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THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE GROTTOES OF NORTH AMERICA
The founder of the Grottoes of North America was LeRoy Fairchild. In the summer of 1889 a group of Master Masons, members of Hamilton Lodge #120 at Hamilton, New York, met to organize and hold informal meetings. What this group was seeking was fun and good fellowship. At their meeting on September 10, 1889, they decided to honor the founder by calling it the "Fairchild Deviltry Committee." It was decided that this organization be confined to Master Masons in good standing.
Notable Prophets
Four Presidents of the United States have been members of the Mystic Order: Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Gerald R. Ford.
Spectacular
The ritual is original and unique. The spectacular ceremonial requires a cast of thirty or more and offers unlimited opportunities in stage activities and stunt performance. Its proper rendition requires a large stage, elaborate costumes and stage settings. It is mysterious, startling and spectacular with a Persian atmosphere.
The Supreme Council
The idea of the Order proved to be attractive and many distinguished Masons joined. The Order could no longer be confined to any one locality and in response to imperative request other groups were formed. On June 13, 1890 the Fairchild Deviltry Committee duly established and formed the Supreme Council, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm.
Fellowship of the Prophets
A little fill' now and then is the best tonic and the man who occasionally unbends is the man who lasts and gets the most out of life. The Enchanted Realm holds an inexhaustible store of the sunshine which warms with the glow of generous sympathy, dispels the gloom of fret and worry and gives a brighter outlook and kindlier feeling, while it strengthens the fiber for real serious work and so brings true blessings and beautifies the fellowship of the Prophets.
While pervaded with a spirit of wholesome fun, it teaches a serious lesson which lingers with the initiate, instilling in him a spirit of optimism, a kindly feeling for his brother man and an impression of Good Fellowship which is something devoutly to be desired.
The Grotto is the playhouse of the craft
The Grotto is the place where world-worn men can get together, forget their cares, and be, as it were, boys again. For within the portals of the Grotto, the stiffness and formality which keeps men apart melts away and they come into closer and truer relationship because of the breaking down of these barriers. In this way the Order is doing a noble job and is a powerful help in the cause of fraternity, for it supplements the work of the regular Masonic bodies with a spirit of cheer which lends a charm and grace to the severity of the more serious work.
Humanitarian Foundation
In 1949, the members of the Supreme Council adopted as their International Humanitarian Objective - Aid to the Cerebral Palsy child. A charitable trust known as the Humanitarian Foundation of the Supreme Council, M. O. V. P. E. R. with a board of five Trustees administers the fund of this Trust. Each and every Prophet throughout the Realm pays one dollar per year to this Humanitarian Foundation. At present this Humanitarian Foundation has two important projects. First, they expend thousands of dollars annually through the United Palsy Research Foundation. This money is used exclusively for research purposes and through this research, much has been learned regarding the causes, effects and partial cure for this dreaded affliction. The second project of the Humanitarian Foundation is the Dentistry for the Handicapped Program. This program was instituted to provide the best dental care possible for the handicapped child. These children often require the special dental facilities which the Illinois Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois or the Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio can provide. Transportation for the patient is provided by the sponsoring Grotto or through the Helwig Fund. When the patient is capable of some cooperation with the dentist and does not need surgery, the service can be rendered locally. The Humanitarian Foundation has made this possible through a unique partnership with qualified dentists throughout the country. This local program enables the Grotto to provide dental care to more children.
Membership Benefits
Membership provides the opportunity to meet with your fellow Prophets - many of whom are professional, business, and civic leaders - and to make lasting friendships. Being a member entitles you to share in great humanitarian projects like Cerebral Palsy Research and Dentistry for the Handicapped. Every Master Mason, because he is eligible to become a member of the Grotto, is urged to join in the humanitarian work which the Grotto so fervently sponsors.
With membership comes the right to wear the Black Grotto Fez and the Grotto Pin, identifying yourself as a member of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm - also known as the Grottoes of North America - the greatest fraternal order a Master Mason can join. With this fez and pin and your paid up membership card you are welcome to visit any of the Grottoes throughout the United States and Canada. When you join the Grotto you immediately become a member of the Greatest Fraternity that Friendship ever Built.
Supreme Council of the Grottoes of North America
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