foreign jurisdictions. Everywherethat we go, your Grand Encampment is heldin high esteem both within the fraternity and within theeye community.We are presently developing the structure for the next series of Department Conferencesstarting in September. Please plan on attending. We guarantee that you willlearn something that will help you with your Commandery or other Masonic organizations.These conferences are open to all Sir Knights regardless of rank. We will belooking for you soon!Mark the date now!The 66 th Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights TemplarAdam’s Mark Hotel, Buffalo, NYAugust 8-12, 2015The 66 th Triennial Conclave Committee invites you to come to Buffalo, New Yorkfor an enjoyable time in August of 2015. We will be planning trips to Niagara Falls forthose who may be interested. We are planning to go to the United States and theCanadian sides. Please remember that you will need passports to enter Canada andreturn. Mark you calendars now and plan on joining us in Buffalo.Please plan on attending your Grand Commandery’s Annual Conclave this year.We look forward to meeting with you and learning your thoughts about our TemplarMasonic order. We need your input so that we may continue to improve our fineChristian order.Courteously,David Dixon Goodwin, GCTGrand MasterThe future is ours! We must seize the moment!knight templar Every Christian Mason should be a Knight Templar.3

Prelate’sChapelbyRev. William D. Hartman, Right Eminent GrandPrelate of the Grand EncampmentTwenty years ago I was privileged to participatein a dedication ceremony of a statue at the CivilWar battlefield in Gettysburg by the Grand Lodgeof Pennsylvania. It was a brand new sculpture, andthousands of people had gathered for the occasion. Ofcourse, the statue was draped, and curiosity was high as to what it would look likewhen the wraps were taken off. Then, at the precise moment in the ceremonies, theGrand Master, assisted by the other Grand Lodge officers, gathered around the statue,each with a rope in hand, to unwrap this magnificent piece of sculpture. Whenthe signal was given, each pulled his rope, and the draping fell off to the “oohs” and“aahs” of all assembled. The morning sun had broken through the clouds and shonefull on the glistening, polished, and colored marble. It was indeed an awesome sight,the seeming perfection of a moment of history caught in stone for all posterity.Even this magnificent experience was feeble in comparison to the moment whenGod took off his wraps on a mountain in Palestine long ago. It staggered the onlookersmore than that crowd in Gettysburg in 1993. It began when Jesus took Peter,James, and John up to a mountain to pray. While praying, Jesus’ face began to shinewith the intensity of the sun, and his clothing became blindingly white. Then Mosesand Elijah appeared and talked with him about his departure. On that mountain thatday, God took off his wraps, and fishermen’s eyes that were used to seeing a mass ofsquirming fish in a great net now looked on their master clothed with a glory brighterthan the sun. It was like looking through a knothole in a fence to see a glorious mansionbeyond. The voice of God the Father said, “this is my Son; listen to him,” andthat voice comes down to us still today. Nobody can listen enough to our Lord.With that voice of God, the miracle was over. There was only Jesus standing beforehis disciples, just as he was when they had come up the mountain hours before.The centerpiece of it all was the same Jesus, the Galilean carpenter who was also thebeloved Son of God. As he was the centerpiece on the mountaintop that day, so heis intended to be the centerpiece of all life for all persons in all ages in the majestyof his love and his holiness.When Jesus is the center of our lives, then indeed all is well. On the Mount ofTransfiguration, God gloriously took off his wraps for us to see his divine majesty inhis beloved Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ. It is enough for us to see and to live byuntil we behold him face to face in all his majesty and glory, when all voices are liftedin song to proclaim him “King of kings and Lord of lords.”4 august 2013

From the Grand Recorder’s Office...GRAND ENCAMPMENT2013 DEPARTMENT CONFERENCESThe 2013 Grand Encampment Department Conferences are open to all Sir Knights.Please make your plans to attend.NORTHEASTERN DEPARTMENT CONFERENCEThomas X. Tsirimokos, Right Eminent Department CommanderConnecticut, Maine, Massachusetts/Rhode Island, New Hampshire,New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and VermontSeptember 6-7, 2013 – Albany, New YorkSOUTH CENTRAL DEPARTMENT CONFERENCET. Michael Fegan, Right Eminent Department CommanderArkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and TexasSeptember 20-21, 2013 – Little Rock, ArkansasMID-ATLANTIC DEPARTMENT CONFERENCEJeffrey G. Burcham, Right Eminent Department CommanderDelaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,North Carolina, Virginia, and West VirginiaSeptember 27-28, 2013 – Alexandria, VirginiaNORTHWESTERN DEPARTMENT CONFERENCESteven L. Guffy, Right Eminent Department CommanderAlaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and WyomingOctober 18-19, 2013 – Boise, IdahoNORTH CENTRAL DEPARTMENT CONFERENCELauren R. Handeland, Right Eminent Department CommanderIowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and WisconsinOctober 25-26, 2013 – Sioux Falls, South DakotaSOUTHWESTERN DEPARTMENT CONFERENCEDavid J. Kussman, Right Eminent Department CommanderArizona, California, Hawaii, Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, and UtahNovember 1-2, 2013 – Albuquerque, New Mexicoknight templar5

Your invitation to join us on aKnight Templar Pilgrimage to FranceMay 6-17, 201412 day Package includes: day By day iTineRaRyMay 6,2014 Depart JFK in NY for your International flight• 10 night-accommodations at theR/t to Paris , France.following hotels or similarOptional add on air fare may be added at an additional1 night Hotel Belloy Saint Germain Paris cost from other gateways to join your group in JFK for your1 night Hotel Mercure Brive-La-Gaillarde international flight. Call for details.2 nights Hotel Mercure MillauMay 07, 2014 Upon arrival at CDG airport, the group2 nights Hotel Le Donjon Carcassonne will be transferred by private coach to Paris. For your1 night Hotel Holiday Inn Dijonfirst day in Paris, enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris with3 nights Hotel Belloy Saint Germain guide - you will see : Champs-Élysées to the Arc deParisTriomphe, Eiffel Tower (photo stop), Jardins du Trocadéro,• 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 DinnersMontmartre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more! Check inin the afternoon at your hotel located in the heart of Saint• Sightseeing per detailed itinerary in Germain des Prés, in the Latin Quarter of Paris.modern air-conditioned motor coach Overnight: Hotel Belloy Saint Germain(7 days)Meals: No meal included• Services of English-speaking escort/ May 08, 2014 Meet your guide and driver and startguide per itinerary (7 days)your 2-hour ride by private bus to the discovery of theKnight Templar First stop - COMMANDERIE D’ARVILLE.• Local guides as requiredA 2-hour guided tour will be dedicated to explore the site,• Entrance fees per itineraryfounded by the Templars in the early 12th century. The• Porterage of one piece per person onCommanderie remains, regarding the importance of thepresent buildings, a unique monument and one of the bestarrival and departure at each hotelpreserved in France. After the visit, you will be driven to(not at the airport)Brives la Gaillarde (4 ½ hour to 5 hours ride)Overnight: Hotel Mercure Brive-La-GaillardeMeals: Breakfast, Dinner (3-course meal without drinks)May 09, 2014 Morning tour of the medieval town ofSarlat. This town is well known for its medieval heritage,in the heart of a beautiful region and a landscape full ofsuperb feudal castles. The old town has a Templar cemeteryaround the cathedral, where you can see a number oftombs marked with the distinctive cross. There is also acurious tower in the form of an arch known as the "lanternof the dead". In the afternoon, you will be driven toMillau. (3 ½ hour drive) Visit the House of Causse - glovemanufacturer of Millau, founded in 1892 and supplier ofChanel, Vuitton, Hermès. - Optional - if times allowOvernight: Hotel Mercure MillauMeals: Breakfast, DinnerMay 10, 2014 Visit of the Larzac plateau, where theKnights Templar took possession in the 12th century thanksto the gifting of land to the order and from which therevenue served to maintain the Knights in the Holy Land.10.00am - arrive at Sainte-Eulalie de Cernon, and visit thecommanderie of Sainte Eulalie (1h30)2.00pm - visit La Cavalerie (1 hour)4.00pm - visit La Couvertoirade (1 hour)Free time in la Couvertoirade to visit the traditional shopsOvernight: Hotel Mercure MillauMeals: BreakfastMay 11, 2014 2nd day of your discovery of the Larzac:On the way, you will have the occasion to view the worldrecord tallest bridge, Viaduc de Millau, culminating at 343metres (higher than the Eiffel tower) and 2460 metres long.(15 min stop)6 august 2013

ightouro,nt.te,estteryrnnks.esc:3ng.10.45am - Saint Jean d’Alcas12.30pm - lunch inside the Fort2.00pm - Le Viala du Pas de JauxAfter the visit, you will be driven to the fortified town ofCarcassonneOvernight: Hotel Best Western Le Donjon CarcassonneMeals: Breakfast, lunchMay 12, 2014 Today visit the cathar sites of Montségurand Foix in the Ariège Pyrenees. Chateau de Montségur:Situated at an altitude of 1,207 meters, Montségur castleis built on a natural site. The guided visit will allow you tohear all about the dramatic history of Montségur, conjuringup the lives of the Cathars on this mountain, the episodesof the siege until their horrendous end, burnt at the stake in1244. The Foix Castle houses the collections of the AriègeDépartement Museum, where you can discover a range ofthemes as varied as the County’s history, war in the MiddleAges and prisons in the 19th century. Before returningto your hotel, visit the church and village of Rennes-le-Chateau - known internationally for being at the center ofvarious conspiracy theories, and for being the location of analleged buried treasure discovered by its 19th-century priestBérenger Saunière.Overnight: Hotel Best Western Le Donjon CarcassonneMeals: BreakfastMay 13, 2014 Drive to the Burgundy wine-growingregion where you will visit the Commanderie of Bure-Les-Templiers. You can still see the “square courtyard”, and thechurch “treasure” with a tombstone. Explore the village ofVoulaines-les-Templiers which keeps alive the memory ofanother important commandery.Overnight: Hotel Holiday Inn DijonMeals: BreakfastMay 14, 2014 On the way to Paris, you will first makea stop in Troyes to visit its cathedral of Saint Peter andSaint Paul. The site was originally occupied by an oratoryin the 4th century, then a cathedral was built in the 9thcentury, and immediately destroyed by the Normans (orVikings). A Romanesque style building was constructed inaround 940, and was the seat of the Council of Troyes. ThisCouncil confirmed the important role played by the Orderof the Knights Templar in about 1129 and its applicationof the Saint Benedict rule. The building was destroyed yetagain 160 years later. A gothic cathedral was finally builtin around 1200, but building continued up to the 17thcentury and was never fully completed! In the afternoon,stopping before returning to Paris we visit the Hugh dePaynes Museum in Paynes and Commandry of Avalleur, inBar-sur-SeineOvernight: Hotel Belloy Saint GermainMeals: BreakfastMay 15, 2014 Full day at leisureOvernight: Hotel Belloy Saint GermainMeals: BreakfastMay 16, 2014 Full day at leisure. Farewell dinner in Parisand lot of memories to share!Overnight: Hotel Belloy Saint GermainMeals: Breakfast, dinner (3-course meal without drinks)May 17, 2014 Transfer to CDG AirportMeals: BreakfastCancellation: Once a partial or full payment has been made,cancellations will only be accepted in writing. Cancellation termswill be applied based on the date that the written cancellation isreceived and based on the following dates prior to departure.knight templarPreliMinary ratesFrom 20 to 24 passengers = $4,075per person dbl. Includes R/T AIRAllowance from JFK-Paris - Based On2014 Estimated Group Air Cost of $1,126pp. Exact group air rate to be advise bylate July 2013. Optional add on air cost tobe advised from other US cities toconnect with your group in JFK onrequest. Single occupancy roomsurcharge + $1,400 additional. Guestpaying by check and not a credit card mayalso reduce the above special group ratesby an additional 5%contact inforMation:John L. Palmer KTCH, KGC, 33°Managing Editor,Knight Templar magazinektmagazine@comcast.netOffice 615-283-8477Payment Schedule/Terms and conditionsAir and land deposit: $600 per persondue at time of registration,or before Jan 24, 2014*save $75 pp for all depositsreceived on or before nov 29,2013.Final payment is due by Feb 18, 2014Trip Insurance:Coverage for $3,500-$4,000 for $179 ppCoverage for $4001-$5000 for $219 ppPlan 228A 04131-888-215-8334www.travelexinsurance.comfor additional details and to bookgo to www.knightstemplar.orgor www.gate1travel.com/kinghttemplar.aspx179 to 101 days prior to departure: $200 per person100 to 61 days prior to departure: $300 per person60 to 31 days or less prior to departure: 75% of land/cruiseservices & 100% of air cost30 days or less prior to departure / no-show: 100% of all servicesFUEL SURCHARGES: Airlines and cruise-lines retain the right toadjust prices based upon market price fuel surcharges. In thosecases, Gate1 will adjust your invoice accordingly. In order toavoid these potential charges, your entire group must be paid infull and airline tickets issued.CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS: All prices are based on currentrates of exchange. Your final invoice will reflect any increasesresulting from currency fluctuations.7

A Chat With The Managing EditorAs I grow older, I find myself listening and observing a lot more. I probablyshould have started at an earlier age, but in those days I already knew everythingI needed to know, right? I noticed a phenomenon at one of theYork Rite regional conferences I attended this past year. As you know, there areseparate sessions attended by the high potential emerging leaders (i.e. youngguys who will be leading us in the future) and the current leaders, primarily thegrand officers in the York Rite bodies from each jurisdiction in that region (i.e.the old guys like me who are currently in positions of responsibility). There wasa striking difference in focus between the two groups.The young guys in the leadership classes who had, by and large, paid their ownregistration, hotel bills, meals, and transportation were generally really focusedon making the most of the time spent at the conference. Many even stayed afterthe session to ask questions and discuss some of the leadership concepts.By way of contrast, many of the current leaders who were already in positionsof responsibility were focused on how soon they could get out of their session inthe afternoon, and indeed, several of them left early even though their sessionwas nearly two hours shorter than the leadership training session. I think thatmost of these guys were having their expenses paid or at least subsidized bytheir respective organizations.I am not sure what caused this. Maybe we tend to value things more if wehave to pay for them. Whatever the cause, the optimist in me believes that whenthese younger leaders finally take the reins of our organization, we can expectgreat things of them compared to what we have seen in the past. I just hope thatafter we get these guys trained, we will actually appoint and elect them to positionsof leadership.Finally, on page 6 you will find what I believe to be the final and best informationabout our magazine pilgrimage to Templar sites in France next spring. Severalhave already committed to go. We will be observing the 700 th anniversaryof the martyrdom of Jaques DeMolay in Paris about two months after the actualdate on the actual site. Hope you will join us!Ceilings in the castle of theOrder of St. John or Malta John L. Palmeron the Island of Malta.Photos by the Editor.Managing Editor8 august 2013

A Chronological Viewof the Crusadesc.A.D. 550 – c.A.D. 1325Part 3 of a seriesBySir Knight Douglas M. RoweJan. 1185Aug. 1186Jul. 1187Oct. 1187knight templarTime LineChristian Control of Jerusalem and the South (continued)King Baldwin IV died, and his son, Baldwin V, became the uncrownedruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem with Raymond ofTripoli as Regent again.Baldwin V died, and Guy of Lusignan, husband of Baldwin IV’ssister, was named to throne of the Kingdom of Israel as Guy I.Saladin defeated King Guy at Hattin, and the captured Templarswere publicly beheaded. Saladin attacked Jerusalemfrom the north, taking the Christian cities of Sidon and Beirutand made a tactical error by leaving Tyre in Christiancontrol. King Guy and Templar Grand Master, de Ridfort,were captured. King Guy traded the city of Ascalon for hisfreedom, and de Ridfort traded the Templar stronghold atGaza for his freedom.Saladin captured Jerusalem and rode into city on the anniversaryof Muhammad riding into heaven on the donkey ormule, Buraq, and Jerusalem was cleared of all Christian signsand buildings. The Templar headquarters in al-Aqsa was convertedback to a mosque, and Saladin held the first Muslimprayers on October 9 th . Christians held Tyre and the territoryin the North, but most of Holy Land was firmly in Muslimcontrol. Pope Urban III died and was succeeded by GregoryVIII who appealed to every European monarch to organizeanother Crusade to free the Muslim controlled Holy Land.He called for every Christian to fast every Friday for next fiveyears. Gregory served as Pope for only two months and wassucceeded by Clement III. Clement III appealed to Henry II9

Mar. 1188Dec. 1188Aug. 1189of England, Philip Augustus of France, and Frederick I of theHoly Roman Empire. Henry II and Philip agreed to fund andjoin a Crusade. Henry imposed a “Saladin tithe” on all Englishsubjects with the Templars appointed as tax collectors.Henry and Philip, i.e. England and France, began hostilitiesbefore a Crusader army could be formed.Frederick of Holy Roman Empire took a Crusader vow, andSaladin continued raids on Christian cities.Saladin captured Kerak.King Guy with a large force of Templars laid siege to the Muslimcity of Acre, and the Templar Grand Master was capturedand killed by Saladin outside of Acre.1190 Henry II died and was succeeded by Richard the Lionheartedwho made peace with Philip of France. Theyheaded to the Holy Land with separate armies and alarge force of Templars.Jul. 1190Mar. 1191Jun. 1191Jul. 1191Aug. 1191Richard and Philip joined armies in Vezlay in south of Franceand sailed by different routes.Philip joined the siege of Acre while Richard remainedtrapped on the island of Rhodes.Richard and his army arrived at Acre, and Robert de Sablewas named Templar Grand Master which had been vacantsince death of de Ridfort in 1189.The city of Acre surrendered and agreed to pay tribute if itscitizens were not killed.Richard broke his agreement and slaughtered several thousandMuslims. Then Saladin immediately retaliated by killingall Christians who were held captive. The Muslims namedRichard “The Butcher of Ayyadieh” while Christians namedhim “The Lion-Hearted.”Oct. 1191 – Mar. 1192 Richard and Saladin battled to a standstill and agreed on anothertruce. Christians got Beirut, and pilgrims were permittedto visit and worship in Jerusalem while Saladin retainedcontrol of the city.Jun. 1192Aug. 1192Saladin battled the Shiites from Kurdistan, and Richard brokethe truce and marched on Jerusalem.The Templars moved their headquarters to Acre, and Saladinattacked Jaffa.10 august 2013

Oct. 1192c.1192- 1193Mar. 1193Saladin withdrew his attack on Jaffa, Richard returnedAscalon to Muslim rule, Henry of Troyes was crownedKing Henry of Jerusalem based in Acre, and Richard andSaladin agreed on a five year truce. Richard was capturedby Duke Leopold on his way back to England and wasfreed after the payment of a huge ransom. [Editor’s note:See photo on page 32.]The Third Crusade halted the Muslim advance and gainedminor territory in Holy Land while Jerusalem and most of theHoly Land remained under Muslim control.Saladin died leaving seventeen sons and two brothers; hisson al-Azaz held Cairo, his son al-Afdal held Damascus, andhis son al-Sahir held Aleppo.c.1194 Genghis Khan was named the leader of all Mongols and beganan expansion east.1199 Richard the Lion-Hearted was killed, and Gilbert Erail waselected the 12 th Templar Grand Master.c.1200 Pope Innocent III tried to solidify secular Europe and beganforming another Crusader army.1201 Templar Grand Master Erail died and was replaced byPhilip de Plessiez.Jun. 1202Apr. 1204May 1204The Crusader army left for the Crusade against Greek(Christian) Byzantium.The Crusader army captured the city of Constantinople andlooted its treasure.Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainault was crowned King ofByzantium, and Pope Innocent III became the sole authorityover all the Christian Church. Innocent III released the Crusadersfrom their pledge to go to the Holy Land and redefinedthe goal of future crusades to extend the power of thePope and not to specifically free the Holy Land.c.1205 The Pope sent legates under protection of the Templars toconvert heretic (Christian) Cathars who refused to recognizethe authority of the Pope. Innocent III called for a Crusadeagainst the Cathars in southern France, and Arnald-Amalricwas named to head the army against the Cathars. The Crusaderarmy captured the French city of Beziers and slaughtered20,000 citizens in the name of God, and the Pope establishedthe doctrine of burning one hundred innocents as preferableknight templar11

to allowing one heretic to go unpunished, the rationale ofInquisitions to follow in 1223 with Gregory IX founding theHoly Roman and Universal Inquisition. Simon de Montfordfrom the Constantinople looting was named the new headof the Papal army, introduced burning at the stake as a newmethod of execution, and sanctioned public torture, i.e. cuttingoff of noses and lips and gouging out eyes.1208 Innocent III targeted King John of England for taxing Churchproperty and threatened to excommunicate him. Philip ofFrance agreed to lead a Crusade against John of England,and the Templars were ordered to support Philip againstEngland. John of England accepted the Pope’s terms andplaced all of England under “His Lord Pope Innocent III andhis Catholic successors.” Philip disbanded the army and declaredthat France would not participate in future calls toarms from the Pope.1210 Templar Grand Master Plessiez died, and William de Charterswas named the 14 th Templar Grand Master.c.1213 King Pedro II of Spain lead an army against Grand Masterde Montford and the Templars impinging on Spanish territoryin southern France and abandoned southern Spain tothe Muslims while battling fellow Christians in France. Pedrowas killed in battle, and the Albigewsian Crusade against deMontford ended.c.1215 Muslim raids on Christian held parts of Holy Land increasedunder Sultan al-Adil, and John Brienne was crowned KingJohn of Jerusalem and asked the Pope for a new Crusade tofree the Holy Land in 1217 when the current truce wouldexpire. King John of England also requested permission fromInnocent III to sanction a Crusade to the Holy Land in 1217when the current truce would expire, and Innocent III calleda Lateran Council, believing that the time was nearing for agreat Christian victory by his interpretation of a verse foundin the Chapter of Revelations: “Let him that hath understandingcount the number of the beast, for it is the number of aman and his number is six hundred three score and six” i.e.666. Muhammad was born in 570 A.D. and 1236 would representhis 666 th year. The council approved absolutions andindulgences to be granted to the Templars.Jul. 1216Innocent III died, Cardinal Savelli was installed as HonoriusIII, Honorius imposed a 5% Crusade tax and appointed theTemplars as tax collectors, and the Crusader army left Europe12 august 2013

without a clear leader.Nov. 1218Aug. 1219Aug. 1219Apr. 1221c.1222-1224Jul. 1223The first wave of Crusaders left the city of Acre on an eastwardmarch toward Damascus, Muslims fortified Damascusand Jerusalem in advance of the army, and the Templars createda new fortress at Athht and renamed it Chastel Pilerin,(English name Castle of Pilgrims). King John of Jerusalem witha Crusader army lead the invasion up the Nile river to city ofDamietta. Sultan al-Adil died in Cairo and was replaced byson al-Kamil; al-Kamil’s brother, al-Mu’azzum, declared himselfruler of Syria; Cardinal Pelagius arrived in Egypt as thePapal choice to lead the invasion, replacing John of Jerusalem;and Sultan al-Adil moved Muslim forces to the city ofal-Adiliya up river from Damietta.Templar Grand Master de Chartres died, and Spanish Pedrode Montaigu was named the 15 th Grand Master.French Francis of Assisi and al-Adil negotiated a truce, offeringCrusaders the cities of Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehemin return for Crusader withdrawal from Egypt. CardinalPelagius rejected the al-Adil offer, and the City of Damiettafell to the Christians. Al_Mu’azzam of Damascus moved hisarmy into Syria, and al-Adil broke off the battle with Christiansand moved his forces to halt the invasion of Syria. TheMongols invaded the Christian territory of Turkey presentinga new and unforeseen threat.Frederick, the Holy Roman Emperor, sent fresh troops toEgypt, al-Kamil defeated the Crusader army south of Damietta,and the Fifth Crusade ended with the Christian forcessurrendering Damietta and withdrawing from Egypt.The Christian and Muslim truce following the fall of Damiettaheld, and trade between Muslims and Christians increasedwith the Templars gaining huge wealth. King John of Jerusalemsought a successor from outside the Holy Land, and hisdaughter, Yolanda, married widowed Holy Roman EmperorFrederick II with the agreement that John would remain onthe throne of Jerusalem until his death.Philip of France died leaving a huge treasure to the Templars.c. 1224 Saladin’s Muslim empire was divided among three brothers,all nephews of Saladin, Iraq or Mesopotamia to al-Ashraf,Damascus to al-Mu’azzum, and Egypt to al-Kamil. Frederickagreed to join al-Kamil to fight against al-Mu’azzam and toreceive Jerusalem in return.knight templar13

Mar. 1227Aug. 1227Jan. 1228Jun. 1228Mar. 1229May 1229Pope Honorius III died, and the Cardinal of Ostian becamePope Gregory IX.Gregory IX petitioned Frederick to send more troops to theHoly Land under the command of Duke Henry of Limburg.Gregory IX excommunicated Frederick for disobedience byleading troops to Holy Land, Yolanda died, and Frederick’sclaim to the throne of Jerusalem disappeared.Frederick landed in the Holy Land, AL-Kamir invaded Syria andtook Jerusalem, and Gregory IX excommunicated Frederickfor a second time. Al-Kamil and Frederick reached an agreement,giving Jerusalem and Bethlehem to Frederick withthe Muslims retaining Hebron, al-Kamil retained the right tomaintain Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, and the Templarswere denied permission to return to al-Aqsa Mosque.Frederick entered Jerusalem and crowned himself King of Jerusalemwhile still under Papal excommunication.Frederick returned to Europe.c.1230 Frederick and Gregory III reconciled, and the excommunicationwas voided with the following terms: Churches in Sicilyand Southern Italy would be returned to Pope, Frederickwould have no say in naming Bishops, and confiscated landand property would be returned to the Templars.c. 1230-1239 Constant civil war persisted among the European Monarchs,i.e. Frederick vs. John of Ibelin, King of Cyprus, and similarinternal strife on the Muslim side ensued as Saladin’s unitedempire disintegrated into an unstable and divided rule thirtyyears after his death. Gregory began a call for a new Crusade.1239 Grand Master de Montaigu died, and Armand de Perigoldwas named the 16 th Templar Grand Master. The Duke of Burgundy,Count Peter of Brittany, and Count Henry of Bar werethe first to take up the cross for a new Crusade to be led byTibald of Champagne.Sep. 1229Tibald and the Crusader army landed in the city of Acre. TheTemplars and the arriving Crusaders disagreed on the firsttarget, the Templars favoring Egypt to preserve the lucrativetrade with Syria and the European Crusaders favoring amarch on Damascus. Tibald agreed to attack Cairo, and thearmy took Ascalon near the Muslim held city of Gaza. The14 august 2013

Oct. 1241Egyptian army under Sultan an-Nasir defeated Tibald outsideof Gaza and reoccupied Jerusalem, the Templars negotiateda truce between an-Nasir and Ismail of Damascus, and thedefeated Tibald was permitted to make a pilgrimage intoJerusalem and then to return to Europe. The latest Crusadewas considered an abject failure as Gaza and Jerusalem remainedunder Muslim control. The Templars began a struggleagainst the fellow Christian Order of Hospitallers overcontrol of trade routes, and Rukn ad-Din Baibars appearedamong the Muslim warriors.The Templars attacked and captured the city of Nablus andslaughtered the population.1243 The Templars reached an agreement with Ismail of Damascusallowing Christians free access to Jerusalem, the MuslimImams withdrew, the Templars began rebuilding the wallsand reclaimed al-Aqsa Mosque as the base of their operations,and Louis IX of France took a vow to lead a Crusade.Aug. 1244Aug. 1244Oct. 1244Apr. 1245A new enemy in Kwarismian Turks invaded the Holy Landfrom the north, taking the city of Tiberias and threateningJerusalem while the Templars defended Jerusalemagainst overwhelming odds with aid from an-Nasir attackingfrom Egypt.Kwarismian Turks occupied Jerusalem, allowing Christiansfree passage from the city. These were the last Christians topass through the walls of Jerusalem for over four centuries.Fleeing Christians tried to return to the city, and five thousandwere massacred by the Turks who looted the city anddesecrated the Christian holy sites before leaving the city toattack Egypt.The Templars, lead by Grand Master de Perigord, met fivethousand Muslims under the command of Rukn ad-Din at LaForbie near Gaza where five thousand Christians includingde Perigord were slaughtered by the Turks who swept norththrough Palestine and captured the last Christian city of Acre.The Turks with aid from the Egyptians under Sultan Ayubtook Damascus.c.1247 Sultan Ayub reestablished the empire of his uncle, Saladin,from fifty years earlier, and William Sonnac was named the17 th Templar Grand Master.To be continued next monthknight templar15

Grand EncampmentMembership AwardsWe publish letters and articles from a varietyof sources and points of view. Theopinions expressed in these articles donot necessarily reflect the opinions orpolicy of the Grand Encampment, theKnight Templar magazine, or the EditorialReview Board.950-951 Darrell Wade GiffordIvanhoe Commandery No. 18Jonesboro, AR3 rd -4 th Bronze952 Ronnie HedgeIvanhoe Commandery No. 18Jonesboro, AR2 nd Bronze953 Peter P. KloskowskiNazarene Commandery No. 24St. Cloud, MN1 st Bronze954 Benjamin F. HillPortsmouth Commandery No. 5Portsmouth, VA1 st Bronze955 Dale E. HawkinsSt. John’s Commandery No. 20Youngstown, OH956 Alvin E. JustOriental Commandery No. 61Johnstown, PA1 st Bronze Cluster16 august 2013

knight templarLetters to the EditorThe letter published in the December2012 Knight Templar from David L.Meissner offended me as I am sure it didmany others. Your editorial response isgreatly appreciated and not only showedyou as a thoughtful Sir knight, but also asa great patriot.Courteously and Fraternally,Sir Knight Gerald E. GoacherDear Sir Knight John:Thank you for the ever-improvingmagazine. It seems to be more interestingeach month. Excellent choice of subjects.Sir Knight James A Beverley,Dallas Commandery No 6. TexasSir Knight Palmer:In reference to the letter in the January2013 issue from Sir Knight W. BrucePruitt, I doubt that the “lack of recordtends to minimize the knowledge of theaward,” because very few of the membersactually are aware of the content ofthe records.However I do concur with his concernabout any “lack of record.” As anamateur genealogist and historian, I amoften concerned about things missingfrom the records. In the Fraternity ingeneral, we seem to only keep recordsof what happens in an official tiled meeting.All too often there is no record madeof the unofficial events like fraternal visitations,public service awards, member-ship awards, golden anniversary awards,community participations, etc.When generations that follow setout to review the historic records left bytheir predecessors, then they will missout on learning of most of these typesof events.One way to correct for this “lack” isfor the responsible committee chairmenor presiding officer to report on theseevents at the next meeting, and thushave his statements become a part ofthe recorded history, albeit a meetingcyclelater.However, for meetings like the TriennialConferences, the three-year timelag becomes a bit awkward. In suchcases, the activity should be sufficientlystated for the recorded minutes beforethe event. In situations involving somedegree of confidentially or surprise, therecorded minutes might note that thechair reserves until after the event, theright to revise and extend the specificsinto the written records of the currentmeeting. This could allow for a moretimely inclusion in the records.Sincerely & Fraternally,Sir Knight Hugh T. HoskinsGolden West No. 43Bellflower CaliforniaJohn Palmer, Managing Editor:In the February 2013 issue of KnightTemplar, there stands a beautiful pictureof the George Washington Memorial inAlexandria, Virginia submitted by you.Continued on page 20. 17

General SupplementThe space on these two pages is provided by the Knight Templar magazineto be used by the Grand Commanderies to communicate with the individualSir Knights in their jurisdictions on a monthly basis. From timeto time and for various reasons, we fail to receive any material from theeditor of the state supplement for a given month. When this happens,we take the opportunity to offer you the information below. – The Ed.18august 2013

Granada, Spain. Photos by the editor.knight templar19

Continued from page 17Letters to the EditorIt’s such a great structure and I wouldurge any of the Brothers who haven’t alreadyexplored it to see it. Among manyof the floors on exhibit, they will see adonation of a fine Oscar Isberian rug. Oscarwas quite a guy and was a brother ofmy Lodge. It was my pleasure to see theMemorial, the rug, and all the rest of theexhibits there. Best,Dave Woods, P.M.Wayfarers Lodge No. 1001Evanston, ILDear Sir Knight Palmer,Just want to commend you on thefine work you are doing with the KnightTemplar magazine. The content hasbeen improved during your tenure, andthe use of color greatly improves the“reader eye appeal.”Your editorial comments about theKnight Templar uniform even gave mea chuckle when you referred to the uniformas “resembling a nineteenth centurynavel uniform.” While the uniformdoes cover the navel, I’m certain that youmeant to say “naval.”On the subject of uniforms, I believethat I once read an article which statedthat the uniforms came into use shortlyafter the Civil War when many surplusmilitary uniforms became available atbargain prices.Unfortunately I don’t recall the sourceof this information, so I cannot verify it.(Maybe you could check it out on Google!)Fraternally,Bill Block, P.C.Samuel S. Yohe Commandery No. 81Stroudsburg, PASir Knight Block,Whoops! Would you believe I proofedthat six times? It brings to mind my firstexperience of the rude awakening thatspell check will betray you. Many yearsago when I was an IT professional and hadinstalled the company’s first e-mail system,I sent out the first e-mail intending to welcomethe users to the world of electronicmessaging. After reading my e-mail, oneof my co-workers found it amusing to informme that he wasn’t aware that we offeredthe service of electronic massaging.I don’t suppose you would believe me ifI said I put that in there to see if anyonewas paying attention would you?Thanks!The Ed.Dear Sir Knight Editor:May I compliment you on having assembledan outstanding issue of theKnight Templar. From your forthrightstatement of your opinions, to the verythought provoking and informative articleby Sir Knight Tom Jackson, Sir KnightTribe’s biographical sketch on Brotherand Noble Mel Blanc, which shouldplease those who have commented onthe recent lack of similar articles, to theinteresting history on Capitular Masonry.I found much to enjoy and contemplate.Thank you again.20 august 2013

Randall Foster, Claremont CommanderyRockland, MEknight templarLetters to the EditorIn this letter I hope to explain page 11of Morals and Dogma for Reverend DonaldHeacock.Brother Pike wrote Morals and Dogmawhen we were a conservative nation.The war between the states hadjust ended and Lodges across our nationwere experiencing revival. This is whathe has said to us on page 11.“The Holy Bible, Square, and Compassesare not only styled the GreatLights of Masonry, but they are alsotechnically called the furniture of thelodge, and as you have seen, it is heldthat there is no Lodge without them.This has sometimes been made a pretextfor excluding Jews from our Lodges, becausethey cannot regard the New Testamentas a holy book. The Bible is anindispensable part of the furniture of aChristian Lodge only because it is the sacredbook of the Christian religion. TheHebrew Pentateuch in a Hebrew Lodge,and the Quran in a Mohammedan one,belong on the Altar; and one of these,and the Square and Compass, properlyunderstood, are the Great Lights bywhich a Mason must walk and Work.”Listed there are three (3) differentlodges... Christian, Hebrew, and Muslim.True, he tells us that the candidate’sbook of faith is to be on the alter, but hedoes not tell us to remove the Holy Bible.That simply cannot be done and be properlytiled. The Pentateuch is included. AsMasons, we must understand Islam andthe Quran. For instance, the god of theQuran, is not the God of the Holy Bible, orthe Pentateuch. We know that the HolyBible teaches God the Father, Son, andHoly Spirit. The Allah of the Quran cannotbe the God of the Bible. For a Muslim tosay so is an unforgiveable sin (shirk). Thegreatest sin a Muslim can commit is tosay “Allah is a trinity of persons.” In fact at(Sura 37:152) in the Quran, it says that ifanyone says so he is a liar. In (Sura 4:171)the Quran says “say not Trinity” for Allahis one God glory to him.A question on our petition asks, “Doyou seriously declare, upon your honor,that you firmly believe in the existenceof God, the immortality of the soul, andthe divine authenticity of the Holy Scriptures?”If a Muslim candidate says “yes”to this question he commits a sin (shirk).The Grand Master of Texas has madeit clear in his charges (VI,2) that we areof the catholic religion.Sir Knight James D. RobbinsIvanhoe Commandery No 8Bryan, TexasRE your chat with the managing editor:Right on Sir Knight Palmer. I agreewith you 100% on the content of yourchat in the March issue of the KnightTemplar. Please count me in as one ofthe 110,000 members who think youhave done a great service with this chat.Sincerely,Leland D. Cobb, Jr.Washington Commandery No. 1, CT21

Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.Scientific Advisory Committee MeetingPEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY GRANT REVIEW 2013The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. supports research that canhelp launch the careers of clinical or basic researchers committed tothe prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants andchildren such as amblyopia, cataract, glaucoma, optic nerve hypoplasia, nystagmus,and retinopathy of prematurity. It supports clinical or basic researchon conditions that can or may eventually be treated or prevented.Each year the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. invites eligible investigatorsto submit applications for pediatric ophthalmology grants:• Career-Starter Research Grants - up to $60,000per grant. Applicants for these grants are at thebeginning of their academic careers and musthave received a M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree.• Competitive Renewal Grants - up to $60,000 pergrant to extend the original 2012 grant projectfor one additional year if the data accumulated inthe first 7 months of the original grant awarded in2012 are compelling.At an annual meeting held every March, officersand trustees of the Foundation cometogether along with eight doctors specializingin pediatric ophthalmology from many leadinghospitals and research institutions throughoutthe country to review the applicationsand recommend which applications should beawarded a 2013 grant.22Doctors review anddiscuss each grantapplication to determinewhich should beapproved for fundingbased on the merits ofthe research.august 2013

David D. Goodwin, presents tothe outgoing Chair, Dr. A. LinnMurphree, the Companion ofthe Temple award for his distinguishedservice rendered to Masonryand humanity.Back Row – left to right: David D. Goodwin, Presidentand Most Eminent Grand Master; A. Linn Murphree,M.D., Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee; RobertW. Bigley, Assistant Secretary; Jeffrey N. Nelson,Vice President and Right Eminent Grand Generalissimo;Lawrence E. Tucker, Secretary and Right EminentGrand Recorder. Front Row – left to right: DuaneL. Vaught, Vice President and Right Eminent DeputyGrand Master, and William Jackson Jones, Trustee andMost Eminent Past Grand Master.knight templar 23

NEW CONTRIBUTORS TO THE KTEF CLUBSGrand Master’s ClubDonald H. Frenzl........................................ IL Lewis E. Heap............................................ ILDaniel L. Rose.......................................... VA Michael L. McMillian............................... COCharles W. Sinsel.................................... WV Richard J. Spangler...................................PAMark W. Bradley....................................... IN George W. Pailloz.................................... GAJohn B. Roden......................................... WY Ralph T. Woodrow................................... VABenjamin F. Creech.................................. MI Travis L. Brown........................................OHJames B. Coker........................................MD Ryland R. Foster...................................... CAJames W. Green.......................................GA Frank J. Moesle.......................................OHJoseph P. Tolen..........................................PA Charles T. Schofield..................................SCKenneth S. Wyvill, Jr. ..............................MD Gayle D. Bedell.......................................MOJack D. Garner......................................... WY Harry S. Rankin........................................MSEdward F. Stoll, Jr. ....................................KY James A. Thompson................................ TNJames B. Walsh........................................ DE Allen M. Hicks........................................... ILAugust C. Holzer, Jr. .................................OH Edward M. Lindke.....................................TXRobert L. Usher........................................ TN James T. Stephens.................................. WARoger B. Early...........................................PA Robert L. Fuller........................................ OKDan C. Rice.............................................. NC James C. Hutchinson, Jr............................CTGary L. Carnicle........................................ AZ William S. Boyd....................................... TNB. Ralph Gentry.......................................OH Thomas M. Thompson............................ CONorman G. Hoot......................................TXJoseph M. Asklar......................................PAJohn B. Roden..........................................WYRobert S. Licata........................................NYJames W. Green.......................................GARichard E. Russell.....................................FLRandall Partin..........................................KYJohn J. McClelland...................................VAGrand Commander’s ClubGeorge B. Hixon.......................................PAJohn K. March..........................................PALloyd W. Perkins.......................................TXRoy D. Wollard.........................................TXRobert B. Hope........................................ CAEdwin M. Lindke.......................................TXBrandon B. Mullins.................................. MIKnights Templar Eye FoundationHow to Join the Grand Commander’s or the Grand Master’s ClubsAny individual may send a check in the amount of $100 or more specifiedfor the purpose of beginning a Grand Commander’s Club membership and madepayable to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. This initial contribution will beginyour Grand Commander’s Club membership. In addition, members of theGrand Commander’s Club pledge to make annual contributions of $100 or more.Once contributions total $1,000, the individual is enrolled in the Grand Master’sClub. Membership is open to individuals only, and Commandery credit is givenfor participation. Information is available from: Knights Templar Eye Foundation,Inc., 1033 Long Prairie Road, Suite 5, Flower Mound, TX 75022-4230, Phone (214)888-0220 Fax (214) 888-0230.24 august 2013

The Tragedy of Sir Knight Daniel D. Tompkins:Grand Master, Governor, Vice PresidentBySir Knight Ivan Tribeknight templarIn the first decade of the nineteenthcentury, Daniel Decius Tompkinsseemed destined for future greatness.Well educated and described as“gentle, polished, and unpretentious”by contemporaries, Tompkins achievedgreat success both in his Masonic and hispublic life. Yet false accusations of malfeasancein office and mishandling statefunds, followed by years of near endlesslitigation drove him into depression andchronic alcoholism. Although eventuallyvindicated, he died “an embittered andtortured old man,” although he was justshort of his fifty-first birthday.Daniel Tompkins was born in WestchesterCounty, New York on June 21,1774, one of seven children of JonathanG. and Sarah Hyatt Tompkins. Hisfather, a tenant farmer who attainedmiddle class status, provided his sonwith a nickname “the Farmer’s Boy”when he sought public office in lateryears. The self-educated elder Tompkinswanted young Daniel to obtain thebest schooling possible, and accordinglythe son graduated from Columbiain 1795, first in his class. Two years laterhe began the practice of law and alsomarried Hannah Minthorne, the daughterof well-connected merchant MangleMinthorne. The couple subsequentlyhad eight children.Tompkins’ father-in-law was an activeparticipant in the Jeffersonian politicalparty, in particular the Tammanygroup (this was decades before thatname became a virtual synonym for urbancorruption). The Federalists in NewYork were led by John Jay and AlexanderHamilton, while the Jeffersonian Republicanshad such factions known fromtheir leaders as Burrites, Livingstonians,and Clintonites. All sought Tammanysupport, and loyalties frequently shiftedin efforts to mount winning coalitions.Into this political maelstrom an ambitiousyoung Daniel Tompkins sought favorand success.Tompkins entered politics in 1800,helping in his father-in-law’s ward onbehalf of favored legislative candidates.The following year, both he andMinthorne served as delegates to thestate’s constitutional convention. In1803, Daniel served in the New Yorklegislature, and in 1804 he was electedto the U. S. House of Representatives.However, he resigned his seat beforeCongress convened to accept an appointmentas an Associate Justice onthe State Supreme Court. During hisservice on the Court, the young judgewon wide respect for decisions characterizedas “popular and fair-minded.”In those same years, Daniel Tompkinsalso became deeply involved in theEmpire State Masonic scene. Accordingto the best available data, he “wasmade a Mason” in Hiram Lodge No.72 in Mt. Pleasant and later became amember of Salem Lodge No. 74, bothin Westchester County. From 1801 to1805, he served as Grand Secretary ofthe Grand Lodge of New York. Althoughhe was both a Royal Arch Mason and a25

Knight Templar, details are lacking. In1809, he received the 32 o in the ScottishRite, and on August 5, 1813, the33 o . In both his Masonic and his politicalcareer, Tompkins was first a closefriend and later a rival of New York’sother best known Masonic and politicalfigure, DeWitt Clinton.In 1807, Daniel D. Tompkins becamea candidate for governor with the activesupport of the Clinton faction thatincluded not only DeWitt but his uncleGeorge, a former governor and currentVice President (and probable Mason).His opponent was incumbent MorganLewis, a favorite of the Livingstoniansand the landed gentry. Lewis, an olderman, was the cousin of Robert Livingstonand like Tompkins and Clinton, a futureGrand Master. Styled “the Farmer’s Boy”to contrast him with the aristocratic Livingstonsupporters, Tompkins won anApril 30, 1807, victory over Lewis 35,074to 30,989, garnering slightly over 53%of the total. Inaugurated on July 1, hewent on to serve as Governor for nearlya decade. Tompkins won each time by alarger vote except in 1813 when dissatisfactionwith the War of 1812 reduced hisvictory margin to 3,606.The Chesapeake Affair in which aBritish warship fired upon an Americanfrigate and the resulting EmbargoAct of December 1807 put a strain onthe hitherto cordial relations betweenTompkins and the Clintons. The governorstrongly supported both the newfederal law and Virginian James Madisonto succeed Jefferson as President.DeWitt Clinton, on the other hand,hoped to elevate his uncle George,then serving as Vice President, to thetop spot. Neither Clinton favored theEmbargo Act which had damaged maritimeshipping and commercial interestsin New England and New York City(where DeWitt was Mayor). Althoughboth sides remained outwardly friendly,their close alliance began to erode.With the outbreak of the War of1812, the gulf between Tompkins andClinton widened.The governor supported the conflictand the Madison administration whileClinton emerged an opponent to thePresident running as head of a coalitionof “Peace” Republicans and Federalists.Madison won the election by anelectoral count of 128 to 89. Tompkinsfound himself literally caught betweenthe proverbial “rock and hard place,”forced to alienate either the WhiteHouse or the Clintonites.As wartime governor, Brother Tompkinsprovided strong leadership andsupported the American cause to thebest of his ability. Much of the state legislatureremained less than enthusiasticand limited funding for the conflict. Toarm and support the militia, Tompkinsspent a great deal of his own money andborrowed heavily, signing his own nameon numerous notes. While both patrioticand unselfish, these actions left himopen to later charges of mishandlingpublic funds and ultimately wreckedhis personal finances. After leaving theState House in February of 1817, muchof his eight-year tenure as Vice Presidentwas marred with numerous lawsuits,litigation, and court squabbleswhich caused him to seek solace in thebottle. The latter in time not only costTompkins his career but ended his life.Despite public controversy, BrotherTompkins continued his Masonic activities.Shortly after receiving the 33 ohe was named Sovereign Grand Com-26 august 2013

mander of the Scottish Rite, NorthernMasonic Jurisdiction, a post he held untilhis death in 1825. It is but fair to say thatin that era this Scottish Rite membershipwas quite small and also contended withthe Cerneau group. Ironically, BrotherDeWitt Clinton who was Grand Masterof the Grand Encampment of KnightsTemplar also held high office in the CerneauRite. In 1820, Tompkins was chosenGrand Master of the Grand Lodgeof New York and was re-elected in 1821,subsequently declining a third year inthe office.Meanwhile, the American positionin the War of 1812 was much strongerin the latter part of 1814 and led to aresurgence in American pride cappedoff by Andrew Jackson’s victory atNew Orleans on January 8, 1815. DanielTompkins’ popularity soared, andknight templarin April 1816, he won hisbiggest success as governor,defeating FederalistRufus King—reputed to bea Mason—by over 6,700votes in spite of the chargesof mishandling money.It represented the highpoint of his political career,and that fall he was easilyelected Vice President ona ticket with James Monroe.Just before departingfrom Albany for Washington,D. C., Tompkins sentone of his most significantmessages to the legislature.On January 28, 1817,he recommended thatslavery in New York ceaseto exist. On March 31, theassembly adopted his plan,setting the date in 1827that all remaining slaves would be free.Although the governor had resignedon February 14 and departed for thenational capital, he played perhaps thekey role in abolishing slavery in NewYork.As Vice President, Brother Tompkinsperformed ably when present but wasfrequently absent. Much of the timehe was back in his home state, trying toclear up his mounting debt problems. AsGrand Master he also tended to Masonicbusiness, trying to mediate tensions betweenlodges in the city and those upstate;he attended some meetings butmissed others. In 1821, the Sir Knightsof Morton Commandery No. 4 awardedhim an honorary membership.Meanwhile, the stress encounteredby the Vice President over his financial27

problems continued tomount. Increasingly, hetended to try drinkingaway his troubles. Ina sense, his new rivalSir Knight Clinton, nowGovernor of New York,was being kind whenhe wrote in September1819 that “Our friend onStaten Island is unfortunatelysick in body andmind. His situation uponthe whole is deplorable. . .” Rumors suggestedthat Tompkins sometimespassed out whenpresiding over the Senate.Still in his search forvindication, Tompkinsopted to seek again thegovernorship of NewYork. All things considered,he came remarkablyclose to victory, losingto Clinton by a vote of47,447 to 45,990. Ironically,he made one of the few policy miscalculationsof his career by opposingthe construction of the Erie Canal as anextravagant expense when he believedanother war with Great Britain was onthe horizon (he missed on that one too).Nonetheless, he still easily won anotherterm as Vice President that fall, garnering218 electoral votes out of a total of232. William Plumer of New Hampshirevoted against both Monroe and Tompkins,citing Monroe as a big spenderand Tompkins for his frequent absencesalong with the “fact that he is grossly intemperate.”Many New Yorkers took offensefor the attack on their native son.With Congress not in session in thespring and fall of 1821, Grand Master andVice President Daniel Tompkins chairedthe New York Constitutional Convention.The delegates honored his service with aunanimous vote of commendation andthanks. Returning to Washington in December,he diligently presided over theSenate for a month but then fell ill. Hesoon left for New York. A group of angrySenators introduced and passed a lawto withhold salaries of absentee officialsand those with outstanding debts. SenatorMartin Van Buren, a Tompkins ally,ably defended the Vice President andsaw the bill as a slap at one who had sac-28 august 2013

ificed so much during the late war.In New York, the Vice Presidentsought vindication by persuading thefederal district court to bring suit againsthim to recover the “supposed balancefor which I have been reported amongthe defaulters.” Bankers who had loanedhim money to arm and pay soldiers testifiedfor him as did his one time opponentin the 1816 governor’s race, SenatorRufus King. After deliberation, jurorsnot only exonerated him but also proclaimedthat the federal governmentowed Tompkins $136,799.97 (the lattera non-binding judgment). However, themoney to settle would have to be approvedby a congressional appropriation.Back in Washington for the Decembersession of Congress, observers notedthat the Vice President “seemed achanged man.” Sober and dignified, hebecame his old self again. His salary wasrestored, and a writer for Niles WeeklyRegister said no Vice President had ever“filled the chair” of his office “more satisfactorilyor with greater dignity.” Tompkinsfelt vindicated. Debate within thehalls of government over the amountowed to Tompkins varied. Some recommended$35,000 while others includingPresident Monroe wanted $60,000. Finallyin May 1824, the Senate approvedthe latter amount.During the frustration over the longdelay, Tompkins began drinking again.With the conclusion of the session andhis term expiring, he returned to NewYork where he died on June 11, 1825,three months after his retirement, a brokenman. Most of his extensive propertieswere sold at sheriff’s sales. HannahTompkins lived on four more years, dyingin 1829. Some years later congressawarded his heirs another amount ofknight templarnearly $40,000, but like the first payment,it was not enough to save his life.The career of Daniel Tompkins hadboth high and low points. He was perhapsbest remembered by his Masonicbrethren. A lodge was named for him.In 1911, the Grand Lodge dedicated andnamed for him the Daniel D. TompkinsMemorial Chapel at the Masonic Homein Utica. Elsewhere his name lives on ina county, towns, a school, streets, anda square in New York City. Whatever hisflaws, Brother Tompkins ranks in thewords of his biographer, Ray W. Irwin, asa man of “integrity” and “conclusivelycertified by the government of New YorkState, a federal jury, the accounting officeof the Treasury Department, PresidentMonroe, and both houses of Congress.”Sir Knight Tribe, Ph.D. is a professoremeritus of history at the universityof Rio Grand in Ohio, and a holder ofthe KCT, KYCH, and 33 o . He has beena regular contributor to the KnightTemplar magazine for many years andresides at 111 E. High Street, McArthur,OH 45651.Subscriptions to the KnightTemplar magazine are availablefrom the Grand Encampment officeat a rate of $15.00 per year.Individual issues in quantitiesof less than 10 can be obtainedfor $1.50 each from the office ofthe managing editor if available.Inquire via e-mail to the managingeditor for quantities in excessof 10. Some past issues arearchived on our web site.http://www.knightstemplar.org.29

30august 2013

2013 Holy Land Pilgrimage2013 Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage group two picture at the Church of the HolySepulcher in Jerusalem.knight templar31

Castle ruins along the Rhine in Austriawhere Richard the Lionhearted was heldcaptive by Leopold V, Duke of Austria.Photo by Editor.Max Ludwig, Jr.Massachusetts and Rhode IslandGrand Commander 1990Born: May 10, 1924Died: April 12, 201332 august 2013

(Mrs. Joe) Lei Lani Cortez, Supreme Worthy President,at the opening of the California Grand Commandery atthe California Grand York Rite Sessions in Bakersfield,California on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Pictured withMrs. Cortez are Sir Knight Richard S. Butterfield, PastGrand Commander of New Mexico and Past SouthwestDepartment Commander; Sir Knight Robert C. Coe,Past Grand Commander of California and Past SouthwestDepartment Commander; Sir Knight Michael B.Johnson, Right Eminent Grand Captain General; and Sir Knight David Kussman, Past GrandCommander of California and Southwest Department Commander.(Mrs. Joe) Lei Lani Cortez is seen with the guests at herHomecoming held in Tempe, Arizona May 31 to June2, 2013. In addition to the many Sisters and Sir Knightsfrom her home assembly, five Supreme officers, one PastSupreme Worthy President, and other guests from Utahand California were present.The members of Long Beach Assembly No. 39 and theirSir Knights and guests are shown at the Official Visit of(Mrs. Joe) Lei Lani Cortez to their assembly on February13, 2013. Each is holding a puzzle piece. These pieceshave traveled many miles with Mrs. Cortez this year.Each piece signifies the long road to finding the cure toautism. Mrs. Cortez hopes that by stringing the piecestogether perhaps the missing piece of the puzzle to cureautism will be found by the time of Supreme Assembly in Indianapolis.Carnegie Assembly No. 80, Installation of New Officers on January 24, 2013.Seated: Mrs. John Habel, First Vice President;Ms. Chyrel Klaas, Past President andOracle; and Mrs. Gerald A. Sutherland,Worthy President. Standing: Mrs. ThomasKyle, Past President and Color Bearer; Mrs.David Kearns, Preceptress; Mrs. Paul Uhlemann,Director of Music; Mrs. Harry E. Killen,Past President and Marshal; Ms. DonnaKillen, Assistant Marshal; Ms. Amy Movic,Past President and Standard Bearer; Mrs.Nicholas Vaccarello, Chaplain; Mrs. David Esterburg, Outer Guard; Mrs. Orvil B. McMillen,Second Vice President; Mrs. Robert Averell, Past President and Recorder; and Mrs.Theodore Bergfelt, Inner Guard.knight templar33

Knightsat the BookshelfBySir Knight Stephen ClementsCharlie Chaplin’s Uncle. Okell, Ian. Feedaread.com, 2012. 362 pages. Available on Amazonin book and Kindle formats for $14.95 and $6.70, respectively, in the United States.Reviews of terrible books are sometimes painful, sometimes hilariousevents, as the reader has to endure the reviewer’s report of the horrorshe experienced at the hands of an incompetent wordsmith. Asluck would have it, neither you nor I will have to worry about that this time,though, as Charlie Chaplin’s Uncle is a rollicking good time! The story is setin England in 1892 when railroads ruled the world of industry and were theobjects of romance and adventure, and the British Empire stretched aroundthe globe. The main character is a brother Mason, an ex-sailor of the Queen’sNavy, and a train driver by the name of Mr. Fowler, and he is plunged into arather gripping tale of cloak-and-dagger espionage and royal assassination.To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what railroads, Charlie Chaplin, andFreemasonry were doing in the same story. Having finished the book, I canassure you that while there are no indelible links between this story anda real, historical event from Charlie Chaplin’s childhood (he appears in thestory as a toddler), it does not matter, because the story and Okell’s ability toturn a phrase and write vivid characters sucks you in and keeps you wonderingwhat will happen next. Okell’s witticisms and biting observations kept melaughing and looking for the next zinger, and the action of the story (and theclimbing body count) kept the plot and the pages moving right along.The book, though entertaining, is not devoid of short-comings. For instance,the author is not a fan of the rules of punctuation, and this alonekeeps the book from achieving a certain level of professional polish. As canalso be seen from the eventful but confusing book description on the backcover, this book really needed a competent editor to clean it up and cut outsome of the sections where the book kept going without adding anything tothe story. For these faults, one thing must be kept in mind: the most importantthing in telling a story is to tell a good story. While rough around theedges, I would highly recommend Charlie Chaplin’s Uncle for any reader lookingfor adventure and a good time.34 august 2013

knight templarCastle ruins along the Rhine in Austria. Photo by Editor.35

Knight Templar5909 West Loop South, Suite 495Bellaire, TX 77401-2402I am the Lordthy God, whichhave broughtthee out of theland of Egypt.Exodus 20:2NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDKnightstown, INPermit No. 8