The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-07-31
To the M. ". Patriarch,
Officers, and Brothers !:

To the M. W. Patriarch,
Officers, and Brothers:
Your committee TO whom it was referred the
subject OF the progress and condition of the Order
beg leave TO report, that they hail with peculiar
delight the present high toned character of this
institution, and the beautiful means EMPLOYED in
the attainment of its present character When
your committee look back TO that little group of
sixteen determined men. who met at 'Teelotalers
Hall in Division street. on the Doth of September
1857, not three years ago, and trace as il has
flowed on like some rapid stream bursting from
the earth and rolling its pure and limpid waters
far and wide, healing and restoring the crushed
flowers of humanity-they cannot but exclaim
with one of old, Not unto us, o Lord. not unto
us, but unto thy name be all the glOryi"
In these three short years your committee have
seen those sixteen benevolent individuals multi
piled to near 1900 sauncll, enthusiastic tceto-
talers. hound by silken cord as strong as il is
beautiful. and destined, as it most assuredly is to
enclIcle the vast family of man. or this number
New York contains Ga Divisions, with 7 900
members. Your committee have seen New Jer-
sey, three weeks after this first Organization,
spreading the same banner to the breeze and num-
berIng at the present moment 4l Divisions and
over SOO energetic workers. North Carolina,
from whence went forth the first Declaration of
Independence. then took her place in the beautiful
Order on the 9th of April, lS43 she has Divi-
vision and 80 members Maryland and the
city of magnificent distances next followed in
the glorious work the 9th of April IS43 and
now numbering in Maryland Divisions and near
SUI members and the District of Columbia. 5
Divisions with 800 members. On the following
day. April 7, Pennsylvania took her proud position
In the ranks, and in the enviabe circle of 47
gallant Divisions are 10 be found near 900 mem
hers. She has organ, "The Temperance
Standard" devoted exclusively to the interests of
the Order, and another admirable conducted paper.
"The Olive Branch, boldly advocating its claims.
Such is the enthusiasm among the brothers, that
from seven TO ten in the city of PHILADELPHIA are
Inflated every night (save Sunday in the week.
and ct character that cannot fail 10 give worth
and efficiency 10 the Order at large. In the cap
ilal of the State, the number of members swelling
beyond the ability of seating themselves in their
accustomed place of meeting they have purchas
ed one of the churches Of the BOROUGH. and fitted
1t up for the use of the Order at an EXPENSE of
Sl,lOO. Connecticut. three days after, viz: on
the 10Th of April. 1913, with the spirit of her
Puritan ancestry, shone forth as another star in
the constellation of the Sons of Temperance-2l
Divisions, with over 900 members. constitute
her present strength. Virginia next followed.
and embraced the principles and forms on the 9th
ct April, lS43, and number Divisions and near
6OO members. Massachusetts, so Justly distin-
moral enterprises Of the day. next oraced the
magic circle ON the LIST of May, 1913. and now
numbers Ia Divisions, with more than 600 of
our highly favored brethren Maine followed ON
the 24th Of December, 1874. and now numbers s
Divisions and 400 members. Ohio came in IN
the 10Th of September, 1874. and with unexpect-
ed progress now numbers 8 Divisions, with near
500 members. Delaware followed on the 25th Of
February, 1915, she has 2 Dvisions-numbers
unknown.
From Illinois, South Carolina, Kentuclv. Ten
nessee, and Louisiana, correspondence has been
commenced, which is confidently believed will
lead to a speedy introduction Of our Order into
these several States.
Such is The past history of the Order: and if
your committee may be permitted To udoe of lie
future prospects by its past and present character
they think they can recognize in the shadows Of
coming events flood of light and love rolinC
over the arid wastes of humanity, renovatino and
purifying the fallen and degraded, until in one
universal, elevated brotherhood, will be knit ND a
majority Of the members Of the hnman race.
or its character nothing need be said at this
Stage Of its heaIihfUl prOgress speaks for itself
and in its sllvered tones afflcton finds condolence
poverty sees relief, wretchedness claims svmpa-
thy. solitude gains society. dependency wakes to
hope. hate turns 10 love, vice 10 purity. disrrst
TO fidelity, discord to harmony, and the propensi
ties Of earth to the eternal interests of Heaven
To give all the cases that are folly qualified IN
illustrate this truth, would be TO write to some OK
tent the history Of the Order. One case. howev
ever, yonr committee would respectfully notice as
typical Of the class. A brother, about twelve
months since, sought in the western country an
humble and honest means Of livelihood. He had
wife and seven interesting children. He wac
too poor to take with him his lovely charge. He
was therefore compelled to leave them, and trans,
NIT from time to Time Pitiance scarcely suffci.
ent tor the most rigid economical subsistence.
Nine months laborious toll had sccpmnIs,od e..
this brother the means of prosecuting the obioc,s
Of his enterprise; but at that interesting crisis
when the hope Of happier days and more extend,
ed domestic comforts began 10 dawn upon this