The Sons of Temperance, a brotherhood of…
1842 CE
The organization has a highly restricted membership.
In order to become a member (called a “brother“), a man has to be nominated by an existing brother.
Three other brothers will then investigate his life to determine if they think he is worthy of membership.
The Sons of Temperance require a two-dollar initiation fee, an amount equal to a week’s wages of an ordinary worker.
In addition, the weekly membership fee is six cents.
It has secret rituals, signs, passwords, hand grips and regalia.
It will begin spreading rapidly during the 1840s throughout the United States and parts of Canada.