The Portland daily press., 1883-11-16
THE GOOD TEMpLARs OF MAINE

What they are Doing nnd Propose 20 no.
The leading, largest and most widely disseminated
temperance organization Z; existence is the l. O. of
Good Templars which had its birth in this stats
and has established its lodges in every country
known to civilization. 1t has some 75Grand Lodges
numbers its subordinate lodges by the thousands
aad its members by the hundreds of thousands Its
rituals printed in fourteen different languages
with its motto of faith, hope and charity its plat
form abstinence for the individual and prohibition
by the State; and its object save the fallen and
prevent others from falling through the curse Of in
temperance. 1t knows neither Sect race nor party,
in its effort for the salvation of humanity and oc-
cupies leading position as the most prominent
factor in the discussions of the greatest and FORE
most question now before the civilized world-tem
perance.
The largest Grand Lodge in the world Is that Of
Sweden; New York is second, while Maine With its
900 lodges and 10000 members ranks fourth In the
list. And it is Of our own State, of our Order and
its condition and operations in Mains that propose
to speak briefly. The reports of the officers
of the Grand Lodge made at its semiannual
session lately held at Oakland, show the Order in
good working condition and READY to enter success
fully upon the winter campaign. There was the us
ual mortality, but it was more than counteracted by
the newly organized lodges, and the special work
ers are already taking the field for organized ef-
fort
Grand Templar Torsey has entered an tour to
visit weak lodges and speak at public meetings on
the general subject of temperance from the Good
Templar's standpoint. j. II. Hamilton an old and
successful organizer, is on visit through wash
ington county and eastern Hancock The frnits of
his labors are already manifest in the returns OF a
new lodge instituted at Nanceboro and others in the
extreme part of the State MS Estes a wall
known know lady organizer, will at once canvass Knox
Somerset, and our efficient corps of state and snec
lai deputies will work wherever there Ia an onpoT
tunity, or where directed by the Grand Counc
1he order Is prominent on the State Temnarsn.a
Committee, whose object is to secure and ear, az
prohibitory constitutional amendment at the nsys
September election. Past G. Templar NeISon
Dingley, is president, and Grand Counsellor Mrn
son is secretary. In addition the Grand Secretsrv
has been instructed to prosecute systematic cam
In the world for aid in behalf of the object to e
expended directly through the subordinate orgsniz-
ations. 1t is proposed to Offset the money sent into
the State by the rumsellers to buy votes BY thor
ouRh canvass OF the State by temperance lectures
and literature.
The lodge meetings in the State, during Thanks
giving week, have been set apart for taking con
tributions for the purpose of buying and circuat-
ing temperance literature, the call for which win
be issued. sovn.
The organization machinery Of the Order in
Maine consists OF Grand Lodge which meets twice
year; district lodges which meet quarterly and
subordinate lodges meeting weekly. The next or
annual session Of the Grand Lodge will meet in
Bangor Apfl. Inc ulstr1ct lodge III this local
ity comprises Cumberland county and will hold it,
next quarterly session at Scarboro, Nov 10th. The
Right Worthy g. L., the supreme body Of the
Order in the world, meets annually, and its next
session will be held at Washington, d. O., in June
1884. '"H''
mutual relief association for life insurance No.
recently been inaugurated In the Order and AZ 1, =
confined to tho membership offers good indnca
ments and viii prove support to the systam
The children are not forgotten in our work for
the cause, but department of Juvenile Temnles h.
sustained which now numbers about rs Temples
with a membership of several thousand Mrs Bar
stow of Bangor is Supt. and will give ali needed In
formation ON the subject. 1t is in this direction
may most surely look for fruit in years TO come.
There are many towns, and country corners, set
Elements and neighborhoods, where no lodge exists,
and persons residing in these places and wanting an
organization of This kind are invited to write to the
G and Sec, etary Geo E. Bracket, Of Belfast, who
win give all advice aid and particulars necessary.
Our most successful and aourshing lodges are in
the country towrs. and wherever there Is hall for
ance OF success. In union there IS strength and it
10 only by consolidation aud crys azng The strength
and sentiment OF community that it's temperance
effort can be successful. GsS.