Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-02-23
rss WORK OF GOOD rswPlAss.

The following letter from TX Governor Per
ham ~ the Oxtori District Lctse, l. % u. Il.
was Rad at the recent session OF the io'se
To the oxford District Lodge, I. o. q. T..
am requested 10 make some sugges-
tions as 10 what can be done TO make
the work Of the /. q. q. L. lodges more
efficient, and cheeriully comply with the
request.
Preliminary, however, TO what | may
saw on the subject, | desire 10 refer 10
the importance Of sustaining these lodges
and N king them a greater power for
good. The prominent position on the
temperance question, which the state OF
Maine holds among the other states OF
the Union, Is the result Of long years oi
faithful. persistent, individual effort,
largely through the temperance orgsni-
zatious that have AT different times -four
ished in the state and country.
Many of these organizations have eeas-
ed 10 exist, but all have done good work
In their day, and have aided in strength
ening the temperance sentiment OF the
state.
The education OF the people through
these organizations made IL possible Ia
1851, 10 pass the act known ali over the
world as the Maine Law, and the same
influences have enabled the law TO with
stand sll the assaults Of lis adversaries
70 the present 6ay.
The most Of those who were prominent
in this work hsve gone 10 their reward,
and MANY of the societies that were most
efficient in those times have given place
10 others, but their influence remains as
bls ssed inheritance TO Us, and pisces
the state OF Maine far 10 advance on this
subject.
We must not allow our standard 10 be
lowered. The cause demands our mos,
earnest and persistent Efforts. Eternal
vigilance" is the price Of success.
We have many efficient temperance
organizations, II doing good work; bat
the / -. C.. T.. a. IL appears 20 me, fur
nishss tie best facilities for the accom-
organization of which have any knowl-
edge. Ii i worldwide in its operation /,
il has an efficient stste organization,
capable OF siding and strengthening the
weaker lodges; IL includes both male
and female, old and young; u Is not
partisan: il Il not sectsrian; no one Is
barred by his political or religious Opin-
ions; the platform is broad enough for
all who are willing to pledge themselves
10 total abstinence, 10 stand upon
The difficulty in keeping up the inter-
est, sud maintaining the usefulness OF
such organizations, has been realized by
II who have had any thing 10 do with
hem. The first requisite IL that all the
members should as far a. possible attend
II the meetings OF the lodge, and be
ready 10 contribute something 10 the
interest Of the occasion. Every Good
remplar should feel personal response
bility 10 this regard.
The best method of conducting the
meetings presents a problem thNt each
lodge must solve for itself. No IRON
clad rule can be prescribed-whst would
be best for one lodge. might be entirely
inappropriate 10 another. Within certain
limitations, IL will generally be safe TO
follow the wishes of the majority Of the
members.
The membership Of many Of our
lodges IL composed largely Of young
people. This Is hopeful. The young
people should be encours ged TO come in.
Dul II >Oulctlilt, hotftu> lhas PtV-
gramme that would be interesting TO
them, may not be enjoyed by the Older
people, and vice-versa- In such cases,
each should yield something TO the
other.
IL Is not necessary or advisable that
all the exercises should have reference
TO the temperance cause. Other subjects
relating to the welfare of the people may
with propriety be considered, and may
aid in increasing the interest, and in
strengthe ming the lodge. But the fact
should never be lost sight of, that the
lodge exists especially for the promotion
Of the cause Of temperance. and that its
teaching and influence should be along
that line.
While there Is no occasion for running
the lodge on narrow gauge principle,
care should be taken that its meetings
shall not degenerate to a plane so low as
to be inconsistent with the dignity and
grandeur of the organization.
In the management OF the lodge, every
member, as far As possible, should be
made TO feel that he has something TO do,
and that his constant attendance IL i'm
portant to the success Of the meetings.
Much more might be said on this line,
but lodge made up Of men and women,
thoroughly consecrated to the cause Of
Temperance, will not be at q loss for
methods to accomplish its work.
SIDNEY PERHAM.
Washington, Jan. p, 1897.