Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1881-11-01

Is 1t not our duty as Good Templars to
adhere to the party best calculated to Sc
cure, and most liable to make the reform
we ask for? The time for third party
movement in our Territory most certainly
has not yet arrived Efficient work for
the cause Of Temperance can be best ans
most successfully done within the existing
political organizations. But do not let US
TOR moment, forget the fact that our
grand Organization Of Temperance is nor
a political one. Our weekly meetings
should not, in any sense, be pol :tical prima-
ries. The lodge room is no place to dis
cuss and lay plans for party projecls, or
sectarian preferences. We invite ALI. no
matter what be their political views, ORE
Hgious creed, to join US; hence the impro-
pricty of discussing questions of a politi-
cal or sectarian character.
| speak thus plainly on this subject, be
cause few in some Of our Lodges would
like to make, or commit the Lodge 10 .
certain line of religious or political policy
AS individuals, let US be active IN poll
tics if we will; jealous in our religious
convictions, but as an or rganization let Us
labor in the interest of great moral re-
form.
Sometime during last August, Sister
Hunter, of Boise City was commissioned
Superintendent Of the Juvenile Tenplars
for this jurisdiction, and Immediately en-
tered upon the duties of organizing. A
proper and due consideration OF this part
Of the work is of the utmost Importance
to our own interest for the present and fu-
ture. By giving due attention in organ
iZing the children into Temperance bands
and Juvenile Temples, we may possibly
see, in our day, complete overthrow Of
the manufacture, importation and sale O.
all intoxicants as a beverage.
The training of the young in the prin-
ciples of our Order is the work to which
we should give our best thought ard con-
stant attention. Educate the boys and
girls of to-day in the principles of Tenn
perance and in a few years there will ap-
pear on the stage OF action generation Of
men and women determined on complete
ruin and suppression of the drink traffic.
If we seek sure remedy from the vice of
liquor-drinking, beyond question the com
mencement must be with the young. They
must be trained, educated, and fully made
acquainted with the nature of alcohol and
its effect on human organism Plainly,
then, unless the rising generation is taught
that to sell and drink alcoholic beverages
is a serious crime, the free instifu-
tions and Government we now have, viii
pass away.
would not dwell so long nor urge ac-
livity in this Juvenile work upon the
Grand Lodge of Idaho, if the children Of
our Territory were elsewhere being in
structed in the principles of Total Abstin-
ence. The Sabbath and Day Schools GER
tainly are doing but little in this line Of
work, and unless it is done, we must go
backward. Then, as true reforEiels, let us
carefully watch the work among the
young, and in few short years our work
as Templars will be mostly done
| [ have been called upon to decide but
| few questions, and those were of minor
| importance, proving to us that our Lodges
have been unanimous in almost all points
of order. There will be perhaps some
questions for this session to decide, or
rather revision OF our bylaws as regards
Ancient Good Templars, and also basis
of representation fixed, so that each Lodge
may know the representation it is entitled
! to- | also sincerely hope that some plan
| will be adopted at this session that will
give life and energy to the Juvenile work.
In closing this somewhat lengthy and
wearisome report, | ask, IN view of the
hasty preparation of IT, that you be spar
ing of your criticism, remembering that
charity is one OF the tenets of our Order.
And now, as we ali stand around our COM
mon altar, having plighted our faith to-
gether, beneath our sacred standard, may
the pleasant ties that now bind US together
be severed only in death.
Yours in T. II. & c.
A. j. BORLAND, G. w. c. r.
Boise City, Oct. %, 1881