their Society if they continued Odd-fellows. Mr. Reynolds saw the injustice of this, and wrote a very able article in the Welsh language, which was published in the Athrau, a Welsh periodical, and one of the organs of the Calvinistic Methodist Society. In this article he explained the benefits of the Order, and requested a friendly discussion with any of the leading preachers of the methodist denomination. A copy of the paper containing the article in question was sent to nearly every one of their ministers throughout Wales, and the result was a conference between one of their principal leading men and Mr. Reynolds. From the elucidation of the principles of our Order, then attempted, this gentleman was so thoroughly converted and convinced, that from and after that time the prejudices of the religious bodies against Odd-fellowship were overcome. We have now a great number of the Calvinistic Methodist Denomination throughout Wales, who are highly respectable members of our Order.

Mr. Reynolds vindicated the Order from the charge of deism, made by a dignitary of the church against them, on account of the funeral address. He also (in accordance with a resolution of his District, upon the occasion of an unpleasant feeling that existed in the country some years ago,) wrote an able letter to Her Majesty, shewing that, as Oddfellows, our members are faithful to the crown and government. To this address he received, through Sir Geo. Grey, a very gracious reply, acknowledging Her Majesty's approbation of the principles of our Order. In order that this interesting fact might be thoroughly known and appreciated, Mr. Reynolds had 200 copies of each of the above articles printed and circulated, through the unity, at his own expense.

At the anniversaries of many Lodges Mr. Reynolds very often presides. His popularity as a public speaker, and his good humour, have won the esteem of his brethen wherever he is known. He represented his District at the Swansea A.M.C., where, at the banquet, he had the honour of returning thanks for the Welsh delegates. He also represented his District at the Leicester A.M.C., when he had the honour of being chosen by the delegates as a proper person to have his portrait published in the Magazine; and he was also present, as a delegate, at the late meeting at Shrewsbury, and was received with honour and respect by all with whom he came in contact. The writer of these lines is especially indebted to our old friend for much valuable advice and assistance. Mr. Reynolds had a family of ten children by his first wife, ix of whom survive. He has also two daughters by his present wife. His youngest son, Mr. Thomas Reynolds, P.P.G.M., and treasurer of he Caerphilly District, was one of the deputies elected to represent that District at the A.M.C. at Swansea, and Leicester; and was again elected as deputy to the A.M.C. at Shrewsbury.

1

NEW FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' ACT.

THOSE members who were delegates to the last A.M.C. may congratulate themselves on having come to a very wise resolution in making P.G.M. Roe their Parliamentary Agent, for-thanks to his exertions-aided most materially by the valuable efforts of our Provincial Officers, the Unity has now got an Act of Parliament, which, if it is not all that could be desired, is infinitely better than the wretched 8th clause of the Act of 1858. It is a very fair complaint, which many make, that Acts of Parliament are not so intelligible as they ought to be; and we therefore give a plain statement of what the new Act really is.

The 13th section of the Act of 1855 (closely following the 26th section of the Act of 1829,) made it lawful for the members of any society, at some meeting, to be specially called, to dissolve or determine the same, in the manner to be stated by some written agreement, on obtaining the votes of five-sixths of the members. The 8th section of the Act of 1858 provided that, instead of its being necessary to state the intended appropriation or division of the fuuds or property, such appropriation or division might be referred to the Registrar, or an actuary; and, on the application in writing of one-fourth part of the members of any society, the Registrar, or actuary, might investigate the same, and determine whether the society should continue or be dissolved, and the funds and property divided; and make an award to that effect.

Now, by the 1st section of the Act of 1860, it is lawful for the members of a society-in case of a dissolution-to refer such appropriation, or division, to the award of a Registrar only; and if application shall be made in writing, by five-eighths of the members, setting forth that the funds are insufficient to meet the claims, with the grounds of proof, the Registrar may investigate the same; and if he find the society is in an insolvent condition, and that the society should be wound up, he shall make an award to that effect, and direct how the funds and property shall be divided or appropriated; but, previous to such investigation, the Registrar shall give 21 days' notice in writing, to be sent by post, to the trustees, secretary, or other officer, at the society's meeting place.

Sec. 2, declares such an award shall be binding and conclusive on all members, and other persons, having any claim on the funds of the society, without appeal.

Sec. 3 directs that when any agreement for dissolution of a society, shall be sent to the Registrar, and, also, when any award is made by him; notice shall, within 21 days, be advertized, by the Registrar, in the London, Edinburgh, or Dublin Gazette; and unless within three months after such publication, a member, or other person interested, shall commence proceedings to set aside the dissolution (consequent on such agreement or award), the society shall be considered legally dissolved.

Under sec. 4, the Registrar is annually to report to Parliament the particulars of every award made.

As to societies dissolved before the present Act, sec. 5 provides that if notice of the agreement for dissolution, or of any award, shall, within three months after the passing of this Act, be advertized in a Gazette, the provisions of the 3rd section shall apply as if such agreement, or award, had been made after the 6th August, 1860. It is difficult to conceive what the

value of this section is, as the Registrar is not bound under it, to advertize in any case; and the mischief caused to the unfortunate individuals, who belonged to such societies remains unremedied.

Sec. 6 is the triumph of the Manchester Unity Friendly Society, and all other well-regulated institutions. "The 8th sec. of the Act 21 and 22 Vic., cap. 101, is hereby repealed."

The Act of 1855, sec. 45, provides that the trustees of societies, or the officers thereof, appointed to prepare returns, shall, once in every year, in the months of January, February, or March, transmit to the Registrar a general statement of the funds and effects of such society, during the past twelve months, or a copy of the last annual report of such society; and, also, within three months after the month of December, 1855; and, so again, within three months after every five years succeeding, transmit to the Registrar a return of the rate or amount of sickness and mortality experienced by such society within the preceding five years, and in such form as shall be prepared by the said Registrar, and an abstract shall be laid before Parliament.

Now, by the 7th section of the Act of 1860, if default is made in transmitting to the Registrar, before the 1st of June in each year, the general statement, or copy of the last annual report of any society, the officer making such default is liable to a penalty, not exceeding 20s.; to be recovered, with costs, at the suit of the Registrar, in manner provided by the Act.

The 8th section enacts, that if the accounts and returns required from societies, by the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, be not made within 30 days after requirement, the account of the society shall be closed by the Commissioners; and no interest credited until such accounts and returns are furnished, or the money be withdrawn.

By section 24 of the Act of 1855, it is provided that if any person, by false representation or imposition, shall obtain any monies, books, papers, or other effects of a society; or, having the same, shall withhold or misapply them; or, wilfully apply any part to purposes not expressed or directed in the rules; a Justice, in England, may, upon complaint of any person on behalf of the society, summon the offender, and two Justices shall hear and determine the complaint (under the 11 and 12 Vic., cap. 43); and in Scotland the offence may be prosecuted by summary complaint, at the instance of the Procurator Fiscal of the county, or of the society-with his concurrence before the Sheriff; in Ireland before Justices, as in England, under 14 and 15 Vic., cap. 93,-this is so provided by the 1st section of the Act of 1858-and the offender will be ordered to deliver up all monies, &c., and repay amounts misapplied; with a penalty not exceeding £20, and 20s. costs; or, in default, be imprisoned, with or without hard labour, for three months.

The 9th, and last, section of the new Act provides, that any application authorized by the above 24th section to be made by any person on behalf of a society, may be made by the Registrar.

These extraordinary powers, conferred upon the Registrars, have not been sought for and obtained without some object. Whispers are abroad that many societies have lent or given their funds to Trades' Unions; the purpose to which such funds were to be applied being-it is said-very well known; and for which the societies or their officers will be brought to account.

Let us hope that a Registrar, in his capacity of general watchman and prosecutor, will have very little to do in this kind of business. Let us also hope that in future sessions, Parliament will have less of this tinkering legislation to engage its attention. Friendly Societies will receive and act on good advice; but will not submit to peddling coercion.

LIBRA.

453

TIME.

Sharnbrook, 1860.

TIME.

BY W. B. GRAHAM.

I ASK'D old Time, one eventide,
To lay his glass and scythe aside,
To rest himself an hour or so,-
He gravely smiled, and answered "No!
No rest for me has Heaven decreed,
Nor can I haste the least my speed,
Till life's last pulse has ceased to throb,
And all things perish with this globe."
Still on he flew on wings unheard,
The air around seem'd all unstirr'd.-
In vain, in vain, do thousands cry,

"O, Time, delay!" when death draws nigh.
No mortal power can Time retard!
No human voice does he regard!
But on and on pursues his flight,

In calm, in storm, by day, by night.

Yet, as he pass'd like light along,

Methought I heard him chant this song:-
"O, mortal man! now listen well,

66

And I to thee some truths will tell.

Though like yon sun that ever burns,
Or this round earth that ceaseless turns,
I constantly pursue my course
Through ages with unchecked force;
Yet, as I hasten to my goal,
The hours I on my way unroll,

More precious they than costliest gems
That blaze on royal diadems.-
This mighty world, instinct with life,
This scene of mingled peace and strife,
On, as I pierce the Future's night,
I bear, in my progressive flight.

"Ah! who can tell what mighty things
Are done the while I flap my wings!
The present Now is man's-when gone,
"Tis lost. The PAST belongs to none!
Then wise is he who makes the most
Of moments, ere they're wholly lost!
'Tis profitless to pule and fret,
And sour the mind with vain regret,
When gone for ever! Up, awake,
Thou sluggard soul! thyself betake
To earnest work, with all thy might,'
If thou wouldst spend thy days aright.
The longest thread of life that's spun,
Full soon its destined length will run!"
Thus sang old Time, or seem'd to sing,
As on he pass'd on silent wing;
Nor sang the aged Sage in vain,
If truths were utter'd in his strain.

1

WHY JOHN THRIFTY DIDN'T GET RICH.

Ir would have been a difficult matter to have found a single individual, from the "oldest inhabitant" to the most recent settler, in the town of B- who did not know, and who did not esteem and speak well of, John Thrifty. And well did John merit the good report of his neighbours. He was born amongst them-he had spent his youth amongst them-he had grown old amongst them; and such had been the amiability of his manners, the benevolence of his disposition and rectitude of his conduct, that he had never, during a period of more than sixty years, had a quarrel with, or made an enemy of, a single person in all the town.

Now, it was generally supposed that John was thriving in the world, and that he would not only have a snug competency for his declining years, but would be enabled to leave a nice jointure for his widow, and a handsome dowry for his daughter Mary, the only surviving child of a numerous progeny.

It was well known that, for several years previous to his marriage, having no one but himself to support, and being in the receipt of a good salary, as book-keeper in an extensive cotton mill, he had been enabled, by a laudable economy, to make frequent investments in the savings' banks, and it was even calculated by the more exact gossips, that John could not have less than £500 to commence his married life.

Heedless of the good-natured babblers, John kept plodding on. Every morning, precisely as the office clock struck nine, he might be seen taking his accustomed seat at the office desk; and every evening, as the last sound of the bell proclaiming six died upon the ear, he might be perceived brushing up his five-shilling gossamer with his coat sleeve, preparatory to leaving his duties for the night.

His regularity and integrity gained him the confidence of his employers; and several times during his long and exemplary servitude had they thought fit, without solicitation on his part, to advance his previously handsome salary. And most people said, and everybody thought, that John Thrifty was a rich man. But he wasn't! And how the folks in B- stared, wondered, gossiped, and stared, and gossiped again—when, at the age of sixty-three, John left this world, his wife and daughter, and barely enough money to pay his funeral expenses.

But why wasn't John rich? was asked on every side, and none appeared able to solve this important problem.

We are happy, however, to have it in our power to clear up the mystery ; and to show why, with all his opportunities and privileges for amassing wealth, John Thrifty died a poor man.

Then, for once, report fell short of truth, and instead of £500, John had upwards of £800 placed to his credit, in one or other of the banking houses in B- besides being in receipt of an annual salary of £200, at the time of his marriage.

The repeated advances made by his employers during his wedded life had augmented his salary to £400 per annum ; yet, after all, John died a poor man. Strange!" methinks we hear some one of our readers exclaim, "he must have been a gambler;" another, "he couldn't make all that away in innocent and rational pursuits-he must surely have been a drunkard;" again, another, more irrascible than the others, 66 come now, you have told us that he was