How did Demolay get started? In 1919, while employed as the social services director for the Scottish Rite bodies in Kansas City, Missouri, Frank Sherman Land hired a teenager by the name of Louis Gordon Lower to perform odd jobs around the building. As the two became friends, Land found out that Lower's father had died a short time before and that the young man missed having the guidance that a father would provide. Lower also told Land that he had other friends whose fathers were not in the home, whether from divorce, abandonment, or death, and that these young men would also like to have an adult male they could go to for guidance. Land suggested Lower invite some of his friends to the Scottish Rite Temple to discuss starting a club. Within a few days Lower brought eight of his friends to a meeting. The nine young men agreed that the idea of a club was a good one. Soon the Order of DeMolay was born. Within three years chapters had been established in 39 of the then 48 states and the District of Columbia. |
 The picture above and below are both pictures of Jacques DeMolay at the stake. 
 The picture above and below are both pictures of Dad Land  |
Who Is Jacque Demolay? Jacques DeMolay was born in France in 1244. At the age of 21, he became a member of the Knights Templars, a group originally called "Poor Soldiers In Christ". Sanctioned by the Pope and the Church Council in 1128, their purpose was to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre, the Jerusalem port on the Mediterranean. Because of the church sanction, and the fact that the Templars had fought valiantly in several crusades, they were a popular group among the people. The name Knights Templars became synonymous with heroism to such an extent that nobles and princes sent their sons to join the Knights Templars. In 1298 Jacques DeMolay was elected Grand Master of the Templars. Over the years, the Templars organization amassed great wealth and King Philip of France became concerned that they would use their power and wealth against him. False charges were pressed against DeMolay and the Templars by the King in order to brand them criminals. On orders of the King, DeMolay and hundreds of members of the Knights Templar were arrested and thrown into prison. During his seven-year imprisonment, DeMolay was tortured repeatedly in attempts to get him to betray other leaders and members of his beloved Templars, He consistently refused to betray his fellow Templars and was finally sentenced by the King to be burned at the stake on March 18, 1314, along with his most trusted aide, Guy of Auvergne. DeMolay died a martyr to loyalty. |
