Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-06
They Parade Our Streets, They Banquet at
Island Park, They Show Novitiates the
Way Across the Hot Sands, and We
Hope They Will Visit Us Again.
STORY OF THE SHRINE.

That the Mobiles of the Mystic
Shrine are a lot OF good fellows and
cultured gentlemen, everybody knows,
but the history of the order and it's
relation TO Masonry is either unknown
or extremely obscure to- all save
Mobiles of that rank and Masons in
general.
The ancient Arabic Order of the
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine is not a
Masonic body. However, y only Masons
OF The 32d degree. members of the
Scottish Rite and knights of the
comman6ery are eligible to member
ship in the Shrine. which institution,
by the way. is not of modern origin
but dates back, according to some
historians, to the year of the Hegira,
%, when it was founded. in Mecca.
Arabia. The Mystic Shrine is older
than any part Of Masonry with the
exception of the Blue Lodge.
The Ancient Arabic Order of the
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine originally
was established to foster a spirit of
tolerance, justice and liberaiity among
he followers of the Mohammedan re-
igion, to deal out punishment to evil
doors and to extend the beneficence
IF civilization. AS in Masonry, its
underlying principles are to uplift hu-
manity and bring about the fraternity
# men,. e
While the Arabic order of the
Shrine was originally Mohammedan
and was actually secret tribunal OF
Justice formed by Arabian mobiles and
potentates and most illustrious citi-
zens of that sunny land. within CEN
tury it had extended its membership
and located shrines in temples beyond
the boundaries of Arabia in all the
surrounding lands. In Persia, Egypt
and Turkey and wherever the religion
If the Prophet prevailed. it made its
'oothold secure and became a power
full influence in all Mohammedan cir
ales. .sssssss
Thus it came to pass that. when
Northern and Central Europe were
still in the clouds Of religious fanati-
cism and superstition. the Mohamme-
dan Moors were penetrating Spain
with the radiance of civilization and
as the influence Of thea Shrine ex-
tinguished the fanaticism of the
Prophets religion. so In Christian
countries it aleviated and did away
with much of the religious luminosity
and social hatred thatsit found. III
When the flags Of Mohammed sur
mounted the wallis OF Medina, Kalir
Alec, a relative and follower of the
Prophet, made the order of the
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrineaa kind of
superior court to punish offenders
whom the common law could not
each. 1t was founded in those early
lays of civic and social corruption. to
offset the prevailing doctrine that
might makes right" and the secrecy
with which it worked increased its eff
iciency among mon.
It's principles. formulated by ! the
best minds of those days. recognized
The brotherhood of man. AS these
principles became more widely spread,
little by little. its desire to uplift hui
nanity made it welcome all over
christian Europe and into England it.
self a %Qti a
As in Arabia. wherever went the
Shrine it welcomed to it,; membership
only superior men. And the re-
Nuisance of Europe indeed was but
the effect of bringing the. sunshine
hat fell on Arabian desert places to
European lands. -
So the Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine
helped humanity. in. the old world and
is now becoming power in teaching
human brotherhood in America. IL
was introduced here from Egypt.
where the American founder Joined
the order through his friendship for
the Khedive, by the late actor WIN.
j. Florence. onlyra generation ago.
It's first American home was Mecca
Temple in New York, established 1870
and thence the order spread until now
it has more than 100 temples and a
membership of around 10000 with
organizations in every state.
In America none. save Command
cry knight or SD degree Mason may
become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
In Maine Kora Temple in Lewiston.
was instituted, the first in the State.
in December 1891, the dispensation
being given by Imperial Potentatc
Samuel Briggs of Ohio. and the first
meeting was. held January 6. 1892
| Kora Temples present beautiful
home, the Shrine building in Lewis
ton. was ceremoniaHy ssedieatedl under
the auspices OF the Imperial Council,
| March. fs:s 800 - ssssssSsssss s'xsS