Evening star., 1932-01-24
MASONS PREPARE
FOR B|CENTENN|AL
Scottish Rite Bodies Will
Start Degree Work Febru-
ary 9 and End May 10.

The Scottish Rite bodies in the Dis
trict are putting forth special efforts
toward the celebration of the Bicen-
tennial of George Washington the man
and Mason "Bicentennial class is
in course of formation for the degree
series which will start February 9, With
the fourth and fifth degrees of the
Rite and conclude with the thirty
second degree, in" full form, May 10.
An entirely new cast has been organ
lied for the presentation of the six
teenth degree. which thus far has n t
been allotted to any specific cast, end
for the twenty-eighth degree a cast
has been organized of the brethren in
terested IN the rapidly growing and
important library of the Rite. In
many of the other casts important
changes have been made to perfect the
ritualistic work and to present it with
the inherent beauty demanded. Bril-
lance and impreSSiveneSS is the goal
of the ritualistic work. and such has
been the improvement in these that
distinguished United States Senator,
member of a recent class. asked and
received permission to pay tribute
along those lines
The Maundy Thursday services this
year, obligatory to every Mason of the
Rite, will preCede the Easter Sunday
services on March 81. and are expected
to be especially e'aoorate. with mu ical
accompaniment of a high order and in
keeping with their dignity.
New Relief Program.
A notable forward step has been
taken by the bodies of the Rite this
year in conformity with the program
h1J
H. CoWleS. approved by the Supreme
Council, in the organization of what is
known as the Scottish Rite Service
Board to care for new prQGam of
welfare work within the membership
of the Rite This board, which. it is
explained, is not in any sense to Su-
perSede or TO vary the welfare service
by the almoner and the Box of Fra
ternal Assistance" is to be given finan-
cial assistance in conducting work OF
relief among the brethren in cases of
and misfortune, with due
sympathetic impulse, and to enable
h. m TO help himself.
Members of the Rite are welcome at
its meetings, and will cooperate in
to attention all cases of need,
in the way of medical atten-
ton or legal assistance. Iris board,
as appointed by Ellwood P. Mercy,
deputy of the Sepreme Council for the
District of Columbia, is composed of
the heads of the four constituent bodies
of the Rite, with Lem Towers, thirty
third degree, as secretary y-treasurer, and
Deputy Morey. thirty-third degree, ex
officio chairman.
Schedule of Degrees.
The degree work for the Bicentennial
class will be presented, one or mere de-
grees at time, every Tuesday evening
from February to May 10. both in
elusive, and refreshments will be served
in the refectory at the close of each
evening. Degrees will be presented on
the evenings of February 8, l6 and %;
March /, 8, IS, % and 90; April 5, IL,
l9 and 26. and May and 1O-nearly
all Of the degrees in full form, for the
first time probably in the memory OF
local members of the Rite.
The announcement program of Dep
uty Morey is neatly bound In pamphlet
form, and contains the pictures, history
and other comment concerning local
Masons who were recently elevated by
the Supreme Council to the thirty
third and last degree of Masonry, or
advanced. to the rank and dignity of
knight commander of the Court of
degree, Frederick
Book, Robert Edward
Coontz, Lurtin r. CHM and J. Walter
Karsner: knights commander OF the
Court of Honor, Harry Wilson Beach,
John Oliver Bowen, William Witthatt
Bride, Elmer william Goss, John Doug
las Hess. Christian Frederick Klein
knecht, Cloyd Heck Marvin and Frank
StetS0n.