Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-26

: The broader social life OF the order
did not develop until after 1877. when
Mecca Temple instituted the practice Of
going on visits TO other temples. Noble
James MCGEE, who ever since his initia-
ton in the order has been :. promoter
of its social institutions. has written
the following convincing Testimonial to
the social benefits of the order:
81 say without fear OF contradiction.
out OF my own experience. that any
mortal who has trod the sands and
wears a pair OF claws will never ger
lost in these United States"
The first excursions were merely tn
Albany and Rochester A TRIP to Cleve-
land a year or two later somewhat star
tied the Mecca pilgrims by showing
them that their order was somewhat
more capable of elaborate eeremoutals
than they themselves had realized.
They had been going through the ritual
Unauthorized. They at once, on their
return home, procured elahnra1e cos
tunes and began TO rehearse the ritual
so that they might perform it in a way
worthy of the parent temple, OF the or
der. $3.50
The travelling sociability of the order.
asshas been said, has Increased so that
now the pilgrimages OF the different
temples require special trainS~for their
transportation. Sometimes three or
four temples in netghboring cities join
in an excursion to Florida, or TO soma
other part of the country which the
time of year makes attractive to them.
One OF the severest tasks before Mr..
MCGEE and his brother spirits was the
convincing of the women related TO the
mem bers of the order that the entertain
ments and excursions were really OF a
sort in which women could take pleas
ure in joining. The method they
adopted was expensive. but effectual.
At the first reception which was given
by Mecca reSlple elaborate silver SOU
venirs were given to each woman who
came No excuse from the husbands
and brothers of women who had stayed
away was accepted in exchange for a
souvenir for the stayaway. Word got
around, too, that it was not only worth
while TO go to Shriners' entertainments
for the social enjoyment to be had at
them but also that those who attended
were likely to be rewarded materially,
From that time to this. there has been
no difficulty in getting women guests
enough at functions of the SINNERS.
The great difficulty has been TO keep
the number down 10 the capacity Of the
building in which the entertainment ia
held.
One form of social activity is tho
giving Of theatre parties. When the
Shriners give a theatre party they
take the whole theatre. They sell to
mobiles all the seats that are wanted
and return the seats left over. If there
are any, to the management OF the
theatre on the night of the perfor-
nance. In this way they are sure OF
being all together and they occupy all
the best seats in the house. AT not
few of their theatre parties theythave
not only occupied all the seats, but
have also filled the aisles. The first
theatre party was given to Tony Pas
tor. as a surprise party. In January,
1885.
The outward symbol Of the Shriners
Is a crescent, in the centre OF which 10
The head of Sphinx, and on the re-
verse side a pyramid, urn and star, all
OF which have their secret signif-
canoe. The crescent is usually formed
by Joining the claws Of tiger IN
gold clasp bearing the central insignia.
Mecca Temple, confers upon all mobiles
who visit Mecca a Hadjf pin. which is
a pyramid bearing the face of the
Sphinx In relief. The pyramid Is sus-
pended from a crescent. through Which
q scimitar is thrust.
In 1888 tho Court Isis was estab-
nshed 1t Is an independent organiza-
ton of theswomenx of the families q
nohles The members Of Isis have
fezzes too.