About The Sons of Temperance

The Order of the Sons of Temperance was founded by "sixteen Pioneers" on Thursday evening, September 29th, 1842, in Teetotallers Hall, No.71 Division St., New York.

Their motive in forming the order was "to protect ourselves and others from the evils of Intemperance, afford mutual assistance, and elevate our characters as men".

They signed their pledge of total abstinence from all that intoxicates - spirituous, malt liquor, wine, and cider.

The regulations adopted, comprised Subordinate Divisions for Communities, private business meetings weekly, with an impressive and instructive Initiation Ceremony with Admission Fees, Quarterly Dues ;--also, Grand Divisions for States or Provinces ; and a National Division, having jurisdiction and supervision over the entire Fraternity. Love, Purity, and Fidelity, are its well known Cardinal Principles.

Applications for Charters were soon received from various points for Divisions. Deputies travelled and organized.

The first Division organized in Nova Scotia was Acadia No.1 at Yarmouth on Nov. 17th, 1847, by Rev. William W. Ashley, Free Will Baptist minister and Deputy Most Worthy Patriarch for the National Division. Other Divisions soon followed.

Wilson gives a full and detailed record of the progress of the Temperance movement in his native province in his Chapter XVII "Masonic and other Benevolent Institutions - Temperance Organizations and their Results - Miscellaneous Notes".

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