Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-04-11
G. W. P.'s REPORT.

Grand Worthy Patriarch was then read, as
follows
G. ". P.'S REPORT.
1t is with regret that | find myself deprived
of the pleasure of meeting with you on this in
trresling o~ccasiun. While it would be crafty
ing to me, at all times to meet those who are
assembled TO deliberate for the interests ard
success Of nur great moral enterprise, it would
be peculiarly 50 at time like the present, when
we have ST. much in the history of the past To
reward us, So much in the anticipatiuns of the
future to stimulate US 10 renewed eXertiOns for
the accomplishment Of oar great object. The
EARLY period at which the meetlng of the u.
d. was fixed, will prevent my communicating
III you the statistical cundiIiun Of the Order al
The close Of the last quarter By reference to
the report Of the G. S. il will be seen that The
number Of Divisions in the State at the close
Of The Quarter ending Dec. 81, 1850, was 2l3,
and the number of contributing members 6,
l4S; thus showing a rapid and highly crafty
Ing increase Of members. The official returns
fnr the Quarter ending March 81, will doubt
less show a still larger increase, and | have
: reason 10 believe that at the present time, the
membership belonging TO This G. D dues not fall
shnrt Of between eight and nine ihousand.-
Since the meeting Of the G. d. in October,
: The accounts which | have received from diff
b ferent parts Of the Slste, have been, with one
t ur two exceptions, Of the most cheering char
! acleT. Divisions are now opened in every sec
hon Of The State, and thus ouiposis are estab-
= llshed from which the warfare upon vice and
: crime may be carried on with increased and in
It creaslng advantages.
Al the October session of the G.. d. a Com
f.. mlllee was appointed who were directed To
make ARRANGEMENTS In Sepurp the spryicas nf
r M. w P. Philip S. White, who was then
AIth us TN a visit. at the invita- ion Of The G.
ID The Committee were directed if possible
10 make an arrangement with Bro. White until
the lst Of January. then next ensuing, and the
sum Of four hundred dollars from The Treasury
ut the u. ID. was placed at The disposal Of the
K Committee 10 meet any deficiency which NIGH
II arise IN the Contributions which We're expected
l" be made 10 defray the expense incurred
Before the termination Of this engagement
y however. the applications fur Bro. Whites ser
lie vices became So numerous and pressing. the ev
III licences of success which attended his progress
81 apparent, that the Committee were compel
I'd, upon q careful consideration of the clTcum
y stances, TO believe that their duty as represen
ne laIives Of The G. ID. required that they shoul
of lake The responsibility Of extending the engage
its meri-whichw was dOne-and the Iaburs Of Bn
White continued until this meeting Of the 6
ID. During this time he has visited as far a
- practicable svery seclion Of the State. AID
les large majority Of The Suburdinalp Divisions. ]
he most insiancesthe SuhordinatP Divisions hav
responded promptly and literally 10 the call
~ the q ID. for assistance in meeting The exper
hg SEES, sufne few, either from remissness or a wal
of ii sufficient interest in the great work, hav
as fallen short of their duty and privilege in hi
bo naIler-but the Committee are now dispose
10 think that The deficiency will not great
'a' exceed The sum appropriated by the G. ID.
full statement Of the matter will be submiilp
10 the e.. hereafter, and | hope the G. l
i, will, upon consideration, sanction the aciiun
u! the Committee.
hts OF the manner in which Bro. White hi
discharged his engagements. il is u'necessar
es. that | should speak. cannot, however, II
al Train from bearing my testimony Io the -arnes
ness. fidelity and devotion 10 uur cause, while
he has every where manifested He has tn
Ia versed the length and breadth nf our Stale,
the must inclement season Of the year, suffr
ing from Inconvenience and exposure, yet a
having no obstacle which human ingenuity
endurance cuuld overcome, 10 arrest his prugres
ing He has fulfilled every appointment made {
him by the Committee when nut prevented
we circumstances entirely beyond his Or their Gu
a. troll, and has exerIed an influence in The disser
= nation Of truth, the dissipation of prelude
tue and the awakening of pnblic attention 10 I
nay Increased importance If an immediate, thurou!
red and permanent moral reformation, which "
be properly felt and estimated when he and
alike, shall have passed from the stage of G
seo rrtiun and existence.
sizes 1t is a matter of sincere regret to every frie
pro- of Temperance that the returns to the G.
ShuN 81 tarua u nufuhar .T rRciUnaTinnc &,
. Withdrawals. This may arise from a variety
causes, but 10 long as it continues to exist,
can LOOK tor M very permanent or complete 81
cess in the establishment Of temperance pr
clples among uur fellow citizens. Slme,
have reason To fear, have been induced to en-
> y the Order for unworthy purposes, and find
II cannot be made To subsrTve their personal
political ends, have abandoned il. Others "
M have acted from The best motives have
the same lime acted under the impulse u
mnunentary excitement, which leaves them "
eing no liked purpose, M permanent interest, MI
cient 10 induce them tn continue the prusecut
Of an enterprise which seems To them To u
but small Inducements Of a purely selfish ct
uaJ; acler but far the greater number are Of III
anu who, while they SEE and feel the importance
sent, the inject to be attained. and yield their hrs
bite, appreciation 10 the means which our Order
ID to iPrs Tor securing THIS object. commit The {
allied error Of surprising that the obligation VT
rests upon them To give their example and
tnence TO this great work, rests solely and
TM4 rlrely upon The voluntary and solemn pie
'iec'' ihey have made upon becoming connected v
lg as the Order. and that when either interest or
No. cIinalion may lead them 10 dissolve this cum
ever ion, they are free from all responsibility in
matter either to themselves or others. 7
I'd J. ouc'Ilne appears 10 me equally false and pc
No. bm u n"s.'u.'on proposes 10 ne pu
alter nbiec, Inc immrnveman, ~ ~ n's"s W .s
}. D. If mon - ,b;s -, ~ ""a 0u %,