p. 111Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, Rechabites, etc.

To reform those addicted to drink and to prevent others from falling into the vice of intemperance, friends of virtue have at all times endeavored to obtain pledges or promises from their friends to observe temperance. Prior to Father Matthew, it was customary to make people take the pledge. In the beginning of last century it was a frequent occurrence in the New England states that members of this or that church took the “pledge” publicly. In some localities so-called Temperance Societies were organized, whose object at first was praiseworthy and well-meant.

When the anti-Masonic excitement during the years between 1825 and 1850, held out longer than was anticipated, these Temperance Societies were taken hold of by Freemasons and Odd-Fellows. Complaints had been frequently made that, especially the Odd-Fellows, were too convivial and intemperate in their meetings. The Order of Rechabites was introduced from England by the Odd-Fellows in 1842, and in the same year the Freemasons founded the Sons of Temperance. From these two organizations all secret Temperance Societies have sprung. In 1851, the Good Templars and the Independent Order of Good Templars; since then, numerous organizations of the same character.

As all these associations were founded by Freemasons, they partake of the Masonic character.

That the object of the Orders is not confined to temperance is evidenced by the mode of initiation, the form of the obligation, and the manner of religious worship.

After passing through the usual ceremonies, candidate is brought before the Worthy Commander, in front of altar, who, holding the Bible in his left hand, says to the candidate, who kneels before the altar: “You will now give your assent to the Good Templars’ vow and obligation.”

Obligation

“You do hereby on the holy Evangelists, in the presence of Almighty God, and surrounded by this cordon of living, throbbing hearts, without any reservation whatever, most solemnly promise and covenant that you will most faithfully adhere to and perform all previously assumed vows and obligations of abstinence from intoxicating drinks while life shall last.”

“You furthermore promise that you will sacredly keep and never improperly reveal to anyone not a member of this degree, and not to him or them until after due trial you have proved them to be such, anything pertaining to this degree, any business transacted, any edict, order or communication received from superiors. You also promise that you will yield due and cheerful obedience to and aid to the utmost of your ability in carrying out all lawful requirements of your superior in office.”

“To all of which without the slightest reservation you most solemnly promise and covenant.”

Knights: “God bless our brother and keep him steadfast to do and perform the same.”

That temperance is used only as a drawing card to attract well-meaning people to this un-Christian organization, is evident from the above obligation. If temperance is the only motive, what use is there of secrecy? What is meant by the secret work? That temperance is looked upon as a human and natural virtue, and not as a Christian virtue, is evidenced by the “Instruction” which the candidate receives:

Past Degree Templar: … “We claim that our pledge is in accordance with the Divine will … God never made Alcohol …” The Marshal brings the candidate to the Chaplain, who (holding the Bible before him) says: “These sacred pages before us tell of a heaven as well as an earth, of the moral man as well as the intellectual and the physical. Remember well what you have heard, forget not what you shall hear, for it is the language of the Most High I repeat to you, that your hearts may be still more strengthened in this good work.”

“Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah saying:”

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, will ye not receive instructions to hearken to my words? saith the Lord.”

“The words of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.”

“I have sent also unto you all my servants and prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying: ‘Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers; but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.’”

“Because the sons of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me.”

“Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, and they have not answered.’”

“And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites: ‘Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab, your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he had commanded you: Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab, the son of Rechab, shall not want a man to stand before me forever!’”

“Study well the history of this remarkable people, who, for their fidelity, are so distinguished by the King of Kings.”

“The Rechabites, though they dwelt among the Israelites, did not belong to any of their tribes. They were a separate people, but devoted worshipers of Jehovah. Jonadab, the son of Rechab, was a man jealous for the right, and assisted the king in driving a great evil from the land. He gave to his children the rule of temperance. Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye nor your sons forever. And their fidelity to that pledge is to them the promise of perpetual existence. Since they entered into that covenant, nearly three thousand years have rolled by. The glory of Egypt, of Babylon and of Jerusalem have faded. Great and mighty nations have been swept from the face of the earth, and still this simple people exist in the land of their fathers, and to this day they sacredly observe their ancient covenant.”

“You will see in this an example of fidelity which is worthy of your imitation; and you will also learn that heaven never fails to reward integrity to this cause with peculiar honors.”

The Chaplain has about a dozen different prayers to say, according to the ritual.

That temperance is not considered by them as a Christian virtue is evidenced from the above instruction of the Chaplain.