The Cyclopaedia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to More Than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Cyclopædia of Fraternities

The probable extent Of the in?uence of secret society life may be inferred from the fact that more than Americans are members of 300 such organizations, which confer about degrees novitiates annually, aided, in instances, by a wealth of paraphernalia and dramatic cere monial which rivals modern stage effects. More than members are annually added to the rolls Of Masonic Lodges, in the United States; quite as many join the Odd Fellows, and one-half as many the Knights of Pythias; more than join other secret societies, the lodges, chapters, or councils of which dot the country almost coincidently with the erection of churches and schoolhouses.