RECHABITE SASH

The Rechabite sash to the left from approximately 1885, in all probability, belonged to high profile honorary Rechabite, Lady Henry Somerset. Sashes were a common denominator of friendly society membership. It is currently in the White Ribbon archives. The Rechabite emblem is clearly visible in both the silk panel and in the form of a pressed metal ornament. The sash was produced by G. Tutill of London, a company who specialised in the manufacture of banners and other silk items. This hand-made sash differed from those that were cheaper and supplied en masse at the beginning of the twentieth century. Victoria Solt Dennis notes that the mass-produced Jacquard woven decoration used on sashes was not expensive, as were the silk panels and pressed metal ornaments bearing the Order’s emblem. (1) Rechabite historian Richardson Campbell in his 1908 publication The Rechabite Handbook provided an extensive list of Rechabite regalia which could be purchased by individuals through their District office. Officer’s white sashes retailed at 12’s 6d, whilst those for members were priced at 2’s, 1’s 6’d or 1’s 3’d depending on the width.(2) Also available were varying satin emblems, enamel stars, oficers badges, tassels and letters. Sashes could be customised to suit the wearer with a service available, whereby the garment could be embroidered with letters costing 6d each.(3) The colourful emblem was easily recognisable, and by the Rechabite centenary in 1935 it had apeared on a variety of different artefacts ranging from badges and medals to plates, mugs and chocolate tins.

The image in the picture on the right is from the other end of the sash. It is a beehive motif which would have originally been gold in colour. It was also an important element of the Rechabite emblem. Richardson Campbell suggested that it also related to the concepts of “Prudence, Care, Forethought, Energy and untiring Zeal”.(4) All of these, he suggested, were both a reminder of the ethos of the Order and were essential when working together to promote both the Rechabites as an organisation and the cause of temperance.(5) The beehive symbol also appeared on the Temperance Society emblem. Labelled ‘Industry’ it symbolised the ethos of of a healthy and productive teetotal lifestyle. This traditional symbol represented the the themes of industry and unity, and was used extensively during the nineteenth century. For example, Lloyds bank, who adopted the beehive as their symbol in the early 1820’s. See right below for image of beehive symbol at the former Lloyds bank building in Bournville. This dates from 1908.

The sash in the picture to the left (circa 1900, image courtesy of Healthy Investment, Bury, Lancs) belonged to a Chief Ruler, the highest ranking officer in a Rechabite District. It clearly shows the Rechabite emblem with its many symbols, most of which were related to Christian themes. White sashes were presented to new members at the conclusion of the Rechabite initiation ceremony. The symbolism of the colour white was explained via a reading from the book of Revelations 7.9. The main theme being that the robes of the Twelve tribes were made white by washing them in the blood of the Lamb. “From which we learn that white is an emblem of purity. The white sash, therefore, is to teach you that your life must be pure and free from immoral blemishes, and I trust that while you wear the robe of purity you will keep yourself unspotted from the world”.(6) The Rechabite sash, therefore acted as a reminder to members of their duties from a Christian perspective. The ‘immoral blemishes’ were to be avoided at all costs and very probably related to both the consumption of alcohol and a breaking of the Rechabite pledge in which all members consented to a life of total abstinence.

The sash was worn in both private and public spheres. The wearing of the sash was compulsory at all meetings In November 1835, the general laws and regulations of the Independent Order of Rechabites was published. This consisted of a list of sixty instructions relating to the everyday running of the Order with, the onus on their very strict moral compass. Rule number 52 clearly stipulated that any member attending a Tent meeting without a sash and not apologising for this action were liable to be given a fine of one penny.(7) The wearing of the sash, therefore, was seen as being very much part of the Rechabite lifestyle, it provided them, along with their emblem with another highly visible reminder of their purpose. For the wearers it was not only a constant reminder of their moral obligations, but also provided them with a garment, which acted as a type of uniform. This, in turn served to identify them as a member of a brotherhood, whose shared mission was to promote both their Order and the temperance cause. It also clearly illustrated their faith through biblical symbols such as the lamb and the all seeing eye of God. The symbols also represented their Old Testament origins, their name originated from the parable of the original Rechabites, an ancient desert tribe who ‘would drink no wine despite the temptations of others’.

1) Victoria Solt Dennis, Discovering Friendly and Fraternal Societies. Their Badges and Regalia (Princes Risborough: Shire Publications, 2005), p.37

(2) Richardson Campbell, The Rechabite Handbook, p.186

(3) Ibid

(4) Richardson Campbell, Rechabite Handbook, p.44

(5) Ibid

(6) Richardson Campbell, Rechabite History, p15

(7) Richardson Campbell, Rechabite History, p.32

With grateful thanks to Neale Richardson, University of Birmingham, for this contribution to our archive pages. 

 EMBLEM OF THE INDEPENDANT ORDER OF RECHABITES 

The images in the Rechabite emblem which include the beehive motif, each have a different meaning and lesson to teach –

HIVE AND BEES – “Indicates INDUSTRY and teaches us to be energetic workers for the temperance cause and the Order.”

WHEATSHEAF – “Signifies  GOODNESS AND PLENTY. Grain when made into bread gives health and strength, but when grain is made into beer, the goodness is destroyed and poison called alcohol created.”

SWORD AND OLIVE BRANCH – “Represents JUSTICE AND PEACE. It teaches us to be honourable and just in all things, particularly with our fellow men, hence our being brothers and sisters in our fellowship,  and living peaceably with all men.”

TWISTED CHORD – “Indicates that UNITY IS STRENGTH and teaches us not to be selfish but united and working together to withstand the destroyer drink.”

THE EYE – “Indicates WATCHFULNESS and teaches us to be ever alert to avoid evil and temptation. Strong drink injures vision and harms thought. It also reminds us that the all-seeing eye of God, therefore we must be true to our pledge and do nothing we should be ashamed of Him seeing.”

THE LAMB – “Stands for MEAKNESS, INNOCENCE AND MODESTY and teaches us that we must be prepared to make sacrifices if needs be to preserve these qualities in our characters, and to make sacrifices for others.”

THE MOON AND STARS – “As the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, so we must reflect the teachings and principles of our Order to those in the darkness of ignorance, by our conduct and characters. The seven stars are representative of the seven churches in the Bible standing for reflection, and showing the wideness of the Order embracing all faiths and all religions.”

THE SERPENT – “Is the emblem of evil and denotes cunning and deceit. Just as the serpent can penetrate through where no other animal may pass, so drink creeps into every aspect of living and by the cunning and deceitful advertising the brewers get in everywhere to tempt people to drink. Solomon said “Drink biteth like a Serpent and stingeth like an Adder; and whosever is deceived by it is a fool.””

THE DOVES – “Signify GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS and teaches us that we have to deal gently and kindly with those who fall prey to demon drink.”

THE THREE TENTS – “Signify the embracing movement to which we belong. One tent is the tent to which we belong, the second is the district tent and the third for the Order. Our forefathers The Sons of Rechab, as recorded in the Bible, had no abiding home but dwelt in tents. So we need to be reminded that we have no abiding home here on earth, but we must work towards that kingdom above and leave this place better for our stay here.”

THE RAINBOW – “Depicts that promise and is the sign of GOD’S COVENANT to us, as his promise never to destroy the world. So the rainbow teaches us to be faithful to our promise in the pledge, and thus prevent strong drink from destroying the world.”

ROSE, THISTLE, SHAMROCK AND LEEK – “The emblems of ENGLAND,SCOTLAND,IRELAND AND WALES and teaches us that the Order is to be found in all parts of the United Kingdom. Today there are Rechabite Tents in every part of the world, thus God’s promise “The Sons of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before me for ever.””

PEACE AND PLENTY – “THE REWARD OF TEMPERANCE and teaches us that men would live at peace better if selfishness and greed were no more. If drink was banished there would be plenty of happiness for all.”

CORNUCOPIA – “signifies ABUNDANCE AND PLENTY and teaches us to be thrifty and to save our money by obtaining all the good things of life, instead of wasting it on strong drink the enemy of goodness.”

THE ARK – “signifies a REFUGE AND SAFETY and teaches that the Order provides a refuge from the dangers of drink, and that if we remember the principles of our Order we are assured of safety from temptation.”

THE LIFE BOAT – “Denotes the saving of life at sea and teaches us that it is our duty to save lives from becoming wrecked by strong drink. Our example will enable others to steer safely over the perils of intemperance in the sea of life.”

ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON – “Represents the Rechabite Order which is constantly engaged in fighting the dragon strong drink. Even as St George overcome (sic) the dragon in the legend, so we shall overcome the drink evil if we remain true to our pledge and keep clear away from all intoxicating liquor.”

ALSO FROM OUR COLLECTION:

This beautifully illustrated and colourful postcard showing Rechabite imagery dates from 1908.

GLASS LANTERN SLIDES