tal, and with a supposed debt of £50. against us; yet trusting to the goodness of the cause we espoused, and relying with confidence on our friends, we cheerfully united in this important work, and the following will shew we were not idle in the vineyard of our beloved Institution. Though Mark Wardle was appointed Secretary, I, through the request of my friends, attended the Board Room from nine o'clock in the morning until four in the evening, for one-half of his salary-which was £20. per year. This I did not for the sake of the money, but for the wish I had to see the cause support itself from its own industry; namely, from the profits of printing, and the sale of other goods, such as were then required in the Order. At this time the visiting pence were taken off, and the P. G.s' Degree introduced, likewise the Covenant and Remembrance-all brought to England by G. M. Wildey, from the United States of America. We had only about 300 Lodges in compliance with the Manchester Unity at this time, and some of them very weak in numbers and funds; but the Board of Directors acted with the greatest caution, and proved themselves men of honor and integrity. This year, though small our means, we realized a handsome profit to the Order.

The next A. M. C. was held at Dudley, 1828, where we obtained able assistance from the Deputies from all parts of the kingdom. This year I was appointed C. S. of the Order, at £40. per annum,-not for my abilities, but for my steady uniform conduct, and my willing devotedness to its best interests. I did not think, at that time, of the amazing success that has crowned my labours, in conjunction with my fellow-helpers. As our orders amazingly increased, and not a week but we had applications for new Dispensations, and was looked up to for advice from all parts of England, which was given with the greatest caution, always bearing an eye to peace and tranquility. This year we cleared about £100. by our sale of goods, exclusive of my salary, rent and other expences.

Our next A. M. C. was held at Sheffield, in 1829. This meeting was attended with more than ordinary interest. Out of the P. G.s' Degree, that had been so recently introduced from America, arose P. G.s' Lodges, which were countenanced by the Board of Directors, they thinking that these might be so many safeguards to the interests of our Institution; but this Committee thought they were calculated to create jealousies, and to separate chief friends, therefore they were discontinued, and the few dispensations that had been granted were called in again,—and happy to say, given up without a murmur on the part of those who had been the means of establishing them. At this Committee the Pottery and Newcastle District and the Manchester Unity were friends. A misunderstanding having previous to this time existed, concerning the expulsion of a member from the Pottery and Newcastle District-well and truly may it be said that unity is strength." This was a year of great peace and prosperity, and such was the rapid growth of the Manchester District, that it was found necessary to divide it into seven Districts, which was granted at the Leeds A. M. C. after a lengthened controversy on the subject; as some of the best friends of the Manchester District thought that this division of the District would destroy unity and concord, but experience soon taught us that it had a tendency to strengthen the bulwarks of our Institution. This year (1830) our A. M. C. was held at Leeds, when the division of the Manchester District was ratified and confirmed, and I think I cannot do better here than give the opening speech of G. M. Barnett, which I took down at that time, the substance is as follows:

Deputies assembled,—It is with the greatest pleasure I take the liberty of informing you that the General Fund of our Order at the present time exceeds £1000. and after deducting cash received for General Fund, there is a fund of £500. which has been realized by the sale of goods since the Board of Directors were appointed to manage the business of the Order." Thus you see, that though the Board of Directors had only been in operation three years, yet, through their vigilence and my additional efforts, we had not only realized this money, but had furnished the offices with necessaries, and paid off a heavy debt that had been contracted by the late printing Committee. This year we made many alterations in our laws, and our lectures were, at the request of our Welsh brethren, to be translated into their language. This year £20 was added to my salary, indeed, such was the increase of business, that I was obliged to have an assistant, and so much so, that we found our time well employed; this was chiefly owing to the new formation of Districts, and the opening of so many

new Lodges, which greatly surpassed any former year. This was a year of great prosperity both in funds and numbers. Our next Committee was held at Liverpool, on Whitmonday, 1831; here there was an unusual pressure of business, and many opinions warmly contested, yet, there was a large majority of well-disposed brethren, and our balance sheet showed us to be worth £1402. 12s. 74d. audited and found correct by William Smith, public accountant. I was much pleased, and the Order, I trust, will be much benefited by the following resolution :-That a Commitee of three persons be appointed to audit the accounts, and prove the stock upon the premises; and that the said Committee be appointed by the A. M. C. and paid from the general fund of the Order. The three appointed were, P. Prov. G. M. Whitehead, of Rochdale; P. Prov. D. M. W. Parsons, of Leeds; and P. Prov. G. M. Elsom, of Nottingham. I name these as they were the first who were appointed to this most important duty. This meeting finished up well, though I must say of the beginning, they were as shy to meet as "sister streams, where some rude imposing rock had split ;" at the finishing up, a letter was read from P. Prov. G. M. Renie, of the Monmouth District; this worthy man, I think I may say, was one of the brightest stars that ever made its appearance in the firmament of Odd Fellowship, and through the respect generally felt for this truly great man, our next A. M. C. was held at Monmouth. The year rolled round, the time arrived, we flocked in numbers to Monmonth, anxious who should be the first to receive a hearty welcome from this good man; but alas! he was borne to the tomb of his fathers only a few days before. Death had summoned him away. I retired in secret to bedew his memory with a tear, when I had somewhat recovered, I went with many of our friends, to hear his funeral sermon; this, again I must say, was so affecting that there were few dry eyes: yet, pleasing to know, that though while in health, he felt some objections to the christian religion, yet, on examining its foundation, these objections were removed, and he set his seal to the truth, and died in full hopes of a blessed immortality, through the blessings of a crucified Redeemer, in the regions of eternal day.

On the Monday morning, after our minds had somewhat recovered from the shock we received through the death of our beloved brother, we proceeded to the important business of the Committee, and I think with that cool deliberate thought that was highly becoming Odd Fellows. Here a petition was granted to the widow and children of our lamented friend, that realized upwards of one hundred pounds. The proceeds of the year proved that vigilence and industry had been used, and that it had been a year of increase in wealth, numbers, and respectability; our balance showed us to be increasing rapidly in funds. Here it was proved from the auditors' report, that the labour must necessarily increase with the increase of business, and my salary was raised to eighty pounds per year. But for fear I should tire your patience, I hurry on to the A. M. C. held at Bury, in the year of our Lord, 1833, here our General Laws underwent a revision and correction, after being prepared by Mr. John Ormond, now P. G. M. A great press of business was before the meeting, and according to the auditors' report, we had been so prosperous, that it was thought we were surpassing rich, that the initiation shillings were discontinued, and by referring to the minutes, you will find that many distressed cases were relieved, and I hope, much good was done.

On Whitmonday, 1834, our A. M. C. was held at Hull. Here the town seemed to be rather in an unsettled state, through electioneering and political feelings, that we were looked upon with a jealous eye, being so great a body of strangers; but when our business was known, all fears subsided, and before we left the town, they had a proof that our object was of a more sublime and different nature, than either trades' unions, or party rage.

This Committee was attended with many important discussions, and our balance in hand again showed that we were increasing as a body throughout our whole Unity, and that our finance was increasing to an amazing extent, so much so, that our liberality in relieving the Lodges and individuals exceeded any former year. The lecture book was ordered to be revised, our signs changed, and other important changes at this Committee. This year they added twenty pounds to my present salary, and the Committee closed their labours on the Thursday, about one o'clock.

This was a year of much extra labour to the officers of the Order and the Board

of Directors, in putting into operation the resolutions of the before named Committee, as the whole lectures were examined clause by clause, and I doubt not, but many will think with me, that the result of their labours, and the alterations in the initiations, &c. have been attended with beneficial effects to the whole of our great community; these lectures were ready for delivery on the 20th of January, 1835, when we were visited by many friends from the country, who expressed their entire satisfaction with the alterations made.

In 1835, our Committee was held at Kendal, in their new and splendid hall, which these men, though but a handful of people in comparison to many Districts that visited them, had built to the honour of Odd Fellowship. Our balance according to the auditors' report, showed us to be worth £3108. 5s. 24d. This shows that our Order has experienced a steady increase of members, wealth, and respectability; and our laws, though so lately made, underwent great alterations, and which I hope will act well, but we leave experience to test the usefulness of so many alterations. This year's proceedings would fill a volume were they detailed from Kendal to Derby, but I hasten on, knowing that the shortest history might give offence to some, and grieve others, which would be unpleasant to me, and I come at once to the Derby A. M. C. held on Whitmonday, and continued until the Saturday following. This was a meeting big with events, where much anxiety was displayed by contending parties who had appeals and trials pending. At this meeting, however, it may not be amiss to observe, that it was the most numerous meeting we ever had, and I may with truth say, that much talent was displayed, and some of our fundamental laws were materially altered. At this Committee was displayed firmness of character, integrity of purpose, and unflinching veracity; and the effects of their proceedings will better be told by those who are spared to see our next balance sheet in 1837.

I have said little on my own account, but I hope I may be permitted to observe' that, for years, I had carried a burden that the longer I carried the heaver it became I here, with great difficulty and after much trouble, made my case known as to the poverty of my circumstances: this, the meeting seemed willing to entertain, if they were convinced of the truth of the statement. For this purpose a Sub-committee was appointed to examine me on the subject-I was free and open in declaring the truth, and they were very exact in their inquiries, as to how these things had occurred. They sat some hours on the case-took the Report to the whole Committee, who sympathized with my misfortunes in such a way, that I have no doubt, while my health and memory lasts, I shall prove my gratitude in far stronger terms than any words can express. But allow me here to say-lest any officer or brother should receive a wrong impressionthat I have always made up my books with honor and honesty, and all mistakes that appeared against me I have made good, by passing them into the hands of the Board of Directors-that I can say, in eight years, the Board has never sustained one shilling of loss, either in stock or cash.

Thus have I given a sketch of the rise and progress of Odd Fellowship since the time of my becoming a member, and it will appear to the attentive reader, that we, as a society, have made amazing progress; but taking a slight view of the rise and progress of other societies, we may percelve that when they have become wealthy and numerous, they have become vain and intolerant, and in their assemblies have forgotten the rock from which they were hewn, and the hole of the pit from which they have been dug; thus they forgot that golden rule, "do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you," and hence arises bickerings and animosities. The wealthy part of the society exercises authority over the poor, they legislate and make laws congenial with their own feelings, views, and interest, and though the poor and rich meet together, and the Lord is the maker of them both; yet they forget that admirable lesson when Jacob returned to his country and kindred, after an absence of twenty years, he came to Jordan, and said, "with my staff I passed over, and now I am become two bands." May I not say that our family of Odd Fellows has mightily increased? but let us imitate this wise and great man, in driving, or rather leading on, our flocks as he did, saying "the children are tender, and the flocks and herds are with young, if men should over drive them, one day all the flocks would die," therefore "he led on softly according as the cattle that goeth, and the children are able to endure." May we not, as Odd Fellows, learn a lesson from this simple narrative? namely, to have an espe

cial care of the weak and poor of our flock, that we do not attempt to force an unwilling awe, or make their way of duty so expensive to them, as either to hurt their minds, or injure their domestic happiness, if we do, there will soon become a visible change amongst us; the richer part will herd together, and forget that courtesy which is due to the dusky brow of the mechanic and the labouring class, which are the backbone and sinews of our Society: then we shall forget to visit the cellars and garrats, and the abodes of misery. Hoping this will not be the case, but that we shall strive sincerely to avoid the dreadful rock of PRIDE, on which others have split, and that we shall always find men amongst us, whose deliberate judgment, and well-tempered zeal, under the direction of a kind Providence, will so steer the vessel of Odd Fellowship, that we may not only avoid the dreadful shipwreck that similar societies have made, but that thousands that are now unborn, may yet have cause to rise up and call us blessed.

My efforts have always been to rear, uphold, and sustain our Institution inferior to none on earth, whose fruit is peace and good will towards men; an Institution that must be revered by the good, and respected by the virtuous-an Institution if persevered in right, that will in time unite and cement all sects and parties together, and love shall be the predominant passion, that shall, (like Moses' rod) swallow up all the rest. Let me here subjoin while we are in this imperfect state of things, that no difference of opinion on points of religious belief, should influence our benificences; we ought to regard all men as being like ourselves, not only with the right, but under the same obligations to worship their God according to the dictates of conscience, subject to the same responsibility, travelling to the same judgments. And now a word to the young, and then I will conclude my (I am afraid) too tedious narrative. It is not a matter of regret with me to see the rising talent, and growing intelligence of the age, but I hail it has a blessing, and would give it every encouragement in my power, and am happy to find there are some young Davids in our camp, whose well tempered zeal, together with their prudence and decision on important matters, bespeak the superiority of their growing intelligence, and they have carefully guarded the bulwarks of our Institution; I likewise have known many young men in the last twenty years, who were very honest in their intentions, and without any evll design, committed great evils, and sometimes have been the ruin of societies, through their brethren indiscreetly hurrying them into office, when their slender knowledge of our rules and regulations rendered them incapable of performing those duties necessary in their situations, to the great detriment of the society with which they were connected, and their own dishonor; thus the flattering of some, and the applause of others, may become the occasion of much evil, by inspiring us with pride, or filling us with self-complacency, as either to relax in our exertions to do good, and thus becoming indifferent to the cause a little time back we so zealously espoused. As I hinted before respecting the poor and the rich meeting together, so I must say respecting the old and the young; they ought to mix in company together on proper occasions, for they said of old, "our fathers have declared unto us so and so, the mighty acts of the Lord in their day :" and I myself have, when younger, often received wholesome advice from those who were in advanced years. But I hope I shall always have that humility that I may receive instructions from either young or old; for I consider that, if we suffer pride to make a distinction in our assemblies, either of old or young, poor or rich, we so far differ from that universal charity and benevolence we profess so much to admire. Our young friends have been assiduous in preparing and selecting materials for the Magazine, this they have done gratuitously, and devoted much time to its columns, and that has been a saving of expence to the Order, and has caused its pages to be enlarged and improved; and through their exertions, as one means, why the sale has increased so amazingly, and another means or cause presents itself, they being able to give an order for double the quantity is decidedly an advantage; and last, though not least, another reason is not only the cheapness of the work, but the impression made upon the minds of the people throughout our vast unity, that the profits arising from the sale of the Magazine, should be applied solely to the Widow and Orphans' Fund, whether one General Fund for our whole fraternity or every District has its separate fund, which, if well conducted, will, I hope, be attended with a general blessing. And here let me, before I conclude, beg leave to correct a mistake that it appears I have made, respecting mixing our Leeds friends with the Yorkshire Unity. At page 63 in the December Magazine, read York

shire Unity, instead of Leeds leaders; in page 44, read instead of Leeds gentry,Yorkshire Unity. I hope our Leeds friends will believe me, when I tell them that I had no intention to offend them, so far from that, 1 have always looked upon them, and proved them to be, in the foremost ranks of my best and deservedly respected friends; hoping we may long live in peace and unanimity, I remain,

Your truly devoted servant,

THOMAS AR MITT,

C. S. of the M. U. of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

THE ANTHEM OF WORMS.

Slowly above us rings the bell-
Hark, its measured toll!

A corpse comes down to its narrow cell,
To Heaven hath gone a soul.

Hist the tread of many feet

Hist! the words of prayer;

Now. hark ye, a sound that's far more sweet,
For it says to us-prepare!

'Tis the heavy earth on the plated lid

It has soilded the coffin gay;

From man's eye now our feast is hid-
Let us no more delay!

Our table's spread with a winding-sheet
As white as driven snow;

Cushions are at the head and feet,
A fair soft bed below.

Who hunts so well as Father Death!
He strikes the beauteous down;
He spareth not the young, 'i faith,
His children's board to crown.

Then, let's away to the thing of clay,
We'll make our dwelling here;
We'll roll and riot, in ease and quiet,
For many a long year.