Independent Order of Rechabites

The Independent Order of Rechabites (IOR), also known as the Sons and Daughters of Rechab,[1] is a fraternal organisation and friendly society founded in England in 1835 as part of the wider temperance movement to promote total abstinence from alcoholic beverages.

At various periods in modern history have travelers come upon the lineal descendants of these Rechabites of old, in Spain, in the districts visited by Dr. Wolff, and in the neighborhood of the Dead Sea, still adhering faithfully to their total abstinence principles.

The promise of Jeremiah that for their faithfulness in adhering to the command of their forefathers they should not want a man of the house of Rechab to stand before the Lord forever has literally been fulfilled.

Membership remains open to all who would sign a pledge to completely abstain from alcohol except for religious or medical purposes.

[1] From the late 18th century a number of Friendly Societies had been set up to help working-class people with such things as health insurance and death benefits.

[citation needed] The organization was still active in the middle 20th century; Sir David Cannadine (British historian, born in Birmingham in 1950) described in 2019 attending a Rechabite meeting with his grandparents who were members.

Before one could join the Rechabites and benefit from their insurance and saving scheme a document has to be signed swearing that the proposed member and his family would not drink any alcoholic beverages.

Individuals over fifty five were admitted as honorary members, and females over twelve and males under sixteen were permitted to form their own Tents.

Members wishing to join IOR's health fund were no longer required to sign a pledge of abstinence from alcohol.

Branches of the Order were recorded in: Manchester in 1835;[17] Skipsea, Yorkshire, in 1838;[18] Leek, Staffordshire in 1839;[19] Banbury (the Rechabites Cadbury Tent) in the 1880s;[20] Burntwood in the 1890s;[21] Lichfield in 1911;[21] Leicester in 1922;[22] Gloucester in 1930;[23] Marlborough in 1937;[24] and Telford in 1940.

The Society avoids direct investment in companies in the alcohol, arms, tobacco, gambling and pornography industries.