Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-11-16
independent Order of Good Templars.

Independent Order of Good Templars.
Editors Of sJowaal:;
At time when the Temperance feeling
seems to be lying dormant, perhaps there
are some who would be glad to make use of
any instrmentality calculated to reawaken
the public interest upon this subject. To
such l would say that there has been in op-
Grafton in this city, for short time past, a
Lodge of the Temperance organization
known as the Independent Order of Good
Templars. This Order is based upon the
social equality of the sexes; and any person
attaching himself or herself to tothe Order,
comes in upon an equal footing, as regards
holding Office, speaking upon any subject be-
fore the Lodge for discussion, voting, de-
l think this feature of the Order cminently
Fist and proper; and it should challenge
the appreciation and regard of every Just
thinker upon this subject Woman, in the
very nature of the case, is, after all, the
great sufferer from the evils resulting from
intempcrance, and should have fair chance
to exert her acknowledged influence to aid
in banishing it from our country and the
hUIlu. DuI L AO nDb Nt->l1 ~ W lillO siiA
argument upon this point, but merely to
state the fact as constituting a feature in
our organization.
Another feature is, the admission of youth
as young as twelve years of age into the
Lodge, subject, ofcourse, to the approval Of
their parents or guardians Thus, at very
early age, they will be thrown into associa-
tions calculated to give their minds a bias
70 temperance and virtue; and any person
who knows the lasting influence Of carly
preeept and example, cannot but acknowl-
edge that under the fostering care of the
Lodge, and the moral teachings of its beau
fiful ritual, the chances are increased for
their becoming useful and virtuous mem
bers of society. To say the least the prob
ability of their forming vicious and improp-
er habits will be much lessened.
This is not, in the usual acceptation of the
term, a beneficial association; those who
Join the Good Templars will not, therefore,
enroll themselves among us from motives of
cupiditv, but will be actuated solely by
desire to push forward the great Temper
ance enterprise. Having no dead weight
of the kind alluded to, to carry, We shall be
the better enabled to give our whole inhu-
ence to the great object we have in view
the eventual extirpation of intemperance
from the world.
There is still another feature which it
NAV be proper to allude to. Without in
tending to be invidious, or wishing at all to
detract from the influence Of other Orders
having in view the same objects with our
own, l may be permitted to say, that the
rates of initiation and the expense atten-
ding the taking of the Degrees, have deter
redmany persons from joining those Orders.
In the Order of Good Templars, this obiec-
tion Is entirely obviated. Having no "ben-
efts" to drain our exchequer, the initiation
fee, and the fees for taking the Degrees, are
put so low, that any person who feels any
interest in the cause, can have no objection
on the score of pecuniary inability. The
great aim has been, as understand it, to
give the greatest efficiency to the Order,
with the least possible expense to individ'
ual members. In word, to pay expenses,
without accumulating a fund to be expen-
ded in objects foreign to the legitimate pur-
poses of the Order.
With this brief exposition of the distinct
i've features of the Order, would close this
article by asking, Who will join US, and aid
in pushing forward the work to its final con-
sumation? A MEMBER.
The above taken from the Ohio State
Journal, clearly sets forth the object aimed
at by this society. We have been asked
what was expected to be accomplished by
the organization, and NC think this short
article answers the questions, fully. A so
ciety has been formed in this place, and
meetings are held every Friday evening, at
Odd Fellows Hall.