The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
DE MOLAY DEGREE TO BE CONFERRED MASONS INVITED
History Of Order Reads
 Like Romance And Is P Growing Rapidly

All Master Masons are invited to at tend special meeting of Birmingham chapter, Order of DeMolay, on Friday night, November IA, in the small audi torium of the Masonic temple, commenc. ing at o'clock. The initiatory and DeMolay degrees will be conferred on nnmber of candidates, by the degree team, who have attained a high degree of proficiency in the work. Come out on this occasion," said Robert M. Ran kin, member of advisory board and secretary of the chapter, "and feel assured that you will be we'll repaid in witnessing the splendid interpreta- tion of the work by these young men,
 The Order of DeMolay was founded but a few years ago, from boys club of about dozen members, sons of Masons, which was fostered by Frank S. Land, prominent Mason of Kansas City, Mo. The idea swept over Kansas City so swiftly that within two years it numbered nearly 2,OOO members. In the meantime this far see ing Mason, from his knowledge of boys problems, knew that such an organ ization to be successful, must have more than mere organization. He conceived the idea of a ritual and his ideas were utilized by brother Mason, Frank A. Marshall in the splendid ritual now in use by the DeMolays.
 During this formative period the at- tention of neighbouring cities was at tracted and with it came the demand for similar chapters. The Scottish Rite bodies of Kansas City, who had spon- sored the new movement, and proud of it's success, generally gave every en- couragement to its spread until in 1921 they felt that the movement should be national in it's scope, with the result that Grand council national in its character, limited to 50 members from all parts of the United States, was roganized, and the order has spread to every section of the country.
 The order derives it's name from Jacques DeMolay, the last military Grand Master of the Knights Templar and an eminent martyr in the cause of Free Masonry Those eligible to mem bership are the sons of Masons and their chums, between the ages of 1G and 21. Its purpose is to make better boys, better men and better citizens The degrees teach reverance, patriotism filial love, clean living and good citi- zenship.
 Any recognized Masonic body of either York or Scottish rits, may spon- sor a chapter of DeMolay. The or ganization must agree to give moral and financial support if necessary, and supervise it's operations through an advisory committee of nine men, nom- mated by them. While not a Mason organization-its rules prohibiting the addressing of the DeMolays along the line of future Masonic affliation, Free Masonry is interested in it's success. just as it is interested in schools and churches and good citizenship. If the chapter of DeMolay contributes but one good citizen it is worth while.
 The DeMolay order has it's own distinctive pin, its emblem, it's colors just as the larger and older fraternal orders. In this order all Master Masons are welcomed as visitors when a mem- Der becomes 21, he becomes a non- active member and Is not entitled to attend it's meetings unless as a Free Mason.
 The ritualistic work is embodied in two degrees-the initiatory and the DeMolay. The first intoxicating the cardinal virtues of the order, which are deeply impressed upon the minds through a symbolic journey splendidly portrayed. The latter degree is his torical and spectacular, affording op- portunity to the boys with dramatic ability to display their talent. The whole is embellished with tableaus and effects calculated to make a permanent impression.
 There are four chapters of DeMolay in the Birmingham district, located in Birmingham, Ensley, Woodlawn and Bessemer and all prosepring. All have drill corps attached to the chapter and It IS planned to form a band in the near future from the members of the four chapters.
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