GOOD TEMPLARISM.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 107, 3 October 1874, Page 3

GOOD TEMPLARISM.

A meeting in connection with the Grand Lodge convention recently held in this city took place last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and was fairly attended. The chair was occupied by the G.W.C.T. Bro S. P. Andrews, supported on the right by the G.W. secretary and the G.W, Counsellor Adams, and on the left by the G.W.Y. Templar and the G.W. Treasurer. There was also a number of brethren wearing regalia on the platform, as also a very efficient choir under the leadership of Bro Long, who during the evening rendered some pieces of music very nicely. The following representatives of lodges were present on the platform ; CANTERBURY. Dauntless, Christchurch —Bros Rev B. J. Westbrook, W. Jacques, W. Smith, W. T, C. Mills Hope of Christchurch, Christchurch—Bros S. P. Andrews, Rev R. M. Morton, John Buxton, Ebenezer Long Ever Faithful, Christchurch—Bros Rev S. Macfarlane, W, Kerr Christchurch Excelsior, Christchurch— Bros Ernest C. Hutton, Hugh Bennetts Pioneer, Addington—Bros Thomson, Hepburn

Good Samaritan, Leithfield Bro John Caygill Perseverance, Oxford —Bro Rev Mr Warboys Good Hope, Temuka —Bro Donaldson Alexandra, Timaru—Bro Donaldson St Andrew’s, Christchurch—Bro Little Volunteer, Christchurch—Bro Shierlaw Welcome Retreat, Geraldine Bro Williams

Excelsior, Woolston—Bro Malcolm Southern Cross, Christchurch—Bro Wm Gavin

Good Intent, West Melton—Bro Cutler Star of St Albans—Bro Efford Kaiapoi—Bro J. Anderson Good Intent, Rangiora—Bro W. West brook

Onward, Waikuku—Bro Carter Onward, Ashburton—Bro J. Scott Advance, Waltham—Pro Leßreton Star of South Canterbury—Bro J. Anderson

Rock of Safety—Bro Cutler. WEST COAST,

Charleston—Bro W. H. Delamare Greymouth—Bro Walters Westport—Bro Bensley OTAGO.

Pioneer, Dunedin Bros Cameron, Adams British Hearts of Oak—Bro Cameron Pride of Dunedin —Bro Adams Cromwell—Pro Adams Tribune —Bro Cameron Bendigo—Bro Cameron Golden Arrow—Bro Cameron Guiding Star—Bro Adams Waikoniti— Bro Cameron Lawrence— Bro Adams Triumph—Bro Adams Rising Star —Bro Adams Queenstown —Bro Cameron Golden Gleam—Bro Adams Golden Link—Bro Adams Star of Hope. Oamaru—Bro R. Pearce. Papakaio—Bro R. Pearce Dawn of Hope, Maiwhera—Bro R. Pearce, The proceedings were opened by singing the National Anthem. R.W.C.T. Andrews said that it gave him very great pleasure in meeting those before him that evening, and stating that steps had been taken to consolidate the movement of Good Templars south of Cook’s Straits. The movement was first introduced into New Zealand by Bro Rev B. T. Westbrooke, in September, 1872, and the Dauntless Lodge was opened in Canterbury on July 17th, 1873. Application had been made to the R. W. Grand Lodge for power to open a Grand Lodge here, and he had the pleasure of informing them that they had now started their own Grand Lodge, and were working under its jurisdiction, it having its own laws and officers. The Grand Lodge had been in session, and they had now concluded their business, and he might tell them that so far as could be ascertained there was in Canterbury thirty lodges, having a membership of about 2000. [Cheers.] The position of the Grand Lodge was as follows:

That they now had under their jurisdiction seventy-six subordinate lodges. They would thus see that a great amount of progress had been made by the Order in Canterbury, and indeed in New Zealand. The chairman then proceeded to read several statistics to show the marked progress made by the Order in England and Scotland. There was no particular novelty about the Order, and it was not only growing round them here, but it was also spreading throughout the world. The Order also contained provisions for the establishment of juvenile temples, and there was at the present time (50,000 children being instructed in the principles of the Order ; with an expenditure on their behalf of £3OOO. He had quoted these facts to show that they belonged to an Order which had spread itself all over the world. The difficulties which they had met with in the conduct of their business would, he hoped, soon disappear, and that their establishment of a Grand Lodge for the districts south of Cook’s Straits would be on the broadest basis. They had sat in the Grand Lodge for three days from 9.30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and had had with them representatives from all the lodges under their jurisdiction, and yet during all that time not an angry word had dropped. [Applause.] He would not longer detain them in opening the meeting, but would call upon the choir to sing a piece of music. [Applause.] Part-song—“ Coming thro’ the rye,” choir.

The Chairman then introduced G. W. Counsellor Bro Adams, from Otago. Bro G.W.C. Adams said that he felt very great pleasure in addressing a meeting in Christchurch, because it was the place in which the first session of the Grand Lodge had been held, and where he had met with such a warm and kindly welcome. He must say that he looked upon Christchurch in a very different way to which he did when he left Dunedin. [Applause.] They knew the very great difficulties under which up to the present the Order had to contend in its working, and he desired to say that there was very great credit due to those men who banded themselves together, and came to the front to help on the cause—he alluded to the Provisional Grand Lodge. In Otago he felt that much had been done by these gentlemen, and he considered that the present proud position of Good Templary in Otago was due in a great measure to their efforts. [Hear, hear.] He said this because there had been a misunderstanding as to what had been done by the Provisional Grand Lodge, and he thought they were entitled to the thanks of all Good Templars. [Cheers,] He desired to congratulate them on the establishment amongst them of a legally constituted Grand Lodge but while this was done he wished to impress upon the individual members that it was not alone for the Grand Lodge or for the subordinate lodges who should be expected to wage the war ; it was for every individual Good Templar, man and woman, to carry out the work at their own fireside and in their own circles. [Applause.] The next sitting of the Grand Lodge would be held next year at Dunedin, and there would also be established District Lodges, which would carry forward the work and thus avoid the jealousies inseparable from having two such large provinces as Otago and Canterbury. When these District Lodges were in work they would carry on the business for each district quite distinct from any other under the Grand Lodge. The Good Templar cause had prospered very largely in Dunedin, and they had erected a large temperance hall, which was one of the finest halls in Dunedin- (Applause.) It was a rallying point for temperance people there, and he was glad to see that they intended to do the same here, and he hoped to see those who had taken the matter up supported by the general body of Good Templars, so that tlry might have in their midst a hall which would be a credit to their city. [Cheers.] Song—“ The blacksmith,” Mr Walker; encored, responded to with “ Will o’ the wisp.” Bro Cutler then, in an earnest speech, next addressed the meeting, expressing an earnest hope that the principles of Good Templary would grow and flourish in Canterbury. He contended that the human system did not require intoxicating liquors to build it up, and condemned in the strongest possible terms the prescribing by medical men of intoxicating drinks as stimulants. Part song—" Now is the month of maying,” choir. The Chairman then called upon Bro Cameron, the Grand Worthy Vice Templar, to address the meeting. G.W.V.T. Bro Cameron said that he had very much pleasure in addressing a Christchurch audience, as they had to acknowledge very great kindness from their Christchurch brethren. The speaker expressed his regret that no sisters had been present as representing Christchurch Lodges at the Grand Lodge convention. As regarded the institution of the Grand Lodge in Christchurch, no doubt some of the brethren in Otago would regard the Grand Lodge as a Canterbury one, but they did not, as they looked upon it as one belonging equally to all the District Lodges and subordinate lodges [cheers], as it was a moveable body and the executive was composed of members from both districts. [Cheers]. Song—Bro Clark (encored and repeated). Song—Mrs Long, “ We’d better bide a wee.”

The Chairman then called upon the Rev B. J. Westbrooke to address the meeting. The Rev B. J. Westbrooke said he felt very much pleasure in being present that evening, and being surrounded by gentlemen who had come up from Dunedin to assist them in organising the Grand Lodge. At one time lodges were multiplying very rapidly, and considerable differences existed as to the central authority. A convention was called in Dunedin, out of which came the Provisional Grand Lodge, which was the means of saving the Order in that part of the colony, They had now, however, a Grand Lodge fairly started, and it was mat ter for congratu lation that they had with them that evening gentlemen who, added to hearts and soul in the cause, had heads, and he was very much pleased to give up the burden of work which had rested upon him, because he felt that those who had taken it up were competent to carry on the work of their noble Order. [Cheers.] However, he was glad to say that he had not been left quite out in the cold, as the R.W. Chief Templar had given him the charge of the juvenile portion of their Order. [Cheers.] The constitution of their Order provided for committees, who looked up any of their members who might be absent from their lodge-room for a certain time—thus they shepherded the weak minded of their members. He looked forward to the time when the Order would be k a power in the earth, and would be

enabled to require that the hotels, which offered such temptations, should be closed, [Hear, hear.] The Chairman said that it was often said their members only joined them for a time, that they went awa> from the lodges. Now he would trouble them with a few figures—only a very few : In 1872, throughout England, the number of violations of their obligations was only 1 in 14, or about 7 per cent. During the last year, 1874, the numbers had been 1 in 22, or less than 5 per cent. 1 Cheers."] Besides which, 25 per cent of those who broke their obligations returned into the lodges [Cheers.] He mentioned this in answer to the remarks made on this subject, and as a proof that they were doing a good and lasting work. [Cheers.] Song, “ Charge of the Light Brigade,” Bro Long, encored ; responded to with “ Come back to Erin.”

Bro Buxton moved a hearty vote of thanks be given to the choir for their services during the evening. The motion was carried by acclamation. The Eev R. Morton moved a vote of thanks to the Grand Bight Worthy Chief Templar for presiding that evening. | Cheers.] Bro Donaldson seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The chairman briefly responded. Bro Cutler moved —“ That this meeting joins the Grand Lodge in greeting fraternally the brethren in Otago through their representatives, and wishing them Godspeed in the good cause.” Bro Mills seconded the motion, which was cerried by acclamation. R. W. Grand Counsellor Adams responded on bthalf of the Otago representatives, expressing the pleasure their visit to Christchurch had given them.

The choir then sang “ Auld lang syne,” all present joining in the chorus. During the evening Mrs Long and Miss Shine played the various accompaniments very nicely.