The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-01

masonry, Southern Jurisdiction, Valley
OF Wichita, Orient of Kansas. April II.
16, II, is, 1901
on the back cover a Master Mason
stands at his altar. with the emblens Of
the craft displayed. At his back and
forming rainbow of color across the
center OF the page. is an artistic group
ing OF the flags of all nations, typ1fyslig
the universally of masonry. Below ap-
pears the suggestive legend, Where
floats a country's flag, there is Mason
~ SO 1t always Was-is noW-and ever
vii be-
greeting. IN which hospitable greeting IS
extended and CONGRATULATIONS INDUCED in
its powerful influence at the dawn of the
new century In the center of the page
Justice and Liberty, with a typical figure
Of greeting with a slender trumpet at her
lips standing between them; the blazing
rising sun of the twentieth century greets
them from the upper left hand corner
and at their back is the sphere represent
Ing the earth; to the right, and in the
shadow Of the earth. lie the dark clouds
fanaticisim and bigotry," which are being
driven away by the Illuminating rays of
me E. Masonic sun OF progress, at the dawn
on the opposite. page is a 'salutatiop" to
wherein is painted in glowing words the
proud record of the rite. The design
memorate the Tooth anniversary of the
supreme council, two prominent figures on
1901. ''@'''e 10 '-''N
Page 3 contains the portraits of James
Frederick Weber secrefary general ana
page the portraits of Henry L. Palmer,
diction. and President Diaz of Mexico,
both pages being completed by designs
Of the highest artistic nature.
Pages . and contain in design. superb
Wichita and interior views.
The succeeding sixteen pages in groups
of four, depict the ymbolica1 features and
handsome scenes and stage effects used
Rose Croix. Council of Knights Kadoshs
and the Consistory, each page being print-
of the most elaborate character, the re-
suit being a series of enhancing gllmpSeS
of Scottish Rite Masonry.
The remaining pages are devoted to the
banquet, to music, the committees and
in special design
Throughout the edition appears, in print
with the drainatis personnae Of the Of
hcers exemplfying the various degrees,
efforts will be made to present the de-
grees in the most entertaining manner
The fame of the Wichita officers for
brilliant rendition Of the degrees has ex-
on this occasion they will endeavor to sur
pass all former efforts. Additional scenery
royal furnishings Of the temple. and the
Master Mason who IS fortunate enough to
be advanced through the degrees of the
rite on the occasion of this jubilee will
be most fortunate indeed That this is
ruby appreciated IS 1ndlcaIeQ the large
number of candidates that have. petitioned
for membership in the big twentieth
century jubilee class" A double century
class is a possibility as already a single
century is assured. Any Mason in Kan
sas in good standing is eligible to join this
class. excepting those residing in the coun-
ties of Shawnee, Bourbon, Saline, Douglas
and Nyandotte, the consistories in these
counties having exclusive jurisdiction.
The rite in the Valley Of Wichita has
kept pace with the advancement else
where This valley that forty years ago
was but a part Of the vast area styled
the Great American Desert and which
but first witnessed the organization of the
rite in humble way thirteen years ago.
now has membership of nearly 7O0 who
are the owners of one Of the most mag
nificent Scottish Rite temples in the
world and furnished with every access
DRY for the dramatic rendition of the de-
grees Of the order
This temple originally cost SIS, 900 to con-
stFuct, to which has been added $4,000 in
interior finish and DECORATIONS, $4,000 for
stage and apparatus, being the finest cleo
tr1cally illuminated stage In the west, and
5000 in costumes and paraphernalia, an
investment of 500 600.
The membership in this valley is the
largest in the southern jurisdiction and
one of the largest in the world.