, 1877-09-28
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Victoria, B. C.

18th, at 1880 O'Clock the Grand
Lodge, /. o. G. T., of Washington
Territory and British Columbia, met
at the Good Templsrs' Hall, and was
called TO order by Noah Shakespeare,
Esq, G.. w. G. T. On calling the
roll, the following officers answered
to their names: n. Shakespeare, G.
w. c. T., F. Kennedy, G. w. c.,
N. S. Porter, G. w. Sec, Sister A.
Patterson, G. w. V. T., w. II. Ro.
berts, G.. w. Treas, Sister L. G.
Caloert, Genl. Supt of Juvenile
Temples. After the pro. TEN. sp-
pointment had been made, and an
intermission allowed for examining
credentials, the Grand Lodge degree
was conferred upon such Of the dele
gates from tho various subordinate
lodges, as had never become Grand
Lodge members.
10 the afternoon, the Grand Lodge
got fairly to work. The annual re-.
ports Of tho presiding officer, the G..
w. Sect, G. w. Treas, and the
Supt. of Juvenile Temples, were
read, and each in turn received with
enthusiastic applause by the lodge.
The G. w. G. Templar's report was
very encouraging and full of cheer
ing words. While ir showed the
numerical standing of the jurisdic-
tion to be somewhat less than report.
ed last year; that although in several
instances new lodges had been Or
ganized with growing prospects, in
other places lodges had ceased to ex-
ist, so that the number of lodges was
about the same as per last years re-
port, it was nevertheless equally as
explicit in showing that notwith-
standing over $500 worth of Grand
Lodge property had been unfortu.
nasely destroyed by fire, the lodge,
instead of laboring under debt OF
some 5000, started with year ago,
had now on hands something over
$500 in cash, and upwards Of 5000
in outstanding bills.
One Of the most important agen-
cies necessary to the success of the
Temperance cause is, capital where
with to prosecute the work. The
showing from British Columbia was
very hopeful, evidencing that G. w.
G. T., Shakespeare, had done bis
duty nobly. Another encouraging
feature, was the rising importance
Of the Juvenile Templar work. Sis
ter Calvert gave unmistakable evi
dence Of fitness for the position as
Supt. The attention of subordinate
lodges was called to the importance
of carrying on Juvenile Templers,
auxiliary to the regular work as Sun.
day Schools are to churches. Mum.
bers Of our members prominent
and otherwise--have proved them
selves devoted, heart and soul to the
work.
A resolution was introduced, ask
ing that all lodges be permitted to
hold their regular meetings and
transact business on Sunday. This
after being ably discussed on both
sides, and occupying the candid at.
tenton Of the lodge for several
hours, was so strongly opposed that
its projectors asked permission to
withdraw it, which was readily grant.
ed. Thus is maintained the char
acter Of our noble order, as a mora
institution, and its resolution
strengthened to respect the sanctity
of the Christian Sabbath. The lodge
was firm and stsunch in its de-
termination to retain the life long
character of the pledge, believing
such a course to be the only true
one for earnest temperance reformers
to pursue. 1t also passed strong res
olutions requiring the conviction and
punishment of members who should
habituaIly spend their time in drink
ing saloons, whether idly or by par.
ticipating in games Of chance.
We regard these efforts to purify
the order of unworthy members, TO
be undisputable evidence that the
order is settling down to a healthy
lasis. An important resolution was
passed, requiring all subordinate
lodges TO hold open temperance
meetings whenever and wherever
practicable, at stated periods; such
meetings to have appropriate pre-,
grammes Of literary exercises and to
have for their object the diffusion
of temperance sentiments and prin-
ciples.
On Wednesday evening, the fol.
lowing offers were installed for the
nnsuiny wear, n. Shakeaneare- G.