OFFICER’S - York Rite

1 officer S manual GRAND COMMANDERY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF SOUTH CAROLINA MARCH, 1999 Original The officer s manual of the Grand Commandery of South Carolina is published under the approval of the Right Eminent Grand Commander, attested by the Grand Recorder, and under the Seal. Grand Commander of South Carolina (Signature of Grand Commander) (Date) March 15, 1999 (J. Sam Burton) Grand Recorder of South Carolina _____ (Signature of Grand Recorder) (Date) March 15, 1999 (Johnnie T.)

2 Morris) SEAL i TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgment - - - - 1 Section I - Introduction - - - - 2 Foreword - Upfront - - - - 3 Section II - Grand Encampment - - - - 4 Grand Encampment History - - - 5 Precedence of Grand Commanderies - 6 Section III - Constituent Commanderies of South Carolina - 7 officer Selection - - - - 8 General Suggestions to Commanders - 9-11 Commander - - - - 12-13 Generalissimo - - - - 14 Captain General - - - - 15 Senior Warden - - - - 16 Junior Warden - - - - 16 Prelate - - - - - 17 Treasurer - - - - 17 Recorder - - - - - 18-19 Sword Bearer - - - - 20 Standard Bearer - - - - 20 Warder - - - - - 20 Sentinel - - - - - 21 Guards - - - - - 21

3 Section IV - Grand Commandery of South Carolina - 22 Organization - - - - 23 Titles of Grand Commandery Officers - 24-25 Committees of Grand Commandery - 26-27 Districts of Grand Commandery - - 28 Reception of Grand Commander - - 29-30 Opening Ceremony - - - 31 Closing Ceremony - - - 32 Reception of District Representative - 33 District Representative Training - - 34-36 Section V - FORMS of South Carolina - - - 37 Nomination for KTCH - - - (38-39) Holy Land Pilgrimage Questionnaire - (40-41) ii (Continued) TABLE OF CONTENTS Section VI - General Information - - - - 42 Templar Awards - - - - 43 Questions and Answers - - - 44-47 Bible Openings for York Rite Degrees/Orders 48 Section VII - Asylum Layout and Paraphernalia - - 49 Order of the Red Cross - - - 50 Order of Malta (Short Form)

4 - - 51 Order of the Temple - - - 52-54 Section VIII - Sword manual - - - - 55-56 The Sword - - - - 57 Draw and Carry Swords - - - 58 Sword Intervals - - - - 59 Present and Salute Swords - - - 60 Order Swords - - - - 61 Support Swords - - - - 62 Swords Port - - - - 63 Arms Rest and Shoulder Swords - - 64 Reverse Swords - - - - 65 Parade Rest - - - - 66 Inspection and Invert Swords - - 67 Guide and Return Swords - - 68 Secure Swords - - - - 69 Section IX - Sword manual - Ritual - - - 70 On Guard - - - - 71 Cuts and Parries - - - - 72-74 To Form Arch of Steel - - - 75-76 Un-Cover and Kneel - - - 77 Deposit Chapeau - - - - 78 NOTES - - - - - - - 79-80 iii ACKNOWLEDGMENT We wish to acknowledge a deep appreciation to the following Grand Commanderies for permission to use portions of their officer s manual in the preparation of this booklet: Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Florida, Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Indiana and especially Sir Knight Robert Price, PGC, Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Michigan, and Grand Commandery Knights Templar of North Carolina.

5 Furthermore, in addition to information gathered from the above listed manuals, information contained in this manual was obtained from the following sources and are listed here as recommended reading and reference material to all South Carolina Sir Knights: manual Of Knights Templar Tactics And Asylum Ceremonies Of The Grand Encampment Of The United States Of America, Constitution And Statutes Of The Grand Commandery Of Knights Templar Of South Carolina, The York Rite Of Freemasonry - A History And Handbook; by Frederick G. Speidel. CONTRIBUTORS LIST J. B. McGuirt, PGM PGC D. Samuel Tennyson, GM PGC GT Thomas B. Clark, Jr., PGC J. C. (Mike) Hubbard, Jr., HPGC Sam L. Grant, PGC G. Ray Marsh, PGM HPGC Clarence E. Turner, PGC Leroy J. Delionbach, PGC Charles C.

6 Adams, PGC H. Gregory Heirs, PGC J. Maurice Day, PGC Jesse C. Branham, PGM PGC Norman E. Wood, PGC Johnnie T. Morris, PGC GR Ford M. Thornton, Jr., PGC Lee Roy Bruce, Sr., PGC Alfred Allsbrook, PGM PGC Don S. Blair, PGC Glenn R. Watts, PGC Richard A. Wesner, DGC Richard L. Harding, PGC Harvie Pete Bailey, GG R. Butler Satterfield, PGC Robert L. Kinard, GCG Willard F. Bond, Jr., HPGC Robert V. (Bob) Pinkston, PGM PC Jerry M. Owens, PGC Calvin A. Nixon, PC James T. Berry, PGC Lloyd F. Christopher, PC Page 1 Section I Introduction Page 2 FOREWORD This section is presented to the Officers of the constituent Commanderies of South Carolina as a partial answer to the self-imposed queries - What is my job? Where can I turn to find advice for the proper procedures for my office?

7 How can I best serve Templary? It is assumed at the outset that each officer desires to contribute to the limit of his knowledge and ability toward making Templarism MEANINGFUL. That should be his aim. But first of all, he must inform himself on the specific duties of his office. This material, therefore, is in response to many inquiries asking for guidance as to the conduct of Commandery Officers and committees. This manual is not meant to supersede the Laws and Regulations of the Grand Commandery of South Carolina or of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America, but rather to enhance a collection of essential material that may authoritatively aid and guide Officers in Commandery management and procedure.

8 Adherence to the content of this manual will discourage carelessness and produce a uniformity so essential to the orderly conduct of the business of the constituent Commanderies of the Grand Commandery of South Carolina. No claim is made to originality in what appears here. Considerable research has been done, and this material is a condensed compilation of the best material available. If the material suggests to you improved or more effective methods for performing your duties, it will have served its intended purpose. We sincerely trust, therefore, that it will prove to be just what its title implies, a handbook or guide - for ready consultation and assistance. UP FRONT There are many things to remember as an officer or member. Many items will be presented in this booklet and are available in specific publications listed herein.

9 But, there is one fact that needs to be stressed up front: Everyone in our fraternity is a VOLUNTEER! That means everyone, from the Grand Commander to the newest Sir Knight, deserves to be treated with the respect due to anyone who gives of his time to our fraternity. Remember to treat every Sir Knight and every Commandery as you would like to be treated. We are taught in the Entered Apprentice degree that Charity is the greatest of virtues and extends beyond the grave through the boundless realms of eternity. Countless harm has been done by the slip of the tongue. Be guarded in what you say because even an innocent comment may be perceived as criticism or ridicule. If you find something that needs correcting, bring it to the attention of the Commander (or Grand Commander) and allow him the courtesy of making the decision.

10 Page 3 Section II Grand Encampment Page 4 GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A number of attempts were made in the early 1800 s to form a national body of Knights Templar. On June 20 and 21, 1816, in New York City, a committee composed of Templars from the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York met and drafted a constitution for the General Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and the Appendant Orders for the United States of America. The Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island approved the action in 1817 and New York followed shortly thereafter. At the second meeting in 1819, the first Encampment provided for meetings every 7th year. In 1826 the constitution was amended to provided for triennial meetings (every 3 years) and has remained in effect to this date.