The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-04-10
Good Templarism in Delaware.
NEWARK, DEL, April sth, 1886.

NEWARK DEL, April 9Th, 1886.
MEssRs. EDIToRs. - Allow me brief
space in THE LEDGER's columns to record
the progress made by the oldest of tenn
perance organizations in our State. The
organization of which speak is that of
the Independent Order of Good Tenn
plars, which is exceedingly strong and
powerful throughout-no alone North
America, but England and other lands
across the pond. All other orders of a
temperance stamp, sprang from, and are
in reality, a branch of the Good Tenn
plars. Many years ago the Good Tenn
plars were strong and active in Della
ware, especially so in New Castle county.
Through some mismanagement, how
ever, on the part of "the old-standbys,"
interest began to lack, and the once zeal
Gus, true and faithful members dropped
out of service; lodge after lodge went
down and the paraphenalia and regalia
that cost money and time to procure,
was packed away in dark chests and
gloomy closets, only to be found moth
eaten and mill-dewed when resurrected
after the lapse of many years. The de-
crease was steady; light after light flick
cred and went out, until the crisis was
reached, when it was ascertained that
but few lodges had survived the general
depression. When the fire of Good
Templarism was thought to be forever
out, the fact was recognized that there
was as yet spark or two struggling to
exist. AT that period there arose up I'M
expectedly one or two brethren who
have proved to be fathers to the cause, as
they put their shoulders to the wheel
just in the nick of time to save Good
Templarism in this State. The call
went forth for re-enforcements, and they
came. A few well-directed thrusts were
given, that went home to be hearts of the
old loyals and touched their sensibilities
The result was they responded to the
cry for help. This all occurred some
time past and since that epoch in the
history of Good Templarism, the sparks
were made to fly right lively, and many
strong-holds have been reclaimed and
Others gained. Lodges are springing up
here and there in towns, villages and
hamlets, and the prospects were never
better for the Diamond State to boast oil
having fifty subordinate lodges. Dover
Smyrna, FELTON,, Lewis, Christiana FAN
View and Newark lodges takes the lead
and are looked upon as ''the stars" Some
of the best talent in the State is to be
found in these orders, and prominent
among the lecturers of note, we find oui
friend, Frank Whelen of Dover Del, al
the head of the brigade, who is the G
w. q. I. of Delaware, and holds com
mission from the II. w. G. L. of G. T.
of these United States, as one of theil
lecturers. Prof. Wesley Webb, of Dover
Rev. T. II. Haynes of Frederick, Rev
J. B. Quigg of Smyrna, Revs. JOSEPH
Dare and James Scott of Christiana, Rev
Geo. Hardesty of Magnolia, Harry Nor
row of Wilmington, and r. NJ. Cooper o
Morton, shine forth as the lectures, bu
many others not mentioned here, ar,
fully capable of taking the stump or ros
trum and delivering a logical and good
sound-sense temperance address. Thes,
gentlemen are of course all members o
the Good Templar lodges G. W. c. 7
Whelen, is reformed man himself, ant
owes his reformation to the Good Tenn
plars, therefore his heart il in the work
and as he has an eye-to-business and
ready-tongue, he will undoubtedly lea,
and superintend the work in Delaware
as never man did before. Good TEN
plarism in this or any other State, coul,
not but help gain ground with lecture
Whelen at its head He has combine,
his forces and his regiment is moving o.
to victory. Surely, God raises up men il
time of need, to push forward his cause.
FRED E. McKINsEY.