Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.04.1983, Qupperneq 5

WINNIPEG, FÖSTUDAGUR 15. APRÍL 1983-5
Good Templars
The Good Templar Hall shortly after completion.
The same building as it stands today, no longer a Icelandic Cultural
Centre. There have been only slight structural changes. The use has
changed drastically.
by Einar Arnason
The original group of settlers had
madetheir way to Willow Point, the
beginning of Icelandic settlement in
Manitoba. Fraught with hardship,
compounded by the severity of the
elements that heralded the beginning
of winter, this hardy group of people
through valiant effort established
themselves, undaunted by the hard-
ships of their circumstances. They
had left a hostile environment, with
which the Icelandic nation had
learned to cope and their vision of a
better future was justly rewarded.
They in their wisdom could rational-
ize the future potential of the rich re-
Sources in this land of their choice.
From the settlement employment
was sought in Winnipeg. Later
groups that followed, had substantial
numbers that were attracted to life in
the city rather than settling in new
outlying districts. This led to a large
Icelandic population in Winnipeg,
widened by the large numbers of
their descendants that form part of
this great metropolis.
With numbers come social activ-
ities, recreational in nature, stimulat-
ing, with beneficial effects. However,
man, being what he is, includes those
that find solace through inebreation.
The Icelanders were no different,
and much to their credit they were
able to use their social organizations
to direct their concerns towards re-
forming those who became victims of
alcohol, ánd take a united political
stand on reformation of liquor laws
and promotion of temperance. ■
A temperance society was formed
in 1884. The members pledged not to
consume or supply liquor.
In October there were fifty-three
members and in November, 1885,
eighty-six.
Through the indiscreet consump-
tion of liquor, numbers of Icelanders
had landed in jail. Statistically there
were in 1884 twenty-four and in 1885
six. The grand total of all nationalities
for Winnipeg in 1885 was 1,728.
The Temperance Society lapsed
but was an active forerunner of the
two lodges Hekla and Skuld, closely
affiliated with the Independent Order
of the Good Templars, later known
as the International Order of the
Good Templars.
In Iceland at the beginning of emi-
gration to Canada there was a con-
cern developing in regards to the
harmful effects of alcohol, although
there still existed a large majority
opinion, that it was not manly to re-
frain from imbibing on special occa-
sions. There were sufficient numbers
who were deeply concerned and
Good Templar lodges were formed
taking on an active role, promoting
temperance and as members commit-
ted thémselves, to totally abstain
from consumption of any alcoholic
intoxicants.
During 1887 a number of Iceland-
ers in Winnipeg met to discuss the
feasibility of establishing a Good
Templars lodge. The Hekla Lodge re-
ceived its formal charter and was es-
tablished Dec. 23rd, 1887. During
1888 in Aug. dissensions arose with-
in the lodge and á substantial number
withdrew to form another lodge
named "Skuld". They received their
charter and were formally inaugu-
rated Sept. 27th, 1888. During this
period there was considerable dissen-
sion in the Icelandic communities in
matters of religion and politics. The
Icelandic weeklies Heimskringla and
Lögberg seldom agreed, their influ-
ence was felt between the loyal ad-
herents of each paper.
The issues that splintered the group
were matters of controversy, pertain-
ing to lodge matters culminating in
the rejection of admitting a sponsored
individual to become a member. The
matter of collecting unpaid annual
fees from some members that had
withdrawn carried on the bitter con-
troversy. The membership fee was
$1.50.
The underlying factors that fed the
flames of dissension were the strong
political and religious convictions
that characterized the Icelandic com-
munity. The common ground of con-
cern in matters of abstinance were
not strong enough to hold the two
factions together in one lodge.
There was a large based opinion
that this split spelled the demise of
the Icelandic temperance movement.
The incident was commonly referred
to, in jest, as the "Hekla Eruption”.
They were mistaken, if anything.
It strengthened the movement. A
competitive spirit to attract new
members increased the total mem-
bership exceeding 300 around the
turn of the century.
While the temperance question
was the main motivating force in the
formation of the lodges, they under-
took other activities that were com-
mendable and beneficial to the Ice-
landic community. They actively
raised money within the membership
to assist members faced with hard-
ship through sickneSs. People arriv-
ing from Iceland were given instruc-
tion in English which the lodges sup-
ported financially. They were also a
tremendous forum for pleasant social
activities, a sort of rostrum for debate
and airing of matters that concerned
the membership, a means of taking
action in matters of compassion to
their fellow man. It was a place
where aspiring writers, poets and
speech makers could compete for
recognition. The lodges actively en-
couraged these activities by making
them a part of their program at meet-
ings. They greatly encouraged
literary skills brought here from Ice-
land.
In checking through the roster of
membership it is interesting to note
the number of founding and key
members who had been active mem-
bers in Good Templar organizations
in Iceland. The movement had be-
come fairly well established by the
time many of our people left Iceland
to make the Western Hemisphere
their home.
As a monumént to thesé great or-
ganizations, there stands on the cor-
ner'of Sargent Avenue and McGee
St., the building that the lodges erect-
ed at the beginning of this century.
Many years have passed since the
Icelandic Lodges relinquished owner-
ship of the building, yet today it
stands with only minor changes, a
stately edifice of memento to our
forefathers, now identified as a
semi-sophisticated bingo palace. The
dignity of purpose has been eroded
through changes in the Icelandic
community and the national mores of
our times.
At the end of the year 1900 discus-
sions took place regarding the feasi-
bility of building. An estimate of cost
indicated that $15,000 would be re-
quired for a new building. Through
lack of funds the matter was placed
in limbo, however concerts were
held and the pro'ceeds specifically
designated towards the cost of a new
building.
Continued on page 6
Þjóðræknisfélag íslendinga í Vesturheimi
FORSETI: JOHANN S. SIGURDSON
Lundar, Manitoba
ICELANDIC NATIONAL LEAGUE
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