The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-24

A number Of gentlemen engaged in ag-
riculture and its kindred branches in diff
ferent states are now perfecting ritual for
an order to be composed wholly of persons,
male and female, directly interested in az
ricultural pursuits. l =
The order will secure to its members all
the advantages Of Masonry, but while that
is speculative, this will be operative, its
main object being to encourage and ad-
vance education in all branches of agricul-
ture.
The order will have its ''lodges" known
as Temples of Industry, or some similar
appeilation. The work in temple" will
be divided into four degrees.
THE CEREMONIES
Of passing from one degree to the other
are made pleasing and instructive. Every
tool used in agriculture has its appropri-
ate lecture, the aim being to instruct prac-
tically and morally In every possible way,
and also add an interest to the most noble
of all occupations--the cultivation OF the
soil. 1t is believed that by admitting the
Young folks of both sexes at IA or l6 years
of age it will have tendency to instill in
their minds fondness for rural life, and
prevent, in great measure, so many OF
them hocking into the cities, where all oc-
equations are now crowded, and at the
same time depriying the country of that
class of young men so much needed there.
The ceremonies in the degrees for the
ladies are slightly different, but of the
same nature, and intended to tighten and
render their household duties more pleas
ing.
The whole, it is believed, will do much
towards elevatiDg our occupation, as well
as establishing a unity of sentiment among
the farmers of tue country. and materially
increase the circulation Of publications de-
voted to the interests of agriculture, and
consequent increase of knowledge.
POLITICS AND RELIGION
are not subjects Of discussion. Private
work Of the order will occupy one evening
each month. Public meetings for lectures
and discussions are proposed to be held
once week
Libraries and museums 1.-THE latter tC
contain among other things samples Of
each year 8 crop Of all cereal productions,
are considered necessary appendages to
each temple.
1t is designed to have at least one tenn
pie in each county, with one delegate from
each to the state temple; these will send
one delegate each to the National Temple,
which is to be the head of the order. Per
sons holding Office under government can
not be delegates to either State or Nation
al Temple.
Should such an organization meet you
approval, and you see fit to offer any sug
gestions to enable the originators to max,
| further improvements before it is intro
duced to the public, the same will be mos
cordially received and duly considered.
THE FIRST MEETING.
Very encouraging replies were received
from all sources, and on Nov, Is, 1867, 6
meeting was held in this city, as the min
utes read, ''for the purpose of organizing
an order of agriculture in the United
States There were present six gentle
men. The order was formally organized
the name, patrons of Husbandry," wa
adopted, and the motto "Esto Perpetual
was chosen.
| The committee who had been appoints
to draw up constitution performed thei
duty, and on the 4th of December it wa
adopted. and Mr.. Ireland elected Master
Bartlett, Overseer; Thompson, Lecturer
Muir, Steward; and Saunders, Treasurer
Jan. 7, 1868.
THE FIRST SUBORDINATE GRANGE WA
| ORGANIZED
in this city, with the following dispens;
ton:
| The National Grange, Patrons of HUI.
bandry, hereby establishes a subordinat
grange in Washington, d. c., as schot
Continued on third uage)