Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-26
TIE MYSTIC SHRINERS.
F--U-rg1g -S-<------vvi
FACTS ABOUT An ARABIC ORDER
AND les AMERICAN
USES.
Its Organization by DIR. Fleming and
Billy FIorence-Merryma kings and
Sociabiiity That Distinguish 1t.
Women Permitted at It's Enter
tainne nts-Ets Ancient History.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
It Is now nearly thirty-one years
since Dr. Walter NJ Fleming finished
his transcription of the ritual and the
principles OF the Asiatic and European
organizations which are now represent
ed here, thanks to him. by the Ancient
Arabic Order Of the Mobiles OF the
Mystic Shrine. Ordinary unprivileged
mortals know them simply as Shrin-
ers and distinguish them 10y their habit
OF wearing Turkish fezzes upon festal
occasions. Outsiders have, too, dim
notion that in the life of the Shriner
there Is an unending succession of fes-
tai occasions. He knows that the no.
bles do not go abroad shouting self
advertisement and he suspects that
when from time to time he stumbles
upon their merrymakings be has mere
ly happened upon one festivity out Of
great number which are constantly
going on without his knowledge.
Not very long ago the spectators at
the circus in Madison Square Garden
were not a little puzzled by the entry
OF solemn party of substantial looking
citizens who were met in the middle
of the great arena by two circus at
PENDANTS leading between them a baby
camel which had been born a few days
before. They saw one who was appar
emily the spokesman OF the committee
make short address to the camel and
saw him spill a pint of champagne alp
on the ugly little brute's head and then
spread a gloriously Gld-embroidered
cloth over its back.
The camel was led out and the spec
tators did not know until the next day
that it had been consecrated in the
course Of the proceedings in the arena
for its future duties in assisting in the
limitations of the candidates for mem
bership In the order. AS to what the
duties of the camel would be on those
occasions no noble could be persuaded
to say more than that no initiation was
fully appreciated and properly consum
mated until the candidate had been
carried over the hot sands OF the desert
to the cool Gases. There are not many
camels in the United States and in some
parts OF the country limitations of the
Mystic Shrine are deferred until the ar
rival of the circus. so that camels may
be borrowed for the ceremonies.
Again. folks who have found some
difficulty in getting seats at some theat-
rical performance have at last achieved
the midst of a great befezzed audience
which apparently has a most thorough
understanding with itself and with
some OF the actors on the stage. II
| the bewfldered stranger asks what has
! happened to the place he win be in
| formed that it is Shrine Night. 1t is
useless for him 10 seek further salts
! faction, for he will get none.
In general the Ancient Arabic
| Order is described by those who have
/ not the privilege OF membership in it
/ MS an inner circle of freemasonry
watch is devoted to the social enjoy
rent OF its members and carries out
it's object by tolerating the women of
the families OF the mobiles with the ut
J most courtesy. consideration and good
| fellowship. Its habits are VIGOROUSLY
migratory. 1t is common enough to
hear of ones Shrine acquaintance
making two and three trips a year to
the Far Southwest, the Pacific Coast
and the edge OF Canada.
When there are not enough duties OF
nfsnss1 visitors to keep them prancing