The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-16

naasnituae of oar Operations

Some weeks since, in an article on "Our
Orders Birthday" we took occasion TO
remark on the magnitude Of the opera
tions of the Sons OF Temperance Id North
America. Since then, some few persons
have been disposed to question the facts;
go, TO put all doubts to rest, we herewith
present an extract from the REPORT OF the
Most Worthy Patriarch Townsend, at the
last session Of the National Division, held
in the city of Portland, Me June, 1860;
oFrom 194S to 1859, both inclusive,
(say II years,) 756,847 Members have
been initiated in the Order OF Sons OF
Temperance in North America. During
the same time, S., 5,0S4, All have been col
lected by Subordinate Divisions, III ali
OF this sum, S1,415, 4G5 have been paid
for benefits, S274,7S3 have been paid in
to Grand Division treasures, to sustain
Grand Divisions, and these have paid
Sz0,790 to sustain the National DIVISION.
The averages for the last twelve years
have been as follows:
Members initiated about $1,000 per ann,
Benefits paid out. " S23.o0O
and Grand Divisions have paid to sustain
the National Division about 81, 200 annu-
ally.
The figures obtained from the official
tables published and scattered broadcast
in the country, must impress all who feel
the least interest In our cause, with the
Importance and magnitude OF our opera
tions.
No other Philanthropic or Benevolent
Institution ever formed in this country,
has probably accomplished so much IN a
CORES sponding period of time, as the Order
of Sons of Temperance has within the
last twelve years. Even the American
Bible Society, formed in 1916, patronized
by all the leading denominations OF Prot
estant Christians, and with the counte-
nance and support Of all the good and
vrtuous who desired the bread Of life
scattered broadcast in the earth-eveG
this great National Society, with its i'm
mense publishing concern IN the city of
New York, and its Agents and Agencies
constantly and Systematically employed
in all the States and Territories, and even
in foreign countries, has not kept pace
with the Order, as its receipts will show,
but has fallen short Of our collections at
least million of dollars during the last
twelve years the receipts Of that associa-
ton being, since l84S, $4,086,7I4, and
ours being, as before stated, S5,084, HI.
This comparison will perhaps as for
cibly illustrate the vast extent OF our work
as any other that | could institute, because
the American Bible Society is universally
popular, and OF course well understood,
as it ought to be, by Protestant Christians
at least.
But, perhaps it will be inferred, from
the large sums Of money that | have men
toned, that the Order, if it does perform
wonderful works, imposes upon its MEM
bers great burthens and hardships for
all these immense sums Of money are
derived, | must frankly confess, from the
Sons Of Temperance exclusively.
Let Us see, then, exactly what it has cost
us, personally or individually, to run this
vast machinery in all parts of North
America, during the last twelve years,
for with the figures have given above,
all Of you can make the calculation with
Inc.
1t has cost US on an average Sir Dot
tdfS ana FyW GEMS each, Tor the Whole
time, or about ffty-fye cents each, on an
average, per annum.
This would seem to be incredible, but
the calculation presented is strictly correct,
as any of you can prove for yourselves,
with the tables before you ; and If it shall
appear, on critical examination, that [ am
hot mistaken, | feel very sure that we
cannot be charged with pecuniary extrav-
agance at least"