Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-12-06
The Good remplars of Maine.
WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND PROPOSE TO
DO.

The leading. largest and most widely dis
semlnated temperance organization in exist
ence, is the l. o. of Good Templars, which
has established its lodges in every country
known 10 civilization. Ii mas some IS Grand
Lodges, numbers its subordinate lodges by
the thousand. and its members bv hundreds
Of thousands. It's rituals are printed in four
teen different languages, with its motto Of
faith. hope and charity; its platform absti-
hence for the individual and prohibition BY
the State and its object TO save the fallen
and prevent others from falling through the
curse of intemperance. 1t knows neither
sect, race. nor party, IN ITS efforts 70. the sal
Walton of humanity, and occupies leading
position as the most prominent factor in the
discussions OF the greatest and foremost
question now before the civilized world
temperance.
There are indications Of mighty moving
"a massing of moral forces in this direction
from every quarter, to-day and especially
in this country, where the Order of GooG
Templars had its birth, and where it has
planted its foundations deep and strong in
every State Of the Union. as well as in the
neighhoring provinces. And in the battle
for the right now going on. and the severer
battle to come, II must bear the hrunt, and
through tears and toll, through clouds and
sunshine. prosperity and adversely, work
right on to the victory Of temperance over
alcoholism. which must come IN its own good
time just so sure As right is right, and God
is just.
The largest Grand Lodge in the world is
that Of Sweden; New York is second. while
Maine with its 300 lodges and 10000 men,
bers ranks fourth in the list And it is Of
our own State. Of our Order. and its condi-
ton and operations in Maine, that propose
TO speak briefly. The reports of the officers
Of the Grand Lodge made at It's semi-annual
session lately held at Oakland, shows the
Order in good working condition and ready
10 enter successfully upon the winter cam
paign.
Grand Templar Jersey has entered on a
tour to visit weak lodges and speak at pub
lie meetings on the general subject of tenn
perance from the Good Temp!ars standpoint
Mrs. Estes, q well-known lady organizer,
will at once canvass Knox and Lincoln coun-
ties. +. A. Marson will work in Somerset.
and our efficient corps Of State and special
deputies will work wherever there is an op-
portunity or where directed BY the Grand
Council.
The Order is prominent on the State lem
perance Committee, whose object is TO secure
and carry the prohibitory constitutional
amendment al the next September election.
Past q. Templar Nelson Dingey. is president
and Grand Counsellor Munson, is secretary.
In addition the Grand Secretary has been
instructed TO prosecute systematic cam
paign by correspondence with all the Grand
Lodges IN the world for aid in behalf of the
object, to be expended directly through the
subordinate organizations. Ii is proposed
70 offset the money sent into the state by the
rumsellers to buy votes. BY a thorough can
yass of the State by temperance lectures
and literature.
The organization machinery of the Order
in Maine consists of grand Lodge which
meets twice 4 year; district lodges which
meet quarterly. and subordinate lodges
meeting weekly. The next or annual ses-
sion of the Grand Lodge will meet in Ban
gor next April. The Right Worthy G. l..
is the supreme body of the Order in the
world, meets annually, and its next session
will be held at Washington. ID. C., in June,
1884.
The children are not forgotten in our
work for the cause, nut a department of
Juvenile Templars is sustained which now
numbers about 10 Temples with member
ship Of several thousand. Mrs. Barstow of
Bangor is superintendent, and will give all
needed information on the subject. 1t is in
this direction we may surely look for fruit
in years 10 come The children of to-day
will be the men and women of the tomorrow
not a great ways off. and the Importance
of fixing upon them the habit of temperance
Cannot be overestlmated.
A mutual relief association for life insur-
ance has recently been inaugurated in the
Order, and as it is confined to the member
ship offers good inducements and will prove
support to the system.
There are yet many towns, and the coun-
try corners, settlements and neighbor hoods,
where no lodge exists, and persons
residing in these places and wanting
an organization of this kind are invited
to write to the Grand Secretary,
Geo. L. Bracket, of Belfast, who will give
all advice, aid and particulars necessary.
Our most successful and fourshng lodges
are in country towns, and wherever there is
hall for the meetings lodge may be plant
ed with all assurance Of success. In union
there is strength, and it is only by consolid-
ating and crystalizing the strength and SEN
timent Of community that its temperance
effort can be successful.