The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-27
UNDER THE WHITE CROSS
A BRANCH OF THE SOCIETY OR
CANNED IN SAVANNAH.


Its Purposes and Methods-To Treat
All Women With Respect, to Put
Down Indecent Language and Coarse
Jests, and to Keep Thyself Pure
The Plan of Organization and Who
are Eligible for Membership-The
Silver Cross Society.
A branch OF the White Cross Society was
organized at the Independent Presbyterian
church last night Tie meeting for organi-
cation was largely attended. Rev. Thomas
Boone, rector of Christ church, presided.
Rev. A. NJ. Wynn, of Wesley Monumental
church, opened the meeting with prayer.
The chairman read letter from DIR. X. j.
Mum, in which Dr.. Num- expressed regrets
in being unable to be present at the organi-
zation of the society Other letters from
prominent gentlemen were read. In tie
absence of Mr.. c. NJ Gilbert, secretary at
the last meeting, Mr. r. Z. Steele was made
temporary secretary. The chairman read
the following preamble, which the commit
tee appointed at the last meeting offered:
THE socIETY's PREAMBLE.
In proposing to organize a branch Of the
White Cross Society in savannah we, your
we have no accurate means of knowing the
exact amount Of immortality existing in our
fair city so we have no intention OF making any
charge against 1t as compared with other cltles
north or south.
Yet as we cannot but know that the particu-
lar vice against which would strive does
exist to a large extent here as elsewhere, and as
we do believe that an organized effort should
be made TO protect the innocent. To help the
weak, aud if possible to reclaim the straying
therefore We propose the following resolutions
y Tfla
Canize a society for these good purposes
Resoli,ed That we feel the deepest sympathy
for the young and the weak, who are too often
thoughtessly led astray, and We would extend
to them lovingly helping hand.
ResoiUed That We are firmly opposed to evil
principles on this subject, and We call upon all
persons who spread them abroad, and who
violate willfuly some of the plainest commands
of Almighty God, TO repent and amend ere it be
too late.
ResolUed. That we adopt and make our own
these following principles, which come TO us
from a very high authority:
ITS DECLARATIONS.
We solemnly declare that liteof purity is
alone worthy Of a being created in the image OF
God. We declare that for christians the obhga-
ton to purity rests upon the sancity of the
body, which is the Temple Of the Holy Ghost"
We declare that life of chastity for the I'M
married is not only possible, but is commanded
We declare that there is no difference between
man and woman in the sinfulness Of sins Of UNI
We declare that on the man. in his God -given
strength OF manhood, rests the main response
bility.
We declare that no one known to be living an
immoral life ought TO be received in christian
society.
We solemnly protest against all lowering of
the sanctty of marriage.
Rev. Mr. Boone commented upon the
p-eamble and spoke upon its adoption, and
kso explaining its import. He was followed
nv Dr. Bullock, who spoke Of the necessity
of the organization. He said that it would
be a remedy TO an evil of long standing. In
regard to marriage, be said that it is not
failure if looked upon in the right lgnt.
Marriage, Dr. Bullock said, is regarded
failure only by the lowest stratas OF society.
He spoke Of fashion as growing and Tat
the result is not ennobling. He deprecated
it and hoped there will be time when it
will cease.
The preamble was taken up and was
unanimously adopted. A constitution was
also read and approved.
THE SILVER CROSS SOCIETY.
Besides organizing the White Cross So
ciety, in winch no one under 10 years old is
eligible for membership, a Silver Cross
Society was organized for boys over II and
under Is. The latter society will be under
the management of the officers of the
White Cross Society. After becoming 16
years of age the Silver Cross members are
promoted to the White Cross membership
The pledges OF the societies are:
/. To treat all women with respect, and en-
deavor to protect them from wrong and degra-
dation.
?. To endeavor to put down all indecent Ian
guage and coarse tests
3. To maintain the law of purity as equally
binding upon men and women
4. To endeavor to spread these principles
among my companions, and to try and belp my
younger brothers,
s. TO use every possible means to fulfill the
command, Keep THysELF pure"
TO WEAR A SILVER CROSS.
The members of the Silver Cross Society
will wear silver cross for badge. The
society will have regular monthly meetings
and the meetings VIII open and close with
devotional services The management of
the White Cross branch organized last
night will be entrused to officers appointed
from the different churches. No election
was held last night, the chairman appoint
ing a meeting Friday night at the indie
pendent Presbyterian lecture room for the
purpose The following gentlemen were
appointed as nominating committee to
report at the next meeting: Rev. Thomas
Boone, DIR. White, Rev. DIR. Holmes and
Mr. Steele The organization starts out
under fine auspices aud will no doubt work
great good in Savannah.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT.
The White Cross Society was first Or
ganized at a meeting held at Bishop
Auckland, under the presidency of the Bishop
of Durham, Feb. IA, 1888. This was a
parochial organization, but on Feb. % of
the same year it was made a diocesan insti-
tuition, taking the name of THE White
Cross Army" May IS the Bishop Of Dur
ham preached a special sermon addressed to
men in st. Mary's church, Gateshead, which
sermon was published as the first number
of the white Cross Seriesh The move
ment spread with great rapidity, extending
into Ireland and Scotland, and ere long
reaching the English colonies. During the
winter of lSS3-'S4 branch of the White
Cross, the first in America, was organized
in the parish of st. John the Evangelist,
New York city, those interested having
previously opened communication with the
leaders in England. The Durham plan of
organization was adopted, with few