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and in it we read, "That any person throwing his card or clearance into his own or any other lodge, shall become a member immediately;" what then do we gather from this? Let us, for the sake of illustration, suppose (what I sincerely trust never will be) that the Marc Antony Lodge had nearly exhausted its funds, and I felt, for the sake of security, I should prefer to belong to another lodge with plenty of capital! what would be easier than to ask for my clearance, and deposit it in one of the rich lodges? I should become a member of the lodge accepting my clearance, and have an equal claim to the funds of that lodge as any member belonging to it! It may be said that lodges could refuse me admittance within five miles; but clearances have been granted and accepted within the given distance, for the law is not imperative; it says, "members may present, and lodges accept, cards or clearances within the distance of five miles, but are not compelled to do so;" therefore, should a lodge refuse to receive a clearance within five miles, it is quite clear beyond that distance no lodge could refuse to do so; and if that be the case, would not most members, if they thought their lodge was getting into difficulties, and there would be no relief for them, resort to the method of clearance, and so make sure that, should they require assistance, their claims would be satisfied? I really cannot see anything by which we can understand the question of joint property, under discussion, better than by this, to me, most comprehensive medium of clearance; if our members gravely inquire into the subject, I am persuaded they will arrive at the same conclusion as I have. Under the head of travelling reliers we have it again exemplified, that members have a claim upon every lodge in the Unity, in proportion to its members, according to the 247th Law. Even, therefore, a member on travel has a claim for a certain amount on every lodge, and to that extent he has a common interest in the welfare of every lodge.

For aught we can say, the richest lodge we have may become unfortunate. It is impossible, therefore, to argue in any other way, in such circumstances, than that "members of insolvent lodges have an equal claim to the funds of solvent lodges with the members thereof," and that it is, in reality, one common property throughout the district, and perhaps I might even go so far as to say throughout the Unity. Taking our district at 7,000 members, we can meet the demands of upwards of 18 members for twelve months, as described in the district law. Should our district break up, there is not the least reason to fear that any member will be deprived of the benefit of the society, as they would become Unity members; and I find according to the rule for their relief the Order, according to its present number, will support with the full gift of 10s. per week for the first six months, and the half pay the remainder of the time, no less a number than 358 members! There is therefore no ground for apprehension whether the funds may be considered the joint property or no of the members at large, but that every member will have his claim on the Order fully satisfied, and that there will be no disappointment under that head.

Let us consider why the 42nd Law was made. Upon reflection, I think almost all of us will come to the conclusion, it was that every member shall have his claim on the society fully satisfied, and that there shall be no doubt about the matter; because, as it cannot be denied, after a lodge has broken up, and the members received (that is to say, so many of them as could get surgeons' certificates of good health) their clearances, and deposited them in lodges, they become immediately free members of those lodges, and have an equal interest and claim to the funds; and that is the principle, according to my thinking, that the whole of the funds are joint property, for if every lodge in the district, but one, broke up, there is no doubt that the lodge left would become the district, and the members of all other

lodges broken up would belong to that surviving lodge, therefore, the funds of that lodge would be the joint property of every member of the lodge, and, consequently, of the district. This reduces the argument to its greatest simplicity, and in that shape I shall leave it for the members to draw their own conclusions; but giving it as my belief that the 42nd General Law was made purposely that the sick members of any lodge that may become insolvent shall have their claims on the Unity fully satisfied, and that the opinion entertained by the great majority of our members, and I may add without indiscretion, the public at large, is-that we have funds in every lodge, and those funds belong to, and are, the joint property of every member.

From this discussion, very creditably brought forward by the Hope of Finsbury Lodge, I do not for a moment think our laws will be altered; I do not consider it to be necessary that they should be; they work well and harmoniously as they are, we all understand our obligations, we know we have certain demands to meet every half-year to our district, both in funeral and incidental levies—these demands no one has ever disputedthey are the regular and consistent demands as laid down in general law, and beyond that we can never go. With regard to the idea of some of our members, that lodges may be called upon some time or other to surrender the whole of their capital, if the funds of lodges are considered joint property, I may remark, such a demand would be quite inconsistent, and of course never agreed to. Each lodge takes care of its funds, has its treasurer, trustees, &c., &c., and beyond question always will have the same management of its capital. There is, however, one thing members should do, no matter to what lodge they belong, or what offices they have taken; if they see money voted away incorrectly, or a law broken, it is their duty to call the attention of the members to the fact, and it the lodge persists in acting contrary to rule, acquaint the proper officers of it. This discussion, if it have no better effect, will at least induce members to pay more attention to the business of their lodges, and if they see anything done which they consider incorrect, they will immediately see about it and take the proper legal remedies.

THE POET'S LIFE.

The poet's life is but a waking dream!
He wanders lonely 'mid the city's din,
With sons of mammon he denieth kin,
And shuns contamination-by the stream,
Or on the mountain-by the ruin's gleam,
When doth the moon her silent course begin-
By the vast ocean-by the roaring din.

Whenever solitude doth reign supreme
His soul walks forth from its abode of sin,
And soars on inspiration's sacred wing

Like some glad bird 'scap'd from the sportsman's gin,

Longing once more its liberty to sing.

So mounts his spirit to the realms of thought,
To sing of things by mortal lore untaught.

1

THE LEICESTER A.M.C.

OUR annual parliament was this year held in the ancient and thriving town of Leicester-a town remarkable for hosiery and Roman relics, evidences of past fame and present commercial importance. A detailed report of the business transacted by the hundred and forty delegates, who attended the A.M.C., is clearly beyond the scope of the Magazine; but we may briefly indicate the chief features of this interesting gathering.

The delegates met on Whit Monday, and commenced their session in the New Hall by an address from Mr. William Alexander, of Leeds, the Grand Master of the Unity for the year 1858-9. He congratulated the deputies on the present satisfactory condition of the Order. The greatest unanimity and good feeling prevailed throughout the Unity, and there appeared to be a general desire to improve any imperfections which might exist in the constitution of the Unity, or in the administration of its laws. During the past year 24,907 persons had been initiated. The society, on the 1st of January last, numbered upwards of 287,000 subscribing members. Amongst the more important topics proposed for discussion, the Grand Master referred to one relating to the 145th or General Financial Law. The directors had, during the past year, taken the opinion of eminent counsel with regard to the duties and responsibilities of trustees, in the investment of the reserved fund of lodges. That opinion had been laid before the Unity, and it would, he hoped, prove a valuable guide to all interested in this most important question. The petition from the Hull District for relief, in consequence of loss of funds, owing to the recent bank failure in that town, had been nobly responded to. The sum of £270 had been subscribed, which, together with the dividend received of Es. 6d. in the pound, would leave the lodge in a much better position than was originally anticipated. Mr. Alexander then referred to the fact that twenty-five years had elapsed since he first attended an annual committee of the Order, and he favourably contrasted its present position and influence with its then comparative insignificance. He concluded by expressing regret that even at the present time an influential journal (the Times) should have endeavoured to cast reflections upon the honour and integrity of the members of such a society. Such calumnies were wholly unwarranted, and demonstrated how little the writer knew of the progress recently effected by the labours of several leading members of their institution.

On Tuesday morning, the town presented a very gay and animated appearance. Flags and banners were displayed from various houses, and the streets were full of sight-seers in their holiday clothes. The OddFellows of Leicester, and the surrounding districts, walked in procession to St. Martin's Church, where Divine service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Hook, Dean of Chichester, who is well-known as a true and enthusiastic member of our Order. The Doctor took for his text a verse from the Epistle to Timothy, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

The venerable

edifice was crowded, and many of the delegates were among the congregation. In the evening a grand banquet was held in a semi-temporary saloon in the rear of the Bell Hotel, the-head-quarters of the officers of the Unity. About eleven hundred and fifty persons sat down to a splendid repast, during the time occupied in the discussion of which the yeomanry and militia bands played their most enlivening airs. Viscount Curzon, M.P. for the southern division of the county of Leicester, took the chair; the vice-chair being occupied by John Biggs, Esq., M.P. for the borough.

VOL. II.

M

The Mayor and Corporation, in a body, honoured the banquet by their presence. The festival was still further distinguished by the presence of a large number of influential local gentiemen, belonging to the Freemasons, who attended at the invitation of the managing committee, in order to testify their sympathy with what may be not inaptly termed the provident working men's adaptation of the great principle of the ancient and honourable fraternity to their peculiar necessities and requirements. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Alexander, Hardwick, Daynes, Roe, and other gentlemen, explanatory of the objects and social importance of Odd. fellowship and friendly societies. The whole of the proceedings passed off with the greatest possible éclat. Mr. G. P. Pardon, Editor of the Magazine, was present during the whole of the proceedings of the A.M.C., and visited, with several deputies, various of the lodges held in the town.On Thursday, a grand ball took place in the banqueting room, which was gaily decorated with evergreens and flowers, and presented a most gay and even splendid appearance.-The various commercial and manufacturing establishments were freely opened to all visitors. A copy of the new edition of Thompson's Handbook to Leicester, dedicated to the members of the Manchester Unity, was presented to every deputy; and really every individual in the town seemed to vie with his neighbour in rendering service and doing honour to the members of the Manchester Unity of Odd-Fellows.

With regard to the strictly business point of view, the Leicester A.M.C. has been productive of but few important changes in our laws and general practice. Among the principal discussions which have interest to the general public, may be noticed one having reference to the conduct of Mr. John Tidd Pratt, the registrar of Friendly Societies. Many deputies complained of the manner in which that gentleman has interfered with the rules sent to him for certification, and contended that by such conduct he had exceeded the authority conferred upon him by law. A" winding-up" clause in a recent act towards the close of the late session, without the consent or knowledge of those most interested, was severely commented upon, and a resolution passed that lodges and districts should petition parliament for its repeal, and that the members of the Unity throughout the country should be requested to confer with the representatives of their several localities, with a view to secure their support to its prayer.

The election of the officers, &c., took place on Thursday. The following is the result:-Mr. William Hickton, Deputy Grand Master, was elected unanimously Grand Master of the Order for the ensuing year. The contest for the Deputy Grand Master was a tie, seventy votes being recorded for Mr. Buck, of Birmingham, and seventy for Mr. Gale, of Liverpool. The chairman gave his casting vote for Mr. Buck. The following gentlemen were elected, in conjunction with the retiring Grand Master, to form the Board of Directors:-Messrs. Gale, of Liverpool; Roe, of London; Schofield, of Bradford; Glass, of Burslem; Daynes, of Norwich; Street, of Wirksworth; Woodcock, of Glossop; Burgess, of South London; and the Rev. J. Allen, of Long Sutton. Mr. Charles Hardwick, of Preston, who has been successively re-appointed for the last eight years, declined to be again elected. Mr. H. Ratcliffe was unanimously re-elected as Corresponding Secretary of the Order.

The consideration of the proposed Supplementary Insurance Society was, on the recommendation of the directors, referred to the next annual meeting, in order that the rules of the proposed scheme might be circulated and discussed in the various districts of the Unity, previous to the annual committee taking any legislative action. It is proposed in this scheme to establish a supplementary society under the Friendly Societies' Act, by

which members might insure for a sum not exceeding £200 at death, and an annuity not exceeding £30 per annum. The following is a brief epitome of the remaining business of the meeting :-The proposition for triennial A.M.C.s and triennial alterations of laws was negatived. The proposition for five auditors instead of three was withdrawn. The proposition, from the North London District, giving power to the district officers to take the books from any lodge for the purposes of examination, with the addition, that "the secretary be allowed to be present at such examination," was carried. Messrs. Roe, Daynes, Street, Luff, and Richmond, were reappointed as trustees; on a ballot being taken, the town of Shrewsbury was chosen as that in which to hold the next A.M.C. Messrs. Crispen and Collins were then elected as auditors; and Leicester was chosen as the district which should appoint the third auditor, in the place of the retiring officer. It was decided that the portraits of Mr. Augustus Frederick Greaves, Mayor of Melbourne, and member of the colonial legislature; the present Grand Master, Mr. Hickton; Mr. Reynolds, of Cowbridge, South Wales; and Mr. Webb, of Hyde, should appear in the Magazine; and the committee ajourned.

On Friday, the business of the day commenced with the discussion of the general laws, especially the 145th-the financial law of the Unity. The Bolton proposition for a redemption scale was carried, with this addition :-"That the following be added to the 145th General Law, viz. : And should such member have paid any given amount for the redemption of the additional annual contributions, in accordance with the 145th General Law, the lodge receiving the card or clearance shall be entitled to and shall receive such amount that may be due for the redemption of the annual contribution, according to the amount of contribution redeemed and the age of the member at the time his card or clearance was granted by the lodge, which amount shall be inserted on the card or clearance, and shall be forwarded by the lodge granting the same within three months after legal application may have been made for the same to be remitted." This alteration will come in force in August; but it seems desirable that alterations in the general law should not be acted on till at least three months after the A.M.C. making such alteration, in order that the change may become perfectly well known throughout the Unity. The various proposals for adopting a scale of contributions and initiation fees different from that now in force for the various ages of members joining the Unity, were rejected.

On Saturday, the further consideration of sundry propositions for alterations in the general law was proceeded with. The following proposition was carried by a 'majority of 42 to 24, amid much cheering --"That a member in good health who is residing at a distance from his lodge, have power to pay into any lodge near to where he resides, the same amount of medical pence as the members of the latter lodge pay, and shall be entitled to the benefits of the medical officer when necessary, as long as he continues such payment, during which time he shall not be compelled to pay medical pence to his own lodge." The sum of £20 was voted to the Charities of the town; £10 were voted to Mr. Alexander for his services as D.G.M. and G.M. of the Order; votes of thanks were then unanimously passed to the Dean of Chichester, who was present in the hall for some time on Wednesday; Viscount Curzon; the Mayor and Corporation; the Manufacturers of Leicester; the Committee of Management, and the Press : and thus ended the A.M.C. of 1859, one of the most successful in its results and complete in its arrangements that has yet been witnessed in the Unity. While on the subject, we cannot refrain from making a brief extract from a leading article in the Leicester Guardian, of June 18th, which devoted no

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