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DeMolay’s
Beginnings
In the early months of January 1919, Frank
Land was approached by Louis Lower, a teenager who had lost his
father during World War I. He
was searching for work, so Frank began to work with him at the
local Masonic Temple in Kansas City, Missouri.
In February of that year, Frank approached Louis about
starting up a club for him and his friends.
Louis went home and began gathering his friends together
and brought them back a few days later.
There were nine of them, and they sat in the library with
Frank and began talking about what they wanted to name it, and
after hearing the story of Jacques DeMolay, the last grand master
or the Knights Templar, they chose DeMolay as the clubs name.
On March 24th, 1919 thirty-five boys all from
the same high school showed up to the first meeting where they
elected a core of officers, Gorman
A. McBride was the first elected Master Councilor of the chapter.
The chapter grew and grew and when the topic of a limit on
members was brought to the floor, “Dad” Land stood up and told
them how they shouldn’t keep this to themselves, that they
should let everyone and anyone join this, because if it’s good
enough for them, it’s good enough for other people.
The proposed motion was quickly discarded.
Now today, there are hundreds of thousands of DeMolay’s
all across the world.
The
Story of Jacques DeMolay
Jacques DeMolay was born in 1244, and at the age of 21, he
joined the Order of the Knights Templar, an order that was sent to
guard the roads from Jerusalem to Acre.
In 1298, Jacques DeMolay was named the Grand Master of the
Knights Templar. On
October 13th, 1307, there was an order to seize and
arrest all Knights Templar. Most
were rounded up but some got away, unfortunately DeMolay was one
of those rounded up. On
March 18th, 1314, Jacques and three of his closest
friend were given a special trial.
After denying all charges he was sent to be tortured, and
afterwards, he still refused to give up the whereabouts of his
brothers and the riches of the order.
Guy of Auvergne also placed himself besides Jacques as a
friend and a brother and asked for the same punishment as him.
Later in the day, Lord Constable, overriding the wishes of
the inquisition, sentenced Jacques DeMolay and Guy of Auvergne to
be burned at the stake on a near island.
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