The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-10

what will undoubtedly prove to be
the most notable Masonic event held
in this city since the conclave OF the
knights Templar, will be the special
session OF Irem temple, Ancient Arabic
order of Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine,
which is to be held in the Lyceum the-
atre on Friday night.
Irem temple comprises in its men,
bership all the members of the order In
this part of the state, of whom there
are upwards of 1000. There are about
15o, members in this city alone. The
temple was organized III 1894 with n
membership OF only fifty. so that its
growth has been really remarkable.
The headquarters of the temple is in
Wilkes-Barre.
Friday nights gathering. according
to the official invitation, is 10 be "a
Ceremonial Session Extraordinary"
Followed by Banquet.
The session will be opened at $50
o'clock sharp, and will be followed by
n banquet to be served in the board OF
trade assembly room. The Wilkes
Barre delegation will make the return
trip in a special train leaving here at
1890 a. IN. 1t is expected that upwards
of 400 members Of the shrine will be in
attendance at the session.
The Ancient Arabic Order of Mobiles
of the Mystic Shrine is an organization
which is said to have had it's origin ut
Akcca. Arabia, in 644, and its original
purpose was to dispense Justice exc
cute punishment upon criminals who
escaped their just deserts through the
hardness of the courts. and also to pro-
mote religious toleratiOE among cul
tured men Of all nations.
The order was revived in Europe in
1,I6, and its members are said to have
exercised Il powerful influence before
and during the French revolution. It's
beginning in this country was in 1870,
when Il translation was made of the
ritual from the original Arabic. Il copy
having been found in the archives OF
the order at Aleppo, Syria, by an Ara
bic scholar of rare attainments. The
translation into English was made
under the supervision of DR.. Walter.M.
Fleming. sovereign grand Inspector
general, A. A. Rite.
The first temple was organized In
New York city in 1871 by DR., Fleming
and William j. Florence the comedian.
1t was decided at that time that none
but thirty-second degree Masons ana
hHSlllS lclllDldI De iNlililleu 70 ult III
bership in the order, and this rule has
been since followed. With the organ
ization of several other temples I'm i'm
perial council was organized and gen
eral rules laid down. The order has
since had a wonderful growth and now
has over 100000 members. (,
The jewel the order is q crescent.
which is u symbol of "a higher and
purer source. the great fountain of
light, the sun. which is also an en-
blem of the Great First Cause, OF Light
and of Intelligence" The fez which is
worn on special occasions by shrincrs
is the distinguishing head-dress OF
Moslems in all parts of the world.
Officers of Irem Temple.
The officers of Irem temple for the
year 1902 are as follows: Potentate,
Frank Deitrick; chief rabban, William
J.. Raeder; assistant rabban. James NJ.
Wilcox: high priest, Harold N. Rust
Oriental guide, Robert r. Harvey:
treasurer, Frank Puckey; recorder,
Warren r. Bowman; representatives to
Imperial council, G. Taylor Griffin,
George u. Jermyn, Herbert r. Laird,
William J.. Raeder, Frank Deitrck
marshal, William c. Allan: first cere-
monial master, Burton Voorhis: second
ceremonial master, George G. Raeder;
director, James S. Monks; assistant
directors, George w. Carr, Harry G.
Merrill; electrician, Augustus C. Lam
ing; alchemists, John A. Redington,
James w. Mack; captain of the guard.
Charles A. Blumenthal; outer guard
Francis o. Corey; captain corps d'ArG-
bic, Stewart l.. Barnes; lieutenant corps
a Arabic, Hamilton II. Behee: organ
list, Ernest NJ. Hungerford; chanters
Al Koran, Frank Puckey, "A. L. Burma
ford. Hugh Hughes, \. C. Laning, s.