At one of the most unique ceremonials.in the history of the Mystic Shrine, 77 new members were taken into the Nomad Oasis of Afifi Temple of Tacoma, Wash. on. Thursday of last week in Shanghai. The ceremonial) began at 3 o'clock that afternoon and the youngest of the Shrine were taken for their pilgrimage across the hot sands to thée'city of Mecca. The rites and initiation ceremonial are for-hidden to the public's knowledge but they embody all the richness and beauty of the old ancient order from which the present order sprung. The caravan was formed and led by the Nomad Oasis Patrol, which was the 1920 committee doing the actual initiation work. Direct. ed by Mr. George E. Fowler the patrol carried out its work.
The banquet, presided over by toastmaster, the Hon. Charles 8. Lobingier, began at 8 o'clock. Noble A. B. Rosenfeld as president of the Nomad Oasis, welcomed the illustrious visitors. Ilustrious Potenate G. I Nolte gave a most interesting talk in which he told the story of the Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine from its beginnings- He also explained the aims and aspirations of the Nobility of the Shrine. "It has been called the playground of masonry," 3 said, Masonry is a study of philosophy but Shrinedom seeks to balance life by promoting the fraternal spirit among men and by instilling into their lives something of the joys of life.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.