Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-04-22
COMPASS AND SQUARE.
The Question Of Temperance in
ths Order.
A CALL For REFORM At FUNERALS.
Interesting Sketch Of the Quarters Of the
First Commandery Of Knights
Templar-0ther So
ciety News,
A CALL FOR REFORM At FUNERALS.
TEMrERENCE IN TIE ORDER.

Graft, and it is one which has given
rise, no doubt, TO considerable amount
of speculation on both sides of that
great question. On either of those sides
there IS much to be said, and on which
in all probability the brethren will eX-
pect to hear something in the consider
alton of those matters which either di-
rectly or indirectly affect the interests
Cf our Order. In entering upon sur
Vey of the subject, then, We may as
we'll say plainly that we do not antici-
pate any very radical effect which the
proposal Will exert upon the Brother
hood - whole, though the permits
>ive character of it may supply the
ground OF many suggestions which
hitherto have been only imperfectly
ventilated, and handled as gingerly as
one dCc~ the proverbial hot potato.
There are many to whom it might have
occurred that there are amongst our
ranks a vast number Of men who pre-
fer abstinence from wine on all Oc-
rasiOuS, not merely from any any ill.,
lated notions of the "gOOdy" type, but
uecau>e obey like it, and il agrees with
them. Ii may appear in bad taste, or
u tritle eccentric, 10 drink to a toast in
coffee, or even ZOedOne, instead of the
orthodox champagne; still, if guest at
y banquet prefers II, We DO not see that
ue should tx regarded a. a lunatic for
doing 81, or that the finger of ScOrn
should bc pointed at him, or the con-
temptunuS shruG of the shoulder raised
al the milk and water enthusiasm of
such an individual. IL is a fact that
can no longer be withheld that Temper
auCe ideas ana practices have of late
wears been advancing with rapid and
important strides. At this none can
rejoice, or does rejoice, more than
the great body to which we are
proud To teiOug. Not only is the effect
lelt upon the moral and social pulses of
the nation, but its material prosperity is
Enhanced in an incalCulable degree by
the spread OF Temperance in any Of its
forms. We do not mean the blatant
~yCOphauCy of those gentlemen who
with faces IS long as a fiddle" set
themselves up Is did the Pharisees of
old, aud thank Heaven they are not ~
other men, but who are capable very
often of the most despicable and, to say
the least, the un-MaSOnic actions. But
amongst the substantial and intelligent
MasOnS OF our population there is un-
Questionably powerful impression in
favor of curta ling the habits which
were at one time considered the ''cOr-
rect thing i'm social circles; and the
race of our three-bOttle men has been
:,S nearly eNtiTpated as have the Mao
rieS from New Zealand and the Red In-
dans from the hunIing-grOunds OF the
Far West. In this respect society has
taken a decided, and it must be added,
an improved turn; for although much
might he, and has been, SAID OF the
reyeiS and rnut~ which give a spice OF
iollity To the past, yet times aud cir
CumstaurcS alter, aud the society of
topper Is not USUALLY held in high esteem
amOngS, the members of modern re-
fined society. After all i said and done,
therefore, We are 10y no means disposed
to Sneer ur ip~t at our worthy brethren
i'm the city uf Cotton for the resolve
upon which they have entered to start
Il "Tvu.psranCe Lodge We have
often heard the remark, that although
not absolutely eXtravagant, and GER
taiUly with no approach Of excessive
indulgence. the wine bill has formed 3
rather formidable item at some Of our
meetings, aud that the money thus
expended might have been more wisely
applied. We are quite sensible of the
delicate ground upon which we tread
when touching upon these questions.
and we should be sorry TO form paral
lpkwith those who would rob poor
man of his beer" knowing that the
punishment for such an injustice
amounts to no less than an eternal con-
domination of ones optics. However,
il cannot be denied that there are Occa-
siOEs on which the homage done to
smiling BacchuS has caused an unde-
sirable encrOachment on the Lodge
funds, and which either courtesy or ur-
tanity on the part of WOrshipful Mas
tCls and their Officers has failed to
check. BE that rs it may, it becomes
subject for calm and diSpaSsionate study
both out of consideration TO our Lodge
eXchequers and the sensitiveness =
squeamishness if you like-of those
brethren who prefer Notwithstanding
beverages with their other enjOyments,
10 see that the case is evenly and pleas
antly met.-F'reemasOn's Chronicle.
ABOUT FUNERALS.
The New York Herald led off recent
Nv in a well considered article on the
danger attending our practice at funerals
in the Indictment season of the year,
as leading to pneumonia and other
fatal diseases, by the common practice
of standing uncovered in the frosty or
chill atmOsphere-the latter the worst
during the performance Of the cere-
mOny, however brief at the grave of
departed friends, and this is backed up
by a professional opinion from Dr.
SayreS, the value of which none will
contest.
The same idea occurred To us years
ago. and whenever it became our duty
10 Officiate we invariably requested the
brethren To raise their hats momen-
tarily, as mark of respect to the de-
ceased, and then remain covered.
We most heartily endorse the Herald
suggestion, and recommend to all Mas
ters, when about to commence the
services at the grave, to follow the prac-
tice above mentioned, because it Is not
necessary that the living should die IN
order to pay respect to the remains of
those who are past danger.
This suggests remedy that, at rea-
SOnable cost, may prevent the loss oil
many lives, which is, that each ceme-
terry be required, by the force Of public
opinion, To erect a suitable building
wherein may be held such services as
are required by the different churches
ar societies, free from the dangers OF out
door exposure. There is no need OF
splendid buildings, cushioned seats, or
any other of the adjuncts of cOmforta-
ble worship; but only that there be pro-
lection from the inclemencieS OF cold
and damp, or the blazing sun of sum-
mer.
The last time We were called to Off.
ciate was on an elevation in Greenwood
with three feet of snow on the ground
and 4 gale from the north, fit to take
off the heads OF the participants. To
uncover under these circumstances
would have been to invite death, and
we trust that no one will consent to
initiate that example, and that the
brethren will unite with the press, in
sisting that in each public cemetery
there shall he furnished convenience