Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-03-19

'eI WoRcEsrER.-The members Of Capita
l. Lodge of Good Templars of Monlpeie
II made AN evening visit TO Plumley Lodg,
of Good Tcmplars of this place on Frid;!
!. evening. the 14;h instant, at their hall
G much 10 tho qualification, pleasure ant
e profit of Plnmley lodge. A good socia
! time WIS enjoyed. Speeches were made
0 by Brothers Durant. Wing, Smith and
b Wheelock of Montpelier, and Brother
0 Stanton OF Roxbury-all full of good
I sound counsel and advice, in which the
past WAS reviewed and compared with The
present. with bright and hopeful anticipl-
lions for the future. And when We take
view of che temperance work of few
years ago, and compare it with to-day, we
can See no reason for discouragements
before us, but everything TO encourage Il
more earnest effort in the future. LDokinL
bac& over Il vista Of years 10 the birth of
Tue temperance movement. we see the
light OF that lone star as it struggles for
IN existence, low in the horiz IN Of its
infancy. How much opposition ii has hid
to contend with The popular sentiment
was against il. The masses thought il
was meddling with time honorcd customs
made sacred by both church and state.
The clergy condemned it; the masses of
the Christian churches condemned it; it
seemed to meet with s,ern rebuke and
opposition at every turn. 1t was thought
that the holy rite Of matrmony could not
be consummated without lis presence.
The health and prosperity of the parties
must be drank in the social glass. and the
occasion celeb ated with rum. 1t must
also celebrate the occasion of birth, and
again it intruded its presence nj the death
and burial of our friends, Bat what Il
change has come, and is to-day in popular
favor with the best classes of society, and
is finding in its ranks, that are fast filling
up, many noble champion. 1t has found
It's way into every nation on the globe,
and now instead Of opposition in the
Christian churches it is finding strong
and able supporters. 1t is with pleasure
and pride and hope that we view its sure
progress, and with II motto that is charity
for I'LL and malice toward none, we expect |
to see it still more Triumphant, and VIC
Wish That all men who profess to be tenn
pemncc men would feel it t. b. heir duty
as we'll as their privilege to lend their aid
to Il cause that is SO just. | do not believe
IN letting party spirit stand in The way Of
our duty. As temperance people we
should meet in the private and social
walks of life, and meet it ut the polls AS
lrecmen, and when we find II man who is
temperance man, and is qualified to hold
ana MI Offices in town Or state, that man
should receive the solid support of the
temperance people, irrespective OF party
spirit. This is the way and the only way
that we can strike to the roots of the evil
we wish TO abolish. The order of Good
lemplars is doing Il COOL work in this
direction, and they are not only doing Il
good work in lifting up men from the
slough of intemparance to positions of
honor and trus., but they are great re.
crulting agency for the churches. MANY
who have been snatched from the brink OF
Il drunkard's grave have come I'D to be
honest, sober Christian men, who have
been IN honor to the community in which
they lived, and have led consistent Chris
tlhn lives. How truly was the influence
OF the sisters Of the order set forth in the
remarks OF one of the brothers of CAPITAL
lodge on their recent visit to us. Sisters
ol the order, great and grave are the
responsibilities that are resting upon Won.
IL Is powerful influence You Gun WELD
tor good. am glad that Capital lodce
has some of those noble working sisters
in its ranks, | have heard their deeds
spoken of by those who have been re. /
claimed and saved from the ,lrunkard's
late and rs they repeat the story of the
past The iremuIou' voice and the fearful :
eye all bespoke the depth OF feolin.. with !
which they called on Col to bless the noble
women of Montpelier. Sisters, yours is
noble mission, and one of great influence &
Ind power to do good; therefore WELD a
hat God-Siven gift faithfully and win 4
aureIs to yourselves on earth and endur- :,
ng joys in the world to come. and very b
many in that day will rise up and call I
You blessed. Come one. como all, to u
'ork that is SO grand, and help. by your
prayers and influence, to speed on the II
,ood ship OF temperance, until this with II
ring curse shall be driven from this fair
and of ours. The righteous cause is Nj
moving on; the once dim star is no longer o
linn; but bright in the mid heavens of It's
Glorious triumph, it shines 10 day with ~
Brighter lnstrc than ever before.