The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-06-21
MI is @ ella e O VI 9.
A Plea for the Good Templars.

SO much of your valuable paper is occupied
every week, with articles upon the all-mportant
subject of the coming iron horse, that it is with
hesitation we ask space for a few words upon
the so-called insignificant matter of the Good
Templars.
The institution of the Order in this vicinity
being of recent date, the questions and opinions
on the subject are many and varied. While we
leave the railroad to other pens than ours, in be-
half of the cause we would make an effort to
answer through your columns some of the OBJ
jections to The Order, and at the same time to eX
hibit, far as possible, its object and intentions
The Independent Order of Good Templars was
established about the middle of the present cen
fury, and is solely a temperance organization,
having no object in view but an earnest desire
to suppress the sale of liquor, rescue the wrecks
of humanity with which the demon of intern
perance has strewn our fair land, and 10 save the
young and inexperienced from falling into the
snares of the tempter. Those becoming men,
bers of the Order are obliged to pledge them
selves never to "make, buy, sell, use furnish, or
cause to be furnished to others, as Il beverage,
any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider."-
We also promise never to knowingly injure
fellow member, and to relieve suffering humani-
ty wherever found, as far as lies within our pow
.er.
No one of any reason will pretend to say that
these principles are not elevating and ennobling,
and if carried out in all their force will do much
to benefit ourselves and our fellow men. Wheth-
outside the pale to judge. We only ask them to
look al the rise and prosperity of the Order since
its comparatively recent institution, the hun
dreds and thousands of inebriates saved and re.
stored to noble manhood, the number of rum
shops closed and the many homes whose happy
inmates live to bless the Good Templars, as the
means, in the hands of Providence, of restoring
the husband, father or brother. We point to
those and say the Order is known by her works
In our own experience, which is extremely
cd tl,n ctcix
those who took no interest in the cause, but rid-
culed it, we have known more than one case
where the most hopeless drunkards have been
not only restored to sobriety, but have become
Jealous workers to rescue others from the down
ward path their own feet had trodden, and where
numbers of "moderate drinkers"-those in the
greatest danger, for moderate drinker invaria-
bly, thinks he is safe and can stop at any moment
have been induced to sign the pledge of total
abstinence. And what are these few cases to the
For the Order belongs not only to the United
States, but to England, Scotland, Canada, France
| and all countries where temperance organiza-
tions are to be found.
Accepting these facts, what then are the objec-
tions to the Order? Is it not engaged in good
work, and one that merits the support Of all
Christian people? Many exclaim, III am tenn
perate so why trouble myself on the subject ~
The work has my best wishes, but it does not
need me? If the Christian Church worked in
llau spirit WOulu Tue IllllcnDlu1m ever come -
Incorporate men never yet, unassisted We're
known to form and sustain society for their
| own benefit. They need the help of good men
and women, and above all woman's influence
| They need the Order to be made attractive to
feel that they have friends glad to help
and encourage them to regain their formt i
stations. We have heard the objection made
| that ladies can do quite us much good
| outside the lodge-room as In ii. This
| is n decided mistake. Ladies ure of vital
| importance in q Lodge, because of the influence
| they WELD over the sterner sex, and without
| them the social feature would be lost and the
meetings uninteresting; for wherever yet was
| there true sociability without the refining in
| 1uence of woman We have never vet heard
that ladies have RETAINED from joining literary
association on the score of womanly modesty OF
| reserve. We have never seen them falter when
called upon t. appear before au audience of two
or three hundred persons of all grades of society.
| We would say 10 them that a lady is never
| brought half SO much before the public in O
Lodge of Good Tempars as in any Lyceum in
which she takes part. She is seldom, if ever,
called upon to appear before an audience and
there is no duty TO be performed in the lodge
room from which the most retiring lady could
shrink.
Many wish to know why the Order is secret and
object to 1t on that account. We think the reason
evident. If the meetings were free to all, then
| any one would come, enjoy them without taking
the very step which it is our sole object to pro
mulgate-the pledge of total abstinence.
This is the only reason for secresy and any
Good Templar will affirm that there Is no secret
belonging TO the Order in the most remote way
Objectionable, or which could clash with any
religious duty or belief, and no ceremony is per.
formed upon which the Divine blessing is not in
voked
We noticed in The AEgis of several weeks ago
an article signed "Y," written by member oil
the Society of Friends, and setting forth the at