Question--Are you a Knight Templar? Answer--That is my title.
Q. Where were you created a Knight Templar? A. In a just and lawful
Encampment of Knight Templars.
Q. What number composes a just and lawful Encampment of Knight
Templars? A. There is an indispensable number and a constitutional
number.
Q. What is an indispensable number? A. Three.
Q. Under what circumstances are they authorized to form and open an
Encampment of Knight Templars? A. Three Knight Templars, hailing from
three different commanderies, may, under the sanction of a charter or
warrant from some regular Grand Encampment, form and open an
Encampment for the dispatch of business.
Q. What is a constitutional number? A. Seven, nine, eleven, or more.
Q. When composed of eleven, of whom does it consist? A. Warden,
Sword-Bearer, Standard-Bearer, Recorder, Treasurer, Junior Warden,
Senior Warden, Prelate, Captain-General, Generalissimo, and Grand
Commander.
Q. Warden's station? A. On the left of the Standard-Bearer in the
West, and on the left of the third division.
Q. His duty? A. To observe the orders and directions of the Grand
Commander; to see that the sentinels are at their respective posts,
and that the Encampment is duly guarded.
Q. Sword-Bearer's station? A. On the right of the Standard-Bearer in
the West, and on the right of the third division.
Q. His duty? A. To assist in the protection of the banners of our
Order; to watch all signals from the Grand Commander, and see his
orders duly executed.
Q. Standard-Bearer's station in the Encampment? A. In the West, and in
the centre of the third division.
Q. His duty? A. To display, support, and protect the banners of our
Order.
Q. Why is the Standard-Bearer's station in the West? A. That the
brilliant rays of the rising sun, shedding their lustre upon the
banners of our Order, may encourage and animate all true and courteous
Knights, and dismay and confound their enemies.
Q. Recorder's station in the Encampment? A. In front of the
Captain-General.
Q. His duty? A. To observe with attention the order of the Encampment;
keep a just and regular record of the same; collect the revenue, and
pay the same over to the Treasurer.
Q. Treasurer's station in the Encampment? A. In front of the
Generalissimo.
Q. His duty? A. To receive in charge all funds and property of the
Encampment; pay all orders drawn upon him, and render a just and
faithful account when required.
Q. Station of the Junior Warden in the Encampment? A. At the southwest
angle of the triangle, and on the left of the first division.
Q. His duty? A. To attend to all poor and weary pilgrims traveling
from afar; to accompany them on the journey; answer all questions for
them, and finally introduce them into the asylum.
Q. Senior Warden's station in the Encampment? A. At the northwest
angle of the triangle, and on the right of the second division.
Q. His duty there? A. To attend on pilgrim warriors traveling from
afar; to comfort and support pilgrims penitent, and after due trial,
to recommend them to the hospitality of the Generalissimo.
Q. Prelate's station in the Encampment? A. On the right of the
Generalissimo.
Q. His duty there? A. To administer at the altar, and offer up prayers
and adorations to the Deity.
Q. Captain-General's station? A. On the left of the Grand Commander.
Q. His duty? A. To see that the proper officers make all suitable
preparations for the several meetings of the Encampment, and take
special care that the asylum is in a suitable array for the
introduction of candidates and dispatch of business; also to receive
and communicate all orders from the Grand Commander to officers of the
line.
Q. Generalissimo's station? A. On the right of the Grand Commander.
Q. His duty? A. To receive and communicate all orders, signals, and
petitions, and assist the Grand Commander in the discharge of his
various duties, and in his absence to govern the Encampment.
Q. Grand Commander's station? A. In the East.
Q. His duty? A. To distribute alms, and protect weary pilgrims
traveling from afar; to encourage pilgrim warriors; to sustain
pilgrims penitent; feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bind up the
wounds of the afflicted; to inculcate hospitality, and govern his
Encampment with justice and moderation.
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