About us

“A wise and good man in a high place tries to make the widest possible distribution of his beneficence.  Like a hungry tiger he seeks out the right people to help him fulfill his laudable aim.  Such zeal is without blame.”

The Knights of Honor was founded on June 30, 1873 by James Andrew Demaree and Dr. Darius Wilson as a mutual beneficiary association, fraternal order and secret society. 

Dr. Wilson and Brother Demaree were both high initiates of numerous secret societies and fraternal orders.  The Knights of Honor inherited many of the secrets and mysteries passed down through these knightly and fraternal brotherhoods, which many believe to have originated with the Knights Templar.

Dr. Wilson possessed a collection of ancient manuscripts and rare documents called the "Royal Arcanum" (no relation to the later fraternal order which Dr. Wilson founded), which preserved the deepest secrets of the original Freemasonry. This was passed down from an ancient branch of Freemasonry which originated in Egypt and was brought to Europe by some Masonic officers of Napoleon during his campaign there.   These teachings were considered so powerful that it was believed their study and practice would enable anyone to attain to success, health, happiness and riches.

The teachings formed the secret inner doctrine of the Sovereign Sanctuary of the Royal Masonic Rite of which Dr. Wilson was Grand Master. However, in his efforts to restore the original teachings and true Brotherhood of Freemasons, Dr. Wilson incurred the wrath of the Masonic establishment which wanted nothing to do with anything esoteric and felt threatened by anyone challenging their authority. Though hailed as a hero by many, Dr. Wilson was relentlessly persecuted by the Masonic establishment. 

Brother Demaree and Dr. Wilson founded the Knights of Honor for young men aged 18-21 because none of the existing fraternal orders would accept anyone under 21.

A core group of Golden Lodge #1 formed the inner Order or secret society.  This brotherhood went beyond the mere formalities of fraternal orders and took up the knightly Quest of seeking wisdom, fortune, and adventure.  They became a real brotherhood of knights united for wealth, power and success, not ones in name only.

The Knights of Honor of today continues their legacy in the grand tradition of the great knightly brotherhoods and the time-honored fraternities of the Freemasons and Odd Fellows.  As a secret society, it shares much in common with the collegiate secret societies like the Brothers in Unity, Skull & Bones and the Mystical Seven

Unlike most fraternal organizations which have evolved into public charitable institutions or simply social clubs, the objective of the Knights of Honor is to continue the venerable tradition of uniting men together in a brotherhood of secret knowledge, self-improvement and mutual aid.

The Knights of Honor seek freedom from bondage to dull and dreary everyday life, strength in body, mind and spirit, and the material rewards of wealth, love, and success.

We invite you to join us.

James Andrew Demaree

Dr. Darius Wilson

 

All contents © 1988-2024 by The Knights of Honor