The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-04
G. R. @.

Lue Order OF OnaupfOuS OA Tue lieu
Cross, and being desirous of learning
more of the characterof that Order than
I have as yet been able to,do, take the
liberty Of addressing a series of ques-
tions to you, trusting that you will find
time to answer, and thus crafty an old
friend. Hf
l. Where did the Order originate, and
whence the name?
2. Is it solely temperance order, or
is it benevolent or beneficial one, like,
for instance, the Masonic or Odd Eel
lows Order? ..-
8. II SO, do women enjoy equal bene-
fits and privileges therein with the
other sex?
4. Is it political Order in any sense?
5. What is your mode of organizing
new lodges, and what the cost?
Any further information you may see
fit to give will be appreciated by your
old friend, R. Al
l. The Order originated in the State
California, about five years ago, and the
name was taken from the account
given in Roman history of the luminous
cross seen in the heavens by Constan-
tine the Great while riding at the head
of his army. On that cross were en-
blazoned the words, ain hoe signo
Uincif' (by this sign conquer). And
Constantine being the first Christian
emperor, employed the Red Cross as the
Roman standard, and under it succeeded
in overcoming Lycihius, his pagan
rival. The founders of the Order of G.
R. C. therefore employ the same sig
nificant symbol in battling with the
evils of society, and in essaying to carry
out the sublimely unseIfish principles of
the Order.
2. BY no means. While it contains as
many and as potent agencies for tenn
perance work in its oaOn field as any or
der in existence, it is much more than
temperance order. Indeed, in the
common acceptation of the term, it can
scarcely be called a temperance order at
all-at least not reformatory one. 1t
is a benevolent or beneficial Order, as
much so as either of those you name,
and yet no one is permitted to cross its
threshold who is unwilling to take a
solemn pledge of total abstinence. Its
founders had witnessed the abOrtive at
tempts made by reformatOry orders to
carry out system of benefits, as well
as the trouble the beneficial orders were
constantly encountering from not requir-
ing total abstinence of their members,
and wisely determined to profit by their
experience. Hence all are required to
wholly abstain from all intoxicants, as
well as to come up to a proper moral
aud physical standard to make them
suitable members of a beneficial order.
The fundamental law makes it oblig-
atory upon all the Encampments to
pay sick benefits, and also to care for
the widows and orphans of the deceased
members.
8. There is no distinction made be-
tween the sexes in the Order. And why
should there be? Certainly the one sex
is as liable in life to need the offices of
benevolence and true friendship as the
other, yet the Order in question is, be-
lieve, the only beneficial one in exist
ence that practically recognizes this
fact, and accords it honors and benefits
equally to all, irrespective of sex.
4. Il is not.
5. Not to exceed twenty-five persons,
all of whom must be of sound health, OF
good moral character, and having some
visible means of support, may petition
the Grand Commander for dispense.
ton, when he or one of his deputies will
proceed to organize them. The cost il
not great. Thirty dollars go to the
Grand Encampment and the Supreme
Council for needed supplies and charter
the terms between the organizer and thG
Encampment, for the services of the
former, being a matter to be mutually
agreed upon. The regulation regalia i:
beautiful, but not necessarily costly, anC
the Encampment furniture may be pre-
pared with small outlay. There are fou
degrees that pertain to the Subordinat,
Encampment, each Of which is founded
upon principles that are of the creates
importance to character, and while tn,
several obligations are most solemn ant
binding, there is nothing in either O
them that can possibly be perverted t.
wrOng-doing; and it is the unanimou
testimony of all that the secret work j
not surpassed by any in beauty an,
symmetry-every sign, every seere
word, and every part of the initiator.
: ceremony, with every piece of furnitur
! or regalia being replete with importan
instruction, and a constant reminder G
our duties one toward the other, and a
/ actors in the great drama of life.
: may pursue this subject farther at
> future time. Yours, etc., etc.,
, A. F. JOHNSON.
Tho EIobo save. fPpba novy oooI min,