The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-03-29
For The Cecil Wig.
The Order of the
SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
No. 2.

llo hGsENI L oolliON Is tIe NoLuei
and the admiration of the age. The
enlightened, phlanthropic mind offers
up gratitude to God, for the astounding
success, that has everywhere attended
its labors. Its present lofty eminence
has not been gained by mans wisdom
or power. The hand of Jehovah, has
been clearly revealed, leading its armies
on to certain and mighty conquests, and
the heart of the nation awards to Him
the glory of its triumphs. Devils have
manufacturers and trafiickers,
have given vent to their pious fears, of
connection of Church and State, and
of the danger to the Liberties of this
country, from secret moral associations;
and the drunkard and moderate drinker
have chimed in, with the drunkard ma
kers, to sheer and scof at the zeal evil
denced by the virtuous and humane, to
dam up and turn back from society the
dcsolating tide of intemperance.
These with traitors and sap-heads for
their allies, have been unceaslng in their
hostility TO the Order, and when stripped
of their masks, have been knaves or fools
enough to ronounce the Order "a hum-
bug md Il future" And yet the Order
has withstood the violence of the tenn
pest. Not one stone Of the superstruc-
ture has been shaken, for it is founded
OH principles, as immovable as the Eter-
nal throne.
speak not of men, but of principles.
The Order has lost members by desertion
and spiritual death, and bad men, for
sinister motives, have come into our fold
have stolen the livery of the cause to
serve their unhallowed ends-but, such
have not long remained with us in the
Order. Finding there no congcniality
to their depraved and niggard spirits,
they soon deserted, if fortunate enough
to do so before being expelled. True
this was not always done, before the Or
der was brought to realize 'that one sim
ner dcstroycth much good"
The triumphs ofvice are shortlived-
the shafts ofmalice, envy, and ignorance,
fall harmless against such an institution,
for "what was once a problem, is nor
an established tact," that the Order of
the Sons of Temperance is one Of the
great, permanent, efficient institutions
of the age, for the advancement Of lem
PERANCE, BENEvoLENcE and BRoTHERLY
LOVE, and it will be borne in mind, that
it is yet in its infancy. 1t is child OF
only eight years of age, but it stands
forth as a giant. 1t is yet child, but it
is a vigorous child. There is no disease,
nor symptom of decay manifested about
it. 1t Is perfect in its symmetry. Gas
by Infinite wisdom, the human frame is
composed of head to direct, body to
concentrate, and extremities to act" so
the Order is complete in its National,
Grand and Subordinate Divisions.
Eight years ago, it numbered one
Subdivision and 1G mcmbers-to-day,
it numbers a National Division, near 40
Grand Divisions, more than 5000 Sub
Divisions, and nearly three hundred
thousand members. 1t has planted its
standard and unfurled its banner in eve
ry State Of this happy Union. 1t has
reared its temples, and set up up its bea-
con lights in Minnesota, Canada East,
Canada West, Nova Scotia, p. E. Island,
New Brunswick, Scotland and England.
Among its members are civilians and
statesmen, clergymen and lawyers, gov
errors, senators, congressman, judges,
legislators, mayors, councilmen, &c.,
bishops, priests and private members of
the church--men of all professions, who
bear a favorable comparison, with their
associates in their several professions
men who are in the Order, from their
love of the cause, and find in its princi-
Piles and economy sufficient to interest
the loftiest intellect, and meet the APP
proval of the most discerning mind, and
yet adapted to the humblcst capacities.
Disseminating the principles of Temper
ance as its first great misunderstanding
''to make men better and consequently
happier"--the Order, has also been
mindful ofthe temporal wants of its mem.
bers. While it has reared standard of
high moral excellence, and strove to ele-
vate the character of its members, it has
also been prompt, in the alienation of
their wants. Its efficiency, in drying
up sources of crime and want, and mis-
cry and woe, and in dillusing light and
life, and peace and cheerfulness, and
succour to troubled hearts and desc
late homes, has been attested by thou
sands of the redeemed from the thraldom
of sensual and slavish appetites. 1t has
been 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 hui
manity.
The present high toned character of
the order, needs no defence-it speaks
for its self, and cannot be furnished by
the petty scribblrrs of the day. In it's
'silvered tones affection finds coincidence,