Templars of Honor and Temperance membership certificate issued to William R. Robinson by Phoenix Temple of Honor, 1870

Item — Folder: 1

Identifier: A1997-080

Scope and Contents

Entitled a "Templar's Chart", in color, with images of three men in regalia in middle, the Temple of Honor, roses, lilies, a Bible, arrow through heart, two hands shaking, an ear, two burial scenes and many more.

Dates

Creation: 1870

Creator

Robinson, William R. (Recipient, Person)
Templars of Honor and Temperance. Phoenix Temple of Honor (Alton, Ill.) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Please contact the Archivist regarding permission to publish material.

Biographical / Historical

In 1846, members of the Sons of Temperance formally established a new, but related group, the Templars of Honor and Temperance in New York City. Members of this group, like the Sons of Temperance, swore an oath “…of abstinence and fraternity.” They also declared, “our enemy is alcohol; our war one of extermination.”

The Templars of Honor developed, in part, because some members of the Sons of Temperance, founded in 1842, desired a more secret and elaborate ritual for their ceremonies. Initially the Templars of Honor's ritual included three degrees: Love, Purity and Fidelity. In 1851, members adopted three more degrees: Tried, Approved and Select Templar. In developing all their degrees, the Templars of Honor drew on Masonic and other fraternal rituals for inspiration. As well, their regalia included aprons and collars and they employed some of the same symbols that as were used in Freemasonry.