CENTENARY DINNER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 226, 22 August 1935, Page 4

CENTENARY DINNER

ORDER OF RECHABITF.S. ONWARD TENT’S FUNCTION. Marking the'hundredth anniversary of the founding of the order, the centenary of tlie Independent Order of Rechnbites falls on August 25, and celebration functions will be held in different centres of the Dominion. Last evening, there was a large assembly present at the Rosco tearooms for the centenary dinner of Onward Tent, No. 52, which has its headquarters at Palmerston North. Sister V. Sandford (Chief Ruler) presided, and extended a cordial welcome to the guests, who numbered well over a hundred, including Representatives from the surrounding lodges and kindred organisations, HISTORY OF THE ORDER. It was on August 25, 1835, eleven temperance men instituted the first tent, “Ebcnezer,” at Salford, Manchester. Other branches quickly followed, and within 18 months 3000 members were enrolled. 'The founders took their name from Rechab, the head of a tribe allied to the Israelites, which was the only total abstinence family of those days. The order spread throughout Great Britain and Ireland, North America, South Africa, India, Germany and the British colonies. It was the first friendly society to bring women and children within its ranks. At present it- is the largest and wealthiest temperance benefit society in the world, with 8000 brandies, a membership of 1,300,000. and funds of fii} millions. In New Zealand the membership numbers nearly 10,000, and funds amount to £200,000.

Branches were formed as earjy as 1842 in Nelson and AYellington,* but the oldest surviving branches are Auckland Tent, founded about 1860; AA’ellington, 1866; Napier, Blenheim, Dunedin, Christchurch, New Plymouth and Invercargill. .11 ie order is proud to claim many prominent men and women as members, among them Dr Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, who officiated at the coronation of King Edward A r IT, and Sir William Fox, one time Premier of New Zea- ! land. STEADY PROGBESS. Following upon the loyal toast. last evening, the Mayor (Air A. E. Afansford) proposed that of the “1.0. Rechabites.” He stated that when one reviewed the history of friendly societies or lodges the reason for their establishment was often overlooked. The Rechabites owed their evolution to the temperance movement, launched by John Livesey in 1832. The Sallord Temperance Burial Society was formed on teetotal lines, but something stronger, bolder and wider was needed, the first total abstinence order being formed in 1835. “Ebenezer No. 1,” the first Tent, was established on August 25 of that rear, and a year later a dinner attended by 300 was held, followed by a procession of 700 led by the Recliabite Band. There were 293 Touts in 1840 and 513 in 32 districts in 1841. Tents were instituted in both Australia and New Zealand even before the advent of railway trains in these countries. They all strove for the betterment of mankind. and showed what could be ao r complished by co-operative saving. All people would wish they could belong

to one great lodge for the consummation of the ideal “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men.” The Mayor commented that there had been a concentrated attack on “Independents” through the Press lately, but the progress and co-operation exemplified by the Rechabite movement enabled him to make a withering reply to those critics. He wished the order even more progress and prosperity during its next hundred years.

Replying to the toast, Bro. J. J. Cox, Provincial Chief Ruler, expressed appreciation of the sentiments expressed, and welcomed back Sister Sandford after her recent illness. He hastened to assure the Mayor that the order was a non-political body. Its first hundred years represented a great achievement and left a splendid heritage for nosterity. but the goal would not he reached until all mankind was adhering to the fine principles and truths it represented. They were merely celebrating a milestone of progress, and the early enthusiasm which had imbued the movement was undiminished. They never hibernated as a society, but were constantly active. The membership in the Central District to-dav was oOOU adults and 2500 juveniles. They maintained the most friendly contacts with other similar societies. EARLY DAYS OF ONWARD TENT. Bro. Edgar Harding (Woodville), Past District Chief Ruler, proposed the toast of “Omvard Tent.” He commented that the order was one of the most wonderful in existence today, with its total abstinence pledge. He asked them to remember the pioneers of the order. Onward Tent was opened on December 10, 1891, the first meeting being presided over by Bro. W. Johnson, P.D.C'.B. The candidates were Messrs James Laurenson, Edwin Dixon. George Allman (the latter still an active member), Peter Scott, F. B. Dane and Robert Rush. Bro. Laurenson was secretary. On March 18, 1892, the Tent acquired a hall in Main Street at a cost of £ll3, .to he paid of! in ten years, but subsequently disposed of this property in 1905, the Orange Hall being used for meetings from 1900 onwards. A juvenile lodge was opened in 1907. Bro. S. G. Northev was appointed secretary in 1919, and had since held that office continuously, discharging the duties with much ability. The membership at present was 120, hut during the intervening years scores of members had been admitted and drawn their clearances for other Tents. Brother Allmail was the only charter member who had maintained his membership to the present date. Sister V. Sandford responded, stressing the benevolence of the Tent and its following of the teachings of the Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man. The toast of “The Visitors” was in the hands of Bro. Northev. He expressed pleasure at the attendance j especially of Bros. J. S. Munro (Napier). P. Goldsmith (Levin), and E. Harding (Woodville), also Messrs J. Ax (president of the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary Board), C. Fdwards (Lodge Manawatu, A.0.F.), and O. Prouse (chairman of the Friendly Societies’ Hospital Association). The speaker expressed appreciation of the work of the Mayor in negotiating the agreement between the Hospital Board and the Friendly Societies. Others mentioned by Bro. Northev were Brother Scroggs (Loyal Manawatu Lodge), 1.0.0. F.), Bro. Scales (Orient Lodge),

Sister Scales (Hinekoa Rebekah Lodge), and Sister Lnderwood (Hinemoa Lodge, A.O.F.)* , • , j Items which were much appreciated were contributed by Mrs Keith Jones, Mrs Coupe, Messrs A. Sundbom, L. Smith, W. Allen D - Spnnfc the accompaniste being Miss G. Taylor.