Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-25

is an evident unwillingness on the part of
ono Divisions to bear the pecuniary bur
den of supporting the Agency, when they
do not receive any benefit from it. Again,
the same necessity for the Agency does not
exist as when constituted. Then, there
were but. few Divisions in the State and the
dissemination of our principles and the or
ganizatiOn of Divisions attended with a good
deal ofexpense and difficulty. Since, these
Divisions have increased and multiplied to
such an extent that these objects can now be
accomplished with little expense and as sue
cesEfully. By the appointment of Jealous
and efficient Deputies in each county, l am
Of the opinion that the objects had in view
when the Agency was constituted, will be
fully met. This opinion is based upon the
success which has crowned tier labors du-
Ting the past year.
Accompanying this Report will be found a
communication marked A, from D. G. W.
p, j. s. Raboteau, of Fayetteville, in re-
ference to the illegal organization of a Di-
vision within his jurisdiction.
Also, another marked B, from the NJ. W.
Scribe and which refers to the employment
3 Of Lecturers, and the adoption of a new
Ritual, which are also submitted for your
consideration.
As your representative, in company with
Reps. Weir and Smith, / attended the late
Annual Session Of the N. D. held in the
city Of Boston.
ItisnOt necessaryfor me to give a detail
of its proceedings as they have been publish
cd and are now before you. Ishall there
Orscon6ne myself to such points as demand
your attention.
The appeal of Bro. G. P. Jones, from the
action of this Grand Division at its last An
nual Session, relative 0 ethe constitutional
number necessary to form a quorum of the
Grand Division was sustained. (See Jour-
nal page GID
The resolution adopted by this body at the
same time, respecting constitutional altera-
tons and amendments by the N. D. met with
but little favor from that body. Resolutions
Of a similar character were presented from
other Grand Divisions, and it is to be hoped
that ultimately the object embraced in said
Resolution will be accomplished, as It in
wolves q principle of vital Importance to our
Order.
From the Journal you will also perceive
that a material alteration was made in re-
gard TO the eligibility Of membership. Ac-
cordingt TO its late action, Acting and p. G.
w. P's. alone arc hereafter eligible to seats.
This alteration however does not affect those
q. w. AS. and P. G. w. AS. who are en-
titled 10 seats in that body. !
You will perceive further, that Art. LIST,
and Sec. End Of the Revised Rules we're 50
changed as TO give to Grand Divisions the
power to determine the place at which its
next annual meeting shall be held.
Art. 8, Sec. 1st Constitution Sub. Di-
visions was also altered so as TO make Chap
lains who had served two terms, eligible to
the Office Of w. a.
Another important change and one thathas
produced no common sensation among Sub
ordinate Divisions, and which has elected
from all sections Of our State an EXPRESS
ion, is that Of the alteration of the second
phase Of our obligation, in striking out the
words Gin this respect" 1t affords me
pleasure 10 state that as far as my vote In
that matter was concerned, l did not vote
for the adoption Of the End resolution. The
Report was accompanied by two resolutions
asfollows:
LIST. ResOEUed, That in the sense of this
~. d. the moral obligation imposed by the
pledge of every Son of Temperance, can
not be measured by time, nor absolved from
It's solemn and binding effect, either by resig-
notion from the Order, or by forfeiture Of
Charter.
End. Resolced, That in order to remedy
this great error, in the future editions Of the
B. b. the words " in this respect" in the
second part Of our general obligation be o.
mitted.
The first of these resolutions I understand
as referring alone to the extent of the NOR
al obligation Of the pledge, and as l humbly
conceived that mora Law was founded upon
sn inmutable basis-the~ expressed will Of
God and consequently binding whether un-
der the restraint Of a-pledge or not, l fell
that as that truth already existed, that Civ.
ing an expression to it in that simple inter
pretivc sense would not be an infraction up
on any law Of. our Order.
. In regard TO the second resolution,
would state that deeming its adoption mex.
: dent, / did not vote for it, although my
) feelings were in its favor.
The action Of Subordinate Divisions since
its adoption in sending up protest after pro
test, and the general dissatisfaction which
prevails throughout our entire work, is suf
a fcient to demand on the part Of this Crane
Division, such action as they may think bes
for the correction Of this unfortunate error
and the restoration of harmony and peace
TO our ranks.
Ifeel assured that the N. D. acted in TIN
matter in good faith, and was influenced b,
pure motives.
Finally, my brothers, as matters abound
ing with interest will come up before Us 70