In answer to some observations by Mr. Leighton, of Birmingham, and two other delegates, in reference to an article in the April No. of the Magazine, parts of which they considered objectionable, Mr. PARDON begged to explain:-The article in question was written by Mr. G. M. Tweddell, of Bury, in Lancashire-a well-known member of the Manchester Unity, and a writer of no small power. Speaking of the past of Windsor Castle, the writer referred to Edward the Confessor as a "priest-ridden monarch," and to the then religion of England as "superstitious." Further on in the article, the writer, quoting Shakspere, instanced the fact that the Barons of King John and the people of England declared that henceforth no "Italian priest shall tithe or toll" in this island. These, said Mr. Pardon, are simple historical facts, relating to a period when the people of our beloved country professed but one creed, and that Roman Catholic. But I assure the delegates present, and through them the members of this great and flourishing association, that it was far from the intention of the writer, and certainly far, very far, from the desire of the Editor of the Magazine, to say anything offensive to our Catholic brethren. I would offend no man's religious convictions; and I sincerely regret that an accidental reference to past times should have been misconstrued; but, in literature as in a crowd, it is difficult to move about without occasionally treading on some people's toes. It will be my careful endeavour to keep out of the Magazine all such matters as, in the words of the report, are of "a personal, religious, political, or acrimonious character," and I request my fellow delegates to accept this explanation in the candid and straightforward spirit in which I now offer it.With regard to the small loss on the Magazine, consequent on the reduction in price, it will be for us, and the members, to turn that loss into profit by greater exertions in order to increase its circulation. Mr. HARDWICK explained that the profit on the magazine during two years was 8004, which had been expended in paying off claims on the Building of the Unity in Manchester, and in swelling the general funds of the Unity. On the sixth section of the report, which expressed an opinion that the subscriptions of honorary members should be applied to the sick and funeral fund, it was resolved that the appropriation of the money so accruing should be left to the discretion of lodges. The seventh clause of the report expressed an opinion that members incapacitated from following their usual employments by reason of lunacy had, nevertheless, a fair and just claim to the benefits of the sick and funeral fund. This opinion had been controverted by Mr. Tidd Pratt, the registrar of friendly societies, who had refused to register rules bearing such interpretation. After discussion, the clause was adopted unanimously. The eighth section of the report expressed an opinion that with regard to certain financial returns from lodges it was necessary that the laws of the order should be strictly enforced. An amendment by Mr. HARRIS, Prov. D.G.M., North London district, providing that in the next quarterly report after the returns should be sent to the Board, a list should be inserted of the names of all districts making default, was adopted. The ninth section of the report recommended that the meeting comply with the resolution of the directors-"That the annual moveable committee be requested to give power to the directors to call upon districts to forward to the Corresponding Secretary of the order, in a form provided for that purpose, the information called for in the quinquennial return." The section, with the following amendment-" That in any district where lodges neglect to furnish the returns, the district officers be empowered to procure them and charge to the lodge the expenses incurred "—was adopted. The tenth section of the report, recommending the discontinuance of a practice that has of late years grown up in the Unity, of circulating docu ments soliciting assistance by way of prize lotteries to widows' and orphans' funds, or in favour of particular localities for holding the ensuing Annual Committee, was adopted. The eleventh section of the report related to the admission of members by clearance, there being an alleged descrepancy between the 180th and the 225th general laws. It was agreed that propositions should be submitted for the consideration of the next Annual Meeting, with a view to reconcile the discrepancy, if any. The twelfth section had reference to an opinion requested by the Directors as to whether a member under suspension for the violation of any law per mitting his contribution to fall into arrear more than six months, is subjected to the law demanding a medical certificate of health previous to his reinstatement on the termination of his suspension. The suggestion of the committee that the law applies to a member under suspension for some fault committed as well as to one who is simply in arrear with respect to contributions, was adopted. The thirteenth section, relative to Unity members-that is, those who do not belong to any lodge or district, but have been members of lodges or districts which have been discontinued or broken up-was adopted. A discussion ensued upon a letter which had been addressed to the Directors from Birmingham relative to the question whether lodge funds belong to the lodge or the district. The letter was to the following effect :-"If a lodge breaks up for want of funds can the healthy members claim, as a right, to be recipients of the benefits of the district; and if a district breaks up, are the members entitled to claim of the Unity?" A resolution was carried, that the question from the Birmingham District be referred to the Board of Directors. The fifteenth section of the report, that "Your committee, in conclusion, feel much gratification in bearing testimony to the efficient manner in which the executive government have discharged their onerous duties during the past year, and heartily congratulate the deputies on the rapidly increasing prosperity of our institution, as evidenced, not only by the vast increase in the number of its members, but in the general harmony and confidence which appear to prevail in the various branches of the Unity, and which they sincerely hope may long continue to be one of its most distinguished characteristics," was carried unanimously. The adoption of the report as a whole, as amended, was also unanimously carried; the final clause giving the thanks of the meeting to the members of the sub-committee was carried-and the meeting proceeded to the consideration of the AUDITORS' REPORT. The adoption of the AUDITORS' REPORT was, after some discussion, unanimously agreed to. There being a balance of 1,5807, in the hands of the society's bankers, sufficient funds are provided for the ensuing year without calling for a levy. On Thursday the delegates proceeded to the consideration of propositions for ALTERATIONS in the GENERAL LAWS by which our Order is governed. Mr. COLLINS, of Wellington, proposed that the 28th law, as to election of the officers and directors should be amended, by providing that, on the votes being taken, the nine persons who should first obtain a majority of the votes present should be elected, and if on the first, or any succeeding poll, nine should not be so elected, those who obtained a majority should be considered elected, and a fresh poll taken for the remainder, until the whole number were chosen. This was intended to prevent the possibility of the election of persons, who, under the present law, might be elected without obtaining anything like an absolute majority of the meeting. This proposition was adopted. Mr. COLLINS also moved an addition to the 29th law, to empower the directors to call in the next highest on the poll to a seat on the board, if during the year any one of the board should resign, die, or become in. competent to act; which was carried. Mr. DAYNES, of Norwich, proposed that the 44th General Law be rescinded, and the following be adopted:-"That the corresponding secretary of the order shall forward to any district, when required, their quarterly or halfyearly accounts. That districts pay their account on or before the time named in the 45th General Law, or all goods, reports, and pass-words will be withheld until they have complied, or shown sufficient reason why they have not done so.' The proposition was carried unanimously. A proposition was made to alter the 47th law, by declaring the senior auditor entitled to vote as a deputy of the A.M.C., though the district to which he belonged might have sent the full complement of delegates. This, after considerable discussion, was rejected. The 67th law, as to the dispensation for the opening of new lodges, was amended, by providing that if no objection against the opening was made within seven days after application was received, the C.S. should prepare and forward the dispensation; and the 58th law was also altered to compel the receipt of the application at least twenty-eight days before the proposed opening. The 68th law was also altered, to the effect that notice should be given to every member of a fine imposed within eight weeks afterwards, instead of ten, as at present. The first business brought before the consideration of the delegates on Friday morning was the discussion of the proposed supplementary assurance association. The Friendly Societies Act now in force, permitting any society to assure for sums payable on death up to 2007., it was suggested that general laws should be made to provide for such benefits throughout the Unity; but no formal proposition being before the meeting, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Daynes, of Norwich, that a copy of the rules proposed by the board should be sent to each lodge, with a table showing the scales of payment required. After some discussion, it was agreed that the further consideration of the subject be resumed at the next A.M.C. Mr. DAYNES moved that an alteration be made in the 76th General Law, limiting the representation of lodges at district committees, as follows:-One deputy for lodges whose number do not exceed 50 members; two deputies when not exceeding 100 members, and one deputy for every additional 100 members. This proposition was carried unanimously. A long discussion ensued in reference to a proposed alteration in the 84th General Law, which directs that no meeting shall be held or business of any nature transacted in lodges on a Sunday. In some few districts it has been the practice to read the special lectures for degrees on Sundays; and it was thought by many members that the practice was undesirable, inasmuch as there was some danger of the public misunderstanding the intention of the lecture. On a vote being taken, the proposition to discontinue the delivery of lectures on Sundays, was carried by a majority of 80 against 50. An alteration of the 103rd General Law was made, giving to secretaries of lodges, until the 5th day of January in each year (instead of the 1st, as at present), to prepare and send in the annual returns to the district secretaries. Mr. COALES, of Stony Stratford, proposed that should any lodge in the unity possess funds to the amount of 101. per member it may be legal for such lodge to pass a resolution excusing members of ten years' standing from paying the full contribution as now settled by General Law; but should the funds of the lodge fall below an amount equal to 101. per member, the contributions to be again raised; any member joining by card or clearance to be considered a new member. This matter was discussed at some length; finally, a resolution was come to that the directors be entrusted with the consideration of the question as to the appropriation of surplus capital, making special provision for any mem bers who might be compelled to go into union workhouses, and to provide for payment for medical attendance out of the sick and funeral fund, instead of the management fund as at present. The 135th law, which imposed a penalty for eating, or reading newspapers in lodges during business hours, was rescinded. No fewer than seven propositions from different districts in the Unity were submitted for the alteration of the 145th general law, which regulates the contributions to be paid by members. The committee, after considerable discussion, did not think proper, however, to adopt either of them. A motion from the Welsh district, to admit members at 16 instead of 18 years of age, was lost by a large majority. A proposition from the Hyde district, to grant discretionary power to districts to fix the payments to be made by members, was rejected; and another, for doing away with the additional annual contribution up to the age of 26, was lost. Another proposition from the Halifax district, to reduce the additional annual contribution demanded of members who enter the Order after the age of 23, was lost by a majority of 82 to 14. Mr. BURTON, representative of South London district, proposed that the 146th general law be so altered as to allow honorary members to take offices in lodges, without, however, empowering them to interfere with the funds of the lodge by vote or otherwise. This proposition was lost by a large majority. Mr. GINN, of St. Ives, moved a proposition qualifying members for offices in lodges; and two other propositions followed, giving power to members of lodges to suspend officers who misbehaved themselves, and also to permit members of one lodge to take office as secretaries in others. The proposition was carried without opposition. The 233rd General Law was amended as follows:-"That no member who has lost his employment through engaging in a strike or turn-out for wages be allowed a travelling card." The object of this amendment was to abolish an injustice long felt in the Unity-many members having lost employment in consequence of strikes in which they were not actually engaged. It was then resolved that the propositions for alterations in the 125th and 145th General Laws be referred to the Board of Directors and that they report thereon, and the same be taken into consideration at the next A.M.C. Power was given to the Board of Directors to revise the initiation charge, and to issue the same to lodges as early as convenient. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. HENRY BUCK, of the Birmingham district, was unanimously elected Grand Master of the Order for the ensuing twelve months, and Mr. John Gale, Past Provincial Grand Master, Liverpool district, was, by a very large majority, elected to the office of Deputy Grand Master. The following delegates were then elected by ballot, to form the Board of Directors for the ensuing year. The names are given according to the number of votes obtained. The Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Retiring Grand Master, are members of the Board by virtue of their offices: P.G.M. JAMES ROE, London (North) P. Prov. G.M. JOSEPH WOODCOCK, Glossop P.Prov. G.M. DAVID JACK, Durham District. The following gentlemen were elected Trustees of the Order :-Messrs. Roe, of North London; Daynes, of Norwich; Street, of Wirksworth; Luff, of Liverpool, and Hardwick, of Manchester; two of them not being members of the Board of Directors. The salary of Mr. Henry Ratcliffe, our excellent Corresponding Secretary, was voted as usual, at £200 per annum; and votes were taken for the allowances to officers of the Order attending the next A.M.C.-12s. 6d. a day, and second class railway fare; and also that the G.M., D.G.M., and Board of Directors receive the sum of ten shillings per day and second class railway fare, for their attendance at Manchester. Messrs. Francis Collins, of Wellington, and W. N. Waldram, of Leicester, were re-elected as Auditors; and the Shrewsbury district was chosen to elect the third Auditor. Bolton, in Lancashire, was chosen as the town in which to hold the next A.M.C. The following gentlemen were chosen to have their portraits in the "Odd-fellows' Magazine":-Past Grand Master Richardson, late of Cockermouth, and now of Newcastle; Mr. Bryant Allen, of Norwich; Mr. Thomas Kilner, of Eccles; and Mr. Henry Williams, of Shrewsbury. The sum of £10 was unanimously voted to P.G.M. William Hickton for his faithful services to the Order during his two years of office as Deputy Grand Master and Grand Master. The sum of 201, was voted to the charities of Shrewsbury-87, to the infirmary, 7. for the dispensary, and 51. for the eye infirmary. A vote of thanks was then unanimously giv✪to the committee of management in Shrewsbury, for their services in providing for the convenience of the delegates attending the Annual Moveable Committee. Votes of thanks were also given unanimously to the Rev. J. Yardley, vicar of St. Chad's; the Officers of the Order; P.G.M. Roe, for his services as Assistant Secretary; and the gentlemen of the Press. The meeting concluded all its important business on Friday evening, and dissolved. Although few alterations in the laws affecting the constitution of the society have been made at this annual meeting, yet upon the whole it has been considered a highly successful gathering.-We regret to observe that the large district of Stepney was unrepresented at Shrewsbury. North London sent five delegates, South London two, and Pimlico one. Probably a few observations, in conclusion, will not be considered out of place. We have often heard the expense of the Annual Moveable Committee given as a reason for less frequent meetings-well, let us see what the expense really is. There were 166 delegates present, or one for every 1838 members of the Unity at the commencement of 1860. If we estimate the expenses of each deputy at £5, on the average of the whole, we have a total of £830; and that sum divided among the 152,838 members of the districts really represented, makes about the sum of one shilling for every nine members. Adding the expenses of rooms, messengers, &c., attendance of officers and auditor, to be paid out of the funds of the Unity; and which will |