Did you know that Brother Samuel Clemens and Brother Luther Burbank were contemporaries? There was only about 14 years difference in their ages. It seemed that they had some mutual friends as well.
Here is an interesting tidbit I found about a mutual friend comparing the two of them. This an excerpt from Elbert Hubbard's "Little Journey's to the Homes of Great Businessmen".
"Somewhere I have said that there were only two men in America who could be safely endowed. One is Luther Burbank and the other Booker T. Washington. These men have been made the world their debtors. They are impersonal men-sort of human media through which Deity is creating. They ask for nothing they give everything. Mark Twain belongs in the same select list. The difference between Mark Twain and Luther Burbank is this: Mark hoes his spiritual acreage in bed, while Luther Burbank works in the garden. Luther produces spineless cacti, while Mark gives spineless men a vertebra. Mark makes us laugh, in order that he may make us think."
The subject of this story was concerning the life, friends, and philosophy of H.H. Rogers, of Standard Oil fame. (Rogers and John D. Rockefeller were buds. There was only a year difference in their ages.)
What brought up the topic of Burbank and Twain was this mention:
When H. H. Rogers paid off Mark Twain's indebtedness to the tune of ninety thousand dollars, he did not scratch a poet and find an ingrate. What he actually discovered was a philosopher and a prophet without a grouch.
Ninety thousand dollars is a pretty big sum even today. I swoon to think what it was worth during 1867. That was just after the War Between the States. I can't help but wonder, too...how could he have gotton himself in so much debt like that! Wonder if it was his Lodge dues?
Another parallel I see between the Mystery Religions and these Mystery Clubs is lack of full disclosure. With the JWs the appeal is perhaps the "family of Friends"...you get that feel with the initial love bombing. With the Clubs the appeal is perhaps business networking. With both of these Mystery groups, exclusivity of membership with the resultant importance attached to being a member is one of their most powerful weapons.
Even though it appears Mark Twain was only affiliated with the Freemasons for 2 months and spent the rest of his time under their oath trying to get out of there, they have certainly used his name for mileage and prestige. I wonder how many people were influenced to join because of being impressed that Mark Twain was a member, so it must be a good thing? I wonder how many actually investigated the whole story before joining, thinking the association would bring them status and prestige?
With the religious groups, the only way to become a member is through a "baptism" ritual. You are told it is to 'wash away your sins' or an act of 'dedication to follow Jesus', but in reality, what it is, is a committment to the organization and a requirement for membership.
With the "Clubs" you are instructed to memorize your part...and it seems like a play-act. A lot of their rituals are memorization of "parts". You don't really understand what's going on, and no one really tells you. You are to just blindly do as you are told. It is rather like kids play acting. You wear special attire for the events, (as dictated) and so it seems rather like participating in a play. You are "presented" to a person who is sitting on a throne with a septre and you recite what you have memorized. Others recite their parts, ( you have no previous knowledge of the "entire play", so you do not even realize what is going on). Not till later do you come to understand it was for real when you gave a blood oath and pledged to have your throat cut and your heart torn out if you ever revealed the secrets. And what is this oath that you are agreeing to uphold?Here's part of it:
You must conceal all crimes of your brother Masons....and should you be summoned as a witness against a brother Mason be always sure to shield him....It may be perjury to do this, it is true, but you're keeping your obligation." Ronayne, Handbook of Masonry p. 183
Exclusivity and lack of disclosure before committment. Weapons of entrenchment.