GOOD TEMPLARISM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 251, 27 February 1875, Page 2

GOOD TEMPLARISM.

As Good Templarism is for the benefit of all mankind, and not for a favored few, the executive of the order in New Zealand have always wished to extend its benefit to the Maories. For this purpose a commission was given to Baron de Thierry empowering him to form lodges amongst the natives of the North Island. His success in Auckland and other places, made him anxious to try the experiment here. He had conversations with various Ministers and Chiefs, and the result was that last Sunday afternoon, a runanga was held just outside the Maori church, Turanganui, to hear the opinion of the natives on the matter. Several of the officers, with the Lodge Deputy of the Pioneer Lodge, Poverty Bay, were present to show the natives the movement had their approval and co-operation. Baron de Thierry gave a long and interesting account of the objects and benefit of the order, and the Rev. W. H. Root, on behalf of the Gisborne lodge expressed his cordial wishes for the prosperity of Good Templarism amongst them. Several came forward and signified their desire to join the society, and Tuesday evening was appointed for the initiation. On that evening a crowd of about 100 assembled round the school house, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Lysnar. From this crowd were selected those only who had given in their name on Sunday, and these together with the Pakehas were initiated. Brother Best, W.C.T., read the English ritual, and Baron de Thierry translated for the benefit of the maories. Another batch had been prepared but it was too late to proceed. The pleasing and hopeful feature in this movement is the number of native ministers who have joined it, being nearly all between Turanganui and the East Cape. Some may say the Maories will never keep their obligation. Time will prove this; doubtless many will go back, but we believe not all, and if we are to be deferred from attempting to do good, by predicted an d possible failure, we may stop at once, for no good work was ever yet begun, without some croakers predicting certain failure. As a fact, out of 90 Maories initiated in other districts only 2 have violated their obligation, a far smaller proportion than among the Pakeha Lodges. It may interest some to know that in England there are 3743 Good Templar Lodges and 210,255 members; in Scotland 810 lodges, and 62,000 members. In all 4553 Lodges with 272,255 members, and this in the sixth year since Good Templarism was started in England. So that in these two countries alone it has increased at the rate of 45,330 per annum. In America and the Colonies it is progressing in the same ratio, and it needs no prophet to forecast its influence and power a few years hence.—[Communicated.]