ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUCKLAND RECHABITE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 244, 24 August 1864, Page 4

ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUCKLAND RECHABITE SOCIETY.

Tiif. first anniversary of this Focie-ty was celebrated vesferday evcTiing, br the holding of a public soiree in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The Hall was tastefully dccorntcd for the occasion ■with flags; and mottoes illustrative of the character and objccts of the society, were also displayed in various parts of the room. About 250 sat down to tea, and after the removal of the trays, and the arrangement of the forms, Joseph: Newman, Esq., took ihc chair, and the proceedings were commenced by the singing of a temperance hymn by the choir. The Chairman in his opening address expressed , his satisfaction in seeing so large an assembly, and especially that so many young people were present, which was an augury for the success and stability of the society. Be Eaid that the longer he practised temperance the better he liked it. (Cheers). This he said after an experience of the principles for 25 years. He regretted thatthe entire occupation ofhis time prohibited his taking that active personal interest in the cause which he could wish. But for tlio younger irumlers theie was a great and important work. The debasing habit of taking intoxicating drink was still fearfully prevalent"; he gTeatly bimentcd than in this lOtli century, the abominable practice of dealing out the pint of rum to the soldiers still reified in the mmv, wliicli he wjs gled to see eo laigcly ri prf serif ei ' n 11 I;| 1 '((nsicn. It had been said that it w itl.lie'd it would cieate a mutiny in the army, but ho belie ved this statement was a gross libel on tho foldier. (Cheers). Bc would not detain the meeting with any further remarks. Glee by the choir " Now pray we for onr country." Jlr. Ofmund Lewis the Secretary then read the following report. r.ja'ouT. In presenting the first annual report of the Hope of Auckland Tent to its 'numbers nrd friends, the office hearers request- the attention of the latter to the following statement of the merits of the Independent Order of J?cchabitcs, and of the principles by which it is guided. The information that is thus imparted becomes the more ncccssary'in consequence of the many persons in this city not fully comprehending the nature and objects of a "Rechabite Tent." They w ill now find that the Independent Order of Rcchabites is nothing more nor less than a Benefit Society enrolled tinder the Friendly Societies' Acts of Grp.it Bi it.-u'n, for the panting of pecuniary assistance to its members during sickness, and of securing after dcatli to their relatives or friends, a fixed sum of money for funeral expenses. Before referring more fully to the leading features of our Older, it may here be observed that it had lonp bei* felt by many of the cheif supporters of the Total Abstinence cause in Auckland, that some other mcde was required to be adopted to bind the pledged abstainers mere together and to make them take a stionger interest in the future tuccess cf the temperarcecaufc amongst us, than the casual plans which then existed could possibly afford. In searching for the means to sccure those very desirable ends, it was found that the Independent Order r.f Becliabites possi ssed them in an eminent degree, both for present unity and also for future co-operation.

The Independent Order of Rechabites was estab- , lislud for two-fold objects, that of securing pecuniary interest lo its numbers, and of promoting the moral eanse of tcmperance amongst the people. Tlie following observations are taken freni the address of the Board of Directors of the Order in England:— " Every day's experience proves that infirmity, disease an d death are (lie portion of man in this world; and seeing the misery and wretchedness which abound in our country - in consequence of man seeking happiness where it" is not be found ; believing that the present pursuits, customs, and practices of our countrymen are calculated to add lo rather than diminish the amount of liumau misery; and believing also that we are the oilspiing ofonecommon parent,'who makes the sun to rise 011 the evil and the good, and who sends Bis rain on the just and 011 the unjust'— cc oceive it to be cur duty to promote the happiness and comfort of our brethren by adopting and reccm. mending those habits and practices which will mos assuredly tend to the promotion of tcmperauce,' cliastityj and every oilier virtue that adorns the human charcter." Our objects are to improve the morals of society, and promote brotherly loveamongtt our brethren ; to relieve the distress, and administer to the wants and necessities of the afilicted ; to lessen flie soitow of the dying, and contribute to the interment of llioir last lem.-iirs. 'J hen-fore, the members of this Older do bind themselves under a most solemn obligation, firmly to unite, and inflexibly to stand by each other, in sickness rnd in health, in prosperity and in adversity. The principles of the Older, if fully carried out, arc calculated to bring pence and plenty to the homes of the wretched and the miserable, to spread its healing balm over the sorrows of the broken-hearted wife, and to make the widow's heart leap for joy. The true Rechabite considers all mankind as his brothers ; he seeks out his fellow man in the abodes of misery and poverty, he takes him by the hand and leads liim iu the paths of Sobriety «nd" virtue, and never leaves him whilst there is the remotest hope of restoring him to duty as a useful and acceptable member. It will thus lie seen that the principles of the Independent Order of Ket habitcs impresses a high moral tone upoii the minds of its member, and calls , upon them to carry into ef 'ect, as a portion of their duty, some of tlio highest attributes of the Christian faith. To become a member of the Oreler, the candidate must not only be a total abstainer from all intoxicating drinks, but he must also he, as far a? human nature will admit of, free from all moral taint or blemish, for 110 one will be admitted within the bonds of the Order, whoso character will not stand the test of investgation. Let it, therefore, lie known, tliat as long as a 111:111 continues a consistent liechahite, it mny then be inferred that he carries with him the impression of the seal of a truly moral man in whom society generally may have every confidence. The Hope of Auckland Tent was founded 011 the l'lth of Way, 1563, under a dispensation from the authorities of the Xasmanian District, and is now legally constituted 11 branch of ilie General Order of l?echabites, whoso ramifications extend over the whole of Great Britain and her colonial dependencies. This incorporation with the general body, secures for our Tent ample security, in case of any mortality taking place amongst the members beyond the maximum calculations upon w-liich its annual revenue is based, but up to the present pc-riod 110 fears upon that point need be entertained, for only two members have declared upon the sick fund, and by the blessing of God, they have since been restored to health, and :iro now following their usual occupation. Members will bo admitted into thei Order between the ages of 10 and 50, and the entrance fees vary according to the age of the candidate. Prom 16 to 20 years, tlio amount is 9s. (id.: from 20 to 2a, 10s. (id.; and from 25 to 30, 15s. 3d. The quarterly contributions for each member, irrespective of age, for six shares in the six fund is 6s. Gd.. and for foulshares in tho funeral fund, Is. Bd. 'These payments will secure 15s. a-week siek money for one yeai, and £20 at death for funeral expenses. A member having his wife registered in the funeral fund will receive at her deatli £15 upon payment of Is. Sd. per quarter, from the period of entrance. The Oltice-bearers have much pleasure in announcing that the funds of the Hope of Auckland Tent are in a healthy and prosperous condition, and tlia tno pecuniary liability of any kind remains at present unsatisfied, uud that the amount of the sick and funeral money is sufficient to cover all probable contingencies. Owing to tho depressing effects of the war in this Province, the success of our tent has teen retarded, but, now that tlie first year of probation has passed, more confidence in its stability is evinced, and lately a considerable number of new members have been added to its roll. There is one feature connected with the membership of the Hope of Auckland Tent which is referred to with much gratification, and that is the number of Her Majesty's military forces now in this province who have been enrolled as .Reebabites. Tlie evidence which this fact affords, of military men enduring the fatigues of active field operations, and experiencing all the vicissitudes of tho climate, without the use of intoxicating liquors, and yet lemainiug in perfectbodily health, is an additional evidence of the value of the total abstinence principles, and refutes the ottrepeated assertion thai alcholie liquors are absolutely

e ' sS lfifortlio proper performance of a soldier's duty- we, the Office-bearers sincerely hope that la ncr men of this city who are total abstainers tho y ou an d bo enrolled in tho ranks of tho *■!«*&, as workers in the good causo, and thus fl"' 1 * '~t'h to thoso ore clflU >" fighting tho groat nt^nkind —intemperance. Let those who onpniy 'j. . rcm enibor that tho causo is , n0 nn ,l that the great and good in all lands a monti wor k of redemption, and, above all, /, p c the Gospel not lose sight of our ■ "that no drunkard shall inhorit ijjrioni'» Come forward tlien, ye iho one and all, remain not passive, for, total «>*• w ] lo j s no t with us is against us— irnieni ' nvlir j. an d the victory over intemperance tiu l » « * •ii ho secured. , hv tlio choir " Wake ./Rohan Lyre. ' m liirrifon then addressed the meeting, and .1 l it as a Ki eliabite he was prepared to advosMit'il'V ]1S 0 f Society at all times and in all l ltt lle ilosiml to address himself especially to r I: " l ''?" When the fair sex took up a causo they ' ht •' jo it heart find s(ml - 110 wished to appeal to T" 1 "vjni>'ithios on behalf of the degraded portion ,1 : 0,r _ > - H>t ;„l:ition. The Speaker then related several illustrative of woman's lntluonco for : "'V will' especial reference to tho tompornnco • ; iml concluded his address by an earnest appeal ""ho YOini- of both sexes on behalf of tho principles 'ft,!..! abstinence. PiioU.Minute ( - ,un at ® ca > t>y members of tk Vverv humorous recitation was then given by Mr. j'nkir s ' vhich was received -vWtli tremendous apSorrell then addressed tlio meeting, . U pon the social and niond advantages enbv those who became total abstainers, and " imiiuinity from the many evils and miseries of ! r ' L, ' r uvri iu-e." His own experience had been that •f l L'"ilth and happiness were greatly promoted by ii* .Oneirics he had embraced, and eloquently urged -uvertanre upon those who wero yet luulccided. '""(Vee K tno " Lightly tread." \lr V J'- French followed with a speech upon tho mottoes surrounding the room, as illustrative blcssinss of temperance. °'l')ueit. " What are the wild waves saying." Si'r.isß il'en addressed tlio meeting, relating .'iiiuisin? anecdotes in favour of tho principles n-""ho lui'liabite Society. \ SoK "I'lie Alpine Rose." Since first I saw your face." \Vc understand that tlie choir consisted of members • /•he Secietv who have lately formed themselves into °Tw.i'cnince Choir" under the direction of Mr. t ]I Jiiiith. and the spirit and precision with which '. ' ; " r ., pieces wore rendered rettect great credit -tn those who have established this auxiliary of the v-nivrance cause. \ir. .Mm llolloway presided at the piano during 1 •jyi'v/ninu:. . . : Vr> l!sttlev in proposing a vote of thanks to tho 1 i/delivered an eloquent address upon the subject < ,-r s iiitlnence. fit. be Koy followed, nnd stated several facts :"L; r; ii!ve of the advantages of total abstinence r.v'r tlic fiitiaues and hardships of a camp life, which ; under his own obser'-.-ation. 1 " Jrf. A. lilack proposed a vote of thanks to the i o\.iiW.n. Newman, Esq., which was carried by ' a ''.iiAti. ::- jllr. Newir.an had left the meeting at ! a- r oW pirt of the evening, the Rev. T. Hamer 1 i--.ar.vii/; the chair in his stead.) MyO- Lewis (the Secretary) referred to the difli- ] undi r which the Society had hitherto labored, 1 ■-i-.i :Wouence of the state of public nH'airs>, and in ' ••-vpmiia a vote of thanks to the Reverend Chairman, ut'on the necessity that existed for the counte- ' "!T.ct lid support of Ministers of the Gospel, in the 1 isufo c'-teiiiperance. ' Mr. .'ilsrrison proposed a vote of thanks to the ( ,! cir. is nbieli a member of the choir responded. J Hie Chairman expressed the great pleasure he had fireriencVd from the proceedings of the evening. Mr. Tijvlor, a member of the choir, in responding ' rs riiaU of the ladies, alluded to the fact that Osribaldilif a total abstainer, which was received Tith grca".\applause. IhL* p'Jasant and interesting gathering was , bcutlit tp a conclusion about half-past 10, by the j ■i:.;ins of the National Anthem.