GOOD TEMPLERS' SOIREE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1782, 7 April 1874, Page 3

GOOD TEMPLERS' SOIREE.

Last evening a soiree was held in St. George's Hall in connection with the anniversary of the Northern Pioneer Lodge No. 6 1.0. G.T. Tho hall was profusely decorated with branches of nikauaud tree ferns. There was a large attendance at tea, and at the public meeting the hall was quite crowded, The W. C. T. Bro. Oldrey annouueed that Bro. H. H. Lusk would take tho chair.

The CsAiBMiN then said that ho found himself that night for the second time in a position which for many reasons he could scarcely have expected at one time to have occupied. Ho was not one of those who might claim to be placed ill a prominent position in that Order because of long connection with it, or because in any way he had borne the burden and heat of the day in the struggle in which they were engaged. When he found himself in the position he occupied that . evening, and in the position he occupied a few evenings ago, for which, as it !, seemed to birn, they might have found a better man in one' of the champions, so to. speak, of the cause, lie was somewhat at a' loss for terms in which to address them. It had appeared to him that possibly, indeed, probably, he might owe the position in' which he found himself placed-and in which he was placed without any action of his i own-father to the circumstances' which jliad attended his career than to anything personally ; in connection with himself, i And so thinking'and feeling, it'appeared to him a very distinct leading, so to speak, as to the 'way in which lie should use the position in which - he found himself. The only connection he had had hitherto. with tho. great cause of temperance had' been a connection' of a political character. He had been somewhat connected with the changes made in the law relating to the sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors in this ■ province. He had been connected with the alteration and parhaps amelioration rmade in the law, although the' changes ;were by no mjans to the extent which he then wished to see, although he then knew nothing of this Order. But the infornntion and experience he had then, gained as fo the political aspects of the question, placed him in a position to be ! able to warn thom and to tell them some of the difficulties which would necessarily ' surround this' important aspect of their work. It was not a small matter, it was not, as some would have it supposed, as the great majority of outsiders would sup-pose-it was not a matter of small moment to them what the politics of this country wore—that they had nothing to do with the persons who represented them in Parliament or in the Provincial Council. It was not a trifling matter What views these men held on this subject, and he might add, it was not a trilling matter that they, who were joined together in a great and difficult work, should have a clear idea how far they could use judiciously the political power which as a united order they certainly did possess. (Cheers.) Now that power could be exercised either for great good or for great evil; it . could be exercised in choosing the best men who would support the views which thoy as an Order desired to support, or it might be used foolishly and ignorantly in supporting men who might prove detrimental to the eause, and who merely us 3d the watchword of temperance to further their own ends. It had been said in the public press of this colony, and in almost every country where the Order had been introduced, that it would prove; a most dangerous thing, because m'9n would be chosen for political , office because they were Good Templars, and not because they wero suitable men. This they.-itfust avoid, as they would promote the cause they had at heart. They."" must not attach so much weight to a min's being or not a membar of that Order, so long as they were convinced that he held principles which would tend to promote the principles held by that Order. And if they did so, they would have no difficulty in finding good men; able men, having sufficient knowledge of the signs of the times, sufficient feeling for the great evils which distinguished the times, to induoe them to throw themselves heartily into the work. ' He spoke on this subject, rather than on those which ordinarily occupied speakers when addressing such meetings as that, because it appeared to him that this subject was too little touched upon at these meetings. If it were true, what , had been loudly urged, that they, as a body of temperance reformers, had nothing to do with the" amendment pf the laws, then their work was in vain. In this, case, however potent example might be, however potent precept might be, if sufficiently urged, there was,, as they knew, an enormity to be grappled with in this fiend of intempsrance, which could not be grappled with except to a certainextent by the strong arm of force. So long as it was. possible to lay a pitfall for every weak brother at every street corner —so long as it was possible to hold out every inducement to men and to women to become intemperate-so long as thetrade was encouraged by the laws—so long their work would be to a large extent - ( in. vain.. ; (Oheors.) They: might do'what they would, but they would find that there was a vast amouut of backsliding, of joining for a short time, and then falling away; and that joining and falling away was the most weakening thing that could happen to such an association. And one could mt wonder at that falling away when he looked around and saw in.a place something like every third house exhibiting the lamp—the mark of tho Beast, so to speak. (Oheers.) 80 long as that was tlie case, so long would they labour in vain. But they had no need to labour in vain in this, couutry, where "the people governed and ' if • there were, as he believed there were, 2,500 Good .Templars in this province, tliey could, if ;they took the. means-gradually it was itrue, but certainly -put an end to this Ensnaring of men's lives and souls through this system of public-houses. (Cheers,), But he would not have it supposed that ' they could carry this, so to speak, in a rush. They could not expect to have a iVLaine Liquor Law brought in, 'and to overcome at once the great power which was banded together against them, jit could not be done in such a fashion. They mast look forward to along fight, land to a very, hard fight, wliich might last, and probably would last, for a largo part of their lifetime, which they might indeed baud down to their children as a heirloom the most .precious they coukUleave— a cause tliey had struggled for, aad not in vain. They ;must be contented with a gradual progress, a comparatively slow progress. Ho said so, because he had experienced thit the power of tho persons interested in ithe liquor traffic was enormous. In the last Provincial Couucil the public-house

interest was strong enough to mould the liquor law—strong enough to oblige those who were opposed to it to modify their views, so that what was called the permissive part of the bill had been so framed that it had been, and was, a deadletter. This was directly brought about by the public-house interest, and if any attempt was made this year to amend the law, the same result would follow, even with all the organisation that society had attained to. If they were organised, those iu the public-house interest were organised, and wero Dot less powerful, and a great deal less scrupulous. They would act for their own interest, and would care very little for the means by which they would accomplish their ends. And if they had to fight against this evil, they would have to be cautious and prudent, as well as bold and determined. They would hot have to shrink from taking such bold measures as might be necessary, so long as they honestly and sincerely strove for the accomplishment of their purpose. And above all, they must see that they could not sucoeed without being united. Disunion would be destruction : their cause, and anything like small rivalries between members or lodges, or self-seeking, or small conceit, would prove, destructive to the great cause they had at heart. (Cheers.) Let no man imagine the work was one which could be carried forward to success within one or two years. , It would take a long time, and they must summon their best energies, and ' keep them, engaged from year to yeai', and if they permitted anything liko rivalries to interfere, they would see that most melancholy of all sights, a gradual coolness stealing through those engaged in a good cause, which is always preliminary to failure and destruction. He believed that iu this young couutry they would attain _ not only to the restriction but the abolition of publichouses as places for selling liquor, and he believed that many of them would live to see that day which would be the best day that would over' dawn upon that country. (Cheers.) When he spoke at a large meeting at' Auckland he had touched upon a topic which caused-some degree of difference of opinion amongst those present, but upon which he felt bouud to touch that night. He felt .bound to urge upon tho consideration of the Order, what he thought must not be lost sight of, -that if they would suoceed it would be necessary to sacrifice money with tho view of putting this liquor traffic—that they must buy out' chose vested interests which were held by man who had invested large sums of money in that trade. (Avoice: "No, no.") Some oue said "No," and he (/fr Lusk) could appreciate the sentiment which caused him to say so, and he believed it was a sentiment which would find an echo amongst many of them. (Cheers.) He was going to show them, howeveiywhy it'ought not to'find an echo amongst thom. It was not a question • with him whether these men were justified in doing what they did, whether or not they had a right, a moral right, a hum in right, a Curistian right. He would not say anything on these points, because there was no question they had a legal right under laivs made and sanctioned by the people. It was under statute that they had built those big houses with plenty of room?, and that they were obliged ta have rooms for men who had drunk to excess in many cases. Those who had spent money in this trade could ask, Jiow are we to get back the money we have expended on the faith of your laws? Mr Lusk then proceeded to point out the abolition of slavery in the British Empire as a parallel case, when the English people, having beconi} convinced of the sin of slave-holding paid the price of these slaves, as upon them and their fathers rested part of the guilt. Mr Lusk also showed how we could well afford to pay for these vested interests, considering the direct saving in the expenditure for liquor, and the wretchedness and misery which would be prevented. Mr Lusk concluded by referring to the letter of the Attorney-General to the Official Agent, when the latter asked him for a contribution towards a company which was in liquidation—that if the law was so, it required to be altered. Now, they knew soma thing of what the law was as respected this trade in liquor, and tliey should all make up their minds that that law required altering. The following report was then read by Mr Noddeb, Hon. a'eoretary Northern Pioneer Lodge No. 6. Annual Beport Northern Pioneer Lodge No. 6, 1.0.G.T.— Co tho officers and members of the Northern Pioneer Lodge No. 6. -In presenting this, the first annual report of the proceedings of. this lodge, your secretary has great pleasure in stating that very great progress has been made in Good Templarism on the Thames siace we were instituted, which is better than a year ago. On the 27th of March, 1873, we were instituted by D. 0. I). Bro. Ohatwin, of Auokland, the application for charter being signed be 27 gentlemen and one lady. The lodge was duly opened and named, after whiok the first officers. were elected and duly installed; and another, oraft well manned "was successfully launched to rescue the fallen, and save others from falling by the use of intoxicating drinks. It is a source df gratification that during the first, year of our institution no less thansol have been 'initiated into the bonds of our. Order,. We regret to have to'note a slight falling away from our principles of 24 members during the twelve months, which is about 5 per cent, of the entire number. We have also to record the death of one of our who died from injuries received iu the All Nations inine on the sth of June, 1873. Since we were instituted there has been two other lodges opened by the 'D.D.1i.W.0.T. Bro. Machine, which caused a slight falling off from us by clearances to these other lodges, which of course is not a disunion, but a wider spreading of the brotherhood, and which reduces our present number of members to 433,343 brothers and 90 sisters. During the year a Degree Temple has been opened in connectiou with the, three lodges of the district, and nam id' Sir Wilfred Lawson,' which also is iu a flourishing condition. Degrees of fidelity and charity have been conferred on many of the members, both brothers and sisters, which we trust will have the desired effeot, and prove beneficial and profitable, not only to themselves, but to those with whom they live. The Order during the year has not been devoid of its recreative pleasures, for on the 26th of December there was a provincial gathering of the brotherhood in Auckland, when upwards ,of 150 Thames members took part, whic'a was in every respect a success, and our thanks are due to our Auckland brethren for the kind reception given us on that occasion, and it is hoped that a provincial gathering will be held every year. Again on January 2nd, a local demonstration took place.at tho Tararu Gardens, which also was a success, all of which tend to cement those bonds of friendship whioh should i ever exist amougGoad Templars. Alto-

gether the year has been an eventful one, especially remarkable for progress, and we trust profitable to all within the bonds, of our union, whose influence we trust will : spread, so that the whole community will soon be won over to Good Templarism. I may say that our weekly meetings have been very well attended, the officers, with very few exceptions, always being at their respective posts of duty. The singing of the odes has been heartily joined in by the members and choir, which has formed a prominent and pleasing feature in our coremonies. In conclusion, we have every reason for congratulation in the past, and to be encouraged to pursue the future with renewed vigour, earnestness, and zeal, believing that our work is a good one, that truth is on our side, and must consequently prevail." A dramatic impersonation of the effeots of drunkenness was then given by one of ' the junior members. * The Rev. J. Sharp said that ho could not say that he quite approved of the demonstralion just given, and it was not in accordance with the -views of the meeting. (Cheers.) His romarks would ... bo few, but.ho would give one'or two: instances of tho advantages of tho tem- ! perance movement. In tho early ages of the temperance movement education was", urged as the great remedy, but it was a failure, and amongst the greatest drunk- ■ ards wero some of the best educated men. tie .remembered one, a' doctor. Hi's practice and his self-respect passed away. He was fouud so drunk in the street that lie was. wheeled in a whoelbarrow to his home. It was a sad thing to think a man of his ability and. education' might sink'so low. This man became a teetotaller and a Christian, and died happy in the Lord; Education failed, but the total .'abstinence pledge was successful, , 'fhe teetotal'baud looked after him. ' Now fchoy had the glorious and noble Institu-' tion of Templarism. It had done a great deal here, anil in the old country.. Tho speaker then alluded to tho benefits of Good Templarism a* providing a home and friends for those who sought refuge in it as contrasted with the , want of society in the old order of abstainers. Tho rev. gentleman then 'gave some instances which had under his ow.n observa- • tiou, and advised all to become abstainers, fie did not know where moderation came in,'between a glass and a hogshead. 1 At one house lived a moderate drinker, nest ' door lived a poor druukarJ, who saving to imitate hi 3 respectable neighbour,'foil , back into his old ways. Good Templarism ' - ' did not despise the.poor drunkard, it pitied him. He then related instances of the ; successful reformation '-of drunkards, and strongly urged the help*

ing forward of the great work of driving,,. ( /. intemperance from the land. \ 1 ! After singing and a recitation, Mr Downie addressed the mepting. He stated his reason for believing Good I'emplarim was superior to the old total abstinence movement. He spoke at con- -

siderable length in support of the great, advantages of total abstinence until time was called by'the Chairman, when he concluded by a poem on thesama subject. After a soug by Miss lledfern, 1 7\ :Mr Jones addressed the meeting. ffeJ •- advised the doing away with faction ia every department. of the • Order, ■ and ' :i urged that every step taken should, have 1 :i i in view tho good of the Order!''" He urged 'the annihilation of the liquor traffic by every meaus in their power. He looked on this anniversary as. a stock-taking of the Pioneer Lodge, and he hoped it would be a step in an upward movement. . ; • *

Another song was then sung by'one of the sisters, after whioh

fhe liev. Mr Edsku was called on to address the meeting. He alluded to the: i late hour, but a3 it was exp3Cted that, he " should say something, he would be •as brief as possible. He was astonished at the success of Good femphrism, not that he believed in the old principle that sue-

cess made things right ; bat whoa looking at the success of Good Templarism ha • felt that it was due to the inherent right; of the principles of Good • Tern-' parism. For the last 600 years they had legislated, bat without suecass except. .. j where it came to absolute , suppression.' He would advise the Chairman when touching the [licensing <lotia the Provincial Council to urge extinction of the traffio, and nothing else, pure, uneoudi- ; tional and uncompromising. He ridiculed and reprobated the idea of' compensation. He' said they had enough of legislation, > what they now wanted was extinction— ~ Ohrktianity. He did notknow what it had dona for the oause of ?.'/ Hoi said that legislation had done nothing. the , Christian Church had done nothing, /c . ; but here was this young David ooming up with his aling itt the courage of Ms heart, and the -giant'lay on its back. ' He' :-u loved it for the principle on which it had done this. It had succeeded'/ because it based its success oa going/": straight to the point. He did.not go so/!' far as to say intemperance was the,only.i u ' evil, but it was a great,' monstrous, gigaatie ' v evil which they had tj get out ofj'the/;,,] way. Another principle was brotherhood. The, world wanted .brotherhood. fhe outcasts oanuot be helped, without: a..v> real brotherhood. The'other principle. i:i was the putting the brotherhood to'.a ,j!l practical end. i'he rev. gentleman then replied to the accusations against Q-ood Templarism. circulated in Auckland, ia which they were charged with rivalling the church—that they were setting up* a Cliristless religion. He totally denied that as they were not setting up a religion, at all. They were trying to dp ; a great work in a religious.! spirit. -The third point. was with regard to the: vow taken. There was,a solemn obligation which he defended.oar );! account of its unity. With regard to the a paraphernalia, titles, &e., he confessed 1ie,..; would like Q-ood Templarism better with- »>• out them. It made aim look askanoe at . / first, but in considering the solid good o? - Qood Templarism, he aoceptad them as 'y! thiugs indifferent. They did' not keep ' " their distinction for chief men. .. They'.'/' ireru open to and conferred on all. i Bro. dEitas then addressed tho meet- . ingin a hunurous and instructive speech. 4' 1 The CHitßiiiff announced that the remainder of the programme would have to: bo omitted in consequence of tho lateness of the hour. An ode was then sung, andthe meeting terminated.