MASONIC INITIATION One-day initiation event is first in state's history
WORTHINGTON -- The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio held the largest initiation event in the state's history April 27 as more than 8,300 candidates were initiated as part of the organization's first one-day initiation.
The number of members inducted in 10 cities varied from as low as 286 to 1,864, the youngest being 19 and the oldest, 99, according to Thomas E. Reynolds, Grand Master of Ohio.
The ceremonies took place in Akron, Cambridge, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Steubenville, Toledo and Youngstown.
New members usually join the Masons by participating in three progressive initiation degrees, each of which is solemn and teaches lessons in character improvement. The ceremonies are normally conferred at local lodges with intervals of two weeks to two months between them.
Among the new members was Warren G. Harding III, great-nephew of President Warren G. Harding. He who joined the same lodge in Marion that the president had belonged to.
Information about the Grand Lodge of Ohio can be found on its Web site at www.freemason.com.