The Washington times., 1902-09-14

summated on their part, will imperi
thelr membership in the order
This was mailed to me by one of the
petitioners. who said that the threat o
| expulsion was deterring some from pro-
ceedlng with the organization, that they
were In doubt as to the power of the
Grand Matron. and disliked to lose their
membership in the Star Others were
indignant that their liberty to join an!
order they wished should be thus threat
ened, and asking me to define our posi-
tlon. Realizing that we could not in
terfere with the work of the Eastern
Star nor of its officers. no matter what
error they might be in. and must wait
until members had Joined us, and some
attempt should be made to deprive them
OF membership in the Star (which / an
tlclpate will never be attemptedD. and
that the members themselves must de-
eide whether they will submit to threats
which cannot be enforced and which the
courts will never permit to be carried
out, replied as follows:
have communicated with our NJ. w.
e. matron stating our position to the
best OF my ability, but as yet have re-
celVed no answer, but whether she re-
plies or not, or what the nature Of her
matron revokes her edict. the Order of
the White Shrine of Jerusalem will con-
tin'le as before to prosper and increase
in membership, recognizing no authority
but our own and entertaining no fears
OF the threats promulgated by your
grand matron. She has no authority
TO put them into effect, nor do we con-
template any such action When YOU
speak of the enthusiasm of the members
OF your subordinate chapters you still
have no idea of the interest aroused in
members by the White Shrine work. Our
members are the enthusiastic ones in
both bodies as they do not need to lose
interest in the Star by belonging to the
Shrine. l have only this to say, that
we know that II compelled to choose
between Star or Shrine the Shrine would
not suffer, and that their members will
be protected should it by any way be-
come necessary through any action of
the star or Its officers. Should
they proceed far enough to attempt to
suspend those members of the Star who
join the Shrine it will not affect the
Shrine nor check its growth. Our mem
bers will all be protected and if need be
we shall so into open competition with
the Star with the same field to draw our
from. We have no fears. how
ever, that such action will be necessary.
and shall continue as we are. We fully |
realize the advantage to be gained BY |
adding Shrine in -our city, and that |
when our work is once known there that |
no trouble will be experienced in ex-
tending the order in that vicinity. We i
know we have an enthusiastic member
ship. harmony and good will among our
members, and that We shall win in the
struggle. We should be delighted to ac-
,ept you among us. and if your mem
'ers but possess the courage and push
necessary to organize. all is well. 1t is
he only suggestion / can make, and /
believe the only one advisable for you
o follow that you push the work of or
,anfzing forward and fear no conse-
Iuences.'
Shortly after this received the fol-
owing letter from our most worthy
rand matron. which / consider treats
S fairly and impartially, and exhibits a
disposition to decide the question Alright
hen the decision is finally rendered. |
m. however, disappointed that she alsoi
lisquotes our claim to be a degree fol-
,wing the Eastern Star and not of the
EASTERN Star: 1
Dear Sir and Brother: Your favor of E
he 9th ultimo found me in Idaho. and ,
i'll say that | have the matter of an
pinion concerning the order you repre- S
ent under advisement. but am not yet r
repaired to give an opinion. You are {