GRAND LODGE NEW ZEALAND NORTH, I O.G.T.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 23, 26 January 1878, Page 4

GRAND LODGE NEW ZEALAND NORTH, I O. G.T.

The following ia the ad Jress presented to the Grand Lodge by a deputation representing the New Zealand Central District of the Independent Order of Rechabites at wellingtoa last Tuesday: — "To the Officers and Representatives of the New Zealand Grand |Lodge North Independent Order of Good Templars, in Session assembled at Wellington, 22nd January, 1878,— We, the District Officers of the New Zealand Central District No. 86, Independent Order of Rechabitea, do on behalf of our honorable Order, most heartily welcome you in your visit to this city. We would avail ourselves of this opportunity to express our great sympathy with you in the noble work in which you are engaged. We may more justly call it a noble fi»ht, for it ia surely more than work, when we take into consideration the power of those who oppose you, and the influence brought lo bear against your flelf-denying efforts from quarters where at least you might expect sympathy if not support. Still we firmly and sincerely believe that, having right and truth on your side, with Gofs blessing you must, with other like-minded workers in this cause, finally prevail. It is with pleasure and gratitude that we have noticed the increase in your noble Order year, by year, and it is our hearty wish and desire that it may be even more and more prosperous in the future than it has been in the past, both as to members and influence ; also, that your social and political power may become such that you will be greatly instrumental in bringing about that which you and many others moat ardently desire to accomplish, namely, the removal of the drink traffic, with all its attendant evils of degradation and misery. We would claim to be brothers with you in this glorious crusade, und as such we trust that we may be both able and willing in the future as in the past, to assist each other in the struggle for freedom from the dtink curse. Our aims and missions are aiike ; let us be united as onp, and ever be found standing shoulder to shoulder in tins great fight ; and may the great God of Batles, who hearelh the cry of the oppressed, give us strength and courage to carry on this warfare, which has for its object the freeiug from temptation and the bringing of peace an I pleuty to the homes of the people. Wo trust that your present session in this city may be calculated to extend your OrJer here and throughout your jurisdiction ; also, that your visit may be reuxeni)>.->re I in years to come will) pleasure. Wishing you God Bpeed, aud great succeeß in your noble work, we are in temperance, fortitude, and justice, yours fraternally, etc., etc., etc.