Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-12
GOOD TEMPLARS' WORK.
The Ordcrand Its GrOWth--HOW
the Lodges Are Formed.
For the Dispatch. J

RICHMOND, February ii, 1913.
There are in Richmond nine lodges OF
Good Templars, all in a fiourishing con-
dition and exerting a healthy influence
in their respective environments. They
constitute the largest and most thorough
ly-organized total-abstinence society in
the world. The order has members in
all civilized nations Of tho globe. united
under one banner for the overthrow OF
the drink traffic. 1t first sprang into
existence IN 1851 in Oneida county, y.
y, under the name OF knights Of
Jericho, and by the efforts OF the late
Postmaster General James in 1892 be-
came fully established in Syracuse under
the name of Independent Order OF Good
Templars. Ii was the first organization TO
recognize woman as an equal with man
IN its war against the rum traffic. To
that fact it IL largely indebted for It's
unequslled success.
With more than million members,
il is the strongest foe on earth against
the rayages Of the liquor curse. From
its small beginning in 1851 its growth
has been truly wonderful. 1t soon spread
into every State and Territory in tho
United States and into all tho provinces
of Canada. For the first seventeen
years It was confined to North America,
but in 1868, with an electric bound il
was over into England, and few years
later It was in Scotland, Ireland. and
Wales, continuing to spread until II was
planted in Asia, Africa, Australia. New
Zealand, Tasmania. and IN other islands
OF the sea, and On aud on until now
every civilized nation on the globe Is
enjoying its blessings.
SO thoroughly organized is it through
out the world that its pass word IS quar-
terly whispered into more than l,OJO,-
600 listening ears Its ritual is made up
from Scriptural texts and is the embodi-
ment of the highest type OF moral and
religious teachings. 1t has been trans
lated into eleven different languages
and is being used 10y thirteen different
tongues. The lodges are open to
all nationalities and every person
who has reached the age OF II
years and will subscribe to its platform
Of principles and can pass the ballot-box
test, can walk through and enter into It's
family circle. Members III good stand
ing can enter any of its lodges in the
world, where they will never fail to find
fraternal friends. The lodge-room is a
home for the reformed inebriate, where
he can spend the evening of the meeting
pleasantly with those who are interested
in his welfare. 1t is a harb0r Of safety
to those who are trying to reform, from
which all fell destroyers are excluded.
II affords an unequalled opportunity
for social enjoyment. 1t has its
subordinate lodges in the dis
tricts, hamlets, villages, and cities,
holding weekly meetings. 1t has its
county or district lodges made up of
representatives, from subordinate lodges,
holding meetings four times year. 1t
has "A grand lodge in each State, pro-
vince, empire, kingdom, or country
where it exists, made up OF representa-
tlves from the subordinate and county
or district lodges, holding annual meet
ings to legisate for their respective juris-
dictions. 1t has also a right worthy grand
lodge for the world, composed OF repre-
sentatiYes from the several grand lodges,
which has supervision over the whole or
der in legislating for its general interests.
Its secrecy, so often objected to by those
who know nothing of it, is the safeguard
which serves to keep intruders and the
enemies OF temperance reform from en-
tering the lodge-rOoms with their de-
structive influence. That's all. 1t gives
the members an opportunity to lay their
plans of attack in the battles against the
rum fend without fear of publication to
the world. In tho general acceptation
OF the term it is not a secret society. Its
privacy is no stricter than that OF a
well-regulated family. AS an important
annex to this great organization 1t has a
juvenile templary department, with its
thousands and tens OF thousands of chill
dren under the fourfold pledge against
intoxicating drinks, tobacco, profane
language, and gambling excellent
school--lnd it is the duty Of every pa
triot and every Christian TO 90 all he can
to help on the good work Of this organi-
zation. Will you do it?
Respectfully,
JOSEPH II. SHEPHERD.