Shrine Membership Dream ?

By, Gary J. Bergenske

     As a candidate for Imperial Outer Guard, many things go through your mind as to how you might be able to make a difference in the years to come within the Shrine.  I had a dream recently that the Shrine of North America was on the rise and in the hearts of many.  Shriners everywhere were excited and new members were joining at an unbelievable rate.  We were experiencing growth like never before.  Our membership numbers were increasing so fast that our membership  doubled in the past five years.

     The growth was so great that new Temples were being formed, and massive new buildings were being built to accommodate all of the new members that were joining.  Ceremonial Teams were busy as men were joining the Shrine by tens of thousands to be a part of this wonderful, prominent fraternal organization.

     Our leadership was on the cutting edge of every opportunity that came their way.  Our Nobility was excited and was looking for new ways to help the children of the world. They were making the commitment to give the best of care to children in a new and improved way.

     Shriners were visible at every turn.  Men of prominence were joining this fraternity of ours so that they could enjoy the fun and fellowship as well as the camaraderie of being around the best citizens of the world.

     Yes, Shriners were visible at every turn.  The highlight of this dream was a Shrine Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. for all the world to see.  As the Shriners marched past the White House, the President, a Shriner himself, waved to each of the Units as they passed by.  What a feeling, oh what a dream of a prosperous Shrine.

     The reality of all this is that it was not a dream, it is history, Shrine history.  The year was 1922, over the past five years the Shrine had grown from 258,000 members to 540,000 members.  The Shrine was on a roll as many New Shrine Buildings were being built, and the first Shriners Hospital for Children was opening.  Oh, and in front of the White House, it was President and Noble Warren G. Harding wearing his Fez as the parade passed by.  It must have been an unbelievably exciting and prosperous time for all Shriners.

     Can history repeat itself ?  Without a doubt it can !  It will take good leadership and the commitment of every, yes every Noble to make it happen.  Join the excitement, be a part of the solution, take the challenge and make Shrine Membership a priority in your life.

Shrine History

President and Noble Warren G. Harding

By letters and personal conversations, President Warren G. Harding evidenced much interest in his new Masonic relationships. On May 9, 1921, while serving as President  he reviewed a parade of Shriners and in the evening made an address at a ceremonial of Almas Shriners, Washington, D.C.  On June 5, of the same year he delivered an address before the Imperial Council of the Shrine, Washington, D.C. Later that day, wearing his Fez, he reviewed the parade, declaring it: “The greatest spectacle I ever witnessed.”

Warren G. Harding was elected to receive the 33rd degree on September 20, 1921 while serving as President. On September 22, 1921 he wrote a letter to the Sovereign Grand Commander stating that he could not be present. He was given an extension of one year, but died before the degree was conferred. An oddity in this case is that he became an Entered Apprentice on June 28, 1901, received his Fellowcraft on August 13, 1920, & Master Mason on August 27, 1920, just prior to being elected as the 29^th President. A short time later he became a member of a great many Masonic Bodies and visited them frequently.  He was a supporter of the Shrine of North America.

He died in San Francisco, California, August 2, 1923; and after laying in state in the National Capital, was buried in Marion, Ohio, August 10th.