The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-30
psrrpspURc October 90 12ee


PETERSBURG, October 20, 1868.
The Grand Division Sons Of Temperance
of Virginia assembled in Temperance Hall
inthis city, yesterday afternoon at S o'clock.
A good number of delegates were in attend
rance from Richmond, and few from other
parts of the State.
The Grand Worthy Patriarch, Rev. A.
E. Dickinson, Of Richmond, presented the
following report:
"Dear Brethren,-Again we are permit
ted by kind Providence to extend to each
other fraternal greetings and to consult in
reference to the best means Of advancing
the temperance reformation. With q due
sense of our dependence upon Him, without
whose blessing our best efforts will be of
no avail, let us renew our VOW and press
forward with increased devotion in the
struggle to remove one of the most gigantic
evils that ever preyed upon society.
az trust that spirit of harmony will
prevail in our councils. We may reason
ably expect that there will be diversity
Of views upon some of the various ques-
tions which may claim our attention. Let
us accordto each other purity of motive, and
see that no discordant elements distract and
enfeeble u.s.. ....... .:s.~
"since our last semi-annual session,
held in April, only two new Divisions have
been organized Zion Division, No. 8,
in York county, and Charity Division, No.
6, in Staunton. &
Although the Order has not made such
advance as we could have desired, yet it is
in healthy condition, and numbers among
it's adherents many brave and determined
spirits, who, amid the greatest discourage
ments, will continue to struggle for the
right.
awhile doing what We can in this large
and inviting field, we cannot but look with
approval upon all similar organizations
which have for their object the good of
all mankind We welcome all such as CO.
laborers in our work, and bid them God
speed in their mission of benevolence.
81 would earnestly renew the recommen-
dation which has been before you at seve-
raj previous sessions in regard to State
lecturer. If the services of q suitable bro
ther could be secured, new and gratifying
impulse might be given to cause which l
trust is dear to the heart Of every brother
of the Grand Division.
az take pleasure, in this connection, in
bearing testimony to the faithfulness and
efficiency with which the Grand Scribe has
DISCHARGED the duties Of his office. His
kind and conciliatory manner and unceas-
ing efforts are worthy of all praise. For
further information / refer you to his re-
port.
Brethren, let us ever bear in mind that
the saving of cur fellow-men from the evils
of intemperance is the work for which this
Order has been established, and that if we
fail Of this result we fail to fulfil the OBJ
iects of our organization. Let us, then,
strive to arouse the entire community, and
especially to reach those classes of society
which most need the healthful influences Of
the Order.
Respectfully submitted in L. ?. & F.,
"a. E. DICKINSON, G. W. P"
The Grand Scribe, T. Wiley Davis, pre-
scented the following report:
ga beautiful and happy coincidence fixes
the time of our annual assemblage at the
close of the harvest period of the year, and
we are now met to inquire what fruits have
been reaped from our fields, what stores
garnered into our granary, and to consult
together in what manner the blessings thus
granted to our brotherhood's labor may best
advance the cause of humanity. The cycle
which brings you again into consultation
proclaims that another year has been har-
vested to eternity. Whether the labors
performed during its revolution have been
for veal or for woe is now to be considered
by you. ......... ........... ...... ...
" Your representatives, as stewards of q
great and exalted charity, are now invited
to review the work already done, and by
renewed individual exertion and mistaken
confidence in Almighty God should resolve
heuceforth to labor more earnestly in behalf
of sour cause '-'the cause of mankind
And though we cannot boast of the organi-
cation of as many new Divisions as we an
ticipated, still we have reason to be encour-
aged, and to thank God for the measure Of
success that has attended our efforts during
the past year.
"The following is the aggregate of the
statistics taken from the returns for the
quarter commencing April 1st and ending
30th June also for quarter ending Septem-
Der Goth, 1868: Members admitted by ini-
tiation, 200; lady visitors admitted by
initiation, 80; members violated the pledge,
95; members expelled for violating the
pledge, 81; members expelled for other
causes, 81 members withdrawn, 70 mem
bers reinstated, IS; members suspended,
a; whole number of members, 944 whole
number of lady visitors, 1874; public tenn
perance meetings held, 8; temperance
documents distributed, 1913: receipts of
subordinate Divisions, s74755; paid for
benefits, $2l; cash on hand and invested,
S7,922.63; per capita tax to Grand Division,
$l77.68. 7. WILEY DAVIS, G. s."
! The Grand Division agreed to adjourn to-
day at IL o'clock for the purpose of visiting
some of the public schools in company
with some members Of the Board of Edu-
cation. s....-r H.1
The Grand Treasurer presented his re-
port as follows:
Grand Worthy Patriarch and Breth-
ren,-Annexed you have statement of the
receipts and disbursements for the quarter
ending this day, showing balance in M
hands Of one hundred and six dollars and
forty-six cents.
Submitted in L. P. s. F.,
civilian Il. PLEAsANTs,
Grand Treasurer"
The reports Of the grand officers were re-
ferred to the various appropriate commit
tees. aG II:
The semi-annual session of the Grand Di-
vision in April was fixed for Salem, Roc
noke county, and the annual session in Oc-
tober next for Richmond, with liberty to
the officers to change the location if deemed
best by them. IT. @