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Frances Willard, "Social Purity Work for 1887," Jan 1887
PROMISE BY THE HELP OF GOD
1.- To treat all women with respect, and endeavor to protect them
from wrong and degradation.
2.- To endeavor to put down all indecent language and coarse
jests.
3.- To maintain the law of purity as equally binding upon men and
women.
4.- To endeavor to spread these principles among my
companions, and to try and help my younger brothers.
5.- To use every possible means to fulfil the command, "Keep
THYSELF pure."
Leaflets, the object of which is to impress the reasonableness and
sacredness of these promises, are circulated among the members,
and occasional sermons and addresses given under the auspices of
the White Cross Society, which consistantly seeks to recruit new
members and to spread its blessed propaganda. Definiteness of
purpose based upon intelligent and educated choice, added to the
inspiration of esprit de corps, are the results secured by these simple
methods for enlisting and enrolling our young men. Good men sign for
good example's sake, just as we all sign the pledge of total abstinence
from intoxicating drinks. But be it carefully noted that the White Cross
pledge can be grafted upon existing societies of approved character. A
teacher may give this pledge to the male members of his class,
whether in Sabbath School, High School or College. A pastor may hold
a meeting for the purpose and recommend the pledge to the young
men of his church and congregation; a temperance society of men (or
the men in a mixed temperance society) may take this pledge; a Knight
of Labor Lodge may have its "inner circle" where this pledge is taken
and its accompanying literature read and distributed. But these
members must not be under sixteen years of age.
"THE SILVER CROWN" was organized last year (1886), and the
following pledge, prepared by Dr. De Costa, has been adopted as the
pledge of this new society, whose members are known as "Knights of
the Silver Crown."
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