AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE. On the 10th of January, 1826, a number of gentlemen met at the Vestry of Parkstreet church, Boston, to take into consideration the evils of intemperance, and the importance of further exertions to restrain them. HON. GEORGE ODIORNE was chosen Moderator. After uniting in prayer, and attending seriously to the object of the meeting, the following resolutions were adopted, viz. 1. That it is expedient that more systematic and more vigorous efforts be made by the Christian public to restrain and prevent the intemperate use of intoxicating liquors. 2. That an individual of acknowledged talents, piety, industry, and sound judgment should be selected and employed as a permanent agent, to spend his time and use his best exertions, for the suppression and prevention of the intemperate use of intoxicating liquors. A Committee was then chosen to consider this subject, and devise a plan for carrying into effect the design of the foregoing resolutions, and report at an adjourned meeting. (RECAP) HV 5296 A73 803528 FEB. 13, 1826.--At the adjourned meeting, the Committee reported the following draught of a Preamble and Constitution, which was unanimously adopted; namely; WHEREAS the improper use of intoxicating liquors has been found by experience to be the source of evils of incalculable magnitude both as to the temporal and eternal interests of individuals, families, and communities; and whereas the prevalence of this vice has such a fatal efficacy in hindering the success of all the common means which God has appointed for the moral and religious improvement of men; and whereas the various. measures which the friends of Christian morality have adopted, though not altogether unsuccessful, have been found quite insufficient to give any effectual and permanent check to this desolat*ing evil; and whereas some more vigorous means are evidently required, some system of instruction and action, which will make a steady and powerful impression on the present and following generations, and will in this way ultimately effect a change of public sentiment and practice in regard to the use of intoxicating liquors, and thus put an end to that wide-spreading intemperance, which has already caused such desolations in every part of our country, and which threatens destruction to the best interests of this growing and mighty Republic ;-therefore the friends of domestic and social happiness, now present, wishing to do all in their power to promote the welfare of their fellow men, resolve to form a society, with the following constitution; namely; ARTICLE I. The Society shall be called, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE. ART. II. The Society, at its commencement, shall consist of members elected by this meeting. ART. III. The Society shall, from time to time, elect additional members, as they shall judge expedient; always keeping in mind that elections are so to be made, as shall best accord with the design of rendering this a national institution, and giving it the most extensive influence possible. ART. IV. Any person who has paid, or who shall pay, not less than thirty dollars to the funds of the Society, shall become an honorary member thereof; and every person who has paid, or 3 shall hereafter pay, not less than two hundred and fifty dollars, shall be an honorary Vice President of the Society. ART. V. The Society shall meet annually at such time and place as they shall appoint, and shall choose by ballot a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, an Executive Committee of five members, and such other officers as shall in their opinion be necessary. ART. VI. It shall be the duty of the Society to have a general superintendence of all the concerns of the institution, and of the measures to be pursued for promoting its object. ART. VH. It shall be the duty of the President, or, in his absence, of the Vice President, to preside at all meetings of the Society, and to call special meetings at the request of the Executive Committee. ART. VIII. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to carry into effect all votes and orders of the Society, and to take proper measures for obtaining the funds necessary for accomplishing its benevolent designs; to appoint agents in different parts of the country, as shall be judged most conducive to the great object of the Society; to draw orders on the Treasurer for the payment of all monies, which shall be expended in this work of love; to inspect annually the state of the treasury; and in general, to perform all other duties, not inconsistent with this Constitution, which they shall deem necessary for promoting habits of temperance to the greatest extent. Of their proceedings they shall make an annual report to the Society. ART. IX. The Secretary shall be required to devote himself with diligence and fidelity to the business of the Society. And in execution of his office, it shall be his duty, under the direction of the Executive Committee, to make appropriate communications, by pamphlets, correspondence, and personal interviews, to ministers of the Gospel, to physicians, and others, and to consult and cooperate with them for the purpose of guarding those under their influence against the evils of intemperance; to take pains, in all proper mothods, to make a seasonable and salutary impression in relation to this subject, on those who are favoured with a public and refined education, and are destined in |