From the records of the Pembroke Society for the Reformation of Morals:
March 7th, 1815 – At a meeting of a respectable number of the inhabitants of Pembroke, assembled for the purpose of conferring on the state of morals, and to adopt measures for the suppression of vice and the encouragement of virtue: after mature deliberation, believing it to be their duty and for the public good to combine their influence for the promotions of order, morality and religion.
Resolved, unanimously, to form themselves into a Society for the Reformation of Morals…
Art. 2: The object of the society shall be the suppression of immorality of every description, particularly sabbath breaking, intemperance, profanity and falsehood.
Note: Reverend Abraham Burnham was voted President. There were 56 who subscribed to the Constitution…(all men).
July 3, 1815 Meeting – Resolved, that it is indeconous for people to stand out of doors about the house of God, after the public solemnities are commenced. Resolved, that the falling of seats at the close of public prayers is an unnecessary disturbance and highly unbecoming the Sanctuary of the Lord.
January 8, 1816 resolutions included…That the free and common use of ardent spirits is both in a temporal and spiritual view, a very destructive coil…that taverners and retailers shops are objects on which the faithful guardians of the public sentiment and morals will ever keep a watchful eye. That we will use our influence that our public houses and stores may be regulated according to the good and wholesome laws of this State.
January 22, 1818 Meeting