Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-07-01

is divided into three clasSifcations; SuboP>
dinate Divisions, Grand Divisions of States
or Territories, and a National Division
Its Subordinate Divisions consist Of indi>
vidhal members; Grand Dislsions of reps
resentatites from SubOrdiuasas, and the Mas
tional Division, the Supreme head of the
Order, of representatives., from Grand Dis
visions.
The first annual session Of a Grand Di-
vision, was held Oct. 10, lS43. The Ma,
lional Division was organized June !fh'
1874. and consisted of representatives from
the Grand Divisions Of New YORK, ne"
Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, aid mas
sachuSetts. At that time, the ORDER num-
bered six Grand Divisions, and seventy>one
SubordinateS, embracing six thoVSand mem
bers. At the second annual session OF the
National Divisio ion, held June III, lo45, the
Order numbered ten Grand Divisions, one
hundred and ninety>four Subordinates, and
seventeen thousand members, being an in
crease of four Grand Divisions, one hundred
and twenty-three Subordinates, and eleven
thousand members. At the third annual
session of the National Division, held June
10, 1916, the Order numbered fourteen
Grand Divisions six hundred and fly Sub
ordinates, and forty thousand members, be-
ing an increase in the year preceding, OF
four Grand Divisions, four hundred and
ifty-Six SubordinateS, and tWenty>nine
thousand members; and now, at the fonrth
annual session of the National Division,
the Order, comprises twenty two Grand Dis
visions, over thirteen hundred Subordi-
mates, and about one hundred thousand
| 1,1rinD the 81
year of eight Grand Divisions, six hundred
and fifty Subordinates, and sixty thousand
members. has Grand Divisions in New
York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Connecticut, Massachusetts,, District OF
Columbia, Virginia, Maine, Ohio, Della.
ware, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina,
Kentucky, Georgia, illinois, Michigan,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Missouri
and Louisiana; and has fourishing and ef-
icient Subordinate Divisions in Alabama
Mississippi, South Carolina, Iowa, Terri
tory of Wisconsin, and the British Prov
ince of New Brunswick, all of which, except
Iowa, are making preparations to organize
Grand Divisions. Arkansas, Texas, Flori-
da and Vermont, are the only States in the
Union undecorated with the white collars.
Before another year roofs round, we my rea \
sonably hope to hail them also linked IN
our fraternal organization.
The Order of the Sons of Temperance
bases its vast success ON organization. In
dividual temperance is well for an indivld>
ual, having selfish security in view 10
the promotion of great temperance results,
the association Of individuals is necessary,
but their thorough, rapid and lasting
achievement, can only be accomplished ny
The combination Of the TWO principles, ana
the farther and complete development OF as
ISOLATION in perfect organization. mus
tae cause has moved on, individual tempe
rance first, associ alton next, and organlza'
ton now The Order Of the Sons OF lem.
perance, therefore naturally stands, and
must continue, il true to its great princi
pies, the head and front of the temperance
movement. Yet, although we claim 1t 10
be the best CONNECTION of temperance we oy
no means wish to disparage the other great
means out OF which temperance mas MOI
only progressed, but even the Order ltseli
originated, and still derives much OF lis
strength. All are good-all are equally
necessary-and all meritorious component
parts of what should ever he considered
one great, common, and important whole.
Tie Urder mas received, In lnitlatlon lees
and dues, during the past year, so far a.
reported, Sl76,6l4,46 Of which it has PAID
Gu, for beaefts, &C., $48, 452,OS, and has
now on haad as fund for beneficial and
other purposes, %3, lol, 46. Several States
and among them the most important, have
mol yet sent in their returns.
The vital statistics Of the Order, possess
the highest degree of interest, and speak
more eloquently than any words, the great
advantages of total abstinence from intoxi>
eating drinks to the physical health, and the
preservation of human life. Out OF 5OUOO
members returned the past year, we have
lost by death, as appears BY returns sent in
TO the Grand Division up TO March 3lst
last, but 24O. being not quite one half per
cent. or less than five TO each thousand.