A manual of the Knights of Tabor, and Daughters of the tabernacle

Introduction

Orders, societies, and governments were instituted for the purpose of making a united effort in a given direction. What one man cannot accomplish, many men united can. Hence great enterprises for the ^ell-being of mankind are carried forward by companies. Governments are formed by uniting a number of people under one form or code of laws. Societies are organizations of a number of persons to accomplish a certain object or to obtain a desired end. Man was made a social being; he must have society, or the company of a fellow-being, or he will drift into barbarism and brutality. Man is an intelligent being. Civilization, art, science, and architecture and government, must come only from x united effort. Therefore, the Order of Twelve, £hat the members may form one band of brothers, united by the strongest of ties, • — friendly interest, love, and brotherhood, — do agree to form an organisation to be called the Knights of Tabor, or the Order of Twelve, and hereby pledge our word on oath to each other, in the name of our Omnipotent Father, to be governed by the following Constitutioij :

HISTORY.

The Order of Knights of Tabor was founded in the city of Galena, 111., A/D. 1855, and known by the name of the Order of Twelve. The names of the organizers were A. H. Richardson, William P. Emery, James T. Smith, J. G. Johnson, R. H. Cain, and Moses Dickson. During the years of 1856-57-58-59 the Order was established in many of the Southern States, and known by various names, yet the signs and passwords were the same. Many of the old members now living, who have passed through years of suffering and trials, will remember the words of comfort and advice we received in our Temples or Lodges. In the darkest hours just before the breaking out of the civil war, our links were fixed at all the news centres, so that in a few hours, in every hamlet, and in every town, city, and plantation, the members of our Order kept the people posted on that which interested us most. How was it that the colored people all through the Southern States knew every movement at the North ? The old members of the Order can tell you of a system of telegraphing unknown to Prof. Morse, by which we reached every man and woman, and prepared them for coming events. In the conflict and during the war, and the changing of residences of many of the leading members, the Order gradually went to sleep. It is said that good institutions never die. Just so. The Temple of the Knights of Tabor has again opened her door, to stand open as long as the Order can benefit man. We call on the old members that have been spared to life from the battle-fields of the great rebellion. You are called to rally once more under the banner of the Knights of Tabor. Many of our number fell battling for freedom, and their bodies lie beneath the sod of many battle-fields. May the Great Giver of eternal life give them eternal happiness. Brothers, let the germ of the Order be watered with life ; let us perpetuate the Temple ; let us take up the old cry, " Linked to each other in friendship's bonds, hand in hand through life we will go." Our word, " Break every chain of injustice." Our trust is in God, the Ruler in the counsels and governments of men.

Brother ! Friend ! We greet you ! Push the Order onward.

MOSES DICKSON,

jP. G. Mentor.

NATIONAL GEAND TEMPLE AND TABEKNACLE

KNIGHTS OF TABOR.

FOUNDED, A. D. 1855

FORM OF GRAND TEMPLE.

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CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I.

This organization shall be known as the Knights of Tabor, or the Order of Twelve, of the United States of North America.

ARTICLE II.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

Section 1 . There shall be a National Grand Temple, and any number of subordinate Temples and Tabernacles.

Sec. 2. The places of meeting for the Knights shall be called Temples, and the meetings of the Daughters shall be called Tabernacles.

ARTICLE III.

THE national grand temple.

Section 1. The National Grand Temple shall be composed of all Past Grand Mentors, and the Chief Mentors and Vice-Mentors and Past Mentors of all subordinate Temples ; and Chief and Past Preceptresses of Tabernacles.

Sec. 2. The Chief Tribune of a Tabernacle shall be a member of the Grand Temple during his term of office.

Sec. 3. A Temple shall have three votes in the Grand Temple ; a Tabernacle shall have three votes ; each member shall have one vote, and each officer shall have one vote. The Chief Grand Mentor shall have the casting vote in case of a tie.

ARTICLE IV.

JURISDICTION.

Section 1. The National Grand Temple shall have jurisdiction over all Temples of the Knights of Tabor and Tabernacles of Daughters in the United States ; and enacting laws, granting charters and warrants, and suspending charters or warrants for proper causes ; to receive and hear appeals, and to redress grievances and complaints arising in the Temples or Tabernacles, and to provide for its support and government.

Sec. 2. The National Grand Temple shall hold annual sessions on the second Tuesday in August, at ten o'clock, a. m., and thereafter as the Grand Temple may determine.

Sec. 3. Special sessions may be called by the Chief Grand Mentor whenever he may deem it necessary; or it shall be his duty to call a special session when requested by one-third of the subordinate Temples and Tabernacles.

ARTICLE V.

OFFICERS.

1. A Chief Grand Mentor— C. G. M.

2. A Vice-Grand Mentor — V. G. M.

3. A Chief Grand Scribe — C. G. S.

4. An Assistant Grand Scribe — A. G. S.

5. A Chief Grand Treasurer — C. G. T.

6. A Chief Grand Orator — C. G. O.

7. A Chief Grand Drill-Master — C. G. D. M.

8. A Chief Grand Color-Bearer — C. G. C. B.

9. A Chief Grand Guard— C. G. G.

10. A Chief Grand Guard — C. G. G.

11. A Chief Grand Guard — C. G. G.

12. A Chief Grand Sentinel — C. G. St.

ARTICLE VI.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS.

Section 1. The Chief Grand Mentor shall preside at all meetings of the National Grand Temple ; he shall have power to call special sessions when he determines that it is needed ; he shall enforce order, decide all questions of order, appoint officers pro tem.,m case of the absence or disqualification of the officer elect ; he can give permission, by dispensation, in all cases requiring a temporary suspension of the rules, laws, and regulations of the National Grand Temple ; he can organize Temples of the

Knights of Tabor, or Tabernacles or Daughters, either in person or by deputy ; he can confer the degrees of the Temple and Tabernacle, or deputize the power by commission ; he can constitute new Temples and Tabernacles by charter or warrant, install their officers, dedicate Temples and Tabernacles, visit and preside in any Temple or Tabernacle. He shall visit annually all Temples and Tabernacles, either in person or by deputy ; he shall appoint all committees that are not otherwise ordered ; he can order the Chief Grand Scribe and the Chief Grand Treasurer, with their books, in his presence, to inspect the condition of the National Grand Temple ; he shall report annually to the Grand Session the condition of all Temples and Tabernacles, and the number of new Temples and Tabernacles ; he shall sign all drafts on the Grand Treasurer, and all other papers that may require his signature to make them authentic. •

Sec. 2. He shall furnish new Temples with charters and books, and new Tabernacles w^ith warrants and books ; he shall report to the Chief Grand Scribe, monthly, the names and number of the Temples and Tabernacles that have been chartered and warranted, with name and address of the Chief Mentor, and the Chief Preceptress, and with the monthly report he shall pay to the C. G. S. all money that he has received for charters, warrants, and books ;

he shall, at the annual session, give account of all the property of the National Grand Temple that is in his possession, and recommend such additions as are needed ; he shall turn over to his successor all the property that he has belonging to the National Grand Temple ; he shall, in his annual address, make such recommendations as he thinks will benefit the order.

VICE GRAND MENTOR.

Sec. 3. In the absence of the C. G. M., the V. G. M. shall preside over the National Grand Temple ; and in case of the absence of both, the National Grand Temple shall proceed to elect a C. G. M.jpro tern. In the absence of the C. G. M. out of the United States, or by death, or by physical or mental inability to fulfil his duty, the V. G. M. shall perform and fulfil all the duties of the C. G. M. until the regular annual session.

CHIEF GRAND SCRIBE.

Sec. 4. The C. G. S. shall have charge of the records, journal, register, and papers, and preserve the archives ; he shall have the power to provide his office with all the necessary books and stationery to enable him to perform his duties ; he shall keep a journal of the business of the Grand Temple and the proceedings of the Grand Session ; he shall keep a register of all Temples and Tabernacles, with date of their charter and warrant, with the name of the town or city, county, and state where they are situated ; he shall keep a record of all members of the Grand Temple ; he shall keep in his office a copy c £ the seal of each subordinate Temple and Tabernacl , attest all official papers and documents with the se il of his office ; he shall receive and give notice to ail the subordinate Temples and Tabernacles of all rejected candidates, and of members that have been suspended or expelled ; he shall attend to and carry on the correspondence of the Grand Temple, and give notice to the Te 21 pies and Tabernacles when and where to meet the Grand Temple ; he shall perform such other duties as are assigned to him by the Grand Temple ; he shall receive all moneys coming to the Grand Temple, and pay them over to the G. T. without delay, taking his receipt ; draw all drafts on the Grand Treasurer, and attest them ; keep his accounts ready for examination at any time ; he shall, at the expiration of his term of office, deliver to his successor all books, papers, and other property belonging to the Grand Temple. His salary shall be regulated from time to time by the Grand Temple.

ASSISTANT GRAND SCRIBE.

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the A. G. S. to attend to the business of the C. G. S. in his absence, and in case of the death, removal, resignation, inability, or absence out of the United States of the C. G. S., the official duties shall devolve on the A. G. S. until the annual session.

CHIEF GRAND TREASURER.

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the C. G. T. to receive all moneys and valuables belonging to the Grand Temple, and keep a correct account of the same ; he shall pay drafts only when signed by the C. G. M. and countersigned by the C. G. S. ; he shall make an annual report to the Grand Temple of the business of his office ; his book shall be open for the inspection of the C. G. M., or any committee that he may appoint, at all times ; he shall give to the C. G. S. a receipt for all moneys he receives ; his books shall show the amount of moneys received and paid out ; he shall give a statement, in writing, at the Grand Session, exhibiting the amounts of his receipts and the amounts of his disbursements, and for what purpose the money was drawn ; at the expiration of his term of office, he shall deliver all books, papers, and cash that belong to the Grand Temple to his successor.

CHIEF GRAND ORATOR.

Sec. 7. The C. G. O. shall officiate at the altar and lead the devotional exercises of the Grand Ternpie, and perform the part of Chaplain on all public and private occasions. He shall be furnished with a commission by the C. G. M., constituting him a District Deputy.

CHIEF GRAND DRILL-MASTER.

Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the C. G. D. M. to perform the duties of a marshal on all occasions ; to form and conduct all public processions of the Grand Temple. He shall have charge of the inside door of the Grand Temple, and perform its duties.

chief grand color-bearer.

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the C. G. C. B. to have care and possession of the Grand Colors of the Grand Temple, and to carry the Grand Colors in all processions and ceremonies of the Order.

chief grand guard.

Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the C. G. G. to attend to the inside of the Grand Temple, and, under the instruction of the C. G. M., keep order, and convey messages from the inner to the outer Temple.

CHIEF GRAND SENTINEL.

Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the C. G. St. to guard the outer door of the Temple when in session, and see that none enter but members of the Order.

ARTICLE VII.

BOARD OF GRAND CURATORS.

Section 1. The Board of Grand Curators shall consist of seven members of the Grand Temple, elected annually at the Grand Session. They shall be corporators of the Grand Temple. The incorporation shall be held in their name. All donations, devises, or gifts for the Grand Temple, or for the benefit of any subordinate Temple or Tabernacle, shall be made to them. They shall invest in such stock, loans, or securities the funds of the Grand Temple as the Grand Temple may direct. They shall call in, sell, and realize on such loans, stocks, and investments, under the orders of the Grand Temple; collect interest, dividends, rents, and all money arising or accruing from any investments belonging to the Grand Temple ; pay all money that they collect to the C. G. S., or, if for the benefit of a subordinate Temple or Tabernacle, they shall pay to the C. S. or C. R. The C. G. M. shall be a member and chairman of the Board. The Grand Temple shall furnish the Board with such books and stationery as they may need. They shall make an annual report to the Grand Temple of all their business, and, at the expiration of their term of office, they shall deliver to their successors all books, securities, deposits, stocks, papers, deeds, and money that belong to the Grand Temple or subordinate Temple or Tabernacle. They shall audit the accounts of the C. G. S. and the C. G. T., at the annual session, and report during the session.

AETICLE VIII.

BONDS.

Section 1. The C. G. S. and the C. G. T. shall, before entering upon the duties of their offices, give a bond, with such security as shall be determined by the Grand Temple, to the Board of Curators, for the faithful application of all moneys belonging to the Grand Temple, in accordance with the laws or orders of the Grand Temple.

AETICLE IX.

DISTRICT GRAND MENTORS.

Section 1. The D. G. M.'s are appointed by the C. G. M. Their duties and districts are defined in their commissions.

AETICLE X.

ELECTION OF GRAND OFFICERS.

Section 1. The officers of the Grand Temple shall be elected during the annual session, and installed before the session closes.

Sec. 2. The ballots shall be written. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect. The nomination shall be made in open session. In case no candidate receives a majority on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be dropped, and so on in each succeeding ballot until one is elected.

Sec. 3. The C. G. M. shall appoint three tellers, whose duty it is to count the ballots and announce the result.

AETICLE XI.

PERPETUATION.

Section 1. In case of the death, resignation, inability or disqualification, or the absence out of the United States of the C. G. M. and V. G. M., the C. G. S. shall call a meeting of the Board of Curators, who shall elect a C. Gr. M. to serve the balance of the term, of which notice shall be given by them to all Temples and Tabernacles.

AETICLE XII.

POWER AND AUTHORITY.

Section 1. The National Grand Temple shall be the only legitimate source of authority to enact laws, regulations, and rules for the government of the National Grand Temple, and the Temples and Tabernacles chartered and warranted by its authority. It has the positive power to investigate and determine all business or matter relating to Temples of the Knights of Tabor and Tabernacles of Daughters, or individual members ; to exercise a general supervision over the business and work of Temples and Tabernacles.

Sec. 2. Any member of Temple or Tabernacle who has been suspended or expelled shall have the right to appeal to the Grand Temple. Such an appeal is made in writing, and filed with the C. G. S. The appellant is hereby required to give notice to the appellee, or no action can be taken or had thereon.

AETICLE XIII.

DELINQUENT, SUSPENDED, AND DISSOLVED.

Section 1. Any Temple or Tabernacle may be suspended or dissolved, and its charter or warrant forfeited to the Grand Temple, (1) for neglecting or refusing to obey the constitution, rules, and regulations of the Grand Temple ; ( 2 ) for refusing or neglecting to make the returns to the annual Grand Session for two years, or the non-payment of dues; (3) for neglecting to hold regular stated or monthly meetings, unless prevented by some unforeseen circumstance ; (4) by its membership diminishing to less than a working or constitutional quorum.

Sec. 2. When a Temple or Tabernacle is suspended or dissolved, it shall be the duty of its senior officer to deliver to the C. G. M. or the Grand Temple the charter or warrant, books, emblems, furniture, regalias, and other property.

Sec. 3. Members of any defunct Temple or Tabernacle, who were in good standing at the time of dissolution, can be received into any Temple or Tabernacle by presenting the C. G. M. certificate, and paying the admission fee. The application for such certificate must be accompanied with fee of $1. . Sec. 4. All effects and funds received by the Grand Temple from suspended or dissolved Temples or Tabernacles shall be restored when the Grand Temple, by a majority vote, at a stated or special session, reinstates such Temple or Tabernacle.

AETICLE XIV.

REVENUE.

Section 1. The Grand Temple shall regulate the price of charters, warrants, rituals, constitutions, and blanks.

AETICLE XV.

RULES OF ORDER.