WASHINGTONIANISM.

ITS ORIGIN.-The Washingtonian Reform, or reformation of inebriates by social effort, commenced in Baltimore city. On April 5th, 1840, six poor drunkards met in a grog shop in that city, took the pledge to reform, and organized a society, to which they gave the name WASHINGTONIAN. May the name be preserved, and their example be followed every where!

DEFINITION OF PRINCIPLES.-The difference in objects, principles and measures, between the old and the new societies, may be briefly summed up as follows:

I. All former societies directed their efforts mainly, if not wholly, to the prevention of intemperance.

"WASHINGTONIANISM," while it embraces all classes, sexes, ages and conditions of society in its efforts, makes special efforts to snatch the poor inebriate from his destructive habits-aims to cure as well as prevent intemperance. It considers the drunkard as a man-our brother-capable of being touched by kindness, of appreciating our love, and benefiting by our labors. We therefore, stoop down to him in his fallen condition and kindly raise him up, and whisper hope and encouragement into his ear, and aid him to aid himself back again to health, peace, usefulness, respectability and prosperity. By the agency of SISTERS in this labor, we endeavor to secure the co-operation of his family in our efforts, and cheer, encourage, and (if need be) clothe and render them, as well as him, comfortable,

and lead them back to respectability and usefulness, in society.

II. Other societies, generally, were auxiliary to a County-that to a State-and that to a National Society. Sometimes the employed agents, or other persons of a particular way of thinking, used their influence to oppose the political and religious feelings of other portions of community. In consequence, many have been led to fear danger to political and religious rights, by the interference of such combinations with the laws of the land, and their lectures and publications contrary to the party predilections and religious views of many of the people.

"WASHINGTONIANISM," carefully avoids these difficulties, by making each society independent-its funds, its actions, to be all under the direct control of its members -in fellowship with all whose principles are the same; but subordinate (auxilliary) to none. And it prevents all political and religious strife or jealousy, by providing that nothing shall be introduced into our periodicals, lectures, meetings or proceedings inimical to the feelings of any political party or religious denomination.

III. Before the Washingtonian Reform, not only the poor drunkard, but many of nearly every other class in society supposed to be in the way of the cause, were denounced as enemies-held up to public indignation and reprobation, threatened with the withdrawal of votes, pecuniary support, or public countenance; and were classed with drunkards and drunkard makers. This caused many a truly moderate drinker, and not a few perfectly abstinent men, to hold themselves aloof from the societies; and

even, in some cases, induced them to unite with the makers, venders and users of intoxicating drinks, in a powerful and often very injurious opposition to Temperance Inns, groceries, societies and measures.

"WASHINGTONIANISM" teaches us to avoid this course -to leave all the benefits that may accrue from it (if any) in the hands of those who may persist in it after all past experience. We believe with the American Prison Discipline Society, that "there is a chord, even in the most corrupt heart, that vibrates to kindness, and a sense of justice, which knows when it has been rightly dealt with." We have tried kindness with the poor inebriate of many years' continuance-we have found it powerful to overcome the induration of heart caused by years of the world's contempt to drown a sense of resentment at long continued unkindness-to destroy his overpowering sense of once hopeless, and often shameless degradation-and to conquer even his late resistless appetite! He is a man; and all the other classes of society whom we wish to win over to, and enlist in this blessed cause are neither more nor less than men. Their natures-their general feelings and sympathies, are the same as his. Hence we adopt the law of kindness-the godlike principle, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good," in our labors to win the maker, seller and user of intoxicating liquors; and we disavow all compulsion, threats, denunciations, hard names, or any thing else that would bespeak a want of love for man in us, or malice or ill-will toward them. It may be necessary, in order to save a reformed brother from a snare, to make public the names of some wicked

and cruel men; but we shall endeavor even of them, and to them, to speak the truth in love. In short, "Moral suasion, not force-love, not hate, are the moving springs in the Washingtonian Creed."

DIRECTIONS

FOR COMMENCING, ORGANIZING, AND CONDUCTING THE MEETINGS OF, A WASHINGTONIAN TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.

I. THE COMMENCEMENT.-Wherever there are a sufficient number of drinkers, to get up what is commonly called "a spree," there are enough to form a Society. It only needs one or more individuals, (if an inebriate, or moderate drinker, but resolved to reform, all the better,) to go to those persons, and to others who make, sell or use intoxicating drinks, and explain to them the principles and measures of this great reform, and persuade them to agree to take the pledge at a meeting to be held at some convenient time and place mutually agreed on. In all these efforts, the utmost gentleness, and kindness, and patient perseverance, and warm persuasion, should be used. At the meetings, appoint a Chairman and a Secretary-if reformed inebriates, all the better. After singing a hymn or song, let the Chairman, or other person, open the meeting by stating its objects-relating his experience in drinking, his past feelings, sufferings, the woes of his family and friends, the motives and reasons that induce him to take the present step, and appeal warmly and kindly to his companions, friends and neighbors to aid him in it, by doing likewise. The Secretary, or other person may follow

with a like experience, and name some of the advantages that will arise to them, their families, and the community, by uniting in a Washingtonian Society. Other persons can be called on to speak, until it is time to get signers to the pledge. Having read the pledge of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, invite all who wish to join, to rise up, (or come forward,) and call out their names that the Secretary may take them down. Publicity and freedom are preferable to private solicitations, whisperings, and secresy in giving the names. After all the names have been procured, and entered by the Secretary, let all who have given in their names, rise again and answer to them as they are called, so that if any have been omitted, they can be added. Then let the Chairman, or other person, first pledge himself, and then administer it to the rest.

After this, a hymn or song may be sung, and remarks and appeals be made, and other names be obtained. After all have been obtained to take the pledge, let them again rise up, and let the Chairman, or Secretary, or other person, give them THE CHARGE-a solemn address on the nature and importance of the obligations they have assumed, and on the best mode of faithfully discharging them. Then let a committee be appointed to draft a Constitution to be presented at the next meeting. After singing again, adjourn to place and time agreed upon-for a beginning has now been made.

II. THE ORGANIZATION.-At the next meeting, after singing, let the Constitution be reported, and amended, if necessary, until it suits those who have taken the pledge at and since the last meeting. Then adopt it. It should