Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-18
THE GOOD TEMPLARS OF MAINE.
WHAT THEY ARE DoING AND WHAT
THEY PRoPOsE TO Do

lars, which has established Its lodges
in every country known to civilization.
1t has some IS Grand Lodges, numbers
its subordinate lodges by the thousands
and its members by the hundreds of
thousands It's rituals are printed in
fourteen different languages, with Its
motto Of faith, hope and charity; Its
platform abstinence for the individual
and prohibition by the State F; aud its
object to save the fallen and prevent 9th
ers from falling through the curse OF
intemperance. 1t knows neither sect,
race, nor party, in its efforts for the
salvation of humanity, and occupies a
leading position as the most prominent
factor in the discussions Of the greatest
and foremost question nov before the
civilized world-temperance.
There are indications of mighty NOV
ing-a massing Of moral forces in this
direction from every quarter to-day, and
especially in this country, where the
Order of Good Templars had its birth,
and where i, has planted its foundations
deep and strong in every State Of the
Union, as well as in the neighboring
provinces. And in the battle for the
the right now going on, and the
severer battle 20 come, it must bear the
brunt, and through tears and toll,
through clouds and sunshine, prosperity
and adversely, work right on to the vic
tory Of temperance over alcoholism, which
must come in Its own good TINA Just
50 sure as right IS right, and God Is
Just.
The larges, Grand Lodge in the
world Is that Of Sweden; New York Is
second, while Maine, with It's 500 lOdg-
Is and 20, 900 members, ranks fourth in
the list And !, is of our own State,
of our Order and its condition and op-
erations in Maine, that | propose to
speak briefly. The reports OF the off,
GERS Of the Grand Lodge made at It's semi
annual session lately held at Oakland.
show the Order in good working condi-
ton and ready to enter successfully upon
the winter campaign. There was the
usual mortality, but It was more than
coun;eracted BY the newly organized
lodges, and the special workers are al
ready taking the field for organized effort.
Grand Templar Jersey has entered on
a tour to visit weak lodges and speak at
public meetings on the general subject
Of temperance from the Good Templars'
standpoint. j. II. Hamilton, an old
and successful organizer, Is on visj,
through Washington County and eastern
Hancock. The fruits Of his lAbors are
already manifest in the returns Of new
lodge instituted a, Vaneeboro' and 9TH
ers in the extreme part Of the State.
Mrs. Estes. a well-known lady organizer,
viii at once canvass Knox and Lincoln
Counties. +. A. Marston will work in
Somerset, and our efficient corps Of State
and special deputies viii work wherever
there is an opportunity, or where direct
ed by the Grand Council.
The Order i prominent on the State
Temperance Committee, whose object IS
n secure and carry the prOhibitory con-
stitutional amendment at the next Sep
TENDER election. Pas; G. Templar, Mel
son Dingley, Is president, and Grand
Counsellor Munson Is secretary. In ad-
dition the Grand Secretary has been IN
structed to prosecute systematic cam
paigu BY correspondence with all the
Grand Lodges in the world for aid in be-
half Of the object. to be expended direct
" through the subordinate organizations.
1t is proposed TO Offset the money sent
into the State BY the rumsellers TO buy
votes, by 6 thorough canvass Of the State
by temperance lectures and literature.
The lodge meetings in the State dur
ing Thanksgiving week, have been set
apart for taking contributions for the pur-
pose Of buying and circulating temper
snce literature, the call for which will be
issued soon.
The organization machinery Of the Or
der in Maine consists of Grand Lodge
which meets twice year district lodg-
es which meet quarterly, and subOrdi-
nate lodges meeting weekly. The next
or annual meeting Of the Grand Lodge
will meet in Bangor next April. The
Right Worthy q. L. is supreme body Of
the Order in the world meets annually,
and It's next session viii be held at Wash
iDgton, ID. c., in June 1884.
The children are not forgotten in our
work for the cause but, department Of
Juvenile Temples Is sustained which now
numbers about IS Temples with men,
bership Of several thousand. Mrs. Bar
stow Of Bangor is Supt and will give all
needed information on the subject 1t Is
in this direction we most surely look for
fruit in years to come. The children Of
to-day, will be the men and women of
the tomorrow, not great ways off, and
the Importance Of fixing upon them the