IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) ^:f<^ 'W 1.0 I.I 1.25 l^m 2.5 U£ 1^ 1 2.2 ^ li£ 12.0 111^ U ill 1.6 V] 5'X - CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian institute for Historical Microreproductions / Jiistitut canaiiien de microreproductions historiques !^ (S)V^8 # Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for ^liming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method nf filming, are checked below. ^ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D D n n n Couverture endommag^e Covers 'esto'ed and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pelliculAe I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) r~n Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ ReiiA avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion ilong interior margin/ La re Mure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long da la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties lots d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texts, mais, lorsque ceia itait possible, ces pages n'ont pas et6 film^es. Additional comments:/ Commentairas supplimentaires: The tot L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur axemplaire qu'il lui a at6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image laproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modifscatiori dflns la mdthode normale de filmage sor»t indiquis ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages da couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es D Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurees et/ou peJIiculdes I T Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ □ Pagbs ddcolor^es, tachet^es ou piquees Pages detached/ Pages ddtachees Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Quality inigala de I'impression Includes supplementary materia Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible I I Pages detached/ I y Showthrough/ I j Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ l~n Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partie'iement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errat <. une pelure, etc., ont dtd film^es d nouveau de facon a obtenir la neilleure image possible. The pos oft film beg the slor othi first slor or il The sha TIN whi Ma| diff enti beq rigJi reqi met This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmi au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X '■'''''■■'■'''''II' 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed he e has been reproduced thanks to the generosity off: JVIetropolitan Toronto Library Canadian History Department L'exempiaire filmA fut reproduit grAce ii la g^nirosit* de: Metropolitan Toronto Library Canadian History Department The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 4t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la netteti de l'exempiaire fiim6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed br>sinning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning o"^ the first page with a printed or lllustratad impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont ia couverture en papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commen9ant par la premier plat at en terminant soit par la derniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration. soit par le seco.id plat, selon !e cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmte en commandant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contaib^ the symbol — '^- (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "EIMD"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la de'nidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols —^^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". iVIaps, plates, cherts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tabienux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds i des taux de reduction diffirints. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre reproduit en un seul clich6, 11 est film6 d partir de Tangle sup&rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessai''e. Les diagrammes suivants iSitistrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 n PE 1f ■ '^^' ^/ firn^H Yj-\ AN ADDRESS ON EECHABITISM, PBLIVERBD AT THE aUARTBRLY MEETINa OF THE MEMBERS OP THE IND2FENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES, IN THE HALL OF THE SPRING OF CANADA TENT, On the 18th. July, 1845, BY THE REV. W. T. LEACH A. M. ^T rublisked by Request of the Members of the Order. MONTREAL : PRINTED BY BROTHER J. C. BECKET, ST. PAUL STREET 1845 rS ■'^^i)! VV- -•) AN ADDRESS ON RECHABITISl, DELIVERED AT THK QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE MEMBKttB OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES, IN THE HALL OF THE SPRING OF CANADA TENT, On the 18th July, 1845, BY THE REV. W. T. LEACH, A. M. ♦ Fublished by Request of the Members of the Order. MONTREAL: raiNTED BY BROTHER J. C. BECKET, BT. PAUL STREET 1845 CD <0 \ ,^V\ ?*^^Y17 1935 t ^'; RECHABITISM. f ' *rhe Independent Order of Rechabites is one of those benevo- lent institutions which, in certain states of society, are found to be usually originated for the remedy of existing evils, and the ad- vancement of the common good in some particular way, or ways, that seem justifiable and possible. It professes to be an instru- ment for the accomplishment of an end, which every one must acknowledge to be beneficial in the highest degree, serving to pro- mote the decency, the security, and good order of society, and contributing largely to the amount of private happiness and proe- perity. It has a claim, therefore, upon public attentioii and ren- pect. It deserves to be considered how far it may or may not be a suitable and efficacious instrument for the accomplishment of the good it proposes to bring about. Even m the absence of all experience of its practical working and effects, it deserves to be examined. Its professedly benevolent object, and its confident hopes of successful results, even though these results shall be found from experience to be far from universal, or even but partial, rcn. der it worthy of being scrutinized by the philanthropist, especi- ally by those who have laboured, and still exert themselves wilh the same views in a different course. Indeed it would be stranfrf, if, amid the enormous and widely prevalent evils of intemperapce, those who rejoice in the well-being, and deplore the miseries of their fellow-creatures, should reject, without full and serious con- sideration, what promises to be a probable means of accomplishing great good. It would be strange, since a tenderness for human misery and distress is often found sufficient to call forth thfi largest sacrifices in support of the shallowest and most ephemeral expedients for the removal or reduction of these sufferings. It may be suppcMcd to be acknowledged, that in modem timei? nothing has tended more than intemperance to corrupt ihe public r^ raorals; and if one regards its destructive effects, all other diseases and calamities huve been comparativelj; hurtless. It partakes, indeed, of the character of a disease, all the more malignant, be. cause it often prostrates the power of volition, and creates an un- natural appetite to the extinction of life— a proneness to the viola- tion of those laws which God has enacted for its preservation. Of course it is voluntary, and therefore vicious— a moral pestilence generated in society, and penetrating every part of it. Its cause is known ; it walks not in darkness, like the subtile agents of nu. merous diseases that infect in secret— it is not the consequence of any organic defect, nor dojs it arise from any necessity which is imposed by the physical condition of our being, and is, therefore, a voluntary and criminal evil. Nevertheless the fashion of soc^-^ty operates like a necessary cause for its production. The law of Bature and the general custom are inverted. The temptation is not regarded as i-. temptation, but as the supply of an allowable indulgence. The vice is scarcely regarded as a vice, but as a necessity ; and the over proneness to self-indulgence, with all its deplorable train of sickness, and miseries, and degradation, and death, is not understood as a disease reveling in the heart and in the brain, and infecting large masses of the population, but almost tacitly surrendered to its course, and interpreted as the imprudence and natural infirmity of the indi- ' ^nal members enslaved by its influence. Temperance Societies, and the institution of the In- dependejjt Order of Rechabites in particular, are indications of a cure—symptoms of a determination on the part, of nature to assert the authority of her laws. As m the human constitution there is a X)is medicatrix, as the physicians term it — a tendency in the system, when the general action of its powers remains unsubdued, to throw off the causes of particular diseases, and spring baclt into a salutary state ; so in the social body, when a law of nature has been long perverted, and the forms and opinions of society have long ministered to its perversion, after k long time come the symptoms of a cure— a healthy reaction in favour of the established and unquenchable laws that govern the stream of life. Viewed in this light, the institution of the Rechabites is indicative of the agency of the vis medicatrix—a. favourable appearance, which •vinces the commencement and progress of a restorative process* •\. II otiicr discaecs . It partakes, malignant, be. I creates an un. 3S8 to the viola- eservation. Of loral pestilence f it. Its cause e agents of nu- consequence of lessity which is :d is, therefore, ihion of soc'-ity ;. The law of e temptation is »f an allowable vice, but as a ;e, with all its gradation, and ic heart and in ion, but almost he imprudence 3nslaved by its tion of the In- idications of a lature to assert itution there is indency in the ins unsubdued, jring bacli into of nature has f society have ime come the the established life. Viewed dicative of the arance, which rative process. ) Whatever be the description of moan?, and the designations of the various Societies that hold out the prospect of ihia remedial change, thev are phpnomen i in the existing state of society that onnnot but be profoundly intcreating. The shallow and unthink- ing only will be disposed to confound thern with the quack expe- dients often so confidently advanced for the regeneration of so- ciety— expedients that usually run in the teeth of nature, and though prompted by benevolent motives not unfrcquently subver- give of those divine laws, without whicli mankind must disband and live like the beasts. These however arc means t!iat remand suflEl-iing humanity to nature, and nr'y calculate upon her concurrence and ov ^ and make h(r of these means ihort of an al»- -.ircumstancc ,! in question of socictv bo support. It is their object to make he? voice be heard. Nor i.-^ the interestin, tlestroyed, while it is admitted that tl solute victory over the evil they assai* whic'j attaches to all human inPtitutiona. be materially reduced— if the manners and o , BO m xlified as to secure the ad-ancement of the remedial proctw, to send it on its way rejoicing, diffutung health, and strength, atid happiness in its path, the means by which this happy progress is maintained, if justifiable m principle and innocently administered, aeserve the praise and support of all that have a just title to the name of man. Such is the liglit in whicIi Temperance Societies in general, but emphatically the Independent Order of Rechabites, ought to be contemplated. Tliey are benev )lent in their aim, and coincide in their object with the law of God, both as exhibited in nature, and decVrsd by revelation. 'I'he object, then, is good ; let us look i. the nature of tlie means, and to the detail of regulations by which it is sought to work it out. The Independent Order of Rechab- ites is called a secret society, and is so called because the mcni- hers of it have adopted i .casures for their own good order, whicli are not publicly ma.ie known. The secrecy consists in this ; it does not consist in the measures which they use for the advocacy and advancement of the cause they have undertaken to promote. The nature of the case renders it necessary that their measures t(» this end be open and public, inasmmch as their rational arguments, their demonstrations of iU utility, and happiness, and duty, togc. I rt w ther wX\x ju: t representations of the intolerable and acknowledged ev.l8 of intemperance, ar. the only weapons by which they can hope for a successful issue to their rr.oral contest. Th ir object is understood, their means of aecomplishing it are known, aul no thmpr remams unknown that infrinfrcs upon the right of olhc. « or distu. .3 the order of society-nothing that falls under the animad. version of the magistrate, or can be cause of complaint to aiy member of the comn^unity. Whatrat.onal objection, then, can a.y one have to ofFeras to the matter of secrecy-no rational objecMon • nc;,. but the infinitely absurd objection th-.t might be oFered to any pnvatc council, or private party or club, or even a private fa. mdy. The.^ are material advantages, however, as to order and efficiency, that arise from the adoption of puvate regulation. Th« mom e,, ,, ,^ ^,^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^J^^^^^ ^^ JulaUons. f he of duly ,s made eleaier-the bond of interest is made stronrrer and a foundation is la.d for a mutual respect and regard TZg a number of persons, who. having a great selected end in view, ifvo according to the convictions they express, and unite with tie purest benevolence of purpose in recommendhig to others a rule of ancT Ihe d / '''\ '' '' ^''"'' ^' '^ ^'^^ -^"^ «' "-P ranee, the difference between the Rechabite. and other Tempe ranee Societies seems to consist in this, that the former have n" trodueed mto their system principles of government and order thai have a far more powerful influence both upon individual members and the general operations of the body, than other Temperance Societies have. They have the advantage, therefore, of having their operations regulated by some additional oversight and autho^ rity. 1 i. .y may therefore be expected to proceed more deliberatn] v and systematically. This is true, that obedience to t,he regulations preseribed ,s voluntary. The sense of duty and love of order, as well as a degree even of temporal interest, are appealed to, in or. der to secure acqmoscence in them. Ali these mav no doubt fail but under the circumstances there is no element omitted which can be brought to bear upon the good govemment of the body, nor could anything additional be desired, unless it be the deepenLof a persuasion tha. ought to be constantly present in every'as«ocl t on of ,he kind-the persuasion that a ready and unhesitating cbedience to the rules of the Order, and the exclusion of all that and acknowledged by which thoy can ;st. Th ir object is ire known, a.>H no- c light of otht..i, or i under the animad. r complaint to a.iy 3tion, then, can avjy ) rational objection ; night be offered to ' even a private fa. er, as to order and deregulations, Tho closely—tiie oond is made stronger, \d regard among a d end in view, live nd unite with the to others a rule of matter of tempo, and other Tempo. le former have in. lent and order that idividual members ather Temperance lerefore, of having 3rsight and autho. i more deliberately ! to the regulations i love of order, as appealed to, in or. nay no doubt fail, nt omitted which it of the body, nor ! the deepening of' in every aEsocia. and unhesitating lusion of all that is cxtraneor" to them, constitute the pillar of strength npnn which the association re^ts. Tlie thirst of legislating is alwnys a proof of ;veakness — it is a pure sign of the dissolution of every assncia. won in which it prevails. It roots up all confidence, and cvcntu. ally destroys all consistence and order. It is to be ascribed to this, as by far the i-nief cause, that many excellent institutions, after a short lived existence, vanish. In order to secure c(>'^'/'^nce and efficiency, there can be nothing more requisite tha unit r- mity of operation, and the assurance of stability ; but where one thing is done to-daj, and another thing to-morrow, and private regulations made to supersede the general rules, this is an infalli- ble sign of a dissolving and expii ,g body. There is, however, a provision in the institution of the Kcchabitcs against this source of weakness ; and so important is tiiis part of its interior policy, that it can never be too constantly referred to, nor too solenuily enforced. There is another point to which itsecnn proper to advert. The objection is not unfrcqucntly made that Rochabite and other Tem- perance .Societies are a sort of unwarrantable usurpation of the pro. vincc of Christianity, as if they impudently pretended to be a si.b- Btituto for it, and that their eftbrts in some manner may be unfavour. able to it. If this objection were valid, it would, indeed, be a serious one ; but it is hardly possible to suppose it could ever be Periously offered. The pointing the finger to those who compose the Inde. pendent Order of Recliabites, is the refutation of the objection. It needs no other refutation, because the'c; wtands the body of evidence sufficient to confound all the supposals and conjectures that can be made, to shew that the consequences have been con- stantly found to be the reverse oi those apprehended. If every Rochabite were brought to tho bar and tried one after another, and if upon trial it were clearly ascertained that he was a more regular member of the Church, or a more devoted attendant upon religious services, the objection would be made appear to be a very lame one ; and such exactly is it found to be in point of fact—an objection where all existing evidence contradicts the truth of it, and proves it to be nonsense. The objection, then, must come with a bad grace from those who seek to bnild up the Church of Christ, when they object to a means of accomplishing the very 8 ohjecl t!iey desire, unlops they can shew thai the mcnm ctnpUyad is erroneous in principle, and unjustifiiiblo. Ii, is very commonly puid, if on the principles of the gospel temperance cannot bo main- tained and promoted in human society, nothing else will avail to do it. This is another assertion in the face of experience. The fact is, that in a great many cases where the precepts and doc trines of the truth in Christ do not reach home lb the mdividual, and subject him to their authority, there are other means that do ; where they cannot prevent men from committing acts of violence or theft, may not the laws of the land do so, the disgrace of detec- tion, and the fear of punishment ? In the matter of temperance, as in all things else, some motives may prevail, where others prove inefFectual ; and with regard to the Order of Rechabiles in particu- lar, where the highest Christian motives combme with the prin ciple of honour— with benevoler ce, and prudence, and self-preser- vation — with the restraints and obligafio'.is peculiarly fitted to go. vern and impress the members of the Order, it is impossible but that its interior regulations must vxcrt an influence far beyond that of any other system, whose discipline has not a special refer- ence to the object in ^uestion ; and so, ni fact, are they found to do. The circumstance of Christians of all denominations of persons even who make no reIigiou;4 profession — being admitted mto the Order, and to a participation of its advantages, precludes the pobfcjibility of its assummg a religious authority, or of its being justly regarded in that light. One of the leading objects of the Reohabites, is to promote the cause of temperance, and with this view there is exacted from every member a total abstinence from all that can intoxicate, with but two specific cases of excepiion — viz., when used at the communion, and when prescribed by a physician. This practi- cal recommendation of the rule is of great value. It demon, strates how easily and safely the use of intoxicating liquors can be dispensed with. It proves them to be necessary for neither health of body, nor soundness of mind, and holds out living ex . amp, 38 of the beneficial effects of habitual sobriety and self.com- mand ; so that the very life of a Rechabite exerts a valuable practical influence. In addition to this, it is the duty of the Order to accumulate and convey information on the subject of tempc i D meanB rhiploycc? s very commonly e cannot bo main- • else will avail to experience. The precepts and doc- Hb the mdividual, sr means that do ; g acts of violence disgrace of detec- er of temperance, f here others prove labiles in particu- ine with the prin e, and self-preser- liarly fitted to go. is impossible but uence far beyond lot a special refer- are they found to enominatioiiH — of —being admitted ntages, precludes ty, or of its being is to promote the I is exacted from t can intoxicate, when used at the m. This practi- alue. It demon, lating liquors can essary for neither ds out living ex . ety and self.com- xerts a valuable Juty of the Order Jubjeci of tempc / ? rancc, and to correct erroneous views respecting the use and abuse of intoxicating liquors. It is their aim, by demonstrating the de. plorable effects and the prevalence of intemperance, to interest and unite the temperate portion of society in a general endeavour to remove or alleviate the enormous evil. They are called upon, too, to exercise in their private capacity compassion for the wretchedness of the slaves of this vice, and by all suitable means to exert their active beneficence to reclaim them ; and this is a work of benevolence, which, when gone about with prudence and characteristic temper and kindliness, is seldom found to fail in multiplying mstances of a happy recovery to health and prospe- rity, purity of manners, and honourable exertion in all the duties of life. There are, of course, various modes of advocating the tempc. ranee cause, and instances havo not been rare in which it has been rather prejudiced than advanced by individual eccentricity. Perhaps no cause so good has ever suffered so much in this res. pect. Erroneous statements have often been made, and false pre- mises often assumed, and sometimes unwarrantable onslaughts have been made upon unbelievers and upon occupations de- manded in the present state of society and sanctioned by the laws of every country in the world. The effect of this has often been to excite opposition, and accordingly to bring about the re- verse of what was intended. The Rechabites have this advan- tage, from their interior system of regulations, that they have the oversight of this, and may, if they please, wisely confine the ad- vocacy of the cause of temperance to a course perfectly unexcep. tionable and justifiable. Another leading object of the Rechabites, is the mutual support of its members in the case of sickness. There are many causes that render this especially beneficial in a new country. In older countries, where the individual grows up within a circle of friends and relations, the sympathy and mutual dependence of ancient friendship and neighbourhood are brought into immediate and in. stantaneous play, and much assistance may be expected from " the unfettered operation of Christian precepts, and of the kind, licr feelings of nature upon the heart and conduct of othe»*s." Hero however, men istaud more alone in society — they are remote from f I*' 10 the source whence the strongest and purest streams of charity usu. ally flow. No systematic provision is made by the laws of the land for their relief, and the more delicate and deservmg class of sufferers must, consequently, undergo a ten-fold more painful pro. bation here than they would at home, siace they will require for the most part to appeal to those upon whose connection with them they can ground no plea, and upon whose affections they have no particular claim. The regulations of the Rechabites fill up this gap, and give every member an interest in the happiness of his brother. If this single object were fully and fairly carried out-if It were systematically attended to, and provided for by the accumulation of a fund, that could aflx,rd an effectual support in time of need, the fulfilment of this object alone would suffice to render the institution worthy of all praise, and make it one of the most valuable that could be established in human society. It ^'s obvious, however, that without any fund in reserve, whence the usual admmistration may be made to the necessity of a member rcquiring assistance, there cai be little probability of any wise use of this part of the system of the Rechabites, when an unexpected draught must be made, upon the spur of the moment, on those of the members who may happen to be present. Nothing can justify, in my opinion, any other application of the funds, while this part of the machinery is out of repair ; and as the rules of the Order make no mention of any extraneous charities, it is impossible to Bee upon what principle they can be introduced to the notice of the tent. There is a beautiful coincidence between this part of the system, and the principles of Christianity, serving to teach ua to bear one another's burdens— to make light the weight of one another's chains, and amid the common calamities of life, from which none can flatter himself with having a security, to have a reserved relief and provision against misfortune ;— more than that, to have even the assurance that the event of his death shall bring along with it the means of a decent burial in the du^i of the grave. It is a natural sentiment that clings to the heart i.aough all the stages of life, that one's bones ought to find a tranquil and undis. turbed resting-place, and to the survivors it may serve to send a ray of joy in the dark hour of their bereavement— to know that the dead have been so far honoured with the respect which the dead can earns of chtirity usu. by the laws of the I deserving class of d more painful pro- hey will require for 36 connection with "lose affections they the Rechabites fill it in the happiness r and fairly carried provided for by the jfFectual support in le would suffice to make it one of the aan society. It is serve, whence the ssity of a member ity of any wise use len an unexpected oment, on those of othing can justify, ds, while this part rules of the Order it is impossible to ;d to the notice of twcen this part of erving to teach ua he weight of one lities of life, from ecurity, to have a —more than that, death shall bring du^si of the grave, rt i.iiough all the anquil and undis. ly serve to send ^ -to know that the !t which the dead 'W 11 can receive— that the spot which receives what is mortal may bo called her own by the widow and the orphan— be decked with I flowers of their own planting, and hallowed with their tears. I It is quite consistent with the general spirit and professed prin- tiples of the Rechabites, to prevent, if possible, that quarrelsome , nd litigious disposition, which so often leads people, on the plea of petty provocations and trifling advantages, to fly to the courtf of justice for relief. It is well known that recourse is often had to such a quarter from mere feelings of anger, and for the gratifica. tion of revenge. A Rechabite would shew himself but little faith- ful to his brother, and serve his cause erringly and ill, if these, the lowest and most malignant passions of nature, could still carry him captive ; and it could avail him little to have vanquished one passion, if he carried in his breast others no less hateful. The laws of the Order render it obligatory on every Rechabite to permit nothing but the plainest perfidiousness and faithless ness to banish a bi other from his heart, always to afibrd him aa opportunity of explanation, and in the absence of all evidence, to put upon his conduct the most favourable construction. «♦ He that is angry with his brother without a cause," is a solemn warn- ing from a high authority. If it is a shame that it can be said, there goes a Rechabite drunk— if it is a shame that it can be said] there lies a Rechabite sick and in want— if it is a shame that it can '-'•. said, there goes a Rechabite dishonoured and solitary to the silent home of the forgotten, it is no less discreditable to see two Rechabites, in the spirit of resentment and strife, rush recklessly into the dangers of the law courts. This ought to be regarded as only a last resort, when the prescribed regulations of the Order have been wisely complied with, and in this case it may be as. ■umed that the pernicious consequences of the threatened strife will generally be prevented. If I interpret aright the spirit of the laws that are for the government of the Order, every Rechabite is to a certain extent his brother's keeper, bound to protect his in. terebt, bound to defend his reputation, bound to support him m his sickness, and bound to honour him in his death, and all alike Jbound to work out the great objects that lie as the substratum of the Order- temperance and fortitude, benevt'ence and perfect faithfulness 40 their trust. Let us remember, however, that no '. f I, r ''■ t : 12 long term of experience enables us to pronounce with confidence upon its final success. It has never yet received that measure of public approbation and regard, which an institution so highly moral seems to me to der3rve, and its doing so must depend en- tirely upon the prudence and wisdom of those mto whose hands has been committed the direction of its movements. There is no- thin;/, indeed, that may be more confidently asserted than this, that nothing will prove a greater obstruction to its prosperity, and more endanger its existence, than the frequent repeal of existing regulations, and the enacting of new ones. Let this course be adopted from time to time, and the whole goes to nothing, and vanishes away like the smoke of a sacrifice. The history of every similar institution corroborates this view, and shews us the pro- priety of obstinately rejecting every innovation, till it has been earxctioned by competent authority, and cautiously received upon a full consideration of evidence. I do not say that no improve- ments may be suggested in the machinery-.I believe it to be sus- ceptible of improvement ; but it is far better in such cases to con- tend with an existing evil, than to introduce another that is even equal, inasmuch a« the very change indicates a spirit that will always prove destructive. Let me express a hope that these ob- servations will be received with the spirit in which they are made, ..ith an earnest desire for the good of mankind and the prosperity of thi« Order, and with a feeling of perfect friendship and reapect fcr erery brother of the Tent in which I now etand. I ce with confidence ^ed that measure of stitution so highly must depend en- e mto whose hands ents. There is no- asserted than this, its prosperity, and ; repeal of existing Let this course be es to nothing, and he history of every shews us the pro. )n, till it has been usly received upon that no improve. Relieve it to be sus- such cases to con- lother that is even 1 a spirit that will lope that these ob- ch they axe made, and the prosperity idship and respect uid.