THE GOOD TEMPLAR MOVEMENT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 205, 16 September 1874, Page 2

THE GOOD TEMPLAR MOVEMENT.

We extract the following interesting particulars of the origin and progress of the above movement, from the “ Temperance Year Book,” 1874: — During the last half century the history of the Temperance movement has been one of development and growth in its principles and policy. In the course of the above period, temperance reformers have adopted many forms of organisation, as the times and experience suggested both of an open and secret nature, beneficiary and otherwise. The Independent Order of Rechabit.es was the first to establish the beneficiary system in connection with temperanceprinciples. This was accomplished in Salford in the year 1835, on strict abstinence from all intoxicating liquors as beverage. In 1842 the Sons of Temperance was instituted in America ; a few years thereafter other orders of a like nature were called into existence. In 1851, however, the founders of the Good Templary movement became convinced that the beneficiary system induced many to ally themselves with theS orders to which we have alluded, from purely selfish motives, and not from any love to the cause with which they wish to be identified—the cause of Temperance. Deeply impressed with this conviction, they resolved on founding an Order which would dispense with the beneficiary system — an Order whose sole object would be the overthrow of intemperance, by waging an unceasing warfare against the drinking customs of society and the legalised liquor-traffic, and also the promotion of total abstinence principles , whereby they might reclaim those who had fallen under the seductive influence of strong drinks, and save the young from ever being ensnared by them. This order (the growth and popularity of which is unparalleled in the history of any other temperance organisation) was established in Central New York in the year given above, and rapidly spread in the different states of America. The following is the pledge which thev adopt: —“ No member shall make, buy, sell, use, furnish, or caused to be furnished to others, as a beverage, any spiritous or malt liquors, wine, or cider; and every member shall discountenance the manufacture, sale, and the use thereof, in all proper ways.” The Order now comprises nearly’ a million and a half members. The Good Templar organisation does not stand alone, but works side by side with kindred associations. It is not a substitute, but an ally to all temperance effort; and this is as it should be. Believing

that strong drink is the common enemy of mankind, it is the mission of Good Templarism to give no quarter, aud to faithfully do battle until the legalised liquor-traffic is driven froin amongst the sons of men—from off the face of this fair earth.

It is said that certain aristocratic temperance men have refused Io have anything to do with water, because it is so often drunk.

The Hokianga correspondent of the N. Z. Herald says :—“ 1 hear that the cattle dealers have strruck for a higher price about Auckland. What a pity it. is we can’t send a few hundred of beeves over. We shoot our cattle for their hides, and get about 10 or 15 shillings for them. What else can we do ? We have no roads and no steamer, and it is too much risk to send them in a sailing vessel, so, as we have herds of them running about, wo make what we can out of them, and leave the best part, to fatten the soil.” Complaints are rife in the Waikato that owing to the expense of carriage, grain. &c., has ceased to be cultivated to any extent, and that in (he Kaipara district fruit rots on the trees for want of a market, but it is the first time we have heard of cattle being shot down for their hides, and “ the best parts left to fatten the soil.” Surely our butchers are not aware of t his “ happy hunting ground,” else, why the rue of beef? Madams Goddard's most, recent “ performances ” at Sydney are thus reported to the Melbourne papers by telegraph Madame Arabella Goddard, aft er arranging for three concerts nt the Victoria Theatre, advertised, her intention to proceed to Orange ; but. aft erwards left her hotel suddenly about noon, leaving a most uncomplimentary letter reflecting on Native talent, and slating her intention not to appear. Her piano is in Mr. Bennett’s possession, and her luggage was placed on board the Melbourne steamer Daidenong, by which steamer Madame Goddard, aeconipanied by Miss Christian, sailed in the afternoon for Melbourne. When the curtain rose at the Victoria Theatre, Mr. Bennet read a letter from Madame Goddard, in whn-h she states that letttershnd been sent to her, warning her that she would hare an unfinorable reception, because Native talent had not been engaged. Madame Goddard went on to say in her letter that she was not previous!? aware that the Natives of Australia had any taste for music. The affair has created great indignation, and is the subject of general comment, not favorable to Madame Goddard or her ad risers.

1 he Malta Shrub.—Wc are glad to learn that Mr. Hislop lias, through the kindness of Mr. Walter Macfarlane, secretary to lhe National Agricultural Society of Victoria, succeeded in obtaining a small quantit v of the seed of the Malta shrub. Our readers will remember that wc referred to it in our columns a few weeks ago, as the latest wonder in the yege. able kingdom from Califm-nia. The plant is a septennial, and its properties arc legion ; it is perfectly hardy; seeds freely, grows thirty feet in height, in five years, cat Ile and sheep luxuriate on lhe large juic> leaves, which are replaced in a week : bees feed on the flowers for nine months in the year, and when it has arrived al maturity (the eighth year), it dies and falls to the ground. After that its commercial value is developed, for lhe stem, which is then eightou inches in diameter, after lying on the ground during the winter months, becomes partially decayed, and exhibits a mass of fine delicate fibre, equal in strength and value to the best flax linsttn, and ten times the quantity to the acre, with the advantage that little or no labor is required ; and to sum up, it is said to counteract tendency to fevers, remove malaria, and attract moisture to parched uisui.-ts. We heartily wish Hislop success in his experiments forU-slitjguil the won.’.erful properties of this plant.— Tdnaru Herald.