The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-06-28
History Of Good Templarism in Maine.

The following Is the historical address deliver
by Grand Secretary Bracket al the recent
| anniversary celebration in Portland: In the
year 1852, in a country village in the State of
New York, originated temperance society
called the Independent Order of q ood Templars,
the introduction of which into Maine, six years
later, we are celebrating here today. 1t found
the times ripe for its coming and proved to be
a plant Of rapid and permanent growth, for
from that seed dropped in waiting, fruitful
soil, has grown the largest the most widely cX-
tended and powerful temperance organization
the world has ever known. 1t spread rapidly
throughout the States and this continent, cross
ed the Atlantic and found home in foreign
lands, until now its bonds aud bands of bro
therly love embrace continents and comprise
within its fraternal grasp the dwellers from
Maine and Canada to California, from the
British Isles to New South Wales, and from
Scandinavia TO Australasia.
The Order Of Good TempIars today has
ceased to be national, it is cosmopolitan, for
wherever civilization extends upon the globe.
there 1t is established, until it numbers its
Grand Lodges by the score, its subordinate
Lodges by the thousands, and its membership
almost by the millions.
The sun never sets upon the lodges of our
Order for they are located in countries that
belt the earth, and Good Templar work and
teachings never cease. Brothers and sisters,
the same password which admits us to our
lodges in Maine will open the doors and ensure
us fraternal welcome to lodges of our order
in all parts of the civilized world.
Our rltualist!c work is printed and used in
IL different languages, so that our Il. w. &.
Lodge Is virtually congress of the nations in
the scope and character of its representation.
Our platform is so wide, and deep, and liberal,
that there is room upon it for all who are oppos-
Ell to the curse of alcoholism. We know neith-
er race, sex, nor creed-color, party nor reig
ion; our motto is faith hope and charity; our
platform is total abstinence for the individual
and prohibition for the nations; our mission
to save the fallen and prevent others from fall
ing through the curse of intemperance and the
use of Intoxicating liquors; and our watch
word and rallying cry embazoned on our BAN
ners Is, for God, and home, and every land.
Thirty years ago this evening the first Lodge
Of the Order in Maine or New England was or
ganzed in this city. and named Arcana No. 1.
1t is still alive and at the heal Of the Maine
column, and though but two of its charter
members are with US, vet scores of the citizens
of Portland and vicinity have passed through
its doors, taken its obligations. and through its
teachings and influence have been temperance
workers for a lifetime.
Two years later. in 1850. August %. the
Grand Lodge of Maine was organized with
only eight subordinate lodges. but the score
and ii half of years which have elapsed has
seen what Il "mishty fire n little flame hath
kindled." for behold in our grand old Pine
Tree State to-day there are over 300 live work
ing lodges-nearly one in each town-and 20
quarter as many more-a total of - full reg
ments OF 200 each, men. women and children,
keeping step 10 the music OF prohibition and
marching on to ultimate victory under the pure,
white banner of temperance.
Our order in Maine has made its history
has had its dood and ebb tide. its seasons Of
adversely and prosperity, but for several years
it seems to have settled down to its present ay-
erage membership, and is now next to New
York the largest Grand Lodge on this conti-
non pnJf ,trth f1,.,Ii in, ri,A
good we have done for Temperance and COM
munitv during these thirty wears, in Maine.
can never be measured or estimated. During
that time, over 100000 persons have pledged
themselves to total abstinence under its au-
spices. during the same period, huge army Of
Good Tempar temperance workers have gone
INTO the W estern States. carrying with them
our principles. leavening the masses. and plant
inc the order in dozens of States, till some of
them can claim nearly as many members as
their down east parent, who, while she is proud
of their prosperity, still claims the banner un-
der the Old motto, Drigo.
And yet our work and mission as an Order
is but Just begun. Though strong in years and
numbers we are in our infancy for good works
and results towards aiding in reclaininy hu-
manity from the gigantic vice of the nations
Though the progress of the temperance cause
has been rapid, extended and glorious. vet the
enemy has not been and is not idle. His de
structive, blighting course can he traced
through every land Though the historian
must acknowledge the growth of temperance
sentiment in this and ether countries as
almost without parallel, still the temperance
millennium is afar OFF, and only hard. united.
long continued personal and associated labor
and sacrifice can successfully stem the current
OF vice and crime consequent upon the opera
tons Of the drinking habits and liquor traffic.
We fully believe in the final victory OF tenn
peranre over all opposition. 10 doubt it
would not only he sin but it would not be in
accord with our belief in right ana justice aud
the eternal principles Herewith connected. and
in that day and age, which is sure to come,
when the foot of the victor is triumphantly
planted upon the neck of the nations foe. we
trust and firmly believe that one of the grand
est, most practical and powerful Instrumental
tiles towards its accomplishment will be our
temperance organization, the Independent or
der of Good TemplarS.