The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-02

Worthy Chief 7emplar, Companons and
Brethren, Ladies and FelloU-citieens--
Making public speeches has not been my occu-
patton hope that you will bear with me there
fore, and look with leniency on my many imper-
fections, for in addition to my incapacity other
wise, my health is such as to render it extremely
difficult for me to speak in public with any salts
faction to myself or my hearers
am not going to make what is called Tenn
perance speech thousands of ADLER men than my
self have spoken, and are continuing to speak on
this subject until it is said by many to be exhausted
Ishall only detain you short time whilst make a
few remarks the nature of societies and associa-
tons in general, and of this in particular with
its object, aim and end, together with some Stats
teal information on the subject, which may be
| new, 10 some of you, and will hope prove inte-
resting 10 all.
in view, and it is incumbent upon every society
that seeks to increase its numbers by PROSECUTING
its neighbors, to explain the objects for which the
society was formed, the principles upon which it
acts, and the benefits to be derived from an associ
alton with it.
All societies are formed for the purpose of doing
good either to themselves their fellow creatures
of comforting additional advantages or benefits
on their members, which others do not enjoy-and
for this end they often agree, mutually to give up
some portion of their individual rights privileges
for the promotion of the general good. On this
principle all our Municipal and State governments
are founded.
The question before us now is-what is the OBJ
ect of this society-the Order Of the Sons Of Tenn
perance By what means does it propose to ac-
complish its object! And, what benefit will any
one derive from becoming associated with it!
First, then, the object of this society is happ-
ness-happiness in the most exalted earthly sense
happiness produced from the knowledge of being
beneficial to our felow-creatures-a happiness pro-
duced from knowing that we have saved many
DO oIotn al It1,a
to the proud standing of men erect in the image of
their maker once mora happiness produced from
the knowledge that the widows tears are dried
the orphans sufferings relieved, and the broken
hearted wife again made to sing with joy-a hap
piness produced from the knowledge that every
day the chances lessening that the rising gene
ration will be exposed to the same snares and temp
tations that have beset as.
Temperance societies are of very ancient origin,
and shall perhaps startle, if not afront some of
my hearers, when assert that the Order of the
Sons of Temperance is the Oldest society that is
now in existence, or of which we have any record,
either in sacred or profane history This you will
say is bold assertiOn-but will itstand the test
the unerring test of truth! We think it will Our
Masonic brethren claim to be the Oldest society
the most ancient fraternity in existence. For the
sake OF argument we will admit they are assert
that their origin was based on Temperance prin-
ciples-temperance in all things is a peculiar and
characteristic tenet the Order. But many Lodges
of Masons have at various times required by their
bylaws strict adherence to total abstinence prin
ciples As much as two hundred years ago we
have accounts of Masonic Lodges who admitted
none to membership but such as subscribed to the
strictest principles of total abstinence.
But go further back than this, and whilst my
Masonic brethren point me to King Solomon as the
great architect of the Order turn to the word of
God, and there find that from the time of the
ancient patriarchs, from the time that the Israeli
ties were delivered from Egyptian bondage, five
hundred years before Solomon, a strictly total
abstinence society had been formed l there find
the voice of Jehovah by the mouth of his prophet
proclaiming that II should last foreuer And whilst
the great Assyrian Empire, which was SPLEEN
did and gorgeous that the angel showed it to the
prophet under the tyre of head of gold, has crum
bed to the dust, leaving not vestige or trace of
its greatness behind; whilst the Persian Kingdom,
has followed its predecessor into the depths of
oblivion; whilst the Grecan Dynasty, which was
for strength and durability likened unto BRASS has
passed away from off the face of nature and the
field OF action, broken into a thousand undistin-
guishable fragments; whilst the iron hand of the
Roman Emperors, which for centuries held the
world within its grasp, has, enfeebled fallen to de-
cay-that society still exists. Travellers give us
their testimony that the guides through the deserts
Of Arabia, do to this day, point you to the Hebrew
Bible, and bid you read their history from the 35th
chapter of the prophet jeremiah /; and they con-
their ancestor Jonadab to his father on his death bed
On the principles Of this ancient and God honored
society, the present organization of the order of the
Sons of Temperance is founded. We do not claim
to be their descendants or TO receive any tradi-
tional origin from them; but only to espouse those
principles on account Of Which the Great Jehovah
honored them with special token of his pleasure,
and promise to their successors through all gen.
erati0ns.
The first or initiate branch of our Order, termed
4. As...- Al - r q
the spread of the principles of Total Abstinence
from all that intoxcates they also have connected
with it the beneficial feature of allowing certain
weekly stipend to members whilst disabled by sick
ness from attending to their usual avocaions-of
assisting one another personally, in sickness, and
providing decent interment for the dead.
The next branch of our order is called the Tenn
pie, or Temple of Honor.
We are often asked, what object has the Temple
beyond the Division Can any one be more Son of
Temperance by joining the Temple! We admit
that whilst person abstains from all that intoxi-
Gates, he is as much Son of Temperance as he
can be. But it was perhaps foreseen that some
would fall away-that many things would conspire
to induce members to return to a course they had
once abandoned. Some will not join unless they
are assured that they can withdraw from the socie
ty with honor, should it not meet their views or
equal their expectations. The founders of the in
stitution, therefore, provided for the exigency by
requiring obedience to laws only SO long its
members remain voluntarily united with them.
The Temple viewing intoxication as an evil of
the greatest magnitude, strikes at the very root it
wishes not only to lop off the branches, but to de-
sroy the trunk; they therefore take none into men,
bership but such as having joined the Division.
have remained in it for certain length of time,
and having felt its usefulness, are willing to con-
tinue in the good path, and give pledge Of Total
Abstinence for life, from which there is no draw
back but with dishonor. Here if a man put his
shoulder to the wheel, or his hand to the plough,
let him not look back or he is not worthy. The
Temple also retains the same beneficiary features
the Division, thereby doubling the relief in sick
ness and distress.
But, again, we are asked what means this Coun-
Gil this additional branch grated on the shoulders
Of the other! Can you keep the pledge any longer
than for life
MY friends there is no necessity for the pledge
any longer than for life for after death the good
VIII not desire intoxicating drink, and the vicious,
WHOSE depsaved appetites crave it, will not be able
70 obtain I. We are assured that although in the
eternal abode Of misery and despair there may be
maRy dsum sellers, there will be no liquid poison for
them 70 deal ont 70 their devoted victims.