The Portland daily press., 1867-01-21
Templars Of Honor.

Templars Of Honor.
| To THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS:
Your local columns. a few days since, motto
ed the institution, in this city, of Forest City
"Temple OF Honor No. l." Since that time,
numerous inquiries have been made regarding
the new organization by those whose position
and influence in our community render their
cooperation and aid peculiarly desirable. The
| following brief statement of the Objects,
Methods and Claims of this Order may there
foreprove interesting to those who are not
already informed:
OBJECTS.
The great governing object of this Order Is
the promotion of the Temperance cause. The
pledge taken by every initiate is that he will
abstain from the use of all alcoholic beverages
during life i; and, In addition to this, use all
honorable means in his power to prerent their
manufacture or use or the traffic In then.
All our laws and ceremonies require strict
adherence to this pledge; and although
Templar may withdraw from the active duties
of member, this pledge is binding and for
its violation be is liable to expulsion, the only
penalty for this offence.
To cement our fraternal bonds-to knit to-
gether by the strongest ties Of love and friend
ship, all who compose this division OF the
Temperance army-our pledge to each other
Is as strong as is consistent with justice and
morality. Our motto is "All for each and each
for ALL" and that we may be able to recognize
each other, whenever and wherever we chance
to meet, we have ADOPTED secret signs, grips
and other tests, by which to secure the friend
ship and protection of the brethren.
Believing that virtue is the only true basis
of friendship, all our ceremonies teach, and
our laws require, the practice of a high NOR
atty. A belief in the existence OF a God,
and our accountability to him, are prerequi-
site conditions to membership. Love to God,
our country and our fellow man are charac-
teristics of every worthy Templar.
In addition to the initiatory degree are six
others, the object of which is to perfect the
brethren in the principles, precepts and work.
ings of the Order. They are illustrated and
enforced by pleasing and attractive ceremo-
mics and the most solemn requirements; each
successive degree inculcating higher and high
er moral preeepts.
The Temple of Honor is also beneficial
organization, caring for and assisting its men,
bers in sickness and affliction, and paving a
weekly benefit to those who are incapacitated
by sickness from attending to their usual avo-
cations. The benefits in Forest City Temple
vary from 81 to IS per week according to a
brothers rank in the Order. A funeral bene-
fit Of $40 is paid at the death of brother, and
$40 In case of the death OF brothers wife.
The receipts have been found ample, if prop
erly cared for, to secure the promised benefits.
The initiation fee is s., and for the first de-
gree SO, the second 81, and the others 81 each.
Any other information desired will be cheer
fully given by the officers OF the Temple in
this city. Ha7
CLAIMS UPON THE FRIENDS or TEMPERANCE.
1t is impossible in the space allotted, to de-
tail all the claims Of the Order. We present
few considerations only.
/. The history Of all temperance organiza-
tons has been marked by instability. At one
time We see the public mind aroused to the
highest state of excitement; but reaction
soon takes place, and the fond hopes of the
philanthropist are buried. This Order seeks
to produce no excitement, but to enlist men
for life, in such manner that, should they
weary in well-doing, their solemn obligations
will stare them in the face and rouse them
from their lethargy.
| q The failure to secure united effort has
greatly retarded the cause. The simple con-
struction Of our Order is such that any meas
ure contemplated can be most rapidly com
municated throughout our Jurisdiction, and
united effort or aid Immediately secured. We
desire to unite all lovers of the cause in one
great family, whose motto shall be each Tor
all, and all tor EACH"
8. The rel ormation of the inebriate is, to
say the least, difficult matter The innu-
merable violations of the pledges of various
organizations stand as evidence of this truth.
We believe that something more is necessary.
The reformation must begin with the pledge,
but not end there. The whole man must be
changed, remodelled, reeducated. For this
purpose we place him In the society OF the
virtuous, and teach him, constantly, lessons OF
morality.
4. Vain Is every effort at reform, If we strike
not at the root OF the eyil-the manufacture
and traffic. The supply, in great measure,
regulates the demand and while the market
Is well stocked, extraordinary temptations are
placed before purchasers. The supply must
be cut of-war must be waged against the
traffic. Our Order is designed promptly to en-
ter this field. Our obligations to prevent, by
all honorable means, the manufacture and
traffic, are not less binding than our own
pledge official abstinence. 1t Is the purpose
and design of the Order to enlist only such as
are willing to labor for life against the 'traf-
| ic. ta ~
Now to our citizens, Of every grade and cali
ing in life, but more especially to those whose
wealth, position and influence impose an in
creased accountability for the acts of those
lower in the social scale, we say, we wish re-
cruits, but they must not be milk-and-water
men. The soldiers who fight under our ban.
ner must be bold, resoiute, persevering. In
view OF the rapid strides intemperance Is max.
ing In our city-in view of the suffering, dis
ease'and death caused thereby-we believe II
to be the duty of every good citizen to connect
himself with some organization for the sup
preston of the vice. Ifthe Temple of Honor
is such one as you desire, we gladly bid you
welcome. II not, in Gods name, we conjure
you to unite with one where you will be con-
tent to labor. Stand idle nolonger.
A SELECT TEMPLAR. =.
| Taou1a leland 10 a ,,,,l