The
order of DeMolay is a young men's fraternal organization which was founded
upon the basic principles of love of God, love of parents, and love
of country. It tries to introduce these teachings to its members in
various ways through the exercise of the seven cardinal virtues which
compliment each other in rounding out and completing each DeMolay's
character.
These
virtues are:
Love of parents
Love of God
Courtesy
Comradeship
Fidelity
Cleanness
Patriotism
The
name "DeMolay" comes from a thirteenth century French hero named
Jacques DeMolay, who was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
King Philip, the "Fair" of France, who was interested in obtaining the
vast wealth and land of the Templars, devised a plan which included
arresting and torturing the members of the order, and thereby leaving
him in control of their assets.
After being arrested
and subjected to seven horrible years of inquisition and torture by
Philip, DeMolay was put to death by order of the "fair" king
because of his refusal to reveal the names of his fellow comrades, and
for his fidelity to the ideals of his order. King Philip ordered DeMolay
and one of his faithful preceptors, Guy of Auvergne, to be burned at
the stake as a final demonstration of Philip's authority.
Centuries later,
in 1919, a Kansas City Freemason named Frank S. Land, noticed a need
for a young men's organization in the Kansas City area. After meeting
with a local youth named Louis Lower, Land arranged a meeting with several
other area youths at the Kansas City Scottish Rite building. With Land's guidance and the ambition of the young men,
the Order of DeMolay was born.
Almost instantaneously,
the popularity of the new Order grew and in no time at all, there were
chapters in every state in the union and soon there were even chapters
abroad.
For over 80 years
now, the Order of DeMolay has continued to teach it's member's the basic
principles of life which will help prepare any young man for a good
and clean manhood, and which will help them to develop a greater love
and respect for their God, parents and country.
In its history,
the Order of DeMolay has boasted a strong membership and has long lists
of successful and influential members. Many notable figures of America's
past and present were members of the Order of DeMolay, such as Walt
Disney, John Wayne, Pete Rose, Fran Tarkenton,John Steinbeck, Mel Blanc, and many, many others.
The requirements
for membership into the Order are very simple. The only requirements
for membership are that prospective members: