GOOD TEMPLARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 10

GOOD TEMPLARS.

A special meeting of members of the Good Templar Order was convened by the Grand Lodge Executive, and took place on Wednesday evening in the Pride of JDunedin lodge room, Choral Hall, for the purpose of having the new unwritten work ex" amplified. Bro. R.N. Adams, grand counsellor, presided, and was assisted by Bro. J. W. Jago as grand chaplain, Bro. D. C. Cameron as grand vicetemplar, Bro. W. Carr as grand marshal, and Bro. J. A. D. Adams as past grand tpmplar. There was a large attendance of members from all the lodges, of tho district from Purakanui to Mosgiel. Qheritiml of the order has recently undergone a complete revision consequent on the union of the two branches of the body, which took place in Saratoga during May 1887, by which all the old signs, tests, grips, and words in the subordinate degree have been abandoned, and new ones introduced. In order to exemplify the innovations correctly, eight members went formally through the initiation ceremony, which was very carefully rendered by the grand officers, being the first time ifc has been seen in this colony. The " marshal's drill " was a very marked feature in the evolutions. A deep interest was taken in the proceedings by members, who at the conclusion of the initiation ceremony asked several questions, which were satisfactorily answered by the grand counsellor. This change of form in the ceremony was to some extent rendered neefssary through the two branches of the order having Rafter the rupture madeßiich alterations (hat members could not hold fraternal lodge intercourse, and it was considered best that neither should wholly give way by adopting the ceremonies of the other, and so the reconstruction of the secret work was agreed upon by the Eight Worthy Grand Lodge. There has also been a slight change in the officers of the lodge, two having been abolished — viz,, the L.H. and E H. supporters, whose places are now taken by the superintendent of Juvenile Temples, and the deputy grand chief templnr, which is considered a very important improvement, as the chief templar will now be supported by officers of experience, whose advice may on many occasions be of the greatest value to him, besides bringing the juvenile work conspicuously before the members of lodges where there are no temples.