The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-06-23

dy. The cries and prayers of the orphan
and the widow are ever ascending as
sweet incense to the throne of Him who
is a father to the fatherless and hus-
band to the widow. Thousands, who are
now sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed,
and in their right mind, point 10 our in-
stitution as the blessed means of their re-
demption. Then may we not call our
mission noble one? May not we expect
God to bless it and crown it with an ear
ly and ultimate success?
OUR ORDER ANCIENT.
do not say that in its present form
and ceremonies it is ancient. The Or
igin of these is of recent date, but what l
claim is, that its principles and materials
| its life-blood and heart and soul-are as
old as the first Sabbath morning, as old as
the solemn and binding obligation" that
united the breathing hearts of the first
pair in the Garden of Eden, where
angels were the witnesses and God the
priest. Its obligation is ancient, and
one who has taken upon himself the
beautiful, chaste and binding obligation
of Good Templar, may readily imagine
the attitude of the Rechabites, when taking
the vow.
Thus have we obeyed the voice OF
Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in
all that he hath charged us, to drink no
wine all our days, we, our wives. our sons,
nor our daughters.-Jeremiah, xxxv, 8.
This is the vow which Jonadab, the
Worthy Chief Or father of his people
charged upon them. And right well have
they kept their vow; for even down
through the long ages even to the present
day, that VOW is remembered and kept.
1t Is related that at the sieze of Sebasto-
pol, there was a regiment of Rechabites,
who, with the rest of the allied armies,
drew daily their ratlons of grog, they took
it it all to their commanding chief, who
poured it all out on large rock, and
when asked the reason for SO strange a
proceeding, replied:
"Jonadab the son of Rechab our father
charged us, to drink no wine all on
days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our
daughters, and thus have we obeyed his
voice"
In consequence to their obedience to
the voice of Jonadab, the Lord promised
that, "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall
not want man to stand before me for.
ever Jeremiah, xxxv, 10.
Now, my brethren, when the last day
shall come, and the angel of the Lord
shall call the nations of the dead to
judgment, if all the inhabitants of the
earth are gone but one man, that man
i'll be Rechabite.
This is an institution founded by good
men and women from all the walks and
callings of life, for the advancement of the
principles of benevolence and truth. The
foundation of the supefstructure is in the
necessity of mutual help and sympathy.
Upon this foundation is erected system
of practical benevolence, that sends its in
fluence permeating through all society,
uniting good men and women in the prac.
tice of that charity and good will enjoined
by the giver Of all good. 1t has gone
forth like some missioned spirit of mercy
among the homes Of men with its words
of kindness ard It's deeds Of comfort.
Wherever it has moved it was for the al
deviation of pain and the healing Of dis
ease. Sorrow has fled before happiness,
and anguish has given place to smiles OF
contentment. It's honors are not biazoned
by marble pillars and wreathed statues.
1t is enshrined n the grateful hearts Of
those whom it has made happy. Graft
tude pours out or it free libatlon. Its
honors are daily sung by the thousands it
has plucked from ruin and infamy. The
principles inscribed upon our affairs are
Faith, Hope and Charity. With this
motto we 60 forth conquering and to con-
quer. Conquering the evil passions Of
men. Conquering the passionate thirst
for that liquid fire which destroys the
body and consigns the soul to that death
which is eternal Conquering that dread
enemy ofour race which aspires to the
infamy and eternal destruction of all who
can be seduced by the allurements of its
seductive wiles.
1t is sometimes urged by directors that
our institution conflicts with the church,
and creates conflicting duties. How can
this be, when the order is composed OF
Christians of every denomination, united
to do precisely what the church commands
to be done? That is to practice charity
and inculcate good will toward all men.
To relieve the afflicted, to bind up the
broken heart, and com fort the distressed.
To visit the orphan and the widow. We
acknowledge the superiority ofthe church
in all things. We acknowledge that we
are not worthy to unloose the latchets of
her shoes. No where would the asser-
ton that "the claims of the order are
equal to those of the church." meet with
a more determined and prompt rebuke,
than within the lodge room. Our very
teachings prohibit such an assumption.