National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-09
RECHABITES N COUNCIL.
A FINE PARADE BUT A MEAGRE
MASS MEEBIVG.

ADDRESSES OF REvs. J. T.SLIGHTER AND
@. G. BAKER-HIsToRY OF aHE ORDER OF
RRoIaABITEs-HARD HITS IT DRINKING
CHURCH MEhBERs-REV. NJ DENIsoN
WANTS DAUGHTERS AS wEAL AS SONS
OF RECHAB.
The Independent Order of Rechabhes Tone Of
our oldest and most respectable Temperance Of
RaniEations) assembled in full regaliA Yesterday
afternoon in the Western park Of the \Capitol
and, under the chief marshalship Of Mr.. VIM H.
Overly, who was attended by aids from tie sew
eral tents, formed in procession In the following
order: Guardian Of Eagle Tent, band Of the Cor
eoran, ZouaVes, Columbia District Tent Eagle
Phoenix, Heber, Excelsior, Washington, Capital
and Eagle Rents junior. The line OF march was
town, from High to West, from West 70 T, down
+ to Connecticut avenue, down Connecticut ave.
nue. to r. along to HeTnSP N,L aEenDS up Ninth
to Hamlins NJ E. church, corner OF street,
where mass meeting was held under the auspices
The procession presented fine appearance, and
attracted much attention along the route
THE MA6s-MEETING.
In consequence Of the intense heat and threat
ened rain-storm, the attendance at the church,
outside of the members Of the order, was rather
meagre; but the meeting maze up in enthusiasm
what IL lacked in numbers.
MI. Thomas b. Marche. Chief District Ruler
and treasurer Of Eagle Tent, No. 1. presided. The
meeting was opened with the singing OF an appro-
pirate hymn by the choir, followed by e1ervent
prayer BY Rev g. W. Denfson.
Alter the singing of another temperanee hymn
TO the air Of "Ald Lang Syne, the high lecturer
Of the Order, Rev. John T. Lighter. was intro
duced, and proceeded TO give history Of the or
ganiEation Of the Independent ORDER Of Recha-
bites which, he said, has existed in this city for
more than quarter Of q century. Itsorigin was
founded in the Scriptures, and its history showed
that temperance was not a new thing. 1t carried
us back more than three thousand years to the
RaehahifaE The sneaker then q
minute account Of the tribe Of Rechab, which yet
existed, and was sixty thousand strong. The
groundwork of their organization was, nrst, that
they should never drink wine second, never build
houses, but live in tents; and, third. never plant
vineyard. They thus stunned city and village
life, and were engaged in rural pursuits. In tmi-
tatiou Of this, when the temperance movement
was started il this country upwards Of sixty years
ago, and various eXpedients were resOrted to in
order to promote the cause this organization was
commenced. 1t was founded in England in 1885,
in this country in lS45 and in this city in ls4s.
The speaker then referred to the good works Of
the Order In this District, showing how IL had
promoted temperance, education and industry.
He thanked God that the people were at last
awakened to the great importance OF the temper
ance cause. so closely idenJired with the morals,
the education and the finances Of the nation. As
God had been instrumental in settling former
disturbing questions, lie was now settling this.
The shackles Of four million souls had been
stricken of, and now moro than four million
widows and orphans were sending up their
prayers for relief from the consequences Of this
terrible vice, notwithstanding the Jeers and the
Jibes OF the newspapers. In washington the
women had not yet done much. 1t was rather q
mlk-snd-Hater effort. They asked God to help
them, but did little to aid in the good work.
Many of the church members failed Ito do their
duty and some OF them had scandehZed their
neighbors by drunkenness. He urged tbs audience
to follow the example Of the Rechabttes, and
Danish liquor in every shape from their homes.
The origin of drunkenness was not at the street
corners or in the taverns: 1t was found at the
hearthstOne. Send out pure stream from that,
and much will be done to Danish tire evil and pu-
rify the community. Young men who drink
liquor should not be admitted into the society Of
our daughters; they should not be permitted to
make marriage contracts with them. 1t was be-
cause such unfortunate alliances were made that
so many of the young and beautiful went down to
Insg Ipo1 tTc total SDginenee dssieIns in
the home circle, and closed by inviting all TO
identify themselves with the Order Of Rcchabites
AMI urging ministers to see to It that tho blsstered
lips of the rum-drinker be not tolerated around
the church altar.
Rev. q. G. Baker. pastor Of the church, and 8
member Of the Order, was next introduced, and
urged his hearers TO perform their duty. Most
Christian men wished the cause Success, but many
were unwilling to Join II. Combination vas an
Christian without joining tine Church N just about
the game ratio that man could be a temperance
man without belonging to O Temperance society
Every Christian man was bound 20 do all he could
70 promote . great moral reform. 1t sounded
pretty lard to say that the Church patronized
rumseliers; yet such was the fact, and the truth
should be told.-1f rumsellers were ashamed Of
their trade, OhristiRnsEhould rot support them.
IN mis- own church, TO show the evil eohsequo.e.si
OF christian parents drinking cven moderately.
There were members of his church and Of other
churches who could rep-he persuaded TO take the
pledge by any considerHfioaoa this side OF Heaven
or hell. Liquor was the greatest enemy of the
Church at this day, and he repeated that 1t was
the duty Of every Christian man to join tenn
perance society.
There was another thought that he wished to
press. They needed the cooperation Of the women.
There were many who sneered Ct the women who |
were engaged in this cause: yet the same people |
had often hung entranced upon the lips Of Jenny
Lind and other songSters. LhoussIGl visited the |
theatre and the danee-house % SO en- admire |
beautiful women, who appeared n behalf Of the |
devil, but the moment women Tosc up TO defend |
the cause Of God they were ri6iculcd. and It was
charged that they unseIed Themselves. In many
instances women were their most bitter oppo-
nents.
These organizations were Itfcin9 men up 10
God they were saving men. He urged them 70
persevere, until the voice Of Temperance should
speak at the ballot-boxes BY thousands and MIL
hons. i
Rev Mr.. Denison spoke few words, giving .
hearty Amen" 20 all that had been said by the
speakers. He was anxious that the sweet infu-
ences Of women should be brought into the Order,
and that there should be Eaay daughters as
well as sons Of Rechab. He then pronounced the
benedictioD, and the asse,nblaSeEetiTSA--s-