The Helena independent., 1890-12-12
The Ancient Arabic Order Of the
Mobiles Of the Mystic
Shrine.
Algeria Temple Of Helena Holds
It's Annual Election OF
Ohacers.
History Of an Organization OF which
Charity and Brotherhood Form the
Foundation Stones.


Temple Ancient Arabian Order of the
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine, was held last
evening at Masonic temple and resulted as
follows:
Illustrious Potentate, John w. Thomp-
son.
Chief Rabban, Richard Jockey.
Assistant Rabban, w. H. McCann.
| High Priest and Prophet, W. T. Board
man.
Oriental Guide. B. w. S. Folk.
| Treasurer, r. II. Kleinschmidt.
| Recorder, George Booker.
The illustrious potentate elect appointed
the following officers:
| FIRST Ceremonial Master, John Steinmetz.
Second Ceremonial Master, Knute OPP
helm.
Marshal, J. j. Hindson.
Captain of the Guard, G. B. Garrett.
Outer Guard. John G. Major.
Director, c. b. Nolan.
First Alchemist. Francis D. Jones.
Second Alchemist, Halsey w. Lombard.
Captains Arab Patrol, j. L. Roddick and
w. T. Rector.
The installation of officers elect will axe
place this evening at eight o'clock at Ma
sonic temple. to be followed by banquet
at the Merchants hotel. Admission is by
ticket and will be confined to the members
of the order and their ladies.
The shrine is of Arabic origin, and 1t is
known as 1.-The Ancient Arabic Order of
the Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine.'' 1t was
instituted by the Mohammedan Kalif, Alec,
the cousin german and son-in-law of the
Prophet Mohammed, in the year of the
Hegira %, GA. D. 656) at Mekkan in Arabia,
as an inquisltion or vigilance committee to
dispense justice and execute punishment
upon criminals who escaped their just de-
serts through the tardiness or corruption of
the courts, and also to promote religious
toleratlon among the cultured men of all
nations.
i, From Arabia, the fatherland. the order.
by reason of it's practical benefits, rapidly
extended into the different countries of the
Orient, and is still the favorite of the many
secret societies which abound there, gather
ing about its shrines select few of the best
educated and cultured classes.
It's membership in all countries includes
Christians and Mohammedans. and one of
the most noted patrons is the present
Khedive of Egypt, whose inclinations to-
wards Christians are we'll known. Frequent
revolutions in the east have obscured the
order from time to time, causing many
lapses in its records; but it has been as often
revived and frequently under the direct
patronage of the reiguing sovereigns.
From Arabia, Egypt. Turkey and Persia
shrines were established in other lands.
until Italy, France. Germany, England, and
finally America were represented.
In 1870 the popular and talented come
dian, Mr.. VIM. j. Florence, received the
special dispensation to confer them in
America. In 1871, assisted by DR.. Walter
M. Flemming. an eminent Arabic scholar,
Mr.. Florence founded Mecca Temple in the
city of New York, and from this mother
temple the shrines now in existencs nee
the imperial grand council of the United
States was organized. The regulations of
the council, as in Europe Except England)
Asia and Africa, have established as pre-
requisite for membership that each member
must be thirty-second degree A. A. S. rite.
England the eighteenth degree is sufficient.
While the shrine is at all times liberal
dispenser of charity and faithful ally to
Free Masonry, it IS not founded upon in
surance or any but the broad principles of
charity which man owes to man. It is
rather of social nature and it's ceremonies
partake largely of the form of entertain
ment on account of the rich costumes used.
and a marked dramatic intensity. The
general robes in use are OF eastern charac-
ter, and made principally of either brocade
velvets or silks of the brightest colors,
and can, of course. be made very costly.
The ordinary costume for street parade is
conventional black. with red, white or blue
fez. according to rank.
The emblems and Jewels of the shrine are
the characteristic insignia of the oriental
| nation from which the order emanates-the
crescent. pyramid, sphinx head. panther
bodied female sphinx, the urn. sun, moon,
stars. eto. The original and universal en-
blematic jewel is a scimeter with crescent
pendant formed of tigers claws, bound in
gold, joined in the center by sphinx head of
metal or stone. The koran and black stone
of Mecca are held especially sacred by
Shriners. and much of the rich metaphor of
the east has been used in the translation of
the ritual.
The salution and distinction among the
Faithful is: ''Es Selamu Aleikum, -
"Peace be with YOU" Towhich is returned
the gracious wish, ''Aleikum Els Selaam,''
with you be peace"
Algeria temple, of this city, is the only
temple in Montana. It has at present a
membership of hS. Many prominent men
OF the state are among the members.
i Montana Sapphires.