Heaven has forbidden time to take away And power to taste the concord of sweet sounds. ON THE FORMATION OF WIDOW AND ORPHANS' FUNDS. TO THE EDITOR AND COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE MAGAZINE. GENTLEMEN, ""Tis not in mortals to command success : But we'll do more, my brethren, we'll deserve it." THE Derby A. M. C. having resolved, without a dissenting voice, that the profits of the Magazine should be appropriated towards the formation of funds for the above charitable purpose, it behoves every one who has at heart the establishment of them (and I would ask, where is the Odd Fellow whose bosom can be callous to such a beneficent design?) strenuously and instantly to bestir himself, and without delay to bring before his lodge and district a motion for the formation of a committee to frame regulations for the government of this long wanted and much desired Institution. It will readily be admitted that Odd Fellowship had previously provided funds wherewith to relieve the sick-to bury the dead-to succour the distrest-to extend the hand of benevolence to the traveller and the sojourner, and that it only wanted this fund as the remaining link to complete the chain of our charitable institutions. We have amongst us individuals whom I am certain will lend a willing hand to promote the instant formation of District Committees-we have individuals amongst us who have talent to apply themselves to this good work; and I call upon them -earnestly call and entreat them to do so. There are many amongst us who by fortune or honest industry have procured competences, and I call upon them respectfully but urgently to support an institution from which (although their widows and children will never want support) yet numerous instances will occur in which it will prove a protecting shield in the hour of adversity to the wives and orphans of their poorer and, perhaps, equally deserving brethren. I call upon every member of the Order for his support; for where is there an individual who cannot spare his penny for the support of the widows and orphans of the departed brethren of the Order?-Of those who in their day extended their aid to those cases of distress which came before them. I would have all to recollect, that though this is not a dry consideration of pounds, shillings, and pence, but an appeal to those feelings of the human heart, of which I hope every one belonging to us is possessed. I am not so uncharitable as to suppose that any individual is to be found so callous to these feelings as to oppose the formation of funds in their respective districts; but if any such there are, which charity forbids, I must say I do not envy their feelings or their midnight reflections. I must here observe, that those who allow the time to pass by, and do not support the measure, are guilty of the crime of omission. I am well aware there will be differences of opinion as to the way in which the necessary funds shall be collected and how they shall be applied; but I hope that individuals will wave all little differences, and support the general measure of the formation of a District Fund, on principles best suited to local circumstances. All must be aware that it is next to impossible to frame a code of laws to answer all the purposes of the proposed Institution, but experience will be our guide, and a year or two will, I trust, enable us to provide sufficient for the good management of I know that numerous districts have formed funds, and for the information of VOL. 4-No. 4-2 C. it. districts I subjoin the Rules of the Pottery and Newcastle district. I earnestly entreat the co-operation of all in support of the orphan and the widow, and will most willingly answer any questions which may be addressed on this to me, (and I trust to every one) important subject to those willing to support the measure, I would observe, "that he who gives early, gives twice." Allow me to subscribe myself the Order's well-wisher, J. S. MYERS. Town Hall Buildings, Manchester, 26th August, 1836. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE POTTERY AND NEWCASTLE WIDOW AND ORPHANS' FUND. 1st. That an Institution be established for the relief of Widows and Orphan Children of deceased Brothers of the Manchester Order, belonging to the Pottery and Newcastle District, and shall be denominated the POTTERY AND NEWCASTLE INDEPENDENT ODD FELLOWS' FUND FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESSED WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. 2nd. That the affairs of this Institution shall be conducted by a President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee of Past Officers, who shall remain in office twelve calendar months, when they may be re-appointed or fresh ones chosen in their stead. The officers to be appointed at a district, special or quarterly committee; the members of the committee to be composed of a Past Officer or Brother, who has taken the Golden Degree, from each lodge, who shall be appointed by their own respective lodges. If either or any of the officers neglect their duties, and proof thereof be made to a district committee, he or they shall forfeit their office, and others appointed to fill up the vacancy. If any member of the committee shall be suspended, expelled, or in any other way disqualified to serve on the committee, then his lodge shall on their next lodge night appoint a fresh one in his place, and within three days after such appointment shall inform the secretary of the same, together with the newlyappointed member's address, or in case of neglect shall be fined. 3rd.--That when application is made for relief to this Institution, such application shall be made by the lodge to which the deceased Brother belonged, who shall minutely inquire into the circumstances of the parties, and faithfully report the same to the committee. No application shall be considered which has not previously been before the lodge for its recommendation, such recommendaton must be signed by the presiding officer of the lodge. 4th. That all applications for relief shall be made to the president, who shall within two days from the time he received such application, give notice to the secretary, who shall summons the members of the committee to whom seven days' notice shall be given. Any member or officer neglecting to attend after being duly summoned shall be fined unless ill, or more than miles distant from hence; and if more than half an hour later than the time for which the committee is called shall be fined If ill, a certificate shall be sent from a surgeon or the N. G. of his lodge. Five shall be competent to act. 5th. That if either of the officers should neglect to call the committee together when legally applied to, shall, for the first neglect, be fined five shillings, and should they be guilty of neglect a second time, shall forfeit their office. The fines to be added to the funds of the aforesaid Institution. 6th.—That the profits of the sale of the Odd Fellows' Magazines be appropriated in assisting to raise a fund for this Institution. Any Brother not choosing to be a contributor to the Magazine shall pay such sum quarterly as shall be equivalent to the amount realized by a contributor, and that each lodge be allowed to raise any further contributions as may be required in such ways as they shall think best. 7th. That a sum not less than fifteen pounds and not exceeding twenty pounds be placed in the hands of the Treasurer to prevent any unnecessary delay in the payment of a gift. 8th. That lodges shall retain in their own hands all moneys raised by them for this Institution, except such sums as named in the seventh law, but that no monies so raised shall be applied for any other purpose. 9th. That when it is found necessary to call on lodges for assistance, a rate shall be levied, so much per member, as shall meet the sum required; the secretary shall immediately inform each N. G. of the same, stating the amount voted for. Any lodge neglecting to pay the same to the treasurer, within ten days after receiving such notice, shall be fined. 10th. That a register-book shall be kept, containing an alphabetical list of the Brothers in each lodge. The secretary of each lodge shall within fourteen days after suspension or initiation, make a return of the same to the secretary of the Institution, or be fined two shillings and sixpence; the secretary shall be empowered to inspect the books of any lodge to ascertain the correctness of such returns. The C. S. of the district shall immediately after each quarterly committee of the district furnish the secretary with a statement of the number of Brothers in each lodge. 11th. That the committee shall be empowered to vote any sum not exceeding seven pounds as they shall consider the merits of the case requires; but that no money shall be given, except in such cases where extreme necessity requires, and then particular regard shall be had to the character of those who receive it, but that such articles shall be purchased for the widow as shall assist her to procure a livelihood by honest industry, either by purchasing for her a mangle, or by such other means as shall best suit her circumstances and constitution. But should the sum above stated be found insufficient in extreme cases, the quarterly or special committee of the district shall be empowered to vote such further sums as they may think fit. 12th. That when any grant is made, it shall be the duty of the lodge who made the application to advise with, and to inquire into the proceedings and circumstances, from time to time, of the parties so relieved, and report the same to each annual committee of the district or be fined. 13th. That when a widow and family apply for relief, a statement shall be given of their number of children, their ages and situation shall be particularized. The committee shall use their endeavours to cause the children to be sent to some Sundayschool, which the mother shall approve of, to receive instruction, and also further endeavour to see that such as are able to work shall be placed in situations wherein they may acquire habits of honesty, industry, and sobriety. And your committee cannot but hope that the time will soon arrive when this society will be enabled to take care of the education of all orphans unto a certain age, and oversee their being placed in situations. 14th. That the committee shall hold a meeting annually, such meeting shall take place in order that their accounts, together with a report of their proceedings, may be brought before the annual committee of the district for their inspection. TO THE G. M. AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. GENTLEMEN AND BROTHERS, I have the honor of transmitting to you the Memorial of the various Lodges in the Pottery and Newcastle District, which was unanimously adopted by a large and respectable meeting, specially convened, and which was ordered to be signed on behalf of the District, by the District Officers, and also by the Past Officers whose signatures it bears. It is also the wish of the District that you should give it publicity by inserting it in the Magazine, as it contains the fixed and unanimous determination of a District, containing one thousand members, to stand by you, and to give you their support, under all circumstances; and by all constitutional means in the legal and conscientious discharge of your duty. SHEWETH, DISTRICT, THAT your Memorialists view with unfeigned regret, the base attempts that have been made by disappointed and unprincipled individuals in the Manchester District, to bring into contempt the Resolutions adopted by the Derby A. M. C., and also to sow the seeds of discord in our beloved Order. They also feel it their duty to express their disapprobation at the very disgraceful and treacherous conduct of those who have betrayed the confidence reposed in them, by giving in an illegal and in an unconstitutional manner the Purple Degree to persons unqualified to receive it. A Degree, the attainment to which they ought to have considered one of the greatest honours the Order could have conferred upon them, but which by their treachery and misconduct they have shewn themselves unworthy to have received. Your Memorialists also view with abhorrence the cruel and malignant attempts that have been made to destroy the reputation and to injure the character of our justly esteemed C. S., Mr. Thomas Armitt, by circulating a false report, viz., that he was deficient in his accounts with the Order. The indefatigable exertions of Mr. Armitt, the correctness of his accounts as reported each successive year, by impartial auditors, and the great sacrifices he has made for the welfare of the Order, has obtained for him the deserved esteem, not only of your Memorialists but of the Order in general. These considerations, they trust, will bear him up superior to the calumnies and falsehoods of a despicable few, who would do better to follow his example than to attempt unjustly to injure his reputation. Notwithstanding your Memorialists have to regret, that attempts have been made to sow the seeds of discord in our beloved Order, yet they feel no small degree of pleasure in expressing their entire confidence in your government, assured that while you maintain the steady, unflinching, and impartial course you have hitherto pursued, and a determintion to uphold the constitution of our beloved Order, as established by the laws of Annual Moveable Committees, you will not only see the Order flourish under your fostering care, but will also see peace restored, disaffection rooted out, and the difficulties you have now to contend with removed. Under these circumstances your Memorialists beg to assure you of their warm attachment to, and their zeal to promote the best interests of, the Order, and likewise their determination to support you to the utmost of their abilities in the legal discharge of your arduous duties. Signed by order, and on behalf of the Officers and Brothers of the various Lodges in the Pottery and Newcastle District, specially convened, this twenty-second day of August, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six. DANIEL STANAWAY, G. M. EDWARD POWELL, P. PROV. G. M. LINES Written on reading the Resolutions of the Derby A. M. C., relative to the pecuniary Loss of C. S. Thomas Armitt. |