Knights of the Maccabees

Knights of the Maccabees was a fraternal organization formed in 1878 in London, Ontario, Canada. Most active in the U.S. state of Michigan, the group's fraternal aspects took a back seat to providing low-cost insurance to members. In the society's early years, it also provided other final-expense related benefits such as society cemeteries.

The motto of the Knights of Maccabees was the Latin phrase "Astra Castra Numen Lumen" ,which means "The stars my camp, the Deity my light".[1]

History

The Knights of the Maccabees was founded in London, Ontario by members of the Order of the Foresters. They based their name, ceremonies, and rituals on the Maccabees, a group of Jewish rebels against the Seleucid Empire whose exploits are described in the Books of the Maccabees, considered part of the Biblical canon in Catholicism, but apocryphal in Judaism and Protestant Christianity. The first convention was held on August 7, 1878.[2][3]

Membership

Membership was open to all white persons between 18 and 70, though those over 52 were ineligible for the beneficiary features. Applicants had to be of good moral character, bodily healthy, and socially acceptable. Furthermore, those engaged in extra-hazardous occupations, such as coal miners, electric linemen, aeronauts, people engaged in blasting, the manufacture of highly flammable or explosive material, and submarine officers were excluded from membership. Also, no one who was involved in the liquor trade or an alcoholic was admitted. Certain classes of railway employees, expressmen, miners (excluding coal miners) and firemen had to pay an additional 25 cents assessment per each $1,000.[14]

On December 1, 1896, the Knights had 182,000 members in 40 states and provinces, though a third of the membership was in Michigan. The death rate among the membership was 5.54 per 1,000, which was considered exceptionally low. They also had a permanent headquarters in Port Huron, which had opened in 1892.[14] By 1915, membership had reached 331,756, but by 1978 membership was down to about 10,000[7] About 3,500 members were in the US and Canada in 1994.[8]

Degrees

Degree of Protection - In the Degree of Protection, the candidate was introduced to the demands of Honor, Courage, and Obedience. The candidate learned the history of Maccabee household and how it protected Judea from King Antiochus during the war of independence. To prove themselves fit to "join in the cause of humanity," the tyros had to undergo an ordeal.
Degree of Friendship - In the Degree of Friendship, the Commander takes the part of Mattathias, the Lt. Commander that of Judas, the Past Commander that of John (son of Mattathias), and the Chaplain that of Eleazar (son of Mattathias). The candidate received instruction in the nature of friendship.
Degree of Loyalty - In the Degree of Loyalty, the dramatic work revolved around the following characters: Apelles, Mattathias, Matthathias's four sons, Judas, Soldiers, while the candidate, Sentinel, and a Knight took the parts of Jewish peasants. In keeping with the Maccabee legend of the revolt at Modin the patriarch Mattathias remained steadfast to the Jewish religion when ordered to make sacrifice to Greek gods and at great personal risk stops an apostate Jew from offering sacrifice to false gods. The lesson derived from his example was that of genuine patriotism and inculcated the duty to uphold and defend the rights of liberty and conscience when they are threatened by irresponsible power in any form. Additionally, the candidate was reintroduced to the ghost of Eleazar and finally sees the end of the rebellion.[15]

motto	Astra Castra Numen Lumen "The stars my camp, the Deity my light"
founded	1878
birthplace	London, Ontario, Canada
scope	North America
status	Defunct
nickname	The Maccabees
country	United States
city	Southfield
state	Michigan
type	Benefit society
affiliation	Independent

Knights of the Maccabees

History

20th century

Organization

Membership

Degrees

Notable members

Members

See also

External links

References