The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-06-26

None OF the founders at first
) thought of their little clan as like
{ ~ ever to have other than local
significance, but within eight
months 113 Master Masons had
been initiated into the new order
and It was evident that the organ
ization was destined 10 spread
abroad.
Men wanted just the sort OF
cheerfulness and companionship
that flourished within the Enchant-
ed Realm, and many members OF
the Masonic fraternity journeyed
from afar to gain admission to the
circle. 1t was then that the de-
mands came for the extension OF
the order The order was organ
lied with the power to issue char
tiers to subordinate grottoes at its
discretion.
The grotto was really in its for
nation a few years prior to. 1883
when Leroy Fairchild, with nu-
merous following of the member
ship of the Hamilton lodge dill
gently prospected for fun and mis-
chief. On the evening of Sept 10
1889, band of II assembled in the
Masonic hall. Hamilton, N. Y, for
the purpose of perfecting an organ
ization. Intention of its only be-
ing a local order was indicated in
the name which was first adopted !:
''Fairchild Deviltry Committee. y
Hence the letters, IF. d. c." have
a historic significance to the Proph-
ties.
Establish Supreme Council.
On the evening of May IS, 1890
the members of the IF d. c." in
response to a demand for the ex-
tension of the order, unanimously
resolved 10 establish a supreme
council with sovereign power to ex-
tend and govern the order. Meas
nres were duly adopted for the
carrying out of this resolution. and
the order was founded and estab-
lished on the 18th day of June, 1890
the organization spread abroad
until there are now 121 grottoes
in the United States, the largest of
which is Long l. of Brooklyn, n. Y,
with a membership of 1914. The
next in membership is the AL Sirat
of Cleveland, Ohio, with 5,95S mem
bers.
The Mystic Order of the Yelled
I Prophets of the Enchanted Realm
is in no way connected with Ma
sonry proper, but its membership
has always been restricted to Mas
ter Masons in good standing The
4 ritual is absolutely original so far
as its use in the work of a frater-
nal organization is concerned. II
is founded upon very ancient
Persian manuscript, discovered in
one of the sacred temples of Tehe-
ran, the city OF mystery, and the
action involves many of the most
celebrated characters of ancient
mythology.
The grotto is a social organizat ton
/, fer Master Masons and the enor-
nous growth and popularity of the
I order attests the advantage of a
social side as an adjunct to Ma
sorry.
Mystery, AIS a Mystery.
Occupying a field not heretofore
held by any regular organized body,
the NJ. o. V. P. K. R. has found at
once a legitimate and almost un-
limited sphere of action. Its cere-
monies are weird and spectacular,
its ritual unique. and its mysteries
startling. These, with the gorgeous
costumes and magnificent stage
settings combine to supply all the
sport that Master Mason could
ask for and fill him with a whole
some delight to confer the work
upon his brothers
There are now 10 grottoes, with
a membership of 1907, under dis
pensation until a charter will be
granted, probably at this session.