The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-26
SHRINERs' DAY OF CHARITY.
CHRISTMAS DEEDS OF MOBILES OF
THE MYSTIC SHRINE.

Over 100 Baskets of Food Furnished
and Distributed to the Poor of the
City and Many Hearts Made Glad
in COnsequence-The Rule of the
Order Requires That the Day Be
Observed in Charitable Works.
Its First Observation by Alec Tenn
pie "A Decided Success. .-
Many unfortunate persons were enabled
to share in the good cheer which should
come to all on Christmas day yesterday
by the good deeds of the members of
Alec Temple of the Mobiles of the Mystic
Shrine. 1t is a rule of the order that
its members must make special exertions
in charitable work on Christmas day in
the way of providing for the poor and
the unfortunate. This custom is observed
by the Shriners throughout the world.
Alec Temple being a comparatively recent
organization, this was it's first observ-
ance of this worthy custom.
The request of the potentate. made
some days ago. that every noble send
basket of good things to his residence at
Oglethorpe avenue and Whitaker street
by 10 o'clock Christmas morning, for dis
tribution to the poor of the city, was gen
orally and cheerfuHy complied with. More
than 100 well filled baskets found their
way to the home of Potentate E. A. Cults,
and at noon the work of distribution was
begun. The contents of the baskets were
not limited to the necessaries of life, but
the things which make up the good cheer
of Christmas were in abundance, showing
that the mobiles were in true sympathy
with the spirit of the custom. More than
100 families were enabled to enjoy a COM
Portable Christmas dinner as the result of
this work of charity.
The committee which conducted the dis
tribution of the baskets under the direc-
ton of the potentate, Mr.. E. A. Cults,
consisted of the following members of the
temple: Thomas Ballantyne. r. A. Row
linsk G. A. Brock, Julian Schley, F. 5.
Jette, H. E. Wilson, j. ID. Jordan, Henry
Levy, c. f. Law, J, 2. Posten ana A. ,.
Nichols. II is a rule of the Shriners that
whatever is done by them shall be done
in proper style, and the committee con-
Quoted its work of distribution In car
riages. All quarters of the city We're Wis
ited and the charity of the Shriners was
bestowed upon the poor and mccoy Whef'
ever they were found without regard TO
but unexpected, charity was a Nenedic-
ton, indeed. Clothing, as well as food,
was furnished in some instances.
Not only in Savannah, but everywhere
throughout the country, where the SArin-
ers have an organization, the good " orb
was going on In New York city a VI ar
ago the Shriners distributed 1880 baske is
of food, and this record was doubtless sur :
passed by them yesterday.
The Mystic Shriners are an offshoot of
Masonry, and IS an exclusive order, COM
posed of Masons of a high degree, who
must be good fellows also Like all Or
CARNATIONS where good fellowship is the
chief object aimed at, its members be-
lieve thot others should share the good
things of life as well as themselves.
Alec Temple of Savannah is now about
two years old, and is in a very flourish
ing condition. 1t will hold its annual ses-
sion at the Masonic Temple Friday night
when a few of the unregenerate sons Of
the desert win be initiated into the mys-
teries of the order with the usual harrow
ing accomplishments