Spring Is Sprung Sir Knights, as you read this editorial, I hope that you can reflect on the happenings of the past months since the Grand Encampment Triennial Conclave in Denver last August. We are just recovering from a great fail and winter season. We are now in the first several weeks of spring, and looking forward to that part of the year that brings new hope for the future. We of the Grand Encampment have had a very busy fall and winter season with six most successful Department Conferences, Grand Commandery Conclaves, and many social obligations since our installation as your officers of the Grand Encampment in Denver. We have been in attendance at the 3rd International Conference of Grand Masters in Toronto, Canada; Sovereign Great Priory of Canada; Supreme Assembly of the Social Order of the Beauceant; my own reception from my Commandery here in St. Louis; Northern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite; Rose Bowl Parade; Grand Masters' Conference in Fargo; A.M.D. Week in Washington, DC; Knights Templar Eye Foundation meetings; Easter Sunrise Service in Washington, DC; and obligations too numerous to list. As those of you who have been in attendance at the Department Conferences know, all officers of the Grand Encampment have been present and share our agenda with you. We are looking forward to June when we will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the Southeastern Department Conference, which will conclude our first year of this trienniums Department Conferences. May sees the final results of the 27th Annual Voluntary Campaign, and our hopes are that we have another one million-dollar fund-raising event. Mother's Day May also is a month that has been set aside for many years to honor our mothers. To all of our mothers and our ladies who are mothers: This is a day that we give all our love and respect to those of you who have dedicated your lives to all of us and our families. Memorial Day This is also the month for us to remember those who gave their last full measure of devotion for their country when called upon to lay down their lives in its defense. Blair Christy Mayford Grand Master May 1995 2 Knight Templar "The Magazine for York Rite Masons - and Others, too" MAY: This month we celebrate the Holy Land Pilgrimage with a whole section on that great philanthropy, including a wonderful poem to inspire you to start your fund-raising and minister selection for the next pilgrimage. It starts on page 7. And a short essay beginning on page 5 celebrates the special day when we honor and remember our mothers, Mother's Day. Our May cover features four of our Right Eminent Department Commanders, and their biographies start on page 21. The remaining three biographies will be presented in the June issue. Our yearly summary of A.M.D. Weekend in Washington, DC, starts on page 12. Contents May 1995 Spring Is Sprung Volume XLI Number 5 Grand Master Blair Christy Mayford. - 2 Published monthly as an official publication of the Grand The Motherhood of God - A Parable Encampment of Knights Templar Sir Knight Donald Craig Kerr - 5 of the United States of America. 18th Holy Land Pilgrimage - 19th Holy Land Blair Christy Mayford Pilgrimage Grand Master The Committee on Holy Land Pilgrimage - 7 and Publisher Sir Knights, Help Our Pilgrims" 14 Duffy Court St Peters, Missouri 63376 Sir Knight William H. Trotter, Sr. - 9 Charles R. Neumann Tenth Crusade to the Holy Land - 10 Grand Recorder Allied Masonic Degree Weekend – 1995 and Editor Sir Knight Morrison L. Cooke - 12 Joan B. Morton Assistant Editor I'll Ham It Up. .As I Egg You On! Grand Recorder Past Grand Master Donald H. Smith - 18 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101 Chicago, Illinois 60630-2460 Department Commanders of (773) 777-3300 The Grand Encampment-1994-1997 - 21 Fax: (773) 777-8836 The Mason Who Saved the American Constitution Mail magazine materials and correspondence to Editor, 57 N. Sir Knight Stephen R. Greenberg - 27 Elston Avenue, Suite 101, Chico, I1- Grand Commander's, Grand Master's Clubs – 14 60630-2460. th Material for the Grand 27 KTEF Voluntary Campaign Tally - 15 Commanderies’ two-page supplement 100% Life Sponsorship, KTEF - 15 is to be directed to the respective Supplement editors. May Issue – 3 Editors Journal – 4 Address corrections from members In Memoriam – 14 are to be sent to the local Recorders History of the Grand Encampment – 16 Newsfront – 19 Knight Voices - 30 May 1995 3 Announcement: The Grand Encampment banners. There is no limit on orders: $1.50 each continues a program of Honors, which has two under 100 copies; $1.00 each over 100 copies, levels: Knight Grand Cross of the Temple and plus shipping and handling. Write your checks to Knight Commander of the Temple. This program and mail to the Grand Encampment, Knights gives the Grand Encampment a way of honoring Templar; 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101; Sir Knights who have distinguished themselves in Chicago; IL 60630-2460. their fields of endeavor. It does not limit itself to Complimentary for Widows: Widows of Knhts Templar Masonry alone, but to qualify, a person must be a are eligible to continue receiving our magazine as long Knight Templar. The recipients receive a as they desire. To retain or reinstate the mailing, simply beautifully engraved patent and a jewel. The jewel instruct your local Recorder or the (land Encampment may be worn on the uniform or on a tuxedo. The of your wishes. recipients may also use the letters KGC or KCT A Pilgrim's Path: Freemasonry and the after their names; they should be introduced Religious Right: This is John J. Robinson's last along with the Knights Templar Cross of Honor book, and it is now available as a hardbound copy. holder. Every Mason should want this intriguing and Announcing: The Widow's Pin - to commemorate educational book in his library. The book is available those who were active Templars: The Grand for $15.00 each, plus $2.50 shipping and handing. • Encampment continues a program to honor Born In Blood: The exciting book by John J. widows of Knights Templar. A Green pin is for Robinson is available at the price of $16.00, widows of those below the rank of Commander, including S & H. • Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The and a Red Templar Cross pin is for widows of Sir Knights Templar in the Crusades. This history of the Knights who held office below the rank of Past Knights Templar by the late John J. Robinson is Grand Commander (this includes Commanders, now available for $2000 each, plus $3.00 shipping Past Commanders, and grand officers.) Honor and handling. Please make checks payable to the your widows at regular or special programs of your Grand Encampment, and send them to the Grand Commandery. Order in lots of 10 at $5.00 apiece, Recorder; Grand Encampment, Knights Templar; payable to the Grand Encampment, and send to 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101; Chicago, IL the Grand Recorder; Grand Encampment, Knights 60630-2460. Templar; 5097 N. Elston Avenue, Suite 101; The Unseen Journey, a Masonic videotape, is Chicago; IL 60630-2460. available from the Grand Encampment: A Sir Knights, Attention!: An important and professional one-hour videotape telling the story invaluable booklet entitled The York Rite of of Masonry has been made for the Mason and Freemasonry - a History and Handbook, is non-Mason by Fratres of a professional available from the Grand Encampment. Authored audio/visual company, under the supervision of by Sir Knight Frederick G. Speidel, this the Grand Lodge of Illinois. This exciting and comprehensive, illustrated 78-page booklet informative tape employs the highest production explains the degrees, history, symbolism, and standards. Copies are on sale here for $29.95 benevolent programs of the Blue Lodge, the plus $3.00 shipping and handling. Send check to Chapter, the Council and the Commandery, with the Grand Encampment, 5097 N. Elston Ave., illustrations of the jewels of the officers of each Suite 101, Chicago, IL 60630-2460 body and the Red Cross, Malta, and Templar May 1995 4 In the book of Isaiah, chapter 66 at verse 13, we can read some words that are worth pondering: "As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall The Motherhood be comforted." That familiar verse is an Old Testament Of God - version of the Prodigal Son, with this A Parable difference: Instead of returning to his father, the prodigal returns to his mother. Another by Reverend and Sir Knight Donald difference is that the prodigal is not a person Craig Kerr, 32° but a nation. When we turn back the pages of history, put into a masculine frame of reference. we are reminded that Israel for a long time Here, in these words of an Old Testament had been like a wandering child, exiled in a parable, motherhood is proclaimed as a far country. The far country was Babylon, perfect counterpart of the divine nature. where for seventy years a nation lived as Such an idea implies home, family, a sense though in captivity and slavery. These were of belonging, and the important influence of years of heartbreak when under foreign women as mothers. rulers the people had hung their harps upon In the city of Atlanta there is a statue to the willows and refused to sing. one of the South's prominent journalists, Now, like penitent prodigals, a nation was Henry W. Grady. Behind the statue is the returning to its homeland.