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The Order of DeMolay is a fraternal organization for young men 12 to
21 years of age. Local chapters are sponsored by Masonic
organizations, such as, Masonic lodges, the Scottish or York Rite
organizations. Members take part in a verity of activities, like
dances, fundraisers, civic service, and athletic programs. Alumni of
the order include many famous Americans like: John Wayne, Burl Ives,
Fran Tarkington, and many business and government leaders. All
DeMolay activities are supervised by the Chapters Advisory Board,
which is composed of carefully selected masons who must complete an
Adult Worker Profile, attend periodic training classes. Many mothers
are involved in the Chapters Mothers Club, which helps plan and
prepare for many of the events and activities. |
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It has been said that a day can be changed or a great moment
launched by a single phone call.
Such a call came in January of 1919. As Frank answered the telephone
he recognized the voice of Sam Freet, newly installed Senior Warden
of Ivanhoe Lodge. "Frank, I have a favor to ask. One of our members,
Elmer E. Lower, who had been initiated as a Fellow Craft, died a
year ago. Could you find a part-time job for the oldest boy, Louis?
He is one of the finest young men I have ever seen.
"Sam, you called at just the right time. I would be glad to talk to
this boy. Send Louis to me, say after school tomorrow if you can
arrange it. I shall look forward to meeting him."
The next afternoon Louis arrived promptly for his interview. Shaking
hands with this youth brought a response to Land that seemed to
blend them into a common experience that would unite them for years
to come. Louis radiated an honesty of character, a natural aptitude
for leadership, and the grace of movement of the athlete. Frank
thought, "If I had a son, I would want him to be just like this
lad."
They talked for a while about school. Louis told him of his
aspirations for a place on the track team, of his position as a
pitcher on a baseball team, and in response to a question said, "I
am a fairly good student. Even with the hard time we are having, I
want to finish high school and then help with the education of the
others."
Frank responded, "It is a good goal. You will meet the challenge.
Now, tell me about your father. I knew him but only from very casual
meetings."
Louis hesitated as though reluctant to look into the past but
finally said, "My father was the finest father a boy ever had."
That evening, as Nell Land cleared the dinner dishes, she said,
"Frankie, something happened today. You look like you have found a
long, lost friend."
"Not a lost friend but a new young friend. This boy I talked to
today is tremendous. One of the finest young men I have ever met. He
is going to work with me in the office and I know I shall enjoy
having him around. Perhaps we could take him to church with us
Wednesday evening. The teachings of Christian Science would be good
for him and you could meet Louis Lower."
"Yes, we should do just that," she said. "I suggest that you have
him bring a few friends over to the apartment some evening. I would
like to meet him."
It was not until the middle of February that the opportunity for
such a meeting took place. "Louis," said Mr. Land, "who do you run
around with?"
"I have some friends in my neighborhood," said Louis.
"How would you like to form a Club and meet here at the Temple?"
Louis thought the idea had possibilities and showed up the next week
with eight other boys. That was February 19, 1919.
The boys came early that Wednesday evening and each in turn was
introduced to Mr. Land by Louis Lower with, "I want you to meet
Ralph Sewell, Elmer Dorsey, Edmund Marshall, Jerome Jacobson,
William Steinhibler, Ivan Bentley, Gorman McBride, and Clyde Stream.
There are nine of us."
They were a group destined to form a great youth organization and
each was to advance through his efforts and determination to
prominence in his chosen field of work.
Mr. Land acknowledged each introduction with a handshake and word of
welcome. "Before we get down to business, let's make a tour of this
building. I think you will find it just about right if we should
decide to form a Club and use it as a meeting place."
It was a radiant group that gathered about the long table in one of
the meeting rooms that night. There was no doubt that they should
continue to meet as a Club. The only question was a name. One
suggested they use Greek letters as the college fraternities did but
this was instantly voted down as making them only a part of other
organizations. The name must be distinctive and carry meaning. They
turned to Land for suggestions. He pointed to a recent series of
prints on the wall that showed the adventures of Sir Galahad and the
Knights of the Round Table. There was a negative shaking of heads.
The greatest of wars had ended only a few months before and the
adventures of knights of old seemed far away. Then names were
mentioned from history and from the Bible. Stories such as Damon and
Phythias, David and Jonathan and of Nathan Hale. Nothing seemed to
click until one of the boys, Clyde Stream, said "Mr. Land, tell us
something connected with Masonry. They must have great names and we
are meeting here in one of their buildings."
Frank smiled, "This year I am serving as the head of one of the
Masonic Groups. I am the Commander for the DeMolai Council of Kadosh.
There are many names and stories directly connected with Masonry,
but I think I should tell you about the last leader of the Knights
Templar. His name was Jacques DeMolay or as they say in history
books, James of Molay."
The story and the name caught the imagination of the boys. Here was
heroism. Here was a great example of loyalty, of courage. Here was a
theme from knighthood and chivalry, at its best, and the name of a
martyr to fidelity and toleration. The boys were ready without
further consideration to accept this name as the name of the group.
But Land interrupted, "Now let's wait just a little bit and sleep
over this. Let's not rush into it. Perhaps with a little more
thought we can come up with a better name. One that might be more in
keeping and more appropriate. It is growing late and you should all
be going home. Come back next week and bring a few more of your
friends. We will talk more together about it then. Good night and
thanks for coming."
While the boys talked to Land about the Club when they came to the
Temple, it was their long talks together at school and as they
walked from school to home that heightened their interest and gave
momentum to their organization. One afternoon after a chemistry
class, Elmer Dorsey caught up with Louis Lower to ask, "Louis, I
think this club idea is terrific. But what is it all about? What
does Mr. Land get out of it? Do they want us to become junior
Masons?" "I don't have all the answers, Elmer, I only know that
Frank Land is one of the greatest. His only motive is the one he
tells us. He likes to be with young people and sincerely believes
that if we do form such a group each of us will benefit from it. How
he ever talked the older boys into letting us use their temple is
beyond me. They must be interested in us as Land is, because he has
told me that we are not to be a junior Masonic group. He told me
these men are concerned about only one thing and that is that we
should grow into decent men who will be respected in the community."
March 24, 1919 was the day in history that launched the Order of
DeMolay. During the next few years, however, the date of March 18,
the date in the past that had witnessed the death of Jacques
DeMolay, came to be more frequently used.
Thirty-one boys, all from the same high school, came to the Scottish
Rite Temple that night. Frank Land made each boy welcome and then
explained briefly his ideas of a Club. Land said, "This is your
meeting. I will serve as Advisor but it is your meeting. Why not
proceed with an organization and elect a few officers. I will take
charge until you have completed your election."
During the next few months the group grew in numbers, in activities
and interest. Then a fear came to some of them that they were
growing into too large a Club.
Someone suggested that a committee talk with Mr. Land and endeavor
to convince him that membership should be limited to 75. Land
neither criticized or admonished the committee at the time. In fact
they didn't know whether he agreed or disagreed to their suggestion.
Later when the meeting was called to order, the chairman reported
and moved that the membership of DeMolay be limited to 75. The
motion quickly received a second and was unanimously adopted. It was
then that Dad Land rose from the back of the room where he had been
more or less out of sight for he wasn't the type to take the
spotlight, or the forefront in their meetings. He wanted them to
conduct their own meetings.
As he came to the front of the room that night, he proceeded to tell
them—and in no uncertain terms—how selfish and how inconsiderate
they were. He told them that they were operating and thinking
absolutely contrary to every idea that he had in mind for this
organization. He reminded them that there were three other high
schools in Kansas City which had young men who were just as capable,
just as qualified, and just as upstanding as they were. In fact, he
indicated he thought they were probably much, much better than what
they thought they were. He said that if it was good for one boy, it
must be good for all eligible boys. He reminded them that 'to become
big, they must be big.' The motion to limit membership to 75 was
rescinded. It was then that DeMolay was permitted to grow and
develop.
And grew it did. DeMolay continued its growth initiating new member
and instituting new chapters in all states of the continental USA.
DeMolay then crossed the oceans and the organization was developed
in many foreign countries. Thousands upon thousands of young men
have had their life enriched by the rescinding of the motion to
limit the Order of DeMolay to just 75 members. |
