AT LOS ANGELES
 
 RELIGIOUS 
 
 A 
 
 AND 
 
 TRACTS: 
 
 CONSISTING OP 
 
 i. A Difcourfe on the Principles, the Temper, and Duties 
 of Chriftians ; the fecond Edition, enlarged: 
 
 a. An Effay on the State of the Poor, and on the Means of 
 improving it by Friendly Societies, &c. 
 
 3 . Rules for forming and managing Friendly Societies, with 
 a View to facilitate their general Eftablifhment. 
 
 BY JAMES CO WE, M. A. 
 VICAR OF SUNBURY, MIDDLESEX. 
 
 Alterius Jic 
 
 Alter a to felt ofew m, et conjwat am:<e, . HOR. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. ROBSON, NEW BOND-STREET J 
 
 F. AND C. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH - YARD j 
 
 T. AND G. WILKIE, PATER-NOSTER-RO W j 
 
 AND D. BREMNER, STRAND. 
 
 9082 J 4 9 ?'
 
 *> r *. - \ 
 
 fi '.. * \ v/
 
 HS 
 
 The following Difcourfe was originally printed 
 
 n for the ufe of the Author's Parifhioners, and only 
 
 < the fubftance of it delivered from the pulpit, at 
 
 2 an anniverfary meeting of two Friendly Societies 
 
 of poor tradefmen and day-labourers at Sunbury, 
 
 inftituted for their mutual fupport in cafes of fick- 
 
 nefs, accident, or old age. 
 
 In the Effay, many of the caufes, which have 
 
 combined to deprefs the underflandings, and in- 
 
 oo creafe the miferies of the lower claffes of fociety, 
 
 ^ are ftated Proper means of inftruction, im- 
 
 ^ provcment, and relief, fuggefted, The bene- 
 
 g= ikial effects of the Friendly Societies at Sunbury 
 
 * in reducing the poor-rates, and the importance 
 
 of fuch focieties to the public, as the means of 
 
 preventing poverty, elucidated. With obferva^ 
 
 tions on Female Benefit-Clubs. 
 
 5 : 
 
 Sj 
 
 V,- 
 
 301075 
 
 A
 
 . ' ' 
 
 ON THE PRINCIPLES, THE TEMPER, 
 
 AND 
 
 DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS. 
 
 PHILIPfiANS, 1. 27. 
 
 let your converfation be as becometh 
 
 Gofpel of Chrijli 
 
 e 
 
 JL HE Gofpel of Chrift has produced a very 
 Wonderful change in the condition and fenti- 
 ments of every nation, where itsfacred truths 
 have been received. It has given the moft 
 fublime views of God and his Providence, of 
 human nature, and of a future ftate. It has 
 made known what we are to believe con- 
 cerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghoft, in the ftupendous work of man's re- 
 demption. It has revealed this momentous 
 A 3 truth,
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 truth, that " eternal life is the gift of God, 
 through Jelus Chrift our Lord." It has ex- 
 hibited the moft aftonifhing difplay of the 
 Divine goodnels, in railing a whole race of 
 intelligent beings from a ftate of ignorance 
 and vice, and in conducting them, if it be 
 not their own fault, through a fcene of trial 
 and moral difcipline, to the higheft degree of 
 improvement and felicity, of which their na- 
 ture is fufceptible. To this great end, it has 
 taught us, in the plaineft manner, the im- 
 portant duties we owe to God, to our neigh- 
 bour, and to ourfelves. It has commanded 
 us to love and fear God, to worfhip and ferve 
 him with a pure and pious heart ; to culti- 
 vate juftice and benevolence to our neigh- 
 bour, and fobriety and temperance with re- 
 gard to ourfelves. It has imprefled this 
 awful truth, that the difpofition of the mind 
 is what God principally regards ; and it has 
 informed us, that his Holy Spirit will in- 
 fluence our minds, and co-operate with our 
 fincere endeavours in the difcharge of our 
 duty, and in enabling us to act according to 
 the great principles of our religion. It has 
 (hewn us the efficacy of repentance, and on 
 
 what
 
 C 7 3 
 
 what terms we may obtain the remiffion cf 
 fins, It has alfo given us fome important 
 difcoveries of the condition of good and bad 
 men in a future {rate, and points out the in- 
 timate relation which this life bears to the 
 next. In a word, the Gofpel records the 
 birth, the life, the miracles, the death, and 
 refurre&ion,- the do&rines and precepts, of 
 the Son of God j and it contains that Divine 
 fyftem of religion revealed in the New Tef- 
 tament, which has been, and, we doubt not, 
 will continue to be, the means of beftowing 
 virtue and happinefs on millions of our fel- 
 low-creatures. 
 
 Thefe are fome of the leading 
 of Chriftianity, which have a tendency to in- 
 creafe every real and genuine enjoyment of 
 profperity, and can hardly fail to animate 
 the virtuous heart* and fupport it amidft 
 the various afflictions incident to human na- 
 ture. And, in endeavouring to illuftrate the 
 exhortation of the Apoftle, and in applying 
 it to the purpofe of our prefent meeting, we 
 mail have occafion to take notice of, and ia- 
 
 A 4 culcate
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 Culcate fome of the benevolent precept* which 
 it enjoins. 
 
 The text requires that you fliould be ac- 
 tuated in your perfonal deportment, and in 
 your intercourfe with fociety, by the precepts 
 and laws of Christianity, and necefTarily di- 
 re&s us to the consideration of its practical 
 truths. " Only let your converfation be as 
 " becometh the Gofpel of Chrift *." 
 
 Now, 
 
 * Only behave worthy of the Gofpel of Chrljl. 
 literally denotes, that ye behave as denizens, or freemen 
 of fome city or civil polity. The expreffion is evidently 
 borrowed from the conduft of good citizens, who aft 
 fuitably to the laws of the community of which they are 
 members. The fame expreffion occurs ch. Hi. 20. 'H/xwv 
 yaj TO ITOAtTETMA' ev oupavoi; uTrapj^j. The meaning 
 of which will be beft underftood, by comparing it with 
 what the Apoftle fays in the preceding verfe, where he 
 fpeaks of thofe who fpend their lives merely in fenfual 
 gratifications, and only " mind earthly things.'" But, 
 as Chriftians, " our converfation," fays he, 'HJJWUV T 
 TO-o^Jju/xa, ** is in Heaven." Our thoughts and affec- 
 tions, our hopes and defines, are all direfted to the at- 
 tainment of future happinefs. In our fentiments, in our 
 
 actions,
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 Now, to explain and recommend this duty, 
 which, in the judgment of the Apoftle, ap- 
 peared fo reafonable and important, I fhall, 
 firft, conftder what ought to be the rule of 
 your conduct towards mankind in general : 
 fecondly, what particular duties the Gofpel 
 requires of men who live in the fame city or 
 neighbourhood : thirdly, how you ought to 
 behave towards thofe who differ from you in 
 religious opinions : fourthly, how you mould 
 conduct yourfelves in your refpe&ive fami- 
 lies : and, laftly, I fhall point out thofe du- 
 ties which you owe to each other, as the 
 members of Friendly Societies, and (hall {rate 
 how their interefts may be bed promoted. 
 
 aftions, and " converfation," we are governed by the 
 Heavenly principles and laws of our religion. While 
 we conduit ourfelves as inhabitants of this earth, and 
 endeavour to be good and ufeful members of civil fociety, 
 we recollect that we are immortal beings, f objects of 
 the moral government of God, and hope, by the difco- 
 veries nnd mercies which Chriftianity afford?, to be at 
 laft admitted into the fociety of the blefled above" the 
 " C'ny of the living GoJ." Hvb. xii. 22, and xiii. 14. 
 So tlut the text, thus far explained, opens a xvide field 
 of dui ' and enquiry : Only behave as ln-tmes thofe to u/hsm 
 the Gofpet oj Cbrift is revsaled, 
 
 4 Thefe
 
 Thefe are topics of the greateft impor- 
 tance, highly neceffary to be enforced in times, 
 wherein the benefits anting from fociety feem 
 not iufficiently attended to ; and if, in difcuf- 
 iing them, and in (hewing their influence on 
 your behaviour and "converfation," this dif- 
 courfe fhould exceed our ufual limits, your 
 patience and attention mull be entreated. 
 Let us, then, 
 
 I. Confider the principles of the Gofpel 
 with regard to mankind in general. Man 
 is a focial being ; the in ft in ft of his nature 
 impels him to apply to his fellow-creatures 
 for protection and fecurity, and for the en- 
 dearments of friendly intercourfe. Our 
 wants and our wimes (hew that we are con- 
 nected by the facred tie of humanity. This 
 law is fo deeply imprefied on our minds by 
 the hand of our Creator, that we muft ftifle 
 the fineft feelings of nature, if we allow our- 
 felves to cherifh animofity or envy, and are 
 not inclined to juftice and charity. Deprived 
 of the comforts of fociety, and of all in- 
 tercourfe of fentiment, what miferable and 
 
 forlorn
 
 ( II ) 
 
 forlorn creatures fhould we be ! Accuftomed 
 to enjoy the bleffings of civil and religious 
 liberty, our condition would be far more 
 wretched, than if we had never known the 
 pleafures of focial life, or the advantages of 
 regular government. By fociety, however, 
 and by the influence of Chriftianity, the 
 ferocity of human nature is diminished, 
 and even the horrors of war and the 
 rage of perfecution are mitigated. The 
 manners and the laws of mankind are 
 evidently foftened and improved ; and we 
 can trace a gradual advancement in ci- 
 vilization *, in virtue, and in religion. 
 When the Gofpel was firft published, fer- 
 vants were flaves ; but, under the mild and 
 benevolent fpirit of Chriftianity, fervitude 
 has been fo much foftened, and the human 
 heart fo far enlarged, that no one can now 
 
 * If it fhould be thought, that this is hardly appli- 
 cable to the condition of fuch focieties as confift of poor 
 tradefmen and day-labourers, let it be remarked, that 
 fome of the author's hearers are friends and promoters of 
 thefe excellent inftitutions ; and their education, their 
 manners, and their habits, are fo many proofs of the 
 principles here adduced. 
 
 be
 
 be at a lofs to know* '* who is his neigh- 
 bour." We all know that we have one 
 common nature, and that every man is to be 
 confidered as our neighbour, whom we are 
 able to aflift. By ads of kindnefs, and by 
 our endeavours to fupprefs vice and mifery, 
 and to diffufe virtue and happinefs among 
 mankind, we referable the greateft and the 
 beft of Beings j and, according to our abili- 
 ties, become " merciful, as our Father, who 
 is in heaven, is merciful." Such is the ge- 
 neral principle of benevolence, which evinces 
 that man is defigned by his Maker for fo- 
 ciety, and mould maintain a mutual inter- 
 courfe of good offices, in order that his 
 " converfation may be as becometh the Gof- 
 "pelofChrift." Let us, 
 
 II. Confider thofe particular duties, which 
 Chriftianity requires of men wholive in the fame 
 city or neighbourhood. Now, the law of hu- 
 manity, which, you fee, extends to the whole 
 human race, will be found to operate more pow- 
 erfully, when applied to thofe who are united 
 into one community, and afTociate for mutual 
 comfort and protection. Though Chriftianity 
 
 requires
 
 ( '3 ) 
 
 requires us to venerate the rights, and to 
 feej for the fuiferings, of all our fellow-crea- 
 tures, yet it enjoins a particular attachment 
 to the welfare and intereft of thofe, with 
 whom we are more intimately connected, 
 either by kindred, by friendship, or by 
 neighbourhood. In (lead of confounding or- 
 der and fubordination, it clearly afcertains 
 ihe rights of every individual. In every jfta- 
 tion and occupation oi life, from the king on 
 fche throne to the peafant in the field, there 
 are certain obvious duties enjoined by our re- 
 ligion ; and happy would it be for every rank 
 and condition of men, if they more com- 
 monly produced their genuine effects ! In our 
 tranfaclions with each other, the doctrines of 
 Chriftianity teach us to guard againft injuf- 
 tice, violence, and fraud, and to cultivate ve- 
 racity, probity, and benevolence. Men, in 
 the higher ranks of fociety, (hould relieve dif- 
 trefs, encourage induftry, and promote vir- 
 tue and religion. On the other hand, thofe 
 who are placed by Providence in the lower 
 {rations of life mould be honeft, induftrious, 
 and orderly. All mould be candid, peace- 
 able, and kindly-affectioned one towards an- 
 other.
 
 ( 14 ) 
 
 other. By the exertion of our bodily ftrength, 
 or by the energy of our minds, we fhould all 
 endeavour to diffufe focial happinefs,and mould 
 never forget, whatever may be our circum- 
 ftances in life, That we are fellow-creatures, 
 liable to the fame wants and infirmities, chil- 
 dren of the fameHeavenly Father, and, through 
 his mercy in Chrift Jeius, candidates for the 
 fame ftate of eternal felicity. 
 
 In your intercourfe with fociety, you 
 fhould particularly attend to that evangeli- 
 cal law, which cannot be too deeply en- 
 gravtd on your hearts, and " do to others 
 *' as you would have them do to you?* For, 
 if men were always actuated by this great 
 and general rule of Chriftianity, which 
 is. fo important and fo eafily underfrood, 
 they would never violate the peace of Ib- 
 ciety, nor bring on themfelves the reproach 
 of iiijuftice or inhumanity. On the contrary, 
 they would feel that the firft duty which they 
 owe to others, is to do them no harm ; 
 and the next, to do them all the good they 
 are able. Many imagine, becaufe they are 
 ill indigent circumstances, that they have it 
 not in their power to be charitable. But this 
 is a rriiftake. In the daily commerce of life,
 
 ( '5 ) 
 
 you have frequent opportunities of doing good 
 to your neighbour : you may fpeak well of 
 him ; you may vindicate his character if it 
 has been unjuftly defamed ; you may give 
 him friendly advice ; you may comfort him 
 in his affiiftions ; or, you may vifit and af- 
 fift him in ficknefs and diftrefs. Surely all 
 thefe are charitable acts ; and the pooreft, 
 as well as the moft opulent among us, can- 
 not fay that he is incapable of performing 
 them. Wherever there is a real benevolence 
 of temper, various methods will daily fuggeft 
 themfelves to you of being ufeful to each 
 other ; and, by this benignity of heart, you 
 will give the moft unequivocal proof of your 
 religious fincerity : ** By this (hall all men 
 " Jtnow that ye are Chrift's difciples, if ye have 
 love one to another." But among neighbours, 
 and among men profemng Chriftianity, this 
 kind affiftance is frequently withheld through 
 envy, through hatred, through a felrlm or 
 contracted temper ; and men foiler thofe ma- 
 lignant paffions, from which infinite mif- 
 chief continually ariles. Let me, therefore, 
 intreat you to cherifti an habitual tendernefs 
 and generoiity of mind, and mew, by your 
 
 conduct
 
 conduct and " converfation," that you are 
 animated by that fpirit of forgivenefs and 
 benevolence, which breathes in every page 
 of the Gofpel. You will thereby be good 
 neighbours, and contribute your endeavours 
 to footh the afflictions of human life. Gcd 
 knows, the afflictions of life fall heavy upon 
 all ; and it is our intereft, no left than our 
 duty, to alleviate them as much as poffible. 
 And, if envy and ftrife, if ill-nature and de- 
 traction, if pride and difcontent, were banim- 
 ed from the heart, fome of the greateft cala- 
 mities which men undergo would be removed. 
 For, human mifery proceeds, not fo much 
 from (what we call) the events of fortune, 
 or the pains of the body, as from the turbu- 
 lence of the paifions, and the agitations of the 
 mind.- Let us, 
 
 III. Confider how you ought to behave 
 towards thofe who differ from you in reli- 
 gious opinions. In this imperfect ftate, where 
 mankind poffefs different degrees of knowledge 
 and capacity, it is in vain to expect an uni- 
 formity of fentimenr. Nor does religion re- 
 quire it: while men do not propagate prin- 
 ciples
 
 ( '7 ) 
 
 ciples fubverfive of virtue and of peace, and 
 repugnant to thofe eternal laws, which are 
 imprinted on our minds by the great Author 
 of order and of excellence, every man has an 
 xmalienable right to follow his own judg* 
 menr, and, with candour and charity, to ufe 
 thofe faculties for acquiring knowledge and 
 truth, which Providence has beftowed on 
 him. If we claim this privilege ourfelves, 
 we ought not to refufe it to others. Remem* 
 ber then, that no differences in religious te- 
 nets, mould ever be the caufe of intolerance, 
 or fhonld hinder you from treating other de* 
 nominations of Chriftians with candour and 
 forbearance. Remember, that violent dif- 
 putes about religion, would be peculiarly 
 improper among men who have not had 
 the advantages of learning, and are, there- 
 fore, not fo able to invefligate fome of the 
 great truths, which the Gofpel has revealed. 
 Guard, then, againft all party-rancour, which 
 tends only to alienate the affections of Chrif-* 
 tians from one another ; and be thankful, 
 that you live in an age, when the rights of 
 human nature are better known and main- 
 tained, and in a country, where every man is 
 
 B allowed
 
 Allowed the free and unmolefted profeffioh of 
 his religion, according to the dictates of his 
 confcience. Happy had it been for mankind, 
 if this moderation had always fubfifted in the 
 Chriftia'n Church ; and if all who had pro- 
 feffed Chriftianity, had regulated their tem- 
 per and " cbriverfation" according to its li- 
 beral and benevolent principles I We are ex- 
 horted to contend earneftly for the faith ; 
 but, let it ever be in the fpirit of meeknefs, 
 and of Chriftian charity ; for paffion and in- 
 tolerance, fo far from advancing the caufe of 
 true religion, tend only to obftruct and dii- 
 grace it. Let u&, 
 
 IV. Confider how vou mould behave in 
 
 */ 
 
 your refpecYive families, how the principles 
 of the Gofpel will operate in the regulation 
 of your tempers, and of your domeftic con- 
 cerns. To this fubject you mould pay the 
 greater attention, as many, wha are regular 
 in their profeffion of religion at church, are 
 {hamefully remifs in the duties of private life. 
 Now, the firft duty of every head of a family 
 5s, to promote a fenfe of religion in his own 
 houfe. /Family-prayer ha& a tendency to 
 
 maintain,
 
 ( '9 ) 
 
 maintain a fpirit of devotion, to reprefs 
 moiities, to increafe benevolence, and to im- 
 prove our virtue. And, as fo many good 
 confequences refult from it, you fhould not 
 fail to make it a part of yoitr daily employ- 
 rhent. If you allow the bufinefs of life to 
 engage your whole attention ; if it prevent 
 you frorn devoting a fmall portion of your 
 time, every day, to prayer to God j a period 
 h faft approaching when you will acknow- 
 ledge, with regret, that you were too deeply 
 engaged in the purfuits of this world, and 
 too inattentive to the concerns of the next. 
 " O come," then, " let us worlhip and 
 '* bow dowh, and kneel before the Lord our 
 <c Maker. Wormip him in the beauty of 
 *' holinefs *." Cultivate that elevation of 
 mind, that reVerende of Almighty God, 
 that purity of heart, and integrity of life, 
 which will meW the fincerity of your reli- 
 gious principles, and that your behaviour is 
 " fuch as becometh the Gofpel of Chriil." 
 
 . -A fecond duty, to which, as Chrifti?ns, 
 you muft particularly attend, is induftry. 
 
 '* Pfalm xcvi. 9. 
 
 B a Man
 
 Man was never defigned to be inactive : fomtf 
 are defined to procure their daily fufiftence 
 by the labour of their hands ; and others, by 
 the exertions of their minds. All are to be 
 employed in fome virtuous and ufeful occu- 
 pation, fuitable to their ftation and abilities. 
 You are enjoined in Scripture " to be quiet, 
 *' and to do your own bufinefs, and to work 
 " with your own hands*" at your refpec- 
 tive employments. And, in another place, 
 the Apoftle expreffes himfelf in flill flronger 
 language : ** If any will not work, neither 
 44 mould he eatf ," and thereby become a bur- 
 den on the induftry of others. Now, if any 
 of you were to neglect your bufmefs, and 
 to fpend your time in idlenefs or vice, the 
 confequence would be very fatal to your- 
 felves, and to your families. But, by vir- 
 tuous induftry, and by becoming members 
 of Friendly Societies, you mew an indepen- 
 dence of fentiment, and a principle of bene- 
 volence, which you mould ever retain. I need 
 not, therefore, expatiate on the ignominy and 
 degradation of applying for parochial relief 
 
 * i^Theff.iv. ix* f s> ThefT. ill. 10. 
 
 without
 
 without abfolute neceffity, nor point out to 
 you, how mean and unprincipled it is in 
 men to live on the property and induftry of 
 others, when, by diligence and prudence, they 
 mijj.ht have fupported themfelves, and avoid* 
 ed all the mifery and humiliation of a parifh- 
 maintenance. As long as you are induftri- 
 ous, and attentive to the duties of your fta- 
 tioti, you will be refpe&ed ; and, remember, 
 while you are thus employed, you are fulfil*- 
 ling the wife purpofes of Providence, and are 
 promoting your eternal interefts, even while 
 you feem wholly engaged about the concerns 
 of the prefent life. 
 
 A duty, nearly connected with induftry, 
 and highly confident with your Chriftian 
 principles, is frugality. Unlefs men pay at* 
 tention to the management of their domeftic 
 concerns, they muft inevitably fall into dif- 
 order. And, as this will be found to be true, 
 even in the fuperior ranks of life, furely thofe, 
 whom I am now particularly addrefling, muft 
 be fenfible, that, without fome prudence and 
 care, they may foon be involved in embarraff- 
 ments and expences, from which it would 
 3 3 b?
 
 be almoft impoffible to extricate themfelves. 
 Many of the poor are extremely improvident 
 in the management of their (lender property, 
 and aggravate their afflictions by their want 
 pf ceconomy and forefight when, they are 
 young, and have no family to fupport. In- 
 flead of making any provifion againft acci- 
 dental difficulties, they meanly depend upon 
 parifh maintenance, and unthinkingly fquanr 
 der in health, what might have lupported 
 them with comfort in fkknefs, or in age. 
 r Your prudence, therefore, and your fore- 
 ght, cannot be too highly commended, for 
 appropriating part of your wages for your 
 mutual fupport in cafes of accident or of ill- 
 nefs, fomewhat refembling the cuftom which 
 prevailed among the primitive Chriftians, of 
 ** affifling their poor brethren, and diftribut- 
 " ing tq every man according as his neceffi- 
 " ties required^." By this means, if you 
 happen, at any time, to be difabled by dif- 
 eafe, or bowed. down with the infirmities of 
 Nature, you can apply to your Society for 
 relief, and will be fupported by a funcl, 
 
 -~hn^jrn^ r, !.>r/ A ; 'A 7 : 4 ;o 
 
 * A&S IV. 52 "K. 
 i^'3 i: - ' ^ - -:'-> w,,::.T 
 
 which
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 which your own induftry and oeconomy 
 have contributed to raife *. 
 
 That your moral and religious condu& 
 may be " fuitable to the Gofpel," there is 
 another domeftic vktue which muft not be 
 omitted, and that is temperance. The great 
 number of public-houfes, and the diforderly 
 manner in which many of thetin are kept, are 
 no lefs detrimental to fociety, than deftrucYive 
 to religion. But, if you have any regard to 
 decency and character; if you have any af- 
 fection for your families, who naturally look 
 up to you for protection and fupport ; you 
 will not quit the paths of fobriety and peace, 
 and leave them a helplefs prey to mifery and 
 want. By intemperance and excefs, you im~ 
 
 * It were much to be wifhed, that thofe, who are in 
 the lower ranks of life, would all follow the fame ex~ 
 ample in the feafon of youth, and become members of 
 Amicable Societies, formed for fuch ufeful purpofes. If 
 thefe benevolent institutions could be made general, they 
 would render parochial relief unneceffary ; and would 
 furnifh a far, more comfortable, and more honourable, 
 fupport for the poor, than the prefent legal provifion. 
 This is ftrikingly evinced in the following Efiay. 
 
 B 4 pair
 
 pair your health and your underftanding, 
 you wafte your time and your fubftance, you 
 ruin your families, and injure your morals. 
 Drunkennefs is incompatible with a Chrif- 
 tian life and " converfation ;" it is repugnant 
 to that felf-government and purity, which 
 the Gofpel requires you to cultivate, and is 
 expreffly mentioned among thofe vices, which 
 will exclude you " from the kingdom of 
 * God *." Againft a habit, then, fo periii* 
 clous to your happinefs, both here and here- 
 after, you can never be fufficiently guarded. 
 Avoid, therefore, as far as poffible, the fo^ 
 ciety and " converfation" of the idle, the 
 profligate, and the drunken ; and afibciate 
 with the induftrious, the virtuous, and the 
 fober. 
 
 There is one duty more, deferving partU 
 cular attention, which remains to be men- 
 tioned here ; it is, that of promoting mutual 
 affection, and gentlenefs of manners, in your 
 refpective families. Of the fad effects of 
 quarrejs and diffenfions in private life, we 
 
 * Gal. v. 21, 
 
 have
 
 C *5 ) 
 
 Have many melancholy proofs. In the very 
 firft age of the world, and among Adam's 
 own fons, we have an awful inftance of the 
 dreadful confequence of variance and ftrife 
 among relations. We find, that Cain en- 
 tirely ftifled his affection for his hrother 
 Abel ; allowed the rancour of hatred and 
 envy to take full pofTeffion of his heart ; and 
 at laft, with impious hands, became his a- 
 faffin.' 'When thofe, who are connected by 
 the neareft and deareft ties of Nature, once 
 acquire the habit of wrangling and difputing, 
 all their domeftic comforts are at an end, 
 their tempers become .foured, their peace of 
 mind is ruined ; -and thus, by their conduct 
 and " converfation," they too evidently (hew, 
 that they are not " acting as becometh the 
 '< Gofpel of Chrift." 
 
 It was, therefore, the obfervation of the 
 wife man, '* Better is a dinner of herbs, 
 ' where love is, than a flailed ox, and 
 *' hatred therewith *." The mofl fcanty 
 or the moft homely fare, accompanied 
 with domeftic harmony and peace, and 
 with the love of God and virtue, is far 
 
 * Prov. xv. 17, 
 
 more
 
 tnore delicious to the tafte, and more plea- 
 ding to the mind, than the moft fplendid 
 entertainment, imbittered by difcord and 
 linfe, by profanenefs and vice. You cannot, 
 then, be too careful to regulate your tem- 
 pers ; to promote focial affection, good-hu- 
 mour, and cheerfulnefs of " cbnverfation" 
 in your families ; and to inftil the fame 
 Chriftian principles into the minds of youc 
 children. -This leads me to fome reflexions 
 on their education, with a view that they 
 may " behave as becometh the Golpel." 
 
 Among fome weak and ill-informed minds 
 an opinion has prevailed, that the lower or* 
 ders of fociety fhould be kept in ignorance, 
 and mould not enjoy the benefit of education. 
 The reafon they affign is this : The poor, 
 by education, become turbulent and inatten- 
 tive to their bufinefs, and make a bad ufe of 
 their knowledge. Now, admitting this to be 
 fometimes the cafe, (for it is too obvious x to 
 be always denied,) it only fhews, that the 
 greateft bleffings are liable to be perverted to 
 the worft purpofes; but it would be abfurd to 
 argue from thence againft every improvement 
 
 in
 
 C 27 ) 
 
 in fcience, in morals, and in religion. The 
 truth is, it is not owing to Chriftianity, but 
 to the want of it, that fuch grounds of com- 
 plaint do arife. For, wherever a diffufion of 
 true Chriftian knowledge has taken place, 
 wherever its genuine principles are incul- 
 cated and received, there men will be fober, 
 honeft, induftrious, peaceable, contented, 
 and pious. But, when its duties are ne- 
 glected, its fanctions unknown, and its ob- 
 ligations difregardedj then every principle, 
 hoftile to the peace, the interefts, and the 
 Jiappinefs of fociety, will be difTeminated. 
 
 This mews you the importance of religious 
 education, and the utility of Sunday fchools. 
 Of the utility, indeed, of thefe excellent in- 
 ftitutions I have fo often fpoken, and you 
 now feem fo fully convinced, that it will be 
 unneceflary for me to fay much in their be- 
 half. Among other advantages, you fee that 
 your children are thereby refcued from ig- 
 norance and depravity, are inftructed in the 
 great and fundamental doctrines of the Chrif- 
 tian religion, and acquire fettled habits of piety 
 and virtue. They are accuftomed to fpend the 
 
 Sunday
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 Sunday in a proper manner, and are taught 
 the moft fublime truths ; -the neceffity of li- 
 ving " foberly, righteoufly, and godly,*' in 
 this world, that they may be ufeful members 
 of fociety, and make this life a: paflage to a 
 better. You know, alfo, that they are at 
 a critical period, when their minds are ready 
 to receive any impreffion, and when their fu- 
 ture conduct and happinefs will,- in a great 
 meafure, depend on the .habits they now ac- 
 quire. If pains be taken to train them up in 
 the paths of innocence, virtue, and religion, 
 there is reafon to hope that, in mature age, 
 they will not depart from them. But if 
 they be once habituated to vice, and their 
 *' converfation" be contrary to the principles 
 of the Gofpel, they, probably, will never 
 abandon thofe pernicious pra&ices, but, by 
 profligacy and wickednefs, will bring down 
 your " grey hairs with forrow to the grave," 
 To guard againft confequences which are ib 
 fatal, you mould continue to fend your 
 children regularly to the Sunday-fchools, 
 and be thankful for the advantages thence 
 derived advantages which you did not 
 4
 
 *9 
 
 enjoy at the fame period of your own 
 lives *. 
 
 You (hould alib pay great attention to. 
 their health and cleanlinefs -f> an d to 
 their natural difpofitions as they advance 
 in life ; and fhould reftrain in them every 
 violent paffion, and every propeniity to ill- 
 nature, flander, and malevolence. Teach 
 them, I befeech you, to be fober, chafle, 
 
 * It is only doing juflice to my Parifhioners to men- 
 tion, that, from the higheft down to thofe who receive 
 benefit from the Sunday.fchools, there is hardly an in- 
 dividual, who does not fuhfcribe cheerfully and liberally 
 to their fupport. And it is with fingular pleafure I here 
 obferve, that, at prefent, they are in a very flouvifhing 
 condition, and that their utility begins every day to be 
 more fenfibly felt. They require, however, conftant at- 
 tention, and a degree of prudence in their management, 
 >ar greater than is generally imagined. 
 
 f This regard to cleanlinefs is attended with more 
 important and beneficial confequcnces, than at firft raay 
 be imagined. The ftate of the body is, in general, a 
 true indication cf the ftate of the mind. Rags and filth 
 are the ufual fymptorns of idlenefs, improvidence, and 
 tice : whereas habitual cleanlinefs not only contributes 
 to health, hut leads to that fan&ity of heart, and purity 
 of manners, which prepare men for a higher ftate of ex- 
 ifttnce. 
 
 and
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 ahd honeft ; to be attentive to their pro- 
 mifes and engagements, and content with 
 their ftation. Infpire them with a detefta- 
 tion of lying, artifice, and theft ; an^l train 
 them up to the early habits of cheerful in- 
 duftry, and to the regular practice of every 
 fbcial and moral obligation. But, above all, 
 endeavour to imprefs on their young minds a 
 deep fenfe of Religion, and of the duties they 
 owe to their God and Saviour. Often remind 
 them, that, though their earthly matter may 
 be abfent, yet they are under the con ft ant 
 inflection of their Heavenly Mafter, to whom 
 we are all accountable. 
 
 Thefe are very efTential duties, which you 
 fhould not fail to inculcate as far as you are 
 able y and if fome of you can give but lit- 
 tle inftrucTion in the way of precept, you can 
 all be ufeful in a ftill higher degree by fet- 
 iing them a good example. This is a duty 
 peculiarly incumbent on every one who ftands 
 in the important and endearing relation of a 
 parent. I muft particularly admonifli you, 
 then, to let your general "converfation," and 
 your whole deportment, correfpond with the 
 principles of the Religion which you profefs. 
 
 If
 
 ( 3' 3 
 
 If you endeavour to give them good advice, 
 and a good example, you have little elfe to 
 bequeath to them. Nor do they want more : 
 while they enjoy the bleffing of health, they 
 can always maintain themfelves by their per- 
 fonal labour : and, if unavoidable afflictions 
 befal them, they will, no doubt, meet with 
 affiflance and relief from the charitable and 
 well-difpofed. You have, therefore, no rea- 
 ibn to be felicitous about them after they are 
 grown up ; in this refpeft you enjoy an ad- 
 vantage over the higher clades of fociety 
 over thofe whom you are apt to envy, and 
 to think fo happy. They have often great 
 anxiety about their children ; they are not 
 .always able to give them a fortune fuited to 
 their rank and expe6lations, nor can they 
 eafily determine what profeffion to choofe 
 for them. Now, this is a perplexity from 
 which you are exempted. Providence dif- 
 penfes happinefs among the human race with 
 a far more equal hand than a fuperficial ob- 
 ferver is willing to allow. By the Simplicity 
 of your lives, and the tranquillity of your ha- 
 bitations, you enjoy that health of body, and 
 that ferenity of mind, frequently unknown 
 
 to-
 
 C 3* ) 
 
 to the opulent and the great. So that, whetl 
 you think 'of the comforts you want, you 
 fliould reflect alfo on the anxieties and temp- 
 tations from which you are free, and on the 
 bleffings, both civil and religious, which you 
 ^njoy. If you are attentive to the duties of 
 your humble, but important, ftation, and 
 take care that your children do not acquire 
 bad habits, you will, in the decline of life, 
 derive unfpeakable confolation in reflecting, 
 that you ufed your befl endeavours to regu- 
 late their paffions, and to form their minds 
 to piety and virtue ; and, when the folemn 
 period of your diflolution draweth nigh, 
 ** this will be your rejoicing The teflimony 
 " of your confciences, that, in fimplicity and 
 <c godly fincerity, not with carnal wifdom, 
 " but with the grace of God, you have had 
 " your converfation in the world *." You 
 will then be fupported by God's prefence, at 
 a feafon moft awful to human nature, and 
 may commit your offspring to the care of 
 that gracious Providence, who hath faid, 
 Leave thy fatherlefs children, I will pre- 
 
 * 2 Cor. i. 12. 
 
 ferve
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 ferve them alive ; and let thy widows truft 
 
 n me 
 
 * 
 
 Having thus ftated, at feme length, the 
 duties which you owe in your refpective fa- 
 milies, and having particularly dwelt on the 
 neceffity of attending to the education and 
 behaviour of your children a topic fo im 
 portant in its nature, and which might be 
 made fo beneficial in its confequences, -I 
 now proceed, in the laft place, 
 
 V. To point out thofe duties which you 
 owe to one another as the members of 
 Friendly Societies, and to mew how thek 
 interefts may be beft promoted. This is 
 partly anticipated by what has been already 
 advanced ; I (hall, however, fuggeft a few 
 general obfervations, which, if attended to, 
 may this day be ufeful to you. 
 
 The Pfalmift felt much pleafure in feeing 
 men live in amity and peace. *' Behold," 
 fays he, " how good and pleafant it is for 
 " brethren to dwell together in unity." It 
 diffufes a fpirit of benevolence through all 
 
 * Jeremiah, xlix. n, 
 
 C ranks,
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 ranks, and unites them in one bond of mu- 
 tual intereft, and of focial affection. You 
 will, therefore, at all times, ftudy to live in 
 harmony and peace with your neighbours, 
 cultivating a benevolent difpofition towards 
 all, and endeavouring to difiemiuate it among 
 others. Were mankind always guided in 
 their conduct and " converfation" by the 
 heavenly principles and motives of the Gof- 
 pel, what a change would take place in the 
 world ! u Nation would no longer lift up 
 " their (word againft nation, neither would 
 * c they learn war any more*." No turbu- 
 lent fpirit would attempt to interrupt the 
 peace of fociety, or to invade the rights of in- 
 dividuals. All the animofities, which are oc- 
 cafioned by the jarring interefts of men, would 
 be fupprefTed ; cheerfulnefs and contentment 
 would animate every breaft. 
 
 But this, alas ! is far from being the pre- 
 fent (late of fociety ; and, therefore, I can- 
 not too earneftly guard you againft thofe bit- 
 ter animofities and civil diiTenfions, which fo 
 unhappily prevail. Without laws and fubor- 
 
 * Ifaiah, ii. 4. 
 
 dination
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 dination no fociety can long fubfift. While 
 the laws, or {landing rules, of any commu- 
 nity are revered and obeyed, its affairs will 
 profper; but, when they are defpifed and fub- 
 verted, its interefts will be neglected, and 
 confufion -will inevitably enfue. Among 
 nations, tumult and faction always lead to 
 rapine and violence, to anarchy and every 
 fpecies of outrage : and many a rich and flou- 
 rifliing fociety has been entirely ruined, when 
 the fpirit of difcord and variance has once 
 prevailed among the members. The bene- 
 volent Friend of man has, therefore, parti- 
 cularly warned us againft civil commotions 
 and inteftine divifions. " Every kingdom, 
 * s divided againft itfelf, is brought to defola- 
 " tiori ; and every city or houfe, divided againft 
 " itfelf, cannot ftand *." 
 
 Of the truth of this divine remark, ex- 
 amples might be given from the hiftory of 
 every nation that has exifted in the world ; 
 but, without adverting to the records of an- 
 tiquity, the proceedings of your own focie- 
 ties will fufficiently evince its importance. 
 
 * Matthew, xii. 25. 
 
 C 2 When
 
 When harmony and regularity fubfift among 
 you ; when your behaviour, at all your meet- 
 ings, is influenced by the principles, and re- 
 gulated by the laws, of Chriftianity ; then 
 your focieties will flourifh, and you may 
 humbly hope for that bleffing of Heaven, 
 that " peace of God" which can alone fecure 
 your focial happinefs, and domeftic tranquil- 
 lity. Earneftly, therefore, implore his facred 
 influence to enable you to act, at all times, 
 as " becometh the Gofpel ;" and let me exhort 
 you, in the words of the Apoftle, and by the 
 name of our Divine Matter, to endeavour, as 
 a fociety of men and of Chriftians, to pro- 
 mote mutual forbea'rance and good-humour, 
 and to avoid quarrels and contentions. " I 
 ' befeech you, brethren, by the name of our 
 " Lord Jefus Chrift, that ye all fpeak the 
 *' fame thing, and that there be no divifions 
 *' among you ; but that ye be perfectly uni- 
 ** ted in the fame mind, and in the fame 
 " judgment *." By this mutual love of 
 order and peace, by this focial affection, and 
 general good conduct, you will diftinguifh 
 
 * i Cor. i. 10. 
 
 your-
 
 .( 37 ) 
 
 yourfelves from men of unchriftian prin- 
 ciples, and will (hew, that all your works, 
 and all your views, are directed to the glory 
 of God, the improvement of your nature, 
 and the happinefs of fociety. 
 
 Such, then, is a brief view, -and fuch as 
 feemed more peculiarly applicable on this oc- 
 cafion, of the nature, the tendency, and the 
 fpirit, of the Gofpel of Chrift. Much more 
 might be added, to difplay the fublimity of its 
 doctrines, and the purity of its laws. And, in 
 every view in which it can be confidered, it 
 muft appear fo admirably adapted to our na- 
 ture and infirmities, fo congenial to the hu- 
 man mind, and fo conducive to our happinefs, 
 that we cannot, if we attend to its peculiar 
 excellence and evidences, but be convinced 
 of its Divine origin, and be deeply imprefled 
 with gratitude to the Author of fuch a mer- 
 ciful difpenfation. 
 
 And now, my brethren, on a review of all 
 
 that has been faid, Corifider what effect this 
 
 religion has on your temper and conduct. It 
 
 is by attention to thefe great duties and prin- 
 
 C 3 ciples, 
 
 301075
 
 ciples, amidft the various occupations of ac 
 tive and laborious life, that you {hew your 
 *' converfation" to be *< fuch as becometh the 
 *' Gofpel of Chrift." Profeffing yourfelves, 
 then, to be ChrifHans, have your thoughts, 
 your words, and your actions, been regulated 
 by Chriftianity ? Owning yourfelves candi- 
 dates for another and higher ftate of exift- 
 cnce, have your religious principles had an 
 habitual influence on your hearts and lives ? 
 Have they led you, in every condition of life, 
 to act confcientioufly, and to avoid thofe vices, 
 to which, from your fituation, and natural 
 temper, you were peculiarly expofed ? Can 
 you fay, that you have revered and loved the 
 God who made you, and the Saviour who re- 
 deemed you ; that you have cherifhed bene- 
 volent affetions towards all mankind without 
 exception ; and " kept yourfelves unfpotted 
 ** from the world r" Have you confidered the 
 important purpofe for which you were cre- 
 ated, and endeavoured to improve your moral 
 nature ? Confcious, as all of us muft be, 
 of numberlefs errors and imperfections, have 
 your hopes of future happinefs been founded 
 on that mercy, which is mod eminently dif-r
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 played in the Gofpel difpenfation ? Have you 
 prayed earneftly, that the blefTed influence 
 of Divine Grace may enlighten your under- 
 ftandings, and enable you to improve in 
 piety, in benevolence, in humility, and in all 
 the other graces of the Chriftian character ? 
 Have you fhewn your parental affeclion, by 
 guarding your children againft vicious habits, 
 and by ufing your beft endeavours to have 
 
 them inftru&ed in the duties of the Chriftian 
 
 
 
 religion ? Have you frequently reflected, that 
 we are now in a ftate of probation for eter- 
 nity ; that God will make a distinction be- 
 tween the righteous and the wicked ; and 
 that the future defti nation of all good men 
 will be" to glory, honour, and immor- 
 *< talityr" And, in fine, amidft all the trials 
 and afflictions of the world, have you been 
 refigned to the difpenfations of Providence, 
 thankful that you are capable of moral im- 
 provement, and that " every event will," ul- 
 timately, " work together for your good?" 
 
 What anfvvers fome of you can give to en- 
 quiries of this fort, God and your own con- 
 iciences know beft. But, alas ! we can too 
 C 4 eafily
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 eafily judge of many by their neglect of devo- 
 tion, and of moral duties. When we con- 
 iider the Gofpel, as it is delineated in the 
 New Teftament, and compare it with the 
 lives of many, who call themfelves Chrif- 
 tians, we are {truck with the amazing con- 
 trail, and can hardly perceive any refem- 
 blance between them. The pleasures and the 
 riches of the world on the one hand, and its 
 buiinefs and anxieties on the other, often 
 prevent men from paying that attention to 
 the doctrines and precepts of our holy reli- 
 gion, which its infinite importance deierves. 
 In oppofition to this conduct, let me re- 
 mind you, that you are immortal beings. 
 Six days you are allowed and enjoined to 
 labour, and to procure an honeft fubfiftence 
 for yourfeiyes and families. But the feventh 
 day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God ; 
 he hath appropriated it to religious purpoies, 
 and has forbidden us to fpend it in worldly 
 purfuits. You fhould, therefore, come re- 
 gularly to the Houle of God for the exercife 
 o* devotion, and attend, with unbiafTed minds, 
 to the religious inflru&ion delivered from this 
 place. All mould then be engaged in the pub- 
 lic
 
 lie worfhip of Almighty God ; all mould be 
 employed in imploring his mercy and protec- 
 tion. Trifling excufes mould never be per- 
 mitted to interfere with the important duty 
 of focial piety ; and, if you are occafionally 
 prevented from coming to church, you mould 
 be the more anxious to give your attendance 
 at other times. By this means you wiil dill 
 maintain a fenfe of religion on your minds, 
 and be fenfible of the wife purpofes, for 
 which the Sabbath was inftituted. 
 
 The wiidom and goodnefs of God, in fet- 
 ting apart one day in feven for our improve- 
 ment in religion, can never be fufficiently 
 admired. Without this divine inftitution, 
 the bulk of mankind would continue in grofs 
 ignorance of every moral and religious prin- 
 ciple ; and, probably, would enjoy little or 
 no interruption from the bufinefs and toils of 
 life. How careful, then, mould you all be, 
 to avoid every encroachment on its proper 
 and facred employments ! The Chriftian Sab- 
 bath tends to polim the manners, to promote 
 the benevolence, and to improve the virtue and 
 piety of mankind ; and, by a cefTation from 
 labour and the ordinary occupations of life, it 
 
 gives
 
 gives cafe and relief, even to the brute-crea- 
 tion. Affifted by that fenfe of religion, which 
 you acquire in the Houfe of God, if, in the 
 hour of temptation, you mould deviate from 
 the path of duty, there is reafon to hope that 
 a principle of piety and goodnefs may reftrain 
 you, and you may be enabled, through Di- 
 vine Grace, to aft with propriety for the time 
 to come. But, when once men withdraw 
 their attendance entirely from church, when 
 they neglecl: the ordinances of Chriftianity, 
 and defpife the mod folemn call to public 
 devotion, the impreffions of religion will 
 wear off by degrees ; and, among thofe who 
 have hardly any other opportunity of know- 
 ing their duty to God and man, be afTured, 
 there is every reafon to dread that, at lad, 
 they may become abandoned to profligacy 
 and vice, and may commit the moft atro- 
 cious crimes, Unhappy men ! Let them 
 remember the awful words of Scripture : 
 * 4 They that are far from God (hall perifh ; 
 " but it is good for us to draw near to God.'* 
 I befeech you, therefore, to be regular in 
 the duties of public wormip, and come hither, 
 every LordVday, with minds elevated with 
 
 de*
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 devotion, and open to inftru&Ion. You will 
 find, that the pure and heavenly principles, 
 which are here inculcated, afford the beft and 
 moft foothing confolation to the human mind, 
 amidft the numberlefs calamities to which we 
 are expofed. 
 
 Public worfhip, then, is a part, a necef- 
 fary and indifpenfable part, of the duties of 
 the Sunday, whatever may be your ftation in 
 life. This is not all: the duties of public 
 worfhip occupy only a fmall portion of that 
 facred day. You fhould, therefore, fpend 
 the remainder of it confidently with your 
 Chfiftian views and profeffion. " Acquaint 
 " yourfelves with God, and be at peace *." 
 At a diftance from the tumult of the world, 
 *' Regard the v/orks of the Lord, and con- 
 ** fider the operation of his hands f." In 
 your walks, in your converfation with your 
 friends, in your retirement and devotions, by 
 reading religious books, and efpecially the 
 Bible, that bleffed fource of divine truth and 
 confolation ; by all thefe means of reflexion 
 and improvement, you may contemplate the 
 
 * Job, xxii. 21. f Ifaiah, v. 12. 
 
 flu-
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 fhipendous works of Creation, of Providence, 
 and of Redemption. The heavens, the earth, 
 and the majeftic river that flows by us, do all 
 difplay their magnificent beauties to the poor 
 as well as the rich, and mould excite in the 
 heart fentiments of piety; and, even while 
 you are employed on other days in the bufi- 
 nefs and duties impoied on you by your fta- 
 tion, you may, from the wonderful oecono- 
 my of Nature, exhibited in the viciffttudes of 
 the feafons, and in the feveral productions of 
 the year, raife your thoughts to the Almighty 
 Creator and Governor ot the univerfe ; and 
 thereby derive inftrucYion and confolation to 
 the mind. " The Sabbath was made for 
 man" to improve thofe faculties which are 
 the chief ornament of his nature ; to give 
 him time and opportunity to call off his at- 
 tention and attachment from the concerns of 
 this fhort and precarious flate of exiftence ; 
 and lo dlre6t his views to that final " reft, 
 44 which femaineth for the people of God*" 
 to thofe " new heavens, and that new 
 " earth, wherein dwelleth righteoufnefs -JV S 
 
 * Heb. iv, 9. f 2 Peter, iii. i^. 
 
 Be
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 Be perfuaded, then, on every Lord's- day, 
 to fufpend your cares and your bufmefs about 
 this life, and to devote it to the momentous 
 concerns of religion, and of another life. 
 And in the time of profperity, and under all 
 our infirmities and afflictions, let us confcle 
 ourfelves with the expectation, that, when 
 we (hall no longer unite in prayer and praifes 
 to the great Author of our being here on earth, 
 where our beft fervices are attended with many 
 imperfections, if we be actuated in our con- 
 duct and " converfation" by the principles and 
 duties of the Gofpel, we fhall at laft be ad- 
 mitted, through the goodnefs of God, and 
 the merits of our Redeemer, into that hea- 
 venly Society, where our faculties will be im- 
 proved, and harmony and order will for ever 
 prevail ; and mail unite with angels and arch- 
 angels, and the fpirits of juft men made per- 
 feel, in a far more exalted and an eternal 
 Hallelujah of praife. Amen. 
 
 ON
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 ON THE STATE OF THE POOR, 
 
 AND 
 
 ON THE MEANS OF IMPROVING IT. 
 
 1 T is the duty of every member of the commu- 
 nity, to ufe his utmoft exertions to promote the 
 happinefs of individuals and the profperity of the 
 ftate. Whether the condition of the labouring; 
 poor be better than at any former period, I will 
 not take upon me to decide ; but, certainly, it is 
 not fuch as could be wiihed, on the principles, 
 either of humanity, or of found policy. It will 
 Itill admit of confiderable improvement, and be 
 capable of receiving great alleviation, under the 
 many trials and difficulties, which, in the com- 
 mon and neceiFary courfe of human life, do, and 
 indeed muft, prefs upon the lower orders of fo- 
 ciety, as well as upon every other. Different 
 caufes, no doubt, contribute to their diftrefs, 
 and to the prevalence of ignorance and vice 
 among them ; and various methods of improving 
 their condition, and of reforming their morals,, 
 may b-s fuggefted. Of thefe cauies and remedies, 
 
 I will
 
 I will briefly Hate fotne, which are very obvious, 
 and deferve to be confidered with minute at- 
 tention *. 
 
 I. One caufe of diftrefs among the poor is 
 generally attributed to the advanced price of the 
 neceffaries of life. The fa ft, however, of the 
 reward of agricultural labour not having rifen in 
 proportion to the price of proviiions, is partially, 
 but not generally, true-f-. And, it fhould be 
 obferved, that the burden of poor-rates, and of 
 other parochial and public taxes, has been very 
 heavily increafed upon every other clafs of fo- 
 ciety. It may, alfo, be proper to remark the 
 impolicy of regulating the price of labour. It 
 
 * It would be too arduous a tsfk for the Author, and would 
 far exceed the limits of his plan, either to trace, through 
 their various bearings and dependencies, all the caufes which 
 have combined to deprefs the intellects, and add to the miferies, 
 of the inferior dafles of fociety ; or to enumerate all the plans 
 which have been propofed for their melioration and relief. 
 But, amidft a variety of ufeful publications on this fubjecl, 
 the political enquirer will derive much important information 
 from Davies " On the Cafe of Labourers in Husbandry j" 
 from Buggles's " Hiftory of the Poor;" from M'Farlan's 
 '* Enquiries concerning the Poor;" and, particularly, from 
 Sir Frederic Eden's veiy laborious and valuable work, " On 
 the State of the Poor." 
 
 f See Sir Frederic Eden, pajjim ; and Dr. Adam Smith's 
 celebrated treatife " On the Wealth of Nations."
 
 f 49 ) 
 
 feems, indeed, to be impoffible,, that any 
 legiilative regulation on this fubject could ever 
 be eftablifhed ; and, were it practicable, it 
 would not be ufeful ; it would fupprefs a fpirit 
 of emulation, and might produce greater mif- 
 chief, and more fenfible inconveniencies, than 
 thofe which it Was intended to remove. 
 
 II. Another great caiife of poverty, among 
 many in the inferior ftations of life, is their idle- 
 nefs, their diiinclination to labour and honeft 
 induftry. Every means, therefore, ihould be 
 ufed to reprefs this growing fpirit of lazinefs 
 and improvidence, and to counteract their bane- 
 ful effects in fociety. This can only be done, 
 by furnifhing employment for the idle, and for 
 thofe who are difpofed to work ; by training 
 them up to habits of induftry ; and by fhewing 
 them, that thereby, inftead of being a dif- 
 grace and nnifance to the ftate, the loweft 
 peafant may become virtuous, ufeful, and re- 
 fpedlable. 
 
 To effect this important purpofe, the princi- 
 pal objects that claim public attention are the 
 improvement of agriculture, manufactures, and 
 commerce. Of thefe, agriculture, the induftry 
 of the country, and the great fource of human 
 provilion and of national profperity, deferves 
 the firft place on feveral accounts : it is a moft 
 
 D healthy
 
 healthy employment ; it encourages marriage 
 and population ; it leads to plenty, and cheap- 
 nefs of provifions ; it increafes public and pri- 
 vate wealth : and thofe who are employed in 
 it are obferved to be, in general, more peace- 
 able, as well as more induftrious members of 
 fociety, and are lefs addicted to drunkennefs 
 and immorality, to turbulence and faction, than 
 thofe who are engaged in fedentary occupations. 
 Near great towns, where land has already at- 
 tained a high ftate of cultivation, the impor- 
 tance of agricultural improvements will not be fo 
 linking ; but, as a general object in the fyftem 
 of political ceconomy, it merits the ntmoft at- 
 tention. 
 
 To meliorate the condition of the induftrious 
 poor, by facilitating the means of their employ- 
 ment and fubliftence, it will, perhaps, be necef- 
 fary, in fome cafes, to fupply them occalionally 
 with proper materials at their own houfes *, accord- 
 ing to their age, their ftrength, and their capaci- 
 
 * It is a facl, that the poor are maintained much more 
 comfortably, and at much lefs expence, at their own homes, 
 than in workhoufes, or houfes of induftry : their children, 
 alfo, make hardier and better labourers. And many instances 
 might be adduced, of the importance of providing confrant 
 employment for women and girls in knitting and fpinning, &c 
 But the low rate of female labour is a great fource of poverty, 
 and tends to produce idleoefs.
 
 ties ; and to give fuitable inftructions and encc-ii- 
 fagement to thofe who are inclined to fupport 
 themfelves by their labour. And it may here be 
 remarked, that, if the poor were thus profitably 
 and conftantly employed, they would be almoft 
 always able to maintain themfelves and their fami* 
 lies, their honeft exertions feldom failing to fupply 
 their expences. Were this principle, the fruit 
 of active induftry, univerfally difFufed, mankind 
 would fee its great influence and importance, in 
 the cultivation and improvement of thofe arts and 
 fciences which tend to the convenience, the or- 
 nament, and the happinefs of focial life. 
 
 III. The poor-laws were humanely intended to 
 relieve the diftrefles of the lower ranks of people ; 
 but experience has ihewn, that they are extremely 
 defective, both in their fpirit, and in their execu- 
 tion. They ought, therefore, to be careful- 
 ly and cautioufly revifed, and rendered as perfect: 
 as the combined wifdom of the legiflature can 
 devife : what is ufeful ihould be retained; 
 and what has proved impolitic, or oppreffive, 
 ihould be modified, or repealed. In any altera- 
 tion of thefe laws, care fhould be taken, that they 
 promote virtue in general, and particularly tem- 
 perance and frugality ; and that they guard againft 
 vice, and efpecially drunkennefs and extrava- 
 gance : this regularity of conduct will be highly 
 D 2 beneficial
 
 beneficial to the lower ranks themfelves, and it 
 will tend to reduce the exceffive amount of the 
 poor's rates. 
 
 IV. Other caufes of general diftrefs among the 
 poor, are their want of domeftic oeconomy, their 
 incommodious habitations, and their being bigot- 
 ed to particular kinds of diet, and of drefs. It 
 is to be lamented, that they pay too little attention 
 to a judicious choice of wholefome and nutritious 
 vegetables for diet: and hence, whenever there 
 happens to be a failure of that particular crop of 
 grain which conftitutes their principal food, 
 their diftrefs furpafles all defcription. Now, it 
 would tend to alleviate their hardlhips, if they 
 made their earnings more productive, by good 
 management, by felecting cheap and palatable 
 articles of diet, and by preparing different kinds 
 of favoury foups *. 
 
 The poor are often blamed for their attachment 
 to wheaten bread, and their fondnels for tea. It 
 is faid, and not without reafon, that, by drinking 
 tea, inftead of home-brewed beer, their bodies 
 
 * See Count Rumford's interefting " Experimental ElTays" 
 for improving the condition and domeftic ceconomy of the 
 labouring poor. 
 
 On the means of diminifiiing the . consumption of fuel, 
 which is fo eflential a neceflary of life, and fo important au 
 article to the Iowa' clafles, his remarks claim particular at- 
 tention. 
 
 become
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 become enervated, and their health is impaired. 
 It ought, however, to be obferved in their behalf, 
 how natural it is for thofe, who enjoy fo few com- 
 forts in life, and are expofed to fo many difficul- 
 ties, to endeavour to procure the beft bread ; ef- 
 pecially as they are feldom able to purchafe meat. 
 The high price of malt prevents them from brew- 
 ing their own beer, as they did formerly ; and 
 this is a hardfhip, which drives many f them to 
 the public houfe. 
 
 It would contribute much to their comfort, and 
 to the preferv^tion of their health, if the agricul- 
 tural poor had fmall gardens, in which they could 
 raife beans, peafe, potatoes, greens, turnips, and 
 other culinary vegetables ; and if lords of manors, 
 and men of affluence, would accommodate their 
 labourers and dependents with neat and commodi- 
 ous cottages, at moderate rents. Many important 
 advantages would refult from this fcheme, if ge- 
 nerally adopted throughout the kingdom ; and 
 therefore it cannot be too ftrongly recommended 
 to die consideration of the higher claffes of foci- 
 ety. It mult be allowed, that it would be the 
 means of augmenting the quantity, and thereby 
 reducing the price of pork, poultry, and frui". 
 Belides, by increaiing the lize of a poor maa's 
 garden, you add greatly to his comfort and en- 
 joyment ; and as, in fome parifhes, at a diftance 
 from populous towns, there is, ufually, wafte and 
 D 3 unproductive
 
 C 54 ) 
 
 unproductive land contiguous to the cottages of 
 the peafants, let a fmall portion of this land be al- 
 lotted to the indufrrious labourer, and he will 
 devote his evenings to its cultivation. As an en- 
 couragement to induftry, and a reward for their 
 fervices to the Hate, thofe who have brought up 
 the moft numerous families of children, without 
 parochial aid, might have as much of the wafte 
 land appropriated to them as, when cultivated, 
 would enable them to keep a cow. 
 
 The proprietors of land have it much in their 
 power to alleviate the condition of poor farmers 
 and day-labourers ; and, by directing andaffifting 
 their induftry, to render themfelves and their 
 dependents happy and ufeful to each other. 
 
 To a feeling mind, it is diftreffing to fee the 
 sniferable cottages of many of the agricultural 
 poor, and to think of the rents they pay for them. 
 Now, if what is here fuggefted, were carried into 
 general practice, it would be attended with the 
 moft beneficial effects : their houfes would be 
 more commodious ; their mode of living would 
 be more improved ; their constitutions would be 
 invigorated ; their manners would be rendered 
 more gentle and humane ; and fentiments of mu- 
 tual good-will would be excited among the dif- 
 ferent ranks of fociety. To which we may add, 
 that, with theie domeftic comforts and improve- 
 meats, the poor would not be fo apt to debafe 
 
 their
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 their moral faculties by vicious habits, but would 
 acquire a higher fenfe of character, and would be 
 gradually brought to a more fober and orderly 
 way of life. This leads me to obferve that, 
 
 V. The great number of public-houfes proves 
 moft pernicious to the health, the ceconomy, and 
 the morals of the poor, and may be reckoned one 
 of the chief fources of their mifery. Nor need 
 this be wondered at, when we coniider, that the 
 moft nefarious practices are either planned or 
 perpetrated in them. To thefe houfes you may 
 trace almoft every vice which becomes a difgrace 
 and nuifance to fociety. For the poor, who are not 
 burdened with very large families, only 'require 
 fobriety and common induftry to live comfortably ; 
 but, whenthefe virtues are wanting, and they once 
 acquire the ruinous habit of frequenting public 
 houfes, which are often fchools of idlenels and 
 vice, they meet with profligate companions, who, 
 by degiees, extinguifh every virtuous and honeft 
 principle, and render them at laft totally de- 
 praved. 
 
 In a populous city, the baneful effects of public 
 houfes, though they be of the moft ferious nature, 
 are not always fo vilible to a common obferver, as 
 in a country village. But it is impoffible to cle- 
 fcribe, or even to imagine, how the morals of the 
 lower claffes of fociety are corrupted, how induf- 
 
 D 4 try
 
 ( 56 ) 
 
 try is checked, how agriculture and manufactures 
 are retarded, and how many virtuous wives and 
 innocent children are neglected and abandoned, 
 in confequence pf the enticements, which are 
 every-where held forth to labourers, to fpend 
 their earnings, and drink intoxicating liquors at 
 the ale-houfe. 
 
 An obvious and important method of giving an 
 effectual check to this alarming evil would be, 
 to diminifh the number of public-houfes, and to 
 fee that they be well regulaied, and kept by men, 
 pf decent manners, as well as of fome property 
 -and refponfibility. For this purpofe, rnagiftrates 
 fhould refufe to iicenfe houfes where they are 
 not abfolutely wanted, and where good order and 
 regularity are not enforced : they ihould alfo limit 
 the number in each diftrict. From fuch regula- 
 tions as thefe, thus carried into execution, the 
 temptations to impiety and licentioufnefs would 
 be reduced, and the moft falutary effects, on the 
 induftry and fobriety of the poor, would refult. 
 
 > 
 
 VI. In enumerating the various caufes of mife- 
 ry among the inferior clafles of the community, 
 it is with deep concern I muft mention their mo- 
 ral depravity, and their extreme Jbackwardnefs to 
 receive inflruction ; confequently, their general 
 Ignorance, and, what is frequently the refult of 
 it, unconquerable difpofitions to a life of idlenefr 
 
 and
 
 ( 57 ) 
 
 and diffipation. Many of them are fo debafed in 
 their minds, fo profligate in their manners, and 
 fo dirTolute in their purfuits, that immediate means 
 lliould be taken to reprefs their alarming depra- 
 vity, and to adopt fuch means as may correct 
 the morals, and improve the intellects of the peo- 
 ple *. It is, therefore, earneftly recommended 
 to the public, to eftablilh. Parochial Schools for 
 educating the children of the poor, and for train- 
 ing them up with particular attention to the du- 
 ties of morality and religion. 
 
 Where Sunday- fchools are properly eftablifhed, 
 and conftantly infpected, they will be extremely 
 ufeful, in refcuing many from ignorance and vice, 
 and in diffusing, more widely, the genuine prin- 
 ciples of the Gofpel. But this is a partial advan- 
 tage : in many parifhes there are no fuch inftitu- 
 tions, and the poor are often unable to pay for the 
 education of their children. Some more general 
 plan is therefore wanted, by which all the moft 
 indigent, the moft illiterate, and the moft wretch 
 ed claffes of fociety, may be taught to read, and 
 be inftructed inthe doctrines and duties of Chrifti- 
 anity. This, befides other unfpeakable advanta- 
 
 * Examples, however, of immoral conduct are not con- 
 fined to the lower claffes of the people ; they pervade all ranks. 
 The poor naturally adopt the feotiments, and imitate the man- 
 ners of the rich ; and in nothing more than in profligacy and 
 
 impiety.
 
 ges, would prepare them for thofe public infrac- 
 tions from the pulpit which, for want of fuch 
 previous culture, cannot be fo well underftood, 
 or fo deeply imprelTed on the mind. An infti- 
 tution of this fort, by which the riling genera- 
 tion might be taught reading, writing, and arith- 
 metic, is a national object of the greateft magni- 
 tude. With the affiftance of Sunday-fchooh, it 
 would prevent many wrong habits in early life ; 
 and it would gradually and effectually remove 
 that extreme ignorance which difgraces the 
 lower orders of the community, and, no doubt, 
 adds much to their immorality. Of fuch impor- 
 tance is the eftablilhment of Parochial Schools, 
 that, I am perfuaded, the children in the inferior 
 ranks cannot, by any other plan, be fo effectu- 
 ally arid fo extenlively trained up to the bufi- 
 nefs and duties of human life. 
 
 Without entering into the particular manner 
 of accomplishing this defign *, it may be ob- 
 ierved, that perfons, properly qualified, ihould 
 be appointed with adequate falaries, which might 
 be paid by a parifh rate ; and their chief object 
 fhauld be, to teach children to read and write, 
 to give them practical inftructions, and to di- 
 
 * See Dr. Chapman's excellent treasife on Education, 5th 
 edit, to which are fubjoined fome ufefu! obfervations on the 
 inilru&ion neccilary for the lo'.ver ranks of the people; on 
 the appointment of parochial f'chool-mafiers ; and on the en- 
 couragement they ought to receive. 
 
 rect
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 rect and fuperintend their conduct. There is no 
 reafon to be alarmed at the expence, as much 
 larger fums are annually raifed for lefs beneficial 
 pupofes. In Scotland and Switzerland, which 
 are poorer countries than this, Parochial Schools 
 are eftabliihed, and have been followed with the 
 moft general good effects. Part of the expences 
 jfhould be defrayed by the parifh ; and part of 
 them by the parents. The terms for teaching to 
 read, and for explaining the Church-Careen if m, 
 fliould be fo moderate, that even a common la- 
 bourer may afford the expence, of giving his 
 children thefe moft effential branches of edu- 
 cation. 
 
 All young people require fome recreation for 
 the benefit of their health. This recreation 
 fhould have in view the occupations for which 
 they are probably defigned. It is worthy, there- 
 fore, of remark, that the iitmoft attention fhould 
 be paid to early induftry. To this end, during 
 the intervals of public inftruction, their time 
 fhould not be entirely wafted in unprofitable di- 
 verfion. In the country, they might, according 
 to their age and ability, be gradually inured to 
 the bufinefs of agriculture ; and in towns, to the 
 cafieft operations of manufactures. 
 
 By thus training the children of the poor to 
 early habits of induftry, piety, and morality, a 
 perfect fyftem of education would be produced ; 
 and they would, thereby, be qualified for the 
 
 arduous
 
 ( 6 ) 
 
 arduous duties of focial and a&ive life. By 
 eftablifhing proper falaries for parochial teachers, 
 and by infuling into the young mind thole vir- 
 tuous and Chriftian principles which the inftitu- 
 tion of Sunday-fchools has a tendency to promote, 
 we fhall have no longer occalion to complain of 
 the idlenefs, the difhonefty, and the turbulence 
 of the poor. With thefe means of inftruction, and 
 of reformation, applied to the mafs of the people, 
 they would, by degrees, be formed to ufeful 
 labour, to a Chriftian temper, and to die prac- 
 tice of thofe momentous duties which we owe 
 to God anil man. 
 
 Thu* a moft important change would foon bo 
 effected in their manners, and in their morals. 
 Thus, a fenfe of religion, and all the good effects 
 ef it, would infenfibly arife, and be gradually 
 increafed among the poor. They would begin 
 to raife their drooping fpirits, and to acquire 
 more animating views of Providence, of religious 
 and moral obligation, and of the great end for 
 which they were fent into the world. Ignorance, 
 immorality, and fuperfHtion, would give way to 
 knowledge, virtue, and truth ; and mankind 
 would be convinced, that religion does not con- 
 lift merely in external forms and ceremonies, 
 but in felf- government, in benignity, in " wor- 
 fhipping God in fpirit and in truth" and in dif- 
 
 chargim'
 
 charging with fidelity the duties of their refpcc- 
 tive ftations. 
 
 With regard to the inftrudlion of the female 
 fex, I mall only remark, that, in every civilized 
 country, even the loweft clafTes fhould not only- 
 he taught to fpin, to knit, and to few, but alfo 
 to read the Bible, and to underltand the important 
 truths of Chriftianity. The utmoft pains fhould 
 be taken, to fhew them that virtue and vice are 
 efTentially different ; to infpire them, in early life, 
 with the love of the one, and to guard them 
 againfl the feduclions of the other; to warn them 
 of the dangers of bad habits, and of bad com- 
 pany ; to point out to them the happinefs which 
 naturally attends innocence, modefty, and good 
 conduct, and the mifery which inevitably follows, 
 impropriety of behaviour, profligacy of manners, 
 and lofs of reputation. Young women, on their 
 entrance into life, cannot be too much guarded 
 againft feduction ; nor can their minds be too 
 ftrongly fortified, by religious principles, againft 
 thofe enfnaring temptations, to which, at that 
 early period, they are peculiarly expofed ; for, 
 unlefs virtuous and religious habits are then 
 formed, they are feldom acquired afterwards ; 
 and it is obvious, that a train of the moft grie- 
 vous and complicated evils muft enfufN when onos 
 a woman lofes her virtue and chaftity, land de- 
 bafes her character by diffolute manners, and 
 
 a cri-
 
 C 61 ) 
 
 a criminal life. Hence, as the crime of feductlon 
 produces the moft ferious mifchief in fociety, it 
 deferves a very fevere punifhment. 
 
 My fubject has only led me to offer fome hints 
 concerning the nature and degree of inftruction 
 neceflary for thole who are probably deftined by 
 Providence to fill the loweft ranks of life, and 
 muft labour for their daily fubfiftence. But, as 
 it refers to an object of great and general impor- 
 tance, I muft be permitted to obferve further, 
 that, in the prevailing fyftem of modern educa- 
 tion, there is an effential defect : the attention of 
 the teacher is not fufficiently directed to the cul- 
 ture and improvement of the mind ; the morals 
 of the children are often neglected ; and the 
 primary objects of education, the inculcating 
 of virtuous and religious principles, and the en- 
 forcing of them by proper difcipline, generally 
 occupy little attention, both in public and in 
 private fchools. But, high as our efteem fhould 
 be for claffical, fcientific, and philofophical pur- 
 fuits, and for thofe ornamental acquirements 
 which contribute to the innocent amufement of 
 domeftic life ; yet the chief folicitude of every 
 parent, who believes in a future ftate, fhould be, 
 to preferve the .innocence, to cultivate the un- 
 derftanding, and to govern the paflions, of his 
 children. And, indeed, we may look in vain 
 fqr a reformation of manners in iociety, while re- 
 3 ligious
 
 ligious impreffipns, and moral habits, in educa- 
 ting our youth of both fexes, are fo much ne- 
 glected. 
 
 I have dwelt thus long on this fubject, from a 
 conviction, that the right education of youth 
 would be productive of the moil beneficial con- 
 fequences, that it would be the moft effectual 
 means of promoting the belt and moil important 
 interefts of mankind ; and that the poorer clafTes 
 of fociety are entitled to the attention and affift- 
 ance of the more opulent. 
 
 VII. Another caufe of diftrefs among the 
 poor, and the laft I fhall mention, is their ge- 
 neral improvidence in the days of youth, and in 
 the earlier part of life. To counteract this want 
 of oeconomy, and of prudence, which leads many 
 of them to make little or no provision for the va- 
 rious accidents and calamities to which human 
 nature is continually expoied, and to infpire the 
 lower orders with manly fentiments, no method 
 appears fo well calculated as the general difFufion 
 of Friendly Societies. To thefe beneficial inftitu- 
 lions, then, I fhall now call the reader's ferious 
 attention, and fhall evince, that, if properly en- 
 couraged, and duly regulated, very folid bene- 
 fits, indeed, might be derived from their ex- 
 tenfion. 
 
 There
 
 ( 64 ) 
 
 There is fomething in the very name peculiarly 
 congenial to the benevolent and focial nature of 
 man, exciting his compafiion for his fellow-crea- 
 tures in the hour of ficknefs and diftrefs, and lead- 
 ing him to fympathize with them under all their 
 afflictions. Some plans, which have been de- 
 vifed for the maintenance of the poor, have a 
 tendency to deprefs energy, and to promote idle- 
 nefs, and inattention to futurity ; but it is to the 
 credit of thefe Friendly Societies, that they have 
 induftry, foreiight, and philanthropy, for their 
 balls. 
 
 A poor man, by paying three-pence, or four- 
 pence per week, while he is young and in 
 health, is entitled to relief in the time of fick- 
 nefs, and under the infirmities of old age, and 
 fecures a decent provision, which renders him in- 
 dependent. By this means, he is exempt from thofe 
 anxious and defponding moments, which reflec- 
 tions on the uncertainty of health, and the dread 
 of accidents and want, might otherwife ocean" on. 
 The payments are fo trifling, that he does not 
 feel himfelf deprived by them of any domeflic 
 comfort ; and they prove to be the happy means 
 of making him more induftrious, more prudent, 
 and more virtuous, Let us here appeal to a few 
 facts, which are of a very interesting nature, and 
 well merit an ample difcuffion. 
 
 There are two Friendly Societies at Sunbury, 
 
 conlifting of about 120 members. They are 
 
 5 both
 
 ( 65 ) 
 
 both in a ftourifhing condition, and have fome 
 property in the funds ; a circumftance which 
 tends to attach them to the eftablifhed government. 
 One of them was inftituted in December 1773, 
 and has now (October 1797) in the 4 per cent. 
 Confols. .666 us. $d. ; and the other, inftituted 
 in 1787, has, in the 3 -per cent. Confoh,..2j$ t 
 It is unneceffary for me to mention all the rules 
 that are eftablifhed by thefe Friendly Societies ; 
 but, for the information of thofe who are unac- 
 quainted with the nature and delign of fuch ufe- 
 ful inftitutions, I will here irate fome of the moft 
 important. 
 
 The rules of the focieties are nearly the fame. 
 In the oldeft club, no one is admitted a member 
 who is not in good health, and (formerly) between 
 1 8 and 40 years of age : now it is limited from 
 1 8 to 30 years. The terms of admiffion were 
 originally 2s. 6d. but are lince raifed to IQJ. 6d. 
 Every member, who is not incapacitated by ill- 
 nefs or old age, pays one fhilling and threepence 
 per month ; the threepence for beer, and the 
 fhilling for the relief of thofe who fhall be lick, 
 lame, or blind. But he can derive no benefit 
 from the fund till he hath fubfcribed to it two 
 years ; after which, during illnefs and inability 
 to work, he receives feven fhillings per week. 
 On the death of a free member, feven pounds are 
 allowed to defray the expences of his funeral, and 
 for the benefit of his widow, or neareft relation : 
 
 E en
 
 ( 66 ) 
 
 on thefe occafions, each member pays a fhilling 
 for the farther fupport of the fociety. And, on 
 the death of a free member's wife, two pounds 
 are allowed towards the funeral expences. 
 
 To guard againft frauds and idlenefs, it is 
 found neceffary, that the weekly allowance to 
 lick members Ihould be rather lefs than their 
 ufual earnings. Time, and the public attention, 
 it may be hoped, will correct many errors, and 
 lead to much improvement, m the regulation of 
 Friendly Societies. It is to be regretted, that the 
 public have hitherto obtained fo little informa- 
 tion on this mtereiting fubject. By comparing 
 various particulars, which old eftablilhed clubs 
 could furnifh, it might be calculated, with 
 greater precifion, whether the allowance be in 
 proportion to the contributions, or where any 
 defect has originated. Neither of the focieties 
 at Sunbury has been inftituted fo long, as to en- 
 able me to give all the information which could 
 be wifhed ; I flatter myfelf, however, that the 
 following ftatement, from the oldeft club, will 
 not be unacceptable to the reader, as it will help 
 to eftablifh. fome ufeful documents, and may en- 
 courage the gentry, tradefmen, and farmers, in 
 other parishes, to become honorary members of 
 fuch valuable inftitutions. It is, in fact, their 
 wifeft policy, and that for more cogent reafons 
 than need be mentioned.
 
 An Abftrati of ths Subfcriptions^ and 
 
 in the Friendly Society held at the Wbife-Horfe, 
 Sunbury, from December 1773 to Oftobtr 1797. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 Deaths of 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 'ears. 
 
 of 
 
 iiem- 
 
 mcm- 
 
 iTiem- 
 
 Subfcriptions, 
 fines, intereft, 
 
 Snhfcriptions 
 of honorary 
 
 Payments to 
 flck ; and rit 
 
 Savings. 
 
 State of the 
 tuiiu* 
 
 
 hcrs. 
 
 bers. 
 
 bers 
 
 &c. 
 
 members. 
 
 funerals, &c. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wives. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . d. 
 
 . *. d. 
 
 . *. d. 
 
 . ,. d. 
 
 . *. rf. 
 
 1774 
 
 4 s 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 28 15 8 
 
 _ _ _ 
 
 *5 8 3 9i 
 
 20 II IO^ 
 
 20 ii ioj 
 
 1775 
 
 51 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 4* 9 3 
 
 - _ _ 
 
 18 15 4 
 
 34 3 ii 
 
 54 *$ 9i 
 
 1776 
 
 59 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 39 3 i 
 
 _ _ _ 
 
 619 
 
 33 i 4 
 
 87 17 ii 
 
 1777 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 38 12 i* 
 
 _ 
 
 21 2 8 
 
 17 9 55 
 
 105 6 7 
 
 1778 
 
 60 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 40 12 6 
 
 i i 6 
 
 15 16 6 
 
 *5 '7 o 
 
 131 3 7 
 
 1779 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 46 4 9 
 
 330 
 
 Ii 10 II 
 
 36 16 10 
 
 168 o 5 
 
 1780 
 
 6t 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 41 4 9 
 
 110 
 
 20 3 9 
 
 S2 2 
 
 190 2 5 
 
 1781 
 
 61 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 46 7 6 
 
 fio 10 o 
 
 30 7 10 
 
 26 10 i 
 
 216 12 6 
 
 17 82 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 48 o ir-J 
 
 33 
 
 21 8 I 
 
 29 15 10^ 
 
 246 8 4^ 
 
 1783 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 48 4 7 ~ 
 
 220 
 
 25 13 4 
 
 H J 3 3 
 
 271 i 7! 
 
 1784 
 
 61 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 61 50 
 
 330 
 
 2 3 5 * 
 
 41 2 4 
 
 3'* 3 f-2 
 
 1785 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 i 
 
 63 8 7 
 
 220 
 
 65 2 8 
 
 o 7 i 1 
 
 312 it ici 
 
 1786 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 53 5 
 
 220 
 
 24 16 3 
 
 ?o 10 9 
 
 ,^, o -i 
 
 343 - / .: 
 
 1787 
 
 61 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6112 6 
 
 2 2 O 
 
 38 10 5 
 
 z 5 4 i 
 
 368 6 .85 
 
 1788 
 
 6l 
 
 2 
 
 Z 
 
 63 7 7l 
 
 330 
 
 44 ii li 
 
 ii 19 c-J 
 
 390 5 9 
 
 1789 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 5 6 5 5 
 
 33 
 
 28 ii 9 
 
 ^o 1 5 S 
 
 4-i 2 5 
 
 1790 
 
 61 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 58 19 10 
 
 -33 
 
 27 12 9 
 
 34 i J 
 
 455 T2 6 
 
 1791 
 
 61 
 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 5* 5 9 
 
 55 
 
 5 2 4 5 
 
 564 
 
 460 18 10 
 
 1791 
 
 61 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 60 it 5 
 
 440 
 
 62 4 lo 
 
 2 10 7 
 
 4 6 J 9 5 
 
 1793 
 
 60 
 
 - 
 
 I 
 
 59 14 ii 
 
 440 
 
 6z 9 o 
 
 1911 
 
 464- 19 4 
 
 1794 
 
 59 
 
 - 
 
 I 
 
 69 16 5 
 
 440 
 
 3 S 4 3 
 
 35 15 9 
 
 COO 15 T 
 
 1795 
 
 58 
 
 I 
 
 - 
 
 59 ii 3 
 
 3 13 6 
 
 35 19 6 ! 
 
 i? S 2 ' 
 
 52!? o 3 
 
 1796 
 
 57 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 60 17 3 
 
 770 
 
 43 8 "i 
 
 H 15 si 
 
 552 15 9 
 
 1797 
 
 57 
 
 - 
 
 3 
 
 40 ii lo 
 
 880 
 
 26 10 6 
 
 14 i 4^ 
 
 J566 17 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 77 3 6 
 
 
 
 
 * No allowance to fick members the firft ami fecond year ; thefe 
 fums were for articles, books, box, clerk, <cc. 
 
 f- Lord Hawke left a legacy of five guineas. . 
 
 \ This has pucciiafisU, at different times, .646, tis. c</. ftock in the 
 four ftr Cents, 
 
 From
 
 From this ftatement it appears, that our fub- 
 fcriptions, as honorary members, have amounted 
 *j-77 3 s ' 6d. 9 and, though the funds of the fo- 
 ciety are not yet ftationary, that the expences of 
 fupporting lick members have, of late, increafed 
 much more rapidly than at firft. The reafon is 
 obvious : fome of the members are beginning to 
 decline into the vale of life, and confequently re- 
 quire more frequent relief than they did when they 
 were in the vigour of manhood. It is, therefore, 
 probable, that, twenty or thirty years hence, the 
 fund will be lower than at prefent ; though, there 
 is reafon to hope that, with prudent management, 
 it is founded on principles which will fecure its 
 permanence and fuccefs *. 
 
 To Ihew the utility of Friendly Societies in re- 
 ducing the poor's rates, it will be only nectffary 
 to obferve, that, by taking an average of the fix 
 years, previous to their inftitution at Sunbury in 
 1773, when provifions were much cheaper than 
 at prefent, the poor-rates were zs. qd. in the 
 pound ; fometimes they were as high as 31. 6d. 
 But, as the focieties began to flourifh, a gradual 
 reduction has taken place ; and, by their com- 
 
 * As the other fociety has only been inftituted a few years, 
 it feems unneceffary to give an abftraft of the ftate of its 
 funds; it confifts almoft entirely of young members, and 
 meets with fimilar encouragement from honorary fubfcribers. 
 
 bined
 
 t- 69 > 
 
 bhied effects, the poor-rates have been as low as 
 is. 6d. ; and, during the iix years previous to 
 1796, never higher than is. yd. Now, many 
 of the members are fo indigent, that, if they 
 happen to be ill for a fhort time, and are thereby 
 rendered incapable of following their bulinefs, 
 they muft inevitably apply for parochial relief, 
 had they not recourfe to a fund, which their own 
 induftry, their oeconomy, and their honeft pride, 
 have contributed to raife. 
 
 That Friendly Societies, then, tend conliderably 
 to the relief and fupport of the poor is obvious ; 
 and their eftablifhment is no lefs ufeful to the 
 public than beneficial to the members who com- 
 pofe them. When the morals of the lower ranks 
 of fociety are more reformed, and their children 
 are better inftructed, a greater degree of induftry 
 and temperance will arife among them, and they 
 will feel more ienfibly the degradation of trufting 
 to the fupport of parim-relief. It feems that thefe 
 institutions have already had fomething of this 
 effect at Sunbury, and may partly account for 
 the rates being fo moderate. 
 
 In favour of poor-rates and work-houfes it may 
 be alledged, that they are ufeful, as they have 
 afforded relief and an afylum to orphans, to the 
 aged, to the helplefs, and to the di fabled, to 
 thofe who, otherwiie, might poliibly have pe- 
 rifhed through want, or might have been reduced 
 E 3 to
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 to the utmoft diftrefs : that they oblige the rich, 
 the inconiiderate, and the avaricious, as well as the 
 liberal and the humane, to contribute according 
 to their abilities, or to the rent of the houfes and 
 grounds they occupy ; and ? though abufed, as 
 moft institutions are, in proportion to their good- 
 nefs, that they create one moft important and 
 effential difrindHon between the comforts and 
 fecurity of the lower orders here, ancl in every 
 other country under Heaven. 
 
 But, on the other hand, it ought to be ad- 
 mitted, that, in a political view, they are ex- 
 tremely detrimental : they fall very heavy on the 
 middling, and moft productive, clafles of fo- 
 ciety ; they debafe the minds of the loweft, and 
 relax the exertions of honeft induftry, rendering 
 men lefs provident, and lefs attached to the in- 
 tereft and welfare of their families. As the fo- 
 ciety of workhoufes is compofed of the worfr. 
 characters and tempers, it is not to be wondered 
 at, that it fhould frequently be difturbed by 
 quarrels and contentions. To a peaceable and 
 virtuous mind they always prove uncomfortable 
 fituations. 
 
 Let it be next confidered, that the children 
 brought up in them are feldom fo healthy, or 
 become fuch good fervants, as the children of 
 cottagers. They have given rife to the Law of 
 Settlements, vyhich is as impolitic as it is oppref-
 
 ( 7' ) 
 
 five, and has proved a conftant fource of litiga- 
 tion between parifhes, as well as a great difcou- 
 ragement to induftry. In this rcfpect, they are 
 found to be prejudicial to the comfort of the poor, 
 and to the interefts of fociety. And, after all, it 
 may even be doubted whether they lefien the 
 number of perfons claiming relief. 
 
 Objections, alfo, of a moral nature, may be 
 juftly urged againft them, as they tend to diminish 
 private charity, and to make men inattentive to 
 the afflictions of others. Befides, workhoufes 
 are generally prejudicial to the health, the com- 
 fort, and the morals of the poor* They often 
 weaken the principles of natural affection ; they 
 lead the lower ranks to ufe little or no exertions 
 to preferve their poor relations from what ought 
 to be confidered as a reproach ; and they are fo 
 little attended to, that they too frequently become 
 fcenes of idlenefs, and even of vice. They are 
 fupported at an enormous expence, and pro- 
 duce mifery and difcontent. 
 
 Though the fums collected at celebrating the 
 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper are generally in- 
 conliderable, yet, when they are diftributed in a 
 judicious manner, by the refadent minifter, among 
 the aged and impotent poor, during ficknefs, and 
 as their neceffities may require, perhaps greater 
 benefits are derived from thefe fmall contribu- 
 tions^ and more important and timely relief is 
 
 E 4 ad-
 
 adminiftered, than even by the immenfe fums 
 annually expended for the fupport of the parifh 
 workhoufe. 
 
 To mention but one remark more Were all 
 Chriftians actuated by the benevolent principles 
 of their religion, and did all regularly attend the 
 public worfhip of God, the mode of providing 
 for the poor, recommended by St. Paul*, and 
 ftill pradlifed in Holland, and in Scotland, with 
 the happier! effects, by making weekly collec- 
 tions in the churches, and by private donations, 
 is preferable to any other that could be de- 
 vifed. But, unfortunately, many of the rich 
 and the great, feldom or never frequent any 
 place of religious worfhip : and many of them 
 are immerfed in fafhionable diffipation, and re- 
 lide at a diftance from their eftates -f. 
 
 But, 
 
 * i Corin. xvi. i, 2. 
 
 J- This difadvantage, under which rural induftry labours, 
 might be remedied, by an application from the minifter and 
 church-wardens in England, as is ufual from the minifter 
 and elders in Scotland, to the proprietors of houfes and lands 
 in the pariih, requeftir.g an occafional donation, fuited to the 
 necefllties >f the poor. This would be attended with no ex- 
 pence, and, being confidered as a voluntary at5t, would be 
 chearfully complied with, in preference to a poor-tax, im- 
 pofed by law, and levied at confiderable trouble and ex- 
 pence. On fuch applications, the proprietors of efhr.es, &c. 
 3
 
 ( 73 ) 
 
 But, without entering farther into difquifi- 
 tions, to which thefe remarks might lead, I fhall 
 only obferve, that the poor mufl become fober, 
 orderly, and virtuous, and mufl ultimately de- 
 pend on their own exertions and good manage- 
 ment, before any confidcrable improvement can 
 be made in their condition. While a man is 
 able, by his diligence and ceconomy, to earn a 
 comfortable maintenance for himfelf and family, 
 he fhould not degrade himfelf, by indolence or 
 vice, to the ftate of a mendicant, and live on the 
 induftry of others. But, when he has been fru- 
 gal and diligent from his early youth, when once 
 difeafe, infirmities, or age, have rendered him 
 incapable of labour, then, and not till then, 
 ought he to expect fupport. On thefe prin- 
 ciples, which cannot be controverted, Friendly 
 Societies deferve particular encouragement, as 
 they call forth the beft exertions of every in- 
 dividual, and are the chief means of preventing 
 poverty. 
 
 Both thefe focieties, as hath been already obfer- 
 ved, are compofed of mechanics, poor tradefmen, 
 
 might meet and tax themfelves, in proportion to their valued 
 rents, as is done in many parifiies of Scotland; one half of 
 the afleflment to be paid by the proprietors, and the other 
 
 half by the tenants. 
 
 and
 
 ( 74 ) 
 
 and labourers in hufbandry. Now, let it be here 
 remembered, as a fact of peculiar importance to 
 the public, and as fubftantiating a moft valuable 
 political truth, that although many of the mem- 
 bers are burdened with numerous families, 
 though they relide in one of the moft expenfive 
 villages in the kingdom, and have no higher wa- 
 ges than others to fupport themfelves, though, 
 like other focieties, they be compofed of a mix- 
 ture of good and bad members, though they be 
 liable to, and meet with, the fame calamities and 
 accidents which befal others, and, under God, 
 have only their own induftry and forefight to de- 
 pend upon ; yet, with all thefe difficulties to en- 
 counter, and while the expences of providing for 
 the poor have been almoft doubled during thelaft 
 twenty years, partly owing to the profligacy and 
 impoli tions of the poor, and partly to the inatten- 
 tion and mifmanagement of overfeers ; notwith- 
 ftanding thefe difadvantages, all the members of 
 thefe focieties have fupported themfelves and fa- 
 milies, and (except in one inftance of uncommon 
 diftrefs *), have never received, lince their infti- 
 tution, the leail affiftance from the parifh of Sun- 
 bury, 
 
 * The poor family here alluded to had an allowance of 
 threfc Shillings a week for a few weeks \
 
 ( 75 ) 
 
 The inference then, from all this, is as clear as 
 it is important. By Friendly Societies, and by their 
 beneficial operation, the neceffity of poor's rates 
 might, in time, be in a great meafure, fuper- 
 feded. The idle, the improvident, and the vicious, 
 have been too apt to depend on the parochial fund ; 
 but it has proved a dangerous refource ; always 
 involving the thoughtlefs object that relies on it 
 in the deepefc depravity and wreichednefs. Ex- 
 perience has clearly evinced, that poor's rates 
 have not anfwered the benevolent purpofes for 
 which they were designed ; and I am convinced, 
 were they at firil limited in every parifh, then 
 gradually diminished, and at laft entirely abo- 
 limed, the lower orders of men would live much 
 more comfortably, and much more virtuoufly, than 
 they do at prefent. 
 
 At the fame time, it is farther obferved, that, 
 where workhoufes have been long eftablimed, 
 they ought not to be given up at once, for fear of 
 producing great diforder, and many inconvenien- 
 ces. All that can be expected is, that their abu- 
 fes may be removed in fuch a gradual manner, as 
 to create no difturbances ; and that overfeers be 
 partly guided, for fome time atleaft; by the cuf- 
 tom of the parifh, till a better method of provi- 
 ding for the poor be adopted, till charity be 
 brought back to its proper channel, voluntary 
 contributions. 
 
 With
 
 ( 76 ) 
 
 refpect to the mode of providing for the 
 poor, it has already been affirmed, that, inftead 
 of workhoufes, they might be fupportcd much 
 more comfortably, and at a much cheaper rate, 
 at their own homes, by weekly or monthly allow- 
 ances. But, in fettling this allowance, a conii- 
 derable dirVmction fhould be made, according 
 to the character and circumftances of thofe who 
 apply for parochial aid. In the fluctuating ftate 
 cf commerce and manufactures, fomewill require 
 occafional relief; and, when they are difabled 
 from working by ficknefs or accident, a provi- 
 ifion fhould be made for them until they are re- 
 ftored to health. But it will be generally found, 
 thatrnoft of the poor are able to earn fomething 
 for their fupport ; fo that a very fmall mm, ad- 
 ded to their own induftry and fobriety, would be 
 ^iffi-cient to fupply the deficiency of their labour. 
 Thofe who have been notorioufly flothful and 
 profligate might wear a badge, and receive an 
 allowance, merely fuffieient to fupport them with 
 the rncaneft provifions ; while the aged and dif- 
 abled, who are of good characters, and have been 
 jn better circumftances, fhould have a more com- 
 fortable fubfiftence. And the utmoft attention 
 muft be paid by the overfeers of the poor, that 
 the allowance to any on the penfion-lift be dimi- 
 nifhed, or entirely withdrawn, as foon as a change 
 of circumilances will admit. 
 
 To
 
 ( 77 ) 
 
 To promote order, and to reprefs idlen-efs 
 vice, all vagrants and refractory perfons fhould 
 be fent to the houfe of correction, and confined, 
 for a longer or fhorter time, according to the na- 
 ture and frequency of their offences. With proper 
 attention, thefe houfes might be ufeful for reform- 
 ing, as well as for punifhing, the idle and aban- 
 doned. Though humanity inclines us to pity the 
 diftrefs, and to relieve the wants, of our fellow- 
 creatures, yet the general interefts of fociety feem 
 to require, that none, who are fupported by pub- 
 lic charity, fhould enjoy the fame comforts of life 
 as the induftrious labourer, or fhould receive fucli 
 an ample allowance as to give encouragement to 
 idlenefs. 
 
 As overfeers are appointed for one year only, 
 they have hardly acquired a fufficient knowledge 
 of the characters and ftate of the poor, when 
 others, equally ignorant, fucceed them. To re- 
 medy this, they might be allowed to remain in 
 office for a longer term, but fhould be refponfible 
 for their management during their continuance 
 in it. Or, rather, might not a committee be ap- 
 pointed by every parifh to meet at leaft once a 
 month, and to fuperintend and tranfadt all buli- 
 nefs relative to the poor ? Thofe who are con- 
 cerned in the management of the poor's funds, 
 fhould be men of known integrity, vigilance, im- 
 partiality, and humanity. It fhould be their du- 
 ty
 
 ty to enquire into the lituation and characters, 
 and even tovifit the houfes of thofe, who eithe r 
 receive, or are likely to folicit, public charity. 
 By this means, a proper difcrimination might be 
 made between the idle and worthlefs, and thofe 
 who are induftrious and deierving objects of com- 
 paffion. They could thereby judge what relief they 
 may require, and how it may be beftowed with 
 the greateft advantage. And, once every month, 
 a minute enquiry ihould be made of the age, the 
 infirmities, the number of children, the condi- 
 tion, and the earnings, of all the poor on the pen- 
 lion-lift, before the allowance for the enfuing 
 month be fettled. 
 
 This would diminifh the number of the poor, 
 and the expence of fupporting them. While the 
 impofitions of the clamorous and difTolute would 
 thus be checked, the fober and induftrious poor 
 would be properly provided for. By making this 
 distinction, we fhould feel the ftrongeft inclina- 
 tion to give relief to the infirm, the difeafed, and 
 the helplefs. Such perfons have a right to our 
 chanty, either public or private. We are 
 prompted by the dictates of our nature, and are 
 enjoined by the precepts of our religion, to acts 
 of beneficence. But, by a poor's rate, what was 
 an amiable virtue is converted into a burdenfome 
 tax. 
 
 In other countries, np legal afTeffinent is efta- 
 5 bliflicd
 
 ( 79 ) 
 
 blifhed for the relief of the poor ; the poor de- 
 pend on the companion of their fellow -creatures 
 for their fupport. In this country then, fo emi- 
 nently diftinguifhed for the number and variety 
 of its charitable inftitutions, and while benevo- 
 lence and humanity are, and we truft will continue 
 to be, the character iftic of the Britiih nation, it 
 cannot be fuppofed, that the induftrious, but 
 unfortunate poor, meeting with any uncommon 
 prevTure of difficulties, would ever be forgotten 
 or unpitied. On the contrary, private individu- 
 als would take the utmoft pains to find out,, and 
 relieve, every deferving object of commiferation ; 
 their beneficence would be difpenfed with pru- 
 dence ; and a fpirit of real philanthropy, and of 
 virtuous induftry, would every where revive. 
 The rich would then beftow their charity with 
 pleafure, and the poor would receive it with gra- 
 titude. 
 
 That the poor may derive the greateft benefit 
 from the liberality of the rich, it is to be obferved, 
 that fome judgment muft be uied as to the time 
 and mode of difpenling charity ; and proper en- 
 quiry fhould be made for felecting the moft wor- 
 thy and neceffitous objects. If a man's ftation, 
 his avocations, of his health, preclude him from 
 having a general knowledge of the ilate of the la- 
 bouring poor in his neighbourhood, let him con- 
 fult thofe who are well acquainted with their cha- 
 racters
 
 ra&ers and condition ; and let him pay particular 
 attention to their diftrefs in winter, in ficknefs, 
 want of employment, and old age. 
 
 This remark is the more necelTkry to be made, 
 as charity, indifcriminately beftowed, encourages 
 idlenefs and diffipation, which are principal caufes 
 of the increasing number of the poor. The poor- 
 laws hold out a certain provifion for their fupport, 
 without making hardly any diftin&ion between 
 thofe who have rendered themfelves poor by in- 
 dolence or vice, and thofe who are reduced to a 
 irate of indigence by unavoidable misfortunes. 
 And hence the moll flothful and criminal are well 
 lodged, clothed, and fed, at the public expence ; 
 while the moft ufeful and deferving members of 
 fociety fubfift on a more fcanty pittance, and on- 
 ly recei ve what they earn by hard labour. 
 
 Some have thought that all, who have not 
 large families to fupport, fhould be compelled to 
 fubfcribe to fome friendly or parochial club. 
 The idea however of compulfion is revolting to 
 the mind. Compulfion would impofe a fecond 
 poor- tax, and that to be levied from a clafs of 
 men who are leaft able to pay it. Parliament 
 certainly meant to proteft and encourage Friendly 
 Societies by the acl paffed in their behalf; yet 
 it has excited fuch alarms among them *, that 
 
 * On this account, the focieties at Sunbury have declined 
 to have their rules confirmed by the Magiftrates. 
 
 any
 
 any farther attempts to regulate them might 
 prove fatal to the inftitution. At prefent, the 
 members are actuated by a noble fpirit of inde- 
 pendence, as well as of induftry and ceconomy, 
 \vhich cannot be too highly commended ; but, if 
 recourfe were ever had to compuliive meafures, 
 it would ftifle every ingenuous and liberal fenti- 
 ment, and render men mere machines. 
 
 Every thing Ihould be done by perfuafion and 
 example ; and as the farmer is particularly intereft- 
 cd in the maintenance of the poor, he has the 
 ftrongeft motive to promote the eftablimment of 
 Friendly Societies by his advice, and to affift 
 them by his contributions. Such arguments 
 fhould be tifed as are adapted to the temper, the 
 habits, and condition of the lower clafles of the 
 community, and are likely to ftimulate the latent 
 principles of activity and induftry within them ; 
 to warn them of the fad degradation of applying 
 for parochial relief, without abfolute neceffity ; 
 to excite them, in their youth and health, to 
 make a proper provilion for licknefs or age ; and 
 thus to extricate themfelves from that debafement 
 of mind, that corruption of morals, and that in- 
 attention to future concerns, into which many of 
 them are unhappily plunged. 
 
 The parochial clergy, aided by the higher and 
 middle clafles of life, might be extremely ufeful 
 in bringing Friendly Societies into public notice, 
 
 F in
 
 in explaining their nature, their importance, and 
 their utility, and in thus promoting their general 
 eftablifhment. To their ferious and candid con- 
 fideration, then, thefe Friendly Societies, calcu- 
 lated, under proper regulations, to anfwer the moft 
 beneficial ends to poor and rich, are earneftly re- 
 commended *. 
 
 Upon the whole : when we fee men fo ignorant 
 and deprefled as the lower orders of fociety too 
 frequently are, often indeed in confequence of 
 their own imprudence, their idlenefs, their pro- 
 fligacy, and their crimes, it is lefs furpriling to 
 find them carelefs and improvident about the fu- 
 ture, negligent of the great and momentous con- 
 cerns of religion, and unmindful of a higher and 
 better Hate of exiftence. They are often ex- 
 horted to go to church, and to attend to the moft 
 important fubjects that can occupy the mind of 
 man. But, many of them alas ! are dead to every 
 religious impreffion, and alive to little, beyond 
 fome traniient purfuit of gain, or of trivial amufe- 
 ments ; fo that, when we coniider their poverty, 
 .and their ignorance, the wretched ftate of their 
 bodies, and of their minds, a benevolent heart 
 
 * It is much to be wiflied, that the Legifiature, the Board 
 of Agriculture, the Society for the encouragement of Arts, 
 Manufactures, and Commerce, or the Society for bettering 
 the condition of the poor, would offer premiums for the beii 
 practical difiertation on this important fubjcft. 
 
 will
 
 will flied a tear over their mifconduc'r., and will 
 ufe the utmoft efforts to correct their vices, to 
 encourage their induftry, to alleviate their afflic- 
 tions, to improve their morals, and thereby to 
 lead them progreffively on to higher degrees of 
 civilization, virtue, and happinefs. 
 
 It is with this view, that thefe ftriclures, with 
 the annexed rules, are fubmitted to the judgment 
 of the public, in hopes they may be ufeful ; and 
 particularly among the author's parifhioners, 
 whofe welfare he has always had much at heart. 
 Some of them relate to plans of national improve- 
 ment, and refer to fubjects of general importance 
 to fociety ; and others, it is hoped, will prove 
 beneficial to individuals, where parliamentary rer 
 gulations are not fequifite. 
 
 The author of thcfe remarks, .wifhing them to 
 be generally underftood, has not attempted to re- 
 commend them by a high and elaborate ftyle, or 
 by very deep thought and refearch. But, if they 
 have any tendency to guard the rich, on the one 
 hand, againft oppreffion, difTolutenefs of man- 
 ners, and a luxurious and thoughtlefs mode of 
 living, and the poor, on the other, againft idle- 
 nefs, intemperance, and difcontent ; if they have 
 a tendency, alfo, to promote induftry, ceconomy, 
 and forefight ; to difpel ignorance, to enlighten 
 and humanize the mind, and to excite men to the 
 faithful difcharge of the functions of their ftation, 
 
 F 2 according.
 
 according to their various talents and fituations 
 thus producing rectitude of principle, and a be- 
 nevolent union between th,e higher and lower 
 ranks of fociety ; they may be of fome moment 
 in the prefent awful crifis ; and whoever treats of 
 thefe topics, in a manner worthy of their impor- 
 tance, will meet with candour and attention from 
 the public. Nor is the author fanguine enough 
 to expect, that thefe hints, however conducive 
 to benevolence, civilization, and good govern- 
 ment, will be adopted all at once. Mankind are 
 in a ftate of progreffive improvement in knowledge 
 and virtue ; but it is by gradual, and oftentimes 
 by imperceptible means, that beneficial changes 
 are effected. 
 
 Thus, by considering the external, and then 
 the internal, condition of man, it appears, that 
 he is commonly the chief author of his own fuf- 
 ferings ; and that th? greateft calamities he under- 
 goes are principally owing to himfelf, and to his 
 own mifconduct in life. In fome cafes, however, 
 ive have feen, that his diftrefs proceeds from cau- 
 fes which are adventitious; from events, which 
 his prudence could not prevent; and from difpen.- 
 fations of Providence, which his wifdom could 
 not controul. And, in a few infhmces, thefe 
 caufes may be fo combined, as to leave it doubt- 
 ful, whether he is moft to be pitied, or to be 
 blamed. But, whether the diftreffes of mankind 
 
 arife
 
 arife from natural or from moral caufes, from the 
 unavoidable calamities of life, or from the evil of 
 lin, God has mercifully provided remedies by the 
 confblations of religion. Chriftianity peculiarly 
 Claims our regard, as it accommodates itfelf, with 
 great benignity, to our frailties and errors, and 
 to the various inftances of 'worldly affliction, ad~ 
 miniftering confolation to us under our temporal 
 or our fpiritual diitreffes. The difcoveries of 
 Chriftianity are emphatically ftyled " glad tidings 
 to the poor" to the indigent and illiterate, to 
 thofe who are deftitute of worldly riches, or of 
 religious knowledge. Our religioii ihews us, that 
 we are always under the protection of a wife and 
 good Providence, and difFufes a fpirit of content- 
 ment, resignation, humanity, and piety, over all 
 who iincerely embrace it. It has taught men to love 
 each other, by inculcating this fublime and bene- 
 volent doctrine That weareallchildren of the fame 
 Heavenly Parent, all liable to the fame accidents, 
 and all accountable for our conduct to the great 
 Author of our being. It is peculiarly calculated 
 to foothe the mind, when labouring under forrow 
 and the impreffions of guilt, and enables us to 
 bear with patience and fortitude whatever trials 
 Providence may fee fit to appoint. To the peni- 
 tent and lincere, whofe hearts are foftened and 
 improved by affliction and a fenfe of duty ; 
 to the poor and the rich, who are actuated by the 
 
 F 3 great
 
 ( 86 ) 
 
 great principles of our religion ; it gives the ani- 
 mating profpect of a bleffed immortality, of a 
 happy ceffation from all moral diforders, and of a 
 perpetual reft from the troubles and viciflitudes of 
 human life. But to return to the fubject of 
 Friendly Societies. 
 
 Before I conclude, it may be proper to offer a 
 few remarks on Female Benefit-clubs. All my 
 obfervations confirm me in my opinion that, in 
 tendernefs and benevolence, in fenfibility and at- 
 tachment, in parental affection and folicitude, in 
 delicacy of fentiment, and purity of conduct, in 
 ceconomy, and the.confcientious difcharge of all 
 the functions of a quiet, a virtuous, and a pious 
 life ; in all thefe important reipects, the female 
 character is, in general, peculiarly amiable and 
 praife-worthy ; and it rarely happens, that a fa- 
 mily falls into embarraffrnents through the mif- 
 conduct of the mother. 
 
 When a labourer is thus blefled with a frugal, 
 an induftrious, and intelligent wife, he mews his 
 attachment and good fenfe by leaving all domeftic 
 concerns to her prudent and fuperior management. 
 And he mould be thankful to Providence, for 
 beftowirig " a help-mate for him," to alleviate the 
 burden and forrows of life; to participate with 
 him, in mutual intereft and endearment, in reci- 
 procal duties, in conjugal affection and fidelity; 
 to be a friend, and aifociate in health and fick- 
 
 nefs,
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 nefs, in profperity and adverfiry ; and to co- 
 operate with him, in Infilling the principles of 
 virtue and piety into the minds of their children. 
 The burl nefs of Female Societies is generally 
 conducted by rules, in moil refpecls, limilar to 
 thofe in clubs for men. A Female club, formed 
 on the following payments, and allowances in 
 cafes of illnefs, might be extremely ufeful among 
 the poor, and would probably flourifh ; efpecially 
 under the patronage and infpection of any lady of 
 diftinction. The age of admlffion to be between 
 eighteen and forty; every fubfcriber, under twen- 
 ty-five years of age, to pay is. of entrance-money; 
 from twenty-five to thirty years of age, to pay as. 
 and 6d. ; and from thirty to forty, to pay 55., be- 
 fides 6d. for the articles : to meet once a month, 
 and each member to contribute 6d. to the fund. 
 After fubfcribing a year, to receive an allowance 
 of 3*. a week, during the firil three month's ill- 
 nefs ; 2,5. 6d. a week, during the next three 
 month's illnefs ; and 2J. a week afterwards, while 
 a member is confined to her room, and is wholly 
 difabled from any kind of work. Every free 
 member, on her lying-in, to receive IQS. 6d. ; and 
 each member to pay id. to the fund. On the 
 death of a free member, 2/. to be allowed towards 
 the funeral-expences, each member contributing 
 6d. : when the fund is, at any time, lefs than 
 5o/.j every member to pay 6d. a quarter extra 
 F 4 into
 
 ( 88 ) 
 
 into the box. Women's earnings are, in general, 
 fo fmall, that it will be found neceflary, to make 
 the monthly payments thus moderate ; and, as 
 they are more liable to licknefs than men, their 
 demands on the club muft be proportionably lef- 
 fened. 
 
 With refpeft to expences at their meetings, it 
 may be remarked that, in fome iocieties, id. or 
 2,d. are paid by each individual : and fome- 
 times it is fpent in tea. But, when the bufinefs 
 of Female Societies can be managed, without in- 
 curring any expence, and their meetings can be 
 held at the houfe of any of the members, or 
 when a private room can be hired for thepurpofe, 
 it would be extremely defirable, as the moft ef- 
 fectual means of filencing the envy, the malevo- 
 Jence, and the calumny of their adverfaries. 
 
 In every female club, the following rule fhould 
 be eftablifhed and adhered to " That, if any 
 " fingle or unmarried woman fhould lead an idle, 
 (C profligate life, or be with child, while fhe be- 
 <f longs to the fociety, fhe fhall be expelled.'* 
 Such a regulation tends to promote chaftity, and 
 to difcountenancie immorality, and difTolutenefs 
 of manners. 
 
 Some Female Societies give no allowance to 
 any member during the time of her pregnancy, 
 and for a month after fhe is confined. I own, I 
 dp not entirely approve of the principles on 
 
 which
 
 which fiich a fociety feems to be infKtuted ; but 
 it gives me an opportunity of fuggefting a method^ 
 by which poor married women may derive great 
 comfort and relief, at a feafon too when they are 
 expofed to considerable expence, and require pe-* 
 culiar affiftance. I fhall not, therefore, from ' 
 motives of falfe delicacy, fcruple to mention it, 
 but fhall readily facrifice inferior considerations to 
 the defire of alleviating human mifery Let ladies, 
 then, either lend them child-bed-linen, during 
 the month in which they are confined ; or, let 
 them fupply them with any old linen, with which, 
 they may be able to accommodate them. And let 
 them extend to them that pecuniary aid, which 
 they may then require, and thofe neceflaries and 
 comforts, from which, otherwife, they muft be 
 precluded *. 
 
 * I muft here be permitted to mention a Cmilar method, 
 which has proved extremely beneficial to the objets whom 
 it is intended to relieve, and might be rendered extenfively 
 ufeful. A fufficient quantity of linen is purchafed, and lent 
 to each poor married woman during her lying-in; and about 
 half a guinea is given towards defraying her expences. The 
 fund, by which this inititution is fupported, is raifed by a 
 fubfcription of 6s. 6J. per quarter ; on admiflion, each fub^ 
 icriber pays >js. for the purchafe of linen, and one quarter in 
 advance ; and any poor inhabitant becomes an objecl: of re- 
 lief, whether a parishioner or not. So that a lying-in charity 
 of this fort may be eafily eftablifhed in any parifli, and fo- 
 licits the attention of the benevolent. 
 
 I have
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 I have often heard the poor fpeak of this kind 
 of benevolence, as being iingularly ufeful ; and 
 have frequently been told, that their condition, 
 from being miferable to the laft degree, was ren- 
 dered comfortable by this timely and judicious 
 relief. It is, therefore, with peculiar pleafure, 
 that this mode of charity is recommended to the 
 attention of thofe, whofe feelings of fympathy are 
 ever ready to commiferate the diftrerTes, and mi- 
 tigate the hardlhips, of their fellow-creatures. 
 In fuch employments, fo congenial to the natural 
 teridernefs and fenfibility of the fofter fex, female 
 worth and excellence " have," in part, < their 
 reward" in the prefent fympathetic feelings of 
 their nature but, a greater and a better is pre- 
 pared for them in that future ftate, where the 
 giving of " a cup of water *," the iligliKft kind 
 office, rendered to fuffering humanity, will 
 neither be forgotten, nor unrewarded. 
 
 * St. Matth. x. 42. 
 
 RULES
 
 RULES 
 
 OF A 
 
 FRIENDLY SOCIETY*. 
 
 YV ITH a view to promote benevolence, and to 
 fecure mutual relief and fupport in cafes of lick- 
 nefs, accident, or old age, we, whofe names are 
 here inferted, agree to the following rales : 
 
 I. This fociety fhall coniift of a prefident, 
 two ftewards, a clerk, and two affiftants, and as 
 
 * The reader is requeued to bear in mind, that the rules 
 are defigned for thofe who constitute the labouring clafles of 
 the community ; of courfe, they are adapted, as much as pof- 
 fible, to their fentiment*, their habits, their capacities, and 
 their mode of life. As the utility of Friendly Societies depends, 
 in a great meafure, on the regulations that are eftabliflied 
 among them, too much paiss cannot be taken to render them 
 as explicit and judicious as poffible. The author does not 
 flatter himfelf with thinking, that the conftitution of this fo- 
 ciety, and the following rules, though formed after mature 
 deliberation, are free from every objection, or will fuit every 
 benefit-club, without regard to the number of members, and 
 to their particular circumftances and views. He hopes, how- 
 ever, that they are adapted to the general purpoles of thefe 
 excellent inftitutions, and may be beneficial among thofe in- 
 dulh'ious and ufeful members of fociety, for whofe advantage 
 they are principally intended. Anu he takes this opportunity 
 of adding, that he will be much obliged to thofe, who will 
 fuggeit any remarks, by which thefe trails, or ihefe rules, 
 may be improved. 
 
 3 many
 
 many members as it may be thought proper to 
 admit ; and fhall meet, at the houfe appointed 
 for the purpofe, on the firft Monday in every 
 month, from feven till nine in the evening, du- 
 ring the fummer half-year, and from fix till eight, 
 during the winter half-year, when the lift fhall 
 be called over by the clerk, and all the bulinefs 
 relating to the fociety fhall be tranfacted. 
 
 'The ufual number in Friendly Societies is, perhaps, 
 f torn Jixty to. ai hundred* But in fixing the number 
 of a benefit-club, attention Jhould be paid to the fize 
 and accommodation ef the houfe, 'where the meetings 
 are to be held. And, to prevent future difputes, it is 
 earneftly recommended to all benefa-focieties> to make 
 the ntlis as judicious as they can$ at their firft injli- 
 tvtion j and then > not to alter them on every trifling 
 cecqfion,. as fuch alterations feldom fail to be attended 
 with dangerous confequences. 
 
 II. No perfon fhall be admitted a member of 
 this fociety, who is not capable of earning one 
 fhilling a week more than the allowance paid to 
 iick members ; and if it be afterwards proved, 
 that, at the time of his admiffion, he did not 
 ufually earn nine Shillings a week, he fhall be 
 Excluded. 
 
 III, Any perfon, wiming to become a mem- 
 ber, is requefted to bring or fend to the fociety 
 a certificate of his age, and a proper atteftation 
 of his character, ligned by his employer, or by 
 two refpeclable inhabitants of the parifh where 
 he refides. When thefe attestations have been 
 laid before the fociety, his name, his occupation, 
 and his place of relidence, lhall be exhibited, in 
 a public manner, in the club-room, till he be 
 baliotted for ; and notice fhall be given to all the 
 members, that wiflies to be admitted, 
 
 i a and
 
 ( 93 ) 
 
 and that his ele&ion will come on at the next 
 
 quarterly meeting. 
 
 IV. It is agreed, that all members ihall be 
 chofen by ballot ; and that no perfon fhalt be ad- 
 mitted a member without the confent of three- 
 fourths of the fociety then prefent, and who is 
 not in good health, and between eighteen and 
 forty-five years of age. 
 
 If any perfon, on admiffion, fhall produce a 
 falfe certificate of his age, or character, or have 
 any concealed diforder, and it be afterwards dif- 
 covered, he fhall forfeit all he has paid to the 
 box, and be expelled ; and any member who is, 
 or may be, acquainted with fuch fraud, ihall 
 immediately inform the prelident and flewards, 
 or pay a fine of five fhillings. 
 
 And it is farther agreed, that every member, 
 under twenty-five years of age, fhall pay, on ad- 
 miffion, two fhillings and fixpence to the fund ; 
 between the age of twenty-five and thirty, he 
 ihall pay five Shillings ; and between thirty and 
 thirty-five, ten fhillings and iixpence, befides a 
 fhilling to the clerk, threepence to the houfe, 
 and a fhilling for the articles. Every perfon, 
 above the age of thirty-five, fhall pay twelve 
 Shillings for every year he exceeds that period, 
 befides the ten fhiliings and fixpence of entrance- 
 money, and fee to the clerk &c. ; and none 
 fhall be admitted who are above forty-five years 
 of age. 
 
 // is found neceffary, to make the te--ms of admif- 
 fion fo very moderate, as few would become member r r 
 were they required to contribute according to D-r. 
 Price's tables for different ages. 
 
 V. The bufinefs of this fociety fhali be con- 
 dueled by the prefident. the two ire wards, the 
 
 clerk.
 
 clerk, two affiftants, and. a Committee, who fhall 
 be chofen in the following manner : The Prefi- 
 dent fhall be elected by ballot at the quarterly 
 meeting, from the lift of fubfcribers. Whoever 
 has the majority of votes fhall ferve as prelident 
 for the enfuing half-year, or forfeit five fhillings, 
 and fhall not be eligible again for the fpace of 
 eighteen months. If he choofe to pay the fine, 
 the perfon who has the next greateft number of 
 votes fhall ferve, or forfeit five fhillings ; and the 
 third, &c. fhall be fubject to the fame penalty. 
 
 The affiftants fhall ferve as they ftand on the 
 lift of enrolment, or pay five fhillings ; and when 
 they refign in rotation, they fhall ferve as ftew- 
 ards, or forfeit the fame fum. 
 
 Both the ftewards and the affiftants fhall continue 
 in .office fix months ; but thofe who cannot write 
 fhall be excufed from ferving any office, on pay- 
 ing five fhillings each. 
 
 The clerk fhall be chofen by a majority of the 
 fociety, and fhall continue in office as long as 
 he does his duty, and keeps the books properly. 
 And the manner of choofing the Committee, 
 with the purpofe for which it is appointed, will 
 be fpecified in the forty- feventh article. 
 
 VI. The office of the Prefident is, to regulate 
 the tranfa6lions, and to limit the expences, of 
 the meetings. He is to examine the accounts of 
 the fociety ; to obferve that the ftewards, and 
 other officers, do their duty, and, by their affift- 
 ance, to keep the fociety in good order, to de- 
 mand filence, and to fee the reckoning paid. 
 And if a member apply for relief, he fhall en- 
 quire into the caufe and nature of the accident or 
 ficknefs, and, within twenty-four hours after 
 
 fuch
 
 fuch application, fhall inform one of the ftewards, 
 or forfeit one fhilling *. 
 
 - VII. The office of the ftewards is, to receive 
 the admiffion-money of new members and the 
 monthly contributions ; to order lilence, to pay 
 the reckoning, and to fine any member, who 
 tranfgreffes the rules of the fociety. They are, by 
 turns, to fee, that .the lick are provided with, 
 proper means of recovery ; to viiit them, at leaft, 
 once every week, if the place of refidence be not 
 more than three miles from the club-room, 01 
 forfeit a fhilling for every neglect ; and, if far - 
 ther, the lick perfon fhall fend, once a month, 
 a certificate of his illnefs, ligned according to the 
 annexed form, before he be entitled to any allow* 
 ance from the fociety. 
 
 All lick members fhall be paid by the ftewards 
 what is due to them every Saturday before fix 
 at night ; and, that the prefident may be acquaint - 
 ed with the number, and ftate of the fick, a 
 lift is to be given to him every week. If neither 
 of the ftewards vifit the fick, within twenty-four 
 hours after notice has been given to them, if with- 
 in three miles of the club-room, they fhall forfeit 
 one fhilling each ; and if they do not pay what is 
 due to every fick member on Saturday before fix 
 o'clock, they fhall forfeit two-pence for every hour 
 they neglect payment, the fine to be put into the 
 box, and given to the fick member. 
 
 VIII. The office and duty of the clerk are 
 thefe : to keep the accounts of the fociety ; to 
 regifter the name, the profeffion, and the place of 
 abode, of every new member ; and to do all other 
 
 * See Sir Fred. Eden " on the Poor," in his account of 
 
 Lancafler. 
 
 bufinefs,
 
 biifinefs, which may be deemed neceflary for the 
 order and profperity of the fociety. In the courfe 
 of the laft month in every quarter, he is to give 
 timely notice to thofe members, whofe turn it is 
 to ferve as affiftants, and to receive their anfwers. 
 Whoever confents to ferve, and does neither ap- 
 pear at the meeting, nor fubftitute another to re* 
 prefent him, when he enters on his office, ftiall 
 pay a fine of five Shilling?. 
 
 The clerk is alfo to fummon members to fu- 
 nerals, and on other occafions, as the bufinefs of 
 the fociety may require ; to take care, that all 
 lines and contributions, and all allowances to 
 every lick member, be kept feparately, that they 
 'may be eaiily afcertained. He is to keep an exacl: 
 account of the feveral fums of money received 
 and paid every month; and, at the quarterly 
 and annual meetings, he is to lay the accounts 
 before the fociety. 
 
 He is to receive for falary twopence every 
 quarter from every member, to be collected by 
 the ftewards : and is not to be difcharged, with- 
 out fufficient reafon affigned, and that agreed 
 on by a majority of the fociety fummoned on 
 purpofe. 
 
 "The duties of the clerk have been r.wre particularly 
 fptcified, as the books of Friendly Societies are feldom 
 kept with fitfficie?it accuracy and perfpicuity. 
 
 IX. The affiftants fucceed by rotation ; and 
 their duty is to fee that the rules of the fociety 
 be obferved, and to give impartially to every 
 member, an equal fhare of liquor. To the ut- 
 moft of their power r they fhall detect any mem- 
 ber who mifbehaves ; and, if either of them omit 
 to give in his name, the affiftant, who was guilty 
 of the negledr., fhall pay the fame as the offen- 
 der.
 
 der. To promote good order, an affiftant fhall 
 be ftationed at each end of the room, to ferve the 
 members with liquor, and to notice their be- 
 haviour. 
 
 X. The prelident, the ftewards, the clerk, 
 and the affiftants, who do not come into the club- 
 room within half an hour after the time appointed 
 for the meeting, fhall forfeit half-a-crown, each ; 
 but if any of them, being prevented by illnefs, 
 fhall fend the key, they fhall not be fined. 
 
 XI. In cafe of the abfence, illnefs, or death, 
 of the prefident, his powers fhall devolve on the 
 ftewards, by virtue of their office ; and they may 
 call in the temporary affiftance of any member, 
 till the next meeting of the fociety. If either of 
 the ftewards or affiftants be abfent or ill, the next 
 member on the lift fhall officiate for him, till the 
 quarterly meeting, when he fhall begin to do his 
 own duty, if his health will permit. 
 
 In the abfence of the clerk, the prelident may 
 appoint a fubftitute ; and, on his refignation or 
 death, a general meeting fliall be convened by 
 the prelident and ftewards, and another clerk 
 fhall be chofen by ballot, a week's notice of the 
 time of election being given to the members. 
 
 XII. A box fhall be provided with five locks, 
 wherein fhall be depofited the books, and other 
 property of the fociety. Three locks fhall be 
 fixed on the outfide, all of different wards, the 
 keys of which fhall be kept by the ftewards and 
 clerk ; one infide-key to be kept by the preli- 
 dent, and the other by the perfon who gives fe- 
 curity for the box. The box fhall not be open- 
 ed, except in the prefence of the ftewards and 
 clerk, or whom they may appoint ; but, if any 
 officer ftiall fubftitute another, who already has a 
 
 G key,
 
 key, or fhall leave the club-room, without fee- 
 ing the box locked, and the books and property 
 of the fociety fecured, he fhall be fined ten Ihil- 
 lings and fixpence. 
 
 XIII. No perfons fhall be admitted into the 
 club-room but thofe who are, or intend to be, 
 members of this fociety. 
 
 XIV. If any member fhall belong to any other 
 beneficial fociety, he mail be excluded from this ; 
 but, if he choofe to pay a larger contribution every 
 month, while in health, he fhall be entitled to a 
 proportionable increafe of allowance, when he is 
 lick, lame, or old. 
 
 XV. Each member fhall pay, at every monthly 
 meeting, one fhilling and five-pence into the box, 
 and fhall be entitled to three-penny worth of li- 
 quor *. But it is agreed that, unlefs a majority 
 
 * In thofe parts of the country, where this contribution 
 might be confidcred as rather too great to be paid by common 
 labourer?, a Friendly Society might be eftabliflied, the fubfcrip- 
 tion to which might be only one milling and twopence per 
 month j the milling for the Tick, and the twopence to be 
 fpent. In this cafe an allowance of feven fhillings per week, 
 mllead of eight, might be made to lick anddifabled members. 
 On the other hand, if, in conlequence of the advanced price 
 of provifions, the members fhould wifh to receive nine lliil- 
 lings per week during illnefs, they may be entitled to this 
 fum, by contributing one milling and fourpence per month 
 to the hind, and threepence to the houfe. 
 
 But general tables for fettling theie payments, and allow- 
 ances, will not always be correct. Attention fhould be paid 
 to the age of members, at the time of their admiffion, to the 
 healthinefs of the fiUiation, and to the nature of the manu- 
 facture in which the members of the fociety are chiefly em- 
 ployed. It fhould alio be confidered r that lome places, and 
 iome occupations, are much more healthy than others ; and 
 that the inhabitants of great towns are, in general, much 
 fhorter-lired than the inhabitants of fmall town*, and of 
 country parifhes. Hence Mr. Baron Mazeres and Dr. Price 
 have calculated diftintt tables, according to the probabilities 
 of life in London, and in the country. 
 
 Of
 
 ( 99 ) 
 
 of the members be prefent, only three-fourths of 
 the money to the hoilfe lhall be expended at the 
 monthly meeting ; the remainder, if wanted, 
 lhall be applied towards defraying the expences 
 of the annual feaft. 
 
 When any of the members Ipapen to have a rdom 
 
 fufficiently large, it certainly would be much more 
 
 comfort able , that the focuty Jhould meet there ; and 
 
 the expences incurred at a public houfe would be 
 
 faved. 
 
 XVI. In paying contributions or fines at any 
 time, no member lhall offer more than five-pence 
 half-penny in copper, under the penalty of for- 
 feiting threepence. 
 
 XVII. The quarterly meetings fhall be held 
 on the firft club night after Lady-day, Midfum- 
 mer, Michaelmas, and Chriftmas ; and the ac- 
 counts lhall then be paffed by the prelident and 
 ftewards, and reported to the fociety. 
 
 XVIII. On the anniverfary meeting, which 
 lhall be held on the firft Monday in June, unlefs 
 the fociety appoint a different day, the Minilter 
 fhall be requefted to read prayers, and to prcacli 
 a fermon, at the expence of the fociety ; tke 
 parifh-clerk to be allowed two {hillings and 
 lixpence. 
 
 Every member, who lhall attend the faid meet - 
 ing at dinner, and does not come into the club- 
 room, at or before half-part ten o'clock in ths 
 forenoon, and walk in an orderly manner to and 
 from church, two and two, according to fenio- 
 rity on the lift, and hear divine fervice, unleis 
 prevented by ficknefs, lhall forfeit a Hulling. 
 
 Each member, not receiving any benefit: from 
 the club, or otherwiie excufed by the articles, 
 lhall pay two Shillings for dinner and liquor. - 
 
 G 2 Whoever
 
 Whoever objects to what the president and ftew- 
 ards have provided, fhall forfeit a Ihilling : Din- 
 ner on the table at two o'clock. No victuals fhall 
 be fent to any perfon, except to a lick member ; 
 and if any irregularities happen, fuch as embez- 
 zling the victuals or liquor, the member, who 
 thus offends, fhall be fined half-a-crown. The 
 annual accounts, both in the receipt and expen- 
 diture, being firft examined and audited by the 
 president and flewards, fhall be laid on the table 
 after dinner, for the infpection of the members. 
 
 XIX. Every member, within ten miles of the 
 club-room, fhall pay his fubfcriptions and contri- 
 butions every month, or forfeit threepence; if 
 they are not paid the lecond month, he fhall for- 
 feit fixpence ; and if all fines and contributions 
 are not paid at the next quarterly meeting, he fhall 
 forfeit a fhilling. And it is agreed, that any 
 member, within the faid diftance, neglecting to 
 pay them on the feaft day, or on the monthly 
 meeting before it, Ihall be excluded. But, if 
 he fhould afterwards come to the fociety, and 
 apologize for his repeated neglect, he fhall, if he 
 be in good health, be re-admitted, on his paying 
 his arrears and the penalty, though he be fuper- 
 annuated ; and, after contributing twelve months 
 more, fhall again be entitled to all the advantages 
 of other free members. 
 
 XX. If any fick member remove into the 
 country for the benefit of his health, or if any 
 member quit his place of refidence, he fhall, 
 within a month, inform the prefident or clerk, 
 where he is removed, or forfeit a fhilling ; but, 
 before his removal, he fhall pay all his arrears 
 to the fund. During ficknefs, lamenefs, or 
 blindnefs, he fhall fend a certificate, (poft 
 plid,) figned by the minifter, church- wardens, 
 
 and
 
 ( 101 ) 
 
 and overfeers of the poor, or the majority of 
 them, and by the phyfician, furgeon, or apo- 
 thecary, if any attend him, ftating his complaint, 
 inclofed in a letter, according to the annexed 
 form, and, from the date thereof, he fhall be 
 paid his allowance. 
 
 If his reiidence be more than three miles from 
 the club-room, this atteftation, if required, fhall 
 be renewed every month, or he fhall derive no 
 benefit from the fund. He fhall alfo inform the 
 fociety, how the allowance is to be remitted to 
 him. If he remove fifty miles or upwards, he 
 fhall be allowed fix months to pay his contribu- 
 tions, and, if under fifty and more than ten, he 
 fhall be allowed three months. If he fail in the 
 payment of his fubfcriptions, within the time 
 limited, he fhall be excluded. If a member die 
 who refides more than three miles from the club- 
 room, his heirs fhall be entitled to the allowance 
 which the articles fpecify, but the members are 
 not required to attend his funeral. Any member 
 defrauding, or attempting to defraud, the fociety, 
 by a falfe certificate, Hiall be expelled. 
 
 XXI. No member fhall receive any benefit 
 from this feciety, till he has contributed to it 
 for twelve months ; after which, if by illnefs or 
 accident he be rendered incapable of following 
 his ufual occupation, he fhall fend a note to the 
 prefident, in the form prefcribed, and he will 
 then be entitled to eight fhillings a week, from 
 the date thereof. When the fund of the fociety 
 amounts to fix hundred pounds, and while it 
 continues above that fum, he fhall receive nine 
 fhillings per week. But it is agreed, that all 
 fines fhall be firft deducted out of his weekly al- 
 lowance. If his illnefs continue lefs than a week, 
 he Ihall be paid at the rate of one Ihilling and 
 
 G 3 two-
 
 two-pence per day ; but if it be occafioned by 
 quarrelling, drunkennefs, or any other difor- 
 derly or criminal conduct, he {hall, during fuch 
 illneis, derive no benefit from the club. 
 
 Members, when recovered from their illnefs, 
 fhall give notice thereof to the prelident and 
 ftevyards. 
 
 In country villages, where the character and con- 
 duct of every particular member are well known, and 
 w hi re impo fit ions are eajily detected, it, perhaps, 
 might be advifable to infert fuch a rule as this : 
 " Any member, when he is recovering from a 
 " fit of illnefs, and incapable of earning as much 
 " as ufual, yet able and willing to do fomething 
 " towards his fupport, fhall have a weekly al- 
 <c lowance, not exceeding four Shillings, and not 
 " for more than a month, at the difcretion of the 
 " president and ftewards, who fhall make report 
 tf thereof at the quarterly meeting." 
 
 XXII. A furgeon and apothecary fhall be 
 chofen by the fociety, to attend the fick and 
 lame members within three miles of the club- 
 room, and a fixed falary fhall be paid him for 
 medicine and attendance, to defray which, each 
 member fhall contribute one fhilling and fix- 
 pence to the fund, at the annual meeting. 
 If any fick or lame member prefer the affi fiance 
 of any other medical perfon than the one ap- 
 pointed by the fociety, he fhall pay the ex- 
 pences of his illnefs himfelf, but fhall not be 
 deprived of the allowance from the club. 
 
 Nothing canjbew more Jlrikingly^ that the public 
 attention has not, hitherto, been f efficiently directed 
 to the encouragement of Friendly Societies, than the 
 injudic'wti rules by which they are ufually regulated. 
 I do not entirely allude to theftyle, in which their 
 
 rules
 
 rules are exprejfed ; /or, among the lower orders of man- 
 kind, elegance of language is not to be expefled. But 
 furely, as health is an invaluable bleffing to the poor, 
 one would expeff, that all Benefit-clubs would have 
 been particularly anxious, that every Jick member 
 Jhould be provided with proper medical aid. And yet, 
 among all the rides of Friendly Societies which I have 
 feen, I only recolleft one injlance relating to this impor- 
 tant objecJ ; though it is obvious, that amidft the many 
 accidents to 'which the poor are peculiarly expofed^ fuch 
 a, rule asishere propofed, feems tobe ejfentially necej/ary. 
 Indeed, afociety, injlitutedf or nootherpurpo/e than that 
 cf paying for medical ajfiftante would be <f great utility. 
 I can, however, eafily/uppofe, that ^infome benefit-clubs, 
 the funds will not admit of it. But among other benefi- 
 cial effects which the poor enjoy, by having medical ad* 
 vice at their own houfes, they are taught the advan- 
 tages of cleanlinefs, and of well-ventilated rooms. 
 They may alfo be recommended to the attention of the 
 charitable and opulent in their neighbourhood, and 
 thereby may receive thcfe necejjaries and comforts, 
 which will ejjentially contribute to their recovery. 
 
 XXII I. If any member fhould be found beg- 
 ging, or foliciting charity, while he receives be- 
 nefit from the fociety, and it can be proved by 
 two credible witnefles, he fhall forfeit ten fhil- 
 lings and lixpence. 
 
 XXIV. If any member, during the time lie re- 
 ceives the benefit of the club, be found at work, 
 or feen drunk, or gaming at any public houfe, he 
 fhall be expelled ; and if he be not at home, by 
 four o'clock in winter, and feven in fummer, lie 
 fhall forfeit five fhillings : and any member who 
 knows the fame, and does not mention it at the 
 next meeting, fhall forfeit five fhillings. 
 
 G 4 XXV.
 
 ( 104 ) 
 
 XXV. Any member happening to be ill, before 
 he be entitled to any allowance, Ihall not be re- 
 quired to contribute his ufual payments, during 
 licknefs or incapacity to work ; nor lhall he be 
 fined for not fencing any office. In all fuch cafes, 
 he /hall be confidered as an object, claiming the 
 commiferation of every individual in the fociety. 
 
 XXVI. If a member, on the night of his admif- 
 iion, choofe to pay one year's contribution to the 
 fund, in addition to his entrance-money, &c. he 
 lhall be entitled to, and enjoy, the privileges of 
 other free members. 
 
 XXVII. At the anniverfary meeting, on the en- 
 trance of the president, &c. into office, and on the 
 admiffion of new members, the articles lhall be 
 read publicly by the clerk. The new member fhall 
 then fubfcribe them ; and the annexed declaration 
 lhall be made in the prefence of the fociety. 
 
 XXVIII. It is agreed, that none fhall be ad- 
 mitted, whofe occupations are peculiarly prejudi- 
 cial to health, or expofed to unuiual cafualties, 
 fuch as painters, miners, brafs-founders, workers 
 in white lead, foldiers, and failors ; and whoever 
 lhall belong to any of thefe profeffions fhall be 
 excluded. 
 
 XXIX. If any member voluntarily enlift into 
 the army or navy, or be in any way employed in 
 the fea-fervice, or if he quit the kingdom of Great 
 Britain for more than three months, he fhall be 
 excluded. But, if he fhould be imprelTed, he 
 ifhall be exempted from any farther payments to 
 the fund till he be difcharged ; and then, if he 
 be free from lamenefs and difeafe, he lhall be en- 
 titled to the fame privileges as before, on paying 
 his next fubfcription, within three months after 
 his difcharge. 
 
 If
 
 If he be wounded or difabled in his Majefty's 
 fervice, the allowance, which he had received at 
 different times from the fund, during illnefs, fhall 
 be deducted from his|monthly contributions ; and 
 the balance, if any, lhall be paid to him ; and 
 he fhall be excluded. 
 
 XXX. If any member, or members, fhall be 
 drawn for the militia, the money for paying a 
 fubftitute, or fubftitutes, fhall be advanced from 
 the fund ; and every member of this fociety, who 
 was liable to be drawn, fhall pay by inftalments 
 fixpence a month, till the whole be repaid. 
 
 XXXI. If any member be arrefted or imprifon- 
 cd for debt, he fhall be exempted from all pay- 
 ments, but fhall not receive any benefit from the 
 fund during his confinement. When he is dif- 
 charged, he fhall not be called on to pay arrears ; 
 and if he die in prifon, the fame allowance fhall 
 be given as to others; the members, however, Ihall 
 not be obliged to attend his funeral. But, if he 
 be caft into prifon, and convicted of felony, or 
 of any fraudulent or diihoneft tranfaction, he 
 fhall be excluded from any benefit which other- 
 wife might have accrued to him from the fociety. 
 
 XXXII. The landlord fhall accommodate the fo- 
 ciety with a club-room, and fhall provide pens, 
 ink, fire, and candles. He fhall alfo give fecu- 
 rity for the box, and for any other property 
 with which he fhall be entrufted. At every quar- 
 terly meeting, there fhall be depofited in his 
 hands the fum of five pounds, to enable the pre- 
 fident and flewards to pay the weekly allowance 
 to fick members. 
 
 When the flock fhall amount to a larger fum 
 than the immediate exigences of the fociety 
 may require, it fhall be placed out at intereft, on 
 
 landed
 
 landed fecurity, or in fome of the public funds, 
 and veiled in the names of fome neighbouring 
 gentlemen, chofen by the majority of members, 
 in truft for the fociety ; and fuch truftees fhall 
 give fecurity for the faithful appropriation, both 
 of principal and intereft, to the purpofes of the 
 fociety. 
 
 That Friendly Societies Jhould be jealous of any in- 
 terference, in the management of their own property y 
 is -not to be wondered at. This jealoufy, however ', 
 loas been carried to fuch an cxcefs, as-to have proved 
 fatal to fome of them. Apprehenfme that a law 
 might be enabled, which would either affett them, or 
 their property ', fome focieties have preferred private 
 fecurity, and entrujled their money into the hands of 
 ferfons, where it became infecure ; and others, elated 
 with the idea of having a club- cjl ate, have made 
 fucb impolitic purchafes (f land, or of houfes, that 
 the Jick members could not receive that relief which 
 the articles had prcfcribed. -The above rule is intend- 
 ed to prevent any difappointment of this fort. 
 
 XXXIII. When the fund of this fociety fhall 
 amount to upwards of two hundred pounds, the 
 fum of fix pounds may be lent to any member who 
 has contributed for five years, to help him to pur- 
 chafe a cow ; on condition, that he give a promif- 
 fory note, figned by hitnfelf and two houfekeep- 
 ers, to be approved of by the prefident and ftew- 
 ardsj for the repayment of the faid fum, with m- 
 tereit, by inftalments, of at leaft five fhillings per 
 month. 
 
 'XXXIV. If any member leave money with the 
 landlord, to pay his contributions, and they are 
 not paid, at the next meeting of the fociety, the 
 landlord fhall be fined fixpcnce ; or, if any mem- 
 ber receive money of another member, and he 
 
 negledt
 
 neglect to give it to the ftewards, the fame penal- 
 ty fhall be incurred. If a member fhould be ex- 
 cluded by any fuch omiffion, he fhall be re-ad- 
 mitted. 
 
 XXXV. The fociety fhall not be removed from 
 the place where it is now. held without caufe, 
 judged to be fufficient by a majority of members 
 fummoned for that purpofe ; and if any member 
 propofe the removal of the fociety, without af- 
 figning a fufficient reafon, he fhall pay five {hil- 
 lings. 
 
 XXXVI. It is agreed, that this fociety fhall not 
 be diflblved fo long as any three members are 
 willing to fupport it : and any member, propo- 
 iing to break up the fociety, or to divide the mo- 
 ney, fhall be expelled, 
 
 XXXVII. If any fick or difabled member have 
 received a weekly allowance for twelve fucceffivc 
 months, without intermiffion, his allowance fhall 
 be reduced to four fhillings per week ; but, if 
 blind, or he be totally confined to his bed, he 
 fhall continue to receive his fall pay of eight fhil- 
 lings per week. If he recover his health, and be 
 able to follow his ufual occupation, he fhall pay 
 the fame contributions as other members. If it 
 be proved, that he earns, on an average, five 
 Shillings a-week, he fhall be excluded ; and, if any 
 member be reduced to half-pay, each member, 
 while the fund is under two hundred pounds, 
 fhall contribute to it twopence per month extra- 
 ordinary. 
 
 XXXVIII. If any member be fufpected to im- 
 pofe on the fociety, by feigning lamenefs or fick- 
 nefs, the prefident and ftewards fhall be empow- 
 ered to call in a phyiician, furgeon, or apothe- 
 cary, to examine him ; and if, in the judgment 
 
 of
 
 of the phyfician, furgeon, or apothecary, it ap- 
 pears to be a fraud and impofition on the fociety, 
 he fhall be tried by a Committee, according to 
 the forty-feventh article. If he refufe to be ex- 
 amined, he fhall be deemed guilty, and expelled : 
 the expence of examination to be paid out of 
 the fund. And if any fick member fend notice, 
 that he is able to refume his ufual bufinefs, with 
 a view to evade the reduction of the weekly al- 
 lowance, he not being recovered from the infir- 
 mity with which he was afflicted, fuch member, 
 on the evidence of a phyfician, furgeon, or apo- 
 thecary, fhall be deemed an impoftor, and tried 
 by a committee ; and their determination fhall be 
 final. 
 
 XXXIX. If a free member remove more than 
 twenty miles from the parifh where the club is 
 kept, and find a Friendly Society eftablifhed in 
 the neighbourhood where he is fettled willing to 
 
 O O 
 
 admit him, the allowance, which he had received 
 at different times from the fund during illnefs, 
 fhall be deducted from his monthly contributions; 
 and the balance, if any, fhall be returned to him, 
 if he choo'e it, on the prefident's receiving from 
 the clerk of fuch fociety an intimation that they 
 will allow him to become a member. 
 
 Were Friendly Societies to become general, Dr. 
 Price, in his Appendix to his fecond volume on Rever- 
 fionary Payments, has formed fome itfeful tables, Jbew- 
 in% the fums payable to members at removals, in -pro- 
 portion to their age and contributions. 
 
 XL. It is hereby enjoined, that members at the 
 club fhall always behave with decency and civi- 
 lity to each other ; and particularly to the prefi- 
 dent, ftewards, clerk, and affiftants, fhewing 
 . proper refpect to their offices ; or they {hall for- 
 feit twopence. 
 
 LXI.
 
 XLI. Every member, on his coming into the 
 club-room, Ihall take his feat, and not walk about 
 the room, or make a noife, or lit before the fire, 
 to the inconvenience of other members. Who- 
 ever refufes to take his feat, when ordered by the 
 preiident, Rewards, affiftants, or clerk, lhall 
 pay threepence for the firft offence, lixpence for 
 the fecond, a milling for the third, and half a 
 crown for the fourth. 
 
 XLII. With a view to promote peace and good 
 manners at all our meetings, and to guard againlt 
 
 C2 ' <-J f f -^J 
 
 diffenlions and immoral conduct, it is agreed 
 that, if any member come into the room where 
 the fociety meets, and fhall curfe, fwear, or utter 
 any profane or abulive language, or fhall offer to 
 lay wagers, or promote gaming ; if he be intox- 
 icated, or raife any quarrel, or challenge another 
 to work, or depreciate his knowledge of his bu- 
 ll nefs ; for every fuch offence, he fhall forfeit 
 iixpence : and if any of the oflicers be guilty of 
 any of thefe offences, they fhall pay a milling. 
 
 XLIII. To prevent confulion, it is alfo agreed, 
 that, during any debate, only one perfon fhall be 
 permitted to fpeak at a time : and he lhall ad- 
 drefs himfelf to the preiident. If any two or 
 more endeavour to fpeak, the preiident fhall de- 
 termine who is to be heard firft; and whoever in- 
 terrupts the fpeaker lhall forfeit iixpence. Any 
 member refilling to keep lilence, when enjoined 
 by the preiident, fhall forfeit a milling. 
 
 XL1V. If any member be guilty of uttering or 
 promoting any feditious language in the club- 
 room, on the evidence of two witneffes, he lhall 
 be fined ten fhillings and lixpence, to be paid at 
 the, next meeting. 
 
 a XLV.
 
 ( "0 ) 
 
 XLV. It is agreed, that every fubjecT: of corn 
 verfation, having a tendency to create diflenfions 
 in the fociety, or to be fubverlive of harmony and 
 good order, fhall be carefully avoided. Any 
 member, therefore, who enters into religious or 
 political difputes with his neighbour, fhall forfeit, 
 for the firfl offence, fixpence ; for the fecond of- 
 fence, in the fame evening, a fhilling ; if he flill 
 endeavour to difturb the harmony and good hu- 
 mour of the fociety, he mall pay, for the third of- 
 fence, half-a-crown ; and, for the fourth offence, 
 he fhall be excluded. 
 
 XLVI. It is farther agreed, that none mail or- 
 der lilence, but the officers or clerk ; and if any 
 member call for liquor or tobacco, without leave 
 of the prefident or affifrants, he fhall pay for it 
 himfelf, and forfeit iixpence. No more ale, beer, 
 or any fpirituous liquor whatever, fhall be drank 
 or called for, than the fifteenth article prefcribes. 
 If any be ordered, the affiftants fhall pay for it out 
 of their own pockets. 
 
 By thefe rules i thus enforced, the chlf objections 
 lhat can be urged again/I Friendly Societies are remo- 
 ved : when properly regulated and - conduced ', they 
 neither promote intemperance ', nor encourage political 
 debates. 
 
 XLVII. As it will be difficult, if not impoflible, 
 by any general rules, to meet every cafe that may 
 occur, it is hereby agreed, that, if any difpute 
 arife, which cannot be determined by the articles, 
 it fhall be fubmitted, at the quarterly meeting, to 
 the arbitration of a Committee. To guard againft 
 fecret animofities, the committee fhall always vote 
 by ballot, and fhall conlift of eleven members * ; 
 
 * Theaft, which patted in 1793, for the encouragement 
 of Friendly Societies, requires that eleven, at leait, fluilcon- 
 flitute a Committee. 
 
 I fix
 
 ( III ) 
 
 iix chofen by the fociety who are riot in office, 
 four by the ftewards and affiftants, each nomina- 
 ting one, and the prefident of the fociety for the 
 time, in virtue of his office. If any member 
 think himfelf aggrieved by their verdict, he may 
 appeal to the next quarterly meeting, when ano- 
 ther committee fhall be chofen ; but, if the de- 
 cifion of the former committee be then confirmed, 
 the member or members, thus convicted, lhali 
 pay double the award. 
 
 All honorary members, who annually fubfcribe 
 one guinea or upwards, and who happen to be in 
 the club-room, fhall be on committees; and pre- 
 vious notice fhall be fent to them, by the clerk, of 
 the buiinefs to be taken into confide ration. 
 
 In adjufting differences, it will be particularly ufe* 
 ful to have the advice of "well-informed minds. 
 
 XLVIII. A lift of the honorary members fhall 
 be placed, from gratitude and refpecl, in the 
 club -room. 
 
 XLIX. If the prefident or ftewards embezzle 
 any of the money, with which they are entrufted 
 for the relief of lick members, or for other pur- 
 pofes, he or they, fo offending, lhall be expelled 
 the fociety, and profecuted as the law directs. 
 
 L. If the ftewards collect bad money, they fhall 
 make it good ; and any member offering bad 
 money to the ftewards fhall pay lixpence. 
 
 LI. No part of the fund, railed by this fociety, 
 fhall ever be laid out in the purchafc of lottery 
 tickets ; and every member, who has had any 
 fhare in the lottery, or in any other game of 
 chance, lince he became a member of this club, 
 lhall pay a fine of ten fhilling and fixpence. 
 
 This article is highly neceJTary, as every fpecies of 
 gambling proves ruinous to the comfort and morah of 
 
 the
 
 the poor, as well as of the neb ; and is produftivc 
 of idknefs, poverty, dome/lie mifery, and inevitable 
 ruin. 
 
 LII. Any member upbraiding another for ha- 
 ving received from the fund any benefit, to which 
 he was entitled, fhall, on the evidence of two 
 witnefles, forfeit a fhilling ; and if he accufe a 
 member of a breach of any of the articles, and 
 cannot prove his afTertion, he fhall alfo pay a 
 fhilling. 
 
 LI1I. If any of the fociety, or the landlord, pay 
 the arrears of any member, with a view to fave 
 him from expulfion, the clerk fhall give the ear- 
 lieft nptice thereof to the faid member; and, if he 
 does not repay him, at or before the next meeting, 
 the money fhall be returned to the perfon who 
 advanced it, and the member fhall be expelled. 
 
 Any member attending the fociety, and not 
 paying his contributions before he leave it, fhall 
 forfeit three-pence. 
 
 LTV. It is agreed, that thefe rules fhall be ob- 
 ferved by the members, while they continue in 
 the club-room, even after the club-hours ; and 
 whoever obftrucls the clerk, or any of the offi- 
 cers, in fettling their bulinefs, fhall forfeit a fhil- 
 ling. 
 
 LV. The prefident, ftewards, and clerk, when 
 they refign their refpective offices, fhall give up 
 the money, books, and accounts, to their fuccef- 
 fors ; if there be any deficiencies, they fhall be 
 made good by them. 
 
 LVI. To promote thefe our benevolent inten- 
 tions towards each other, and to prevent the box 
 from ever being fhut againft any fick or difabled 
 member, it is agreed, that, if the fund of this 
 fociety fhould be reduced, at any future period, 
 
 to
 
 to a hundred pounds or under, each member s 
 not indifpofed, fhall contribute two-pence extra- 
 ordinary a week towards the fupport of the club. 
 So that the fum of eight ihillings per week fhall 
 not be withheld from fuch lick, lame, or blind 
 members, as are entitled to receive the fame ; nor 
 is the money, for the payment of funeral-expen- 
 ces, ever to be difcontinued. 
 
 LVII. The wife of a free member, having more 
 than two children, under fourteen years of age, 
 fhall be entitled to ten Ihillings and fixpence from 
 the fociety every time fhe lies- in, on producing a 
 certificate of their marriage ; and every free mem- 
 ber, having a wife and two or more children 
 whom he fupports, fhall, on the death of every 
 child, receive ten fhillings and fixpence towards 
 the funeral-expences. And in fuch cafes each 
 member ihall pay two-pence extra at the next 
 monthly meeting. 
 
 This rule is made with a view to meet contingent 
 expences. 'The contributions of individuals Jbould bs 
 proportionable to ike number of the members. 
 
 LVIII. If any member, being lick or lame, 
 wifh to be admitted into an hofpital, the president 
 and itewards ihall depofit whatever lum may be 
 requifite for his admiflion ; and the money, fo 
 advanced, fhall be returned to the fociety by the 
 lick or lame member when he is difcharged, or he 
 Ihall forfeit double the fum. 
 
 And it is agreed, that a free member < Ihall be 
 allowed fix ihillings for himfelf and family, while 
 he is in the hofpital; and, if he fhould die there, 
 the fte wards fhall fee that he be decently interred : 
 any neceflary expences, incurred by the ftewards, 
 to be deducted from the allowance due to his 
 reprefentatives. 
 
 H LIX. The
 
 ( "4 ) 
 
 LIX. -The prefklent and ftewards fhall not be 
 entitled to any compenfation from the fociety for 
 any trouble, or lofs of time, they may iuftain in 
 the difcharge of the duties of their office ; but all 
 fleceiVary expences fhall be repaid them every 
 month. And, if any difpute fhall arife in fettling 
 this allowance, it fhall be decided by a Commit- 
 tee, chofen according to the forty-feventh article. 
 
 LX. If any member of this fociety fhall be 
 inoculated for the fmall-pox, or fhall catch the 
 infection in the natural way, he fnall receive the 
 uiual allowance, while he is afflicted with it ; but, 
 if he die in confequence, only two pounds fhall 
 be given by the fociety towards defraying the ex- 
 pences of his funeral, each member to contribute 
 nine-pence. And it is agreed, that all members, 
 who have not had the fmall-pox themfelves, or 
 who have families of young children, fhall not be 
 obliged to attend. If the child of a member be 
 inoculated, and it fhould die, there fhall be an 
 allowance made of five fhitlings towards the fu- 
 neral ; but, if the child take the infection natural- 
 ly, no allowance fhall be given. 
 
 This is offered as a means of encouraging inocula- 
 tion among the lower orders. 
 
 LXI. While the fund of the fociety amounts to 
 two hundred pounds, any member, upwards of 
 feventy years of age, fhall receive an annuity of 
 three millings per week ; and upwards of feventy- 
 five, of four fhillings per week, with the privi- 
 lege of earning what he can for his further fup- 
 port; the members contributing two-pence a 
 month to the fund. 
 
 , LXII. On the death of a member, or of a 
 free member's wife, it fhall be the duty of the 
 prefklent and ftewards to fee, that the corpfe be^ 
 
 interred
 
 interred iri a decent manner, and that a fufncierit 
 fum, out of the money allowed by the fociety, 
 be appropriated to the payment of the funeral-ex - 
 pences.- The minifrer fhall have the earlietr, no- 
 tice of the death of every member, and fhall be 
 fequefted to preach a fermoh ; for which he lhall 
 be paid by the fociety*. 
 
 When any member dies, the fociety fhall meet, 
 'at the time appointed, at the club-roorn, or at 
 the tieareth and moft convenient public-honfe* 
 as the preliderit fhall direct, to proceed from 
 thence to the houfe where the deceafed lieth, to 
 attend the funeral to the grave. Each member 
 is to provide himfelf with hatband and gloves, at 
 his own expence. The clerk fhall write out a 
 lift for the flewards and affiftants, who lhall give 
 the earlieft notice to each member of the tirrri 
 and place of meeting ; and whoever neglects to 
 attend, tinlefs he be indifpoled, or reiicles up- 
 wards of four miles from the fpot, fhall forfeit 
 two fhillings and iixpence. 
 
 At every funeral, the members are to fpencl 
 threepence each, at the houfe where they meet. 
 But it is agreed, that, when a member dies of a 
 putrid fever, only the bearers fhall be required 
 to attend ; and no fermon fhall be preached. 
 
 This is intended to prevent infectious difordsfi 
 from fpreading. 
 
 * In fome ibcieties, only the officer?, and about fix mem- 
 bers, who take it in rotation, attend funeral?. But it may be 
 here observed, that, as thefe fuherals are eeaeraliy in the even- 
 ing, they do rrit interrupt the idiial occupations of the mem- 
 bers. And, when the focieties defire (as they do at Sunbnry/j 
 that a fermon m iy be preached, the miuifler w/j)! hardly rc- 
 fiife, for many go to church on theie occafions who are irre- 
 gular in their -attendance at othet tin^-.< ; and he ha-; an o] - 
 poitunity of direcling their attention to Ionic avvtui ,-ifid rnit- 
 mentous topic, when the njind is n o;e tba;; uiualiy t..peii io 
 receive ferious iiTnpreffio::s. 
 
 H * ixin-
 
 ( "6 ) 
 
 LXIII. It is agreed, that the fix youngeft 
 members on the roll of the fociety fhall carry 
 the corpfe of a deceafed member to the place of 
 interment ; whoever refufes, if he be not on the 
 lick lift, fhall pay two {hillings and iixpence. 
 
 LXIV. And it is further agreed, that, if a 
 member die before he has fublcribed twelve 
 months to the fund, two pounds fhall be allowed 
 towards his funeral-expences ; each member con- 
 tributing nine-pence to the box at the next meet- 
 ing. And, at the deceafe of a free member, five 
 pounds mall be paid to his widow, children, or 
 reprefentative, on the next club-night after the 
 funeral ; or two pounds before, if required, to 
 defray the expences ; and every member (hall pay 
 one milling and fixpence to the fund at or be- 
 fore the next quarterly meeting. 
 
 LXV. At the death of a free member's wife, 
 he fhail receive two -pounds to defray the funeral- 
 expences, and each member mall contribute nine- 
 pence to the fund ; But this allowance fhall not 
 be paid by the fociety to any individual more 
 than once. 
 
 LXVI. When any member's wife dies, a 
 certificate of their marriage lhall be produced 
 before any money be paid by the prefident and 
 ilewards towards the funeral-expences. 
 
 Where a fociety is principally itiftituted for the benefit 
 of widows, it would be proper to make a rule to this 
 effeft : " If tbe widow of any member (hall live a 
 fi profligate life, or jhall bwe fin illegitimate child, 
 ** jhe jhall be excluded from every future benefit of 
 c this fociety. ," 
 
 LXVII. When a member has been bur- 
 denfome to the fociety by long illnefs, and has 
 received more money from the fund than he ever 
 
 contributed
 
 contributed to it, only two pounds fhall be al- 
 lowed towards his funeral ; and each member 
 fhall pay nine-pence. 
 
 'The large fums, ivhich are generally paid on the 
 death of member^ and of members wives, feem to 
 drain the funds of Friendly Societies too much. 
 
 LXVIII. If any member commit felf mtfrder, 
 the other members fhall not be required to attend 
 his funeral ; and only one pound fhall be given 
 towards the expences. And, if a member fhould 
 happen to die in a parifh work-houfe, no money 
 fhall be paid by the fociety to defray his funeral- 
 cxpences. 
 
 LXIX. It is here agreed, that all fines and 
 forfeits fhall be put into the box. 
 
 LXX. It is allb agreed, that thefe Rules 
 fhall be exhibited at the next general quarter- 
 feflions of the county, to be examined, allowed, 
 and confirmed, by the juftices, according to the 
 prOvilions of the Aft of Parliament, palled for 
 the relief and encouragement of Friendly Socie- 
 ties, in order to be entitled to that fecurity 
 and thofe advantages held out to us bv the Le- 
 
 O ^ 
 
 giflature *. 
 
 * 3 3 Geo. III. chap. 54. 
 
 One advantage, arifing from having the rules confirmed, and 
 depoiited with the clei k ot the peace, is, that, if any peifon, in- 
 trufted with any property belonging to the lociety, ihall be- 
 come a bankrupt, or inlblvent, the money due to the ibciety 
 mall be paid before any other debts. Befides this, if the truf- 
 tees or officers refufe to deliver their accounts, and to pay 
 the balance to the foci* ty, application may be made to the Court 
 of Chancery, where, by the terms of the art. no fee fhall be 
 taken. Bonds are not chargeable with any llamp-duty. And 
 no fee is allowed to the clerk of the peace for regiftering the 
 rules. 
 
 H i LXXI.
 
 ( "3 ) 
 
 LXXI. Every member fhall purchafe a printed 
 copy of thefe articles, for which he fhall pay a 
 ^Killing. 
 
 LXXII. Whoever refufes to pay the forfeits, 
 which the foregoing rules impote, or will not 
 comply with the laws and regulations of the 
 fociety, fhall be expelled. 
 
 LXXIII. The fociety, whenever three^fourths 
 of the members fhall deem it necefTary, fhall 
 alter, amend, or repeal, any of thefe rules. 
 But no rule, order, or regulation, fhall be al- 
 tered, refcinded, or repealed, unlefs at a general 
 meeting of the fociety, convened by public no- 
 tice, in writing, lignect by the clerk, in purfuance 
 of a requilition for that purpofe by three-fourths 
 of the members then prefent, and publicly read 
 at the two monthly meetings to be held next be^ 
 fore the quarterly meeting for fuch alteration or 
 repeal, unlefs a Committee fhall have been no-? 
 minated for that purpofe, in which cafe the Com- 
 mittee fhall be convened in like manner, with the 
 concurrence and approbation of three-fourths of 
 the members then prefent, or by the fame pro^ 
 portion of the Committee ; and fuch alteration or 
 repeal fhall be fubject to the review of the juf- 
 tices at the quarter-feffions, and fhall be filed 
 with the rolls of the feilions : provided, how- 
 ever, that no alteration fhall be made, which 
 tends to diflblve the fociety, and affects the 
 thirty-lixth article. 
 
 LXXIV. If it fhould be thought requifite, at 
 any time, to make any additional article, before 
 it fhall be valid, it fhall firft be propofed at a 
 public meeting, and, if" approved of by a ma- 
 jority of the members then prefent, a copy of 
 't[\c article fhall be written by the clerk, and 
 
 given
 
 given to the ftewards and afliftants to be fent by 
 them to all the members, that they may have 
 time to confider the propriety of admitting or 
 rejecting it. And if, at the next quarterly meet- 
 ing, the faid article be ratified and approved of 
 by a majority of the members then prefent, it 
 fhall be entered by the clerk among the other 
 articles and regulations of the fociety ; and as 
 foon as confirmed by the juftices become bind- 
 ing on the members. 
 
 LXXV. In conclufion, it is earneftly recom- 
 mended to all the members of this fociety, to 
 lead a life of piety and virtue, to cultivate a be- 
 nevolent intercourfe with each other, and faith- 
 fully to obferve the rules that are here efta- 
 blifhed. 
 
 THESE RULES, with the following forms, 
 were this day agreed on by the unanimous con- 
 fent of the members. In witnefs whereof we 
 have hereunto fubJGcribed our names. 
 
 H 4 Forms
 
 Forms and Certificates to be obferved: 
 
 ift. A certificate of age, to be required of 
 every perfon at the time of his admifiion ; and, 
 adly, of character, from his employer, or from 
 two refpeclable inhabitants of the parifh where 
 he relides, in the following manner : 
 
 " This is to certify, from our own perfonal 
 
 Cf knowledge of the life and behaviour of , 
 
 " that he is fober, honeft, healthy, peaceable, and 
 4; induftrious." 
 
 Notice to be fent by tie ckrk y when any perfon is 
 propofed to be a member : 
 
 " You are delired to attend at the next qnar- 
 
 <c terly meeting, as (here mention his 
 
 " name, occupation, and place of relidence,) is 
 (< propofed to be a member of our fociety, and 
 " will then be ballotted for." 
 
 Form of notice to be fent to the prefidsnt by a fick 
 member : 
 
 cc 
 
 a 
 
 I hereby declare, that I am fo much indif- 
 pofed, that I am incapable of following my 
 ufual employment. " 
 (the date) (figned). 
 
 Form
 
 Form of a certificate from a diftant member claim." 
 ing relief: 
 
 11 I hereby declare, that I am fo much mdif- 
 " poled, (here mention the complaint,) that I 
 <( am incapable of working at rny ufual occu- 
 <f pation." (iigned). 
 
 " We whofe names are hereunto fubfcribed be- 
 " lieve the above to be true. 
 
 " Minifter, Church -warden, Overfeer. 
 " Phylician, Surgeon, Apothecary.'* 
 (the date) 
 
 Notice to the prejidmt from a member who bas 
 teen ill : 
 
 t6 I hereby inform you, that I am now fo far 
 " recovered as to be able to be employed in my 
 " ufual buiinefs." 
 
 (the date) (figned). 
 
 N. B. If a member cannot write, a verbal no~ 
 tice fhall be fufficient. 
 
 Form of a certificate to be fent, on the death of a 
 
 diftani member, or his wife : 
 
 " This is to certify, that died on the 
 
 * { (here infert the date). 
 
 " Minifter." 
 
 'The prcfi dent's declaration fit the time of his admif- 
 fion into office : 
 
 " I folemnly declare and promife, that I will 
 " faithfully execute the office of prelident, and 
 *' with the utmoft impartiality will difcharge the 
 
 " truft
 
 ? e trxift repofed in me, according to the articles, 
 ff in managing the funds, and conducting the 
 " bulinefs of this fociety." 
 
 < TbeJle?varcCs declaration : 
 
 " I folemnly declare and promife, that I will 
 " faithfully execute the office of fteward, and 
 fc will, to the beft of my ability, difcharge the 
 f-f truft repofed in me, according to the rules of 
 * f this fociety." 
 
 The affifianfs declaration : 
 
 <e I folemnly declare and promife, that I will 
 ct endeavour to detect any member, who behaves 
 f< contrary to the articles, and will impartially 
 (( diftribute the liquor committed to my care." 
 
 The clertfs declaration : 
 
 <e I folemnly declare and promife, that I will 
 " faithfully execute the office of clerk, and will 
 " keep the books and accompts of this fociety, with 
 *.' as great accuracy and impartiality as I am able." 
 
 . Declaration to be made by every member, on ad- 
 mijfion into the fociety : 
 
 " I folemnly declare, that 1 am not, to the 
 " beft of my knowledge, above the age of 
 
 *' , nor under the age of eighteen ; that 
 
 " lam in good health, and have not any concealed 
 M diftemper or infirmity ; that I will endeavour, 
 " at all times, to promote the peace and pro- 
 ".fperity, and conform to the rules and orders, 
 " of this fociety; and, if I fhould be excluded, 
 
 "J
 
 <c 
 
 ( "3 ) 
 
 I will refign my claim to any property belong- 
 " ing to this club. 
 
 " And I further promife, that I will not apply 
 if for relief, except in cafes of Iicknefs, accident, 
 " inability to work, or old age ; and, if I fhould 
 * f be obliged to have recourfe to the funds of this 
 (e fociety for fupport, I will ufe every means in my 
 (C power to recover my health, and, as foon as I 
 * c am capable of refuming my ufual bufinefs, will 
 " immediately inform the prelident and ftew- 
 '* ards." 
 
 Declaration to be made by members incapacitated 
 by Jicknefs or age : 
 
 (( I folemnly declare, that I am incapable, 
 <c by honefr means, of earning five fhillings a 
 " week ; and I hereby promife that, as foon as 
 " my health will permit, I will inform the prefi- 
 " dent and ftewards, and, when able to follow 
 " my ufual occupation, will not apply for any 
 '* further relief from the funds of the fociety." 
 
 IT
 
 IT will be only neceflaTy to add, that thefe 
 rules, which are deiigned for the general irate 
 of labourers, may be eafily varied, fo as to be 
 accommodated to the particular circumftances 
 and local fituation of any rank in fociety. The 
 tradefman, the artift, and the manufacturer, 
 whofe earnings are conliderably greater, may aug- 
 ment their payments into the fund, and thereby 
 be entitled to a proportionable increafe of allow- 
 ance. But for further particulars of plans, for 
 enabling farmers, mechanics, and tradefmen, as 
 well as the labouring poor, to fecure a comforta- 
 ble fupport for themfelves, in iicknefs and old 
 age, proportioned to their weekly or quarterly 
 contributions, the reader is referred to two valu- 
 able works ; to Dr. Price's Treatife on Reverfion-^ 
 ary Payments, the 5th edition; and to Mr. Baron 
 Mazeres, on the Do6lrine of Life-Annuities. If 
 Friendly Societies fhould ever be eftablifhed in 
 every parifh by voluntary arTociations, their ta- 
 bles would be found to be of the greateft utility 
 and importance. 
 
 INDEX.
 
 INDEX TO THE RULES. 
 
 I. Number of members Times and place of 
 meeting Precaution to Friendly Societies. 
 
 II. Weekly earnings of perfons, wifhing to be- 
 come members. 
 
 III. Forms of admiflion Certificate of age - 
 Atteltation of character Name, occupation, and 
 place of reiidence, publicly exhibited Notice of 
 the time of election. 
 
 IV. Manner of chooiing members Number of 
 votes, Hate of health, and age, for admiflion 
 Penalty for producing falie certificate of age, or 
 of character Ditto, for concealing infirmities 
 Members privy to fuch frauds Terms of admif- 
 lion. 
 
 V. Officers of the fociety : Time and manner 
 of their election, and their duration in office 
 Their fines for not ferving Who are exempted, 
 and on what condition. 
 
 VI. Prelident, his office and duty. 
 
 VII. Stewards : Their duty to receive contri- 
 butions, vifit lick members, pay weekly allow- 
 ance, Sec. Penalty for neglect. 
 
 VIII. Clerk, his duty and falary Not to be 
 difcharged without fufficient reafon. 
 
 IX. Affiftants, their duty. 
 
 X. Officers and clerk, their fine for abfence. 
 
 XL Whg
 
 126 INDEX TO THE RULES. 
 
 XI. Who officiates, in cafe of their abfence, 
 illnefs, or death Death, or refignation of the 
 clerk. 
 
 XII. Box to be provided Books and other pro- 
 perty depofited in it Who fhall be entrufted 
 with a key Officers to fee the property of the 
 fociety fecured Penalty for neglect. 
 
 XIII. Who may be admitted into the club- 
 room. 
 
 XIV. Members, not to belong to another bene- 
 ficial fociety Their allowance in ficknefs, pro- 
 portioned to their contributions in health. 
 
 XV. Monthly meetings Payments at ditto 
 Expences limited General tables for fettling pay- 
 ments and allowances, not always correct 
 Reafons affigned. 
 
 XVI. Members to bring iilver. 
 
 XVII. Quarterly meetings, when held Ac- 
 counts audited. 
 
 XVIII. Anniverfary meeting, \vhen and how 
 obferved Proceffion to church, <kc. Contribu- 
 tions to the dinner Victuals not to be lent, ex- 
 cept to lick members Irregularities punifhed - 
 Annual accounts laid before the fociety. 
 
 - XIX. Members, within ten miles, to pay fub- 
 fcriptions every [month Fines for neglectAr- 
 rears to be paid, at or before the annual meet- 
 ing Qn what condition a member, who has beeii 
 excluded for neglect of payments, may be re- 
 admitted. 
 
 XX. Members removing During ficknefs, or 
 lamenefs, to fend certificates, properly attefted 
 Time allowed to dillant members for payment of 
 contributions Diirant members dying At- 
 tempts to defraud the fociety by falfe certificates, 
 how punifhed. 
 
 XXI. How
 
 IttDEX TO THE RUf>ES. 127 
 
 XXL How long a member muft contribute to 
 the fund before he be entitled to relief Weekly 
 allowance to lick members When it may be in- 
 creafed Arrears to be firft deduced Member's 
 illnefs, lefs than a week Illnefs occafioned by 
 diforderly or criminal conduct Members, when 
 recovered, to give notice On the limited power 
 of the prefident and ftewards to give temporary- 
 relief to members recovering. 
 
 XXII. Surgeon and apothecary to attend fick 
 or lame members How paid Remark on the 
 beneficial effects which the poor enjoy, by having 
 medical affiftance at their own houfes. 
 
 XXIII. Sick members, not allowed to beg. 
 
 XXIV. Ditto, found at work, fecn intoxicated, 
 gaming, or not at home at night, the penalty. 
 
 XXV. Sick members, not required to contri- 
 bute, nor to ferve any office. 
 
 XXVI. Members paying a year's contribution 
 on admiffion, their privileges. 
 
 XXVII. Articles, when read and fubfcribed 
 Declaration to be made by the officers and new 
 members. 
 
 XXVIII. Perfons, whole occupations are pecu- 
 liarly dangerous or unhealthy, not to be admit- 
 ted Members belonging to fuch employments. 
 
 XXIX. Members enliiting into the army or 
 navy Ditto, imprefTed Ditto, wounded or dif- 
 abled in his Majefty's fervice. 
 
 XXX. Members drawn for the militia Sub- 
 ftitutes, how provided. 
 
 XXXI. Members arrefted, or imprifoncd for 
 debt Guilty of felony ; or of any fraudulent 
 tran faction. 
 
 XXXII. Landlord's duty Sum depofitcd in 
 his hands Money belonging to the fociety, how 
 
 I laid
 
 128 INDEX TO THB RULES. 
 
 laid out Intereft, how applied Truftees to be 
 chofen, and fecurity given Caufes which have 
 proved fatal to Ibme Friendly Societies, and pre- 
 vented their fick members from receiving relief 
 Remedy fuggefted. 
 
 XXXIII. Money, how and when lent to any 
 member, for purchafing a cow. 
 
 XXXIV. Landlord, or members, neglecting to 
 pay money intrufted to them, &c. 
 
 XXXV. Society not to be removed without 
 reaibn. 
 
 XXXVI. Society not to be diffolved, nor the 
 property divided Penalty for propofing it. 
 
 XXXVII. Allowance to members, after one 
 year's illnefs without intermiffion Ditto, when 
 blind, or confined to bed Members recovered 
 Earnings of members reduced to half-pay Con- 
 tributions to the fund for fuch members. 
 
 XXXVIII. Impofitions, by feigning illnefs, 
 how detected and punifhed Ditto, for evading 
 the reduction of allowance Members refufing to 
 be examined, &c. 
 
 XXXIX. Diftant members, wifning to be ad- 
 mitted into another Friendly Society Sum pay- 
 able at removal Utility of Dr. Price's tables. 
 
 XL. Behaviour to each other in the club-room. 
 
 XLI. Members to keep their feats, &c. 
 
 XLII. Not to utter profane or abulive lan- 
 guage Members drunk Wagers, gaming, or 
 quarrelling, not allowed; tines for ditto Officers 
 guilty of thefe offences. 
 
 XLIII. Members, how to debate Prefident's 
 power and duty in maintaining order Forfeit for 
 interrupting the fpeaker Ditto, for refuiing to 
 be lilent, whe;i enjoined by the prelident. 
 
 XLIV. Members uttering or promoting feditious 
 language. 
 
 XLV. Reli-
 
 I^DEX TO THE RULES." 
 
 XLV. Religious or political difputes, how 
 punifhed. 
 
 XLVI. Who may order lilence, or call for li- 
 quor Further regulations to enforce fobriety and 
 good order Chief objections to Friendly Societies 
 removed. 
 
 XLVII. Difputes, not determined by the arti- 
 cles, how and when fettled Committee, how 
 ehofen Of what number to confift Manner of 
 voting Members aggrieved, how to receive re- 
 drefs Honorary members on Committees. 
 
 XLVIII. Lift of honorary members to be placed 
 in the club-room. 
 
 XLIX. Preiident and ftewards, not to embezzle 
 the property of the fociety. 
 
 L. Stewards collecting, or members offering, 
 bad money. 
 
 LI. Money belonging to the fociety, not to be 
 laid out in lottery-tickets Members having a 
 ihare in lotteries Remark on their baneful effects. 
 LIL Members not to upbraid each other. 
 LIII. Money advanced to prevent the expullion 
 of a member Fine for attending meetings, and 
 not paying contributions. 
 
 . LIV. Rules to be obferved after club-hours 
 Members obltructing the clerk or officers in fet- 
 tling their bulinefs. 
 
 LV. Officers, on resignation, to give an account 
 of money, &c. 
 
 LVI. Extra contributions, when the ftate of the 
 fund renders them necefTary. 
 
 LVII. Allowance, in certain cafes, to free mem- 
 bers wives, on their lying-in ; and on the death of 
 a child Contributions of members. 
 
 LVI1I. Sick or lame members, admitted into 
 an hofpital Money depoiited Weekly allow- 
 ance Duty of ftewards Expences incurred. 
 
 I LIX. Officers,
 
 INDEX TO THE RULES, 
 
 LIX. Officers, not entitled to any compenfation 
 for trouble, or lofs of time NecefTary expences. 
 allowed Difputes ariiing from thence, how fet- 
 tled. 
 
 LX. Members inoculated for the fmall-pox 
 Catching t'ie diforder naturally; or dying Al- 
 lowance Members, who have not had the fmall- 
 pox themfelves, or who have young children, not 
 required to attend funerals Members dying of 
 that (liforders Children dying under inoculation. 
 
 LXI Members upwards of feventy years of age, 
 their' annuity and privileges Ditto, upwards of 
 Jeremy-five Contributions of other members to 
 the fund, 
 
 LXI I. Duty of prefident and ftewards at fune- 
 j-als 1 - ^Members to attend Notice of time and 
 place of meeting Forfeit for abfence Expences 
 -Members dying of a putrid fever, &c. 
 
 LXIII. Who fhall carry the corpfe of a deceafed 
 member Fine for refuting. 
 
 LXIV. Suras payable on the death of mem- 
 bers Allowance to widows and orphans, &c. < 
 Contributions of other members. 
 
 LXV. Allowance, on the death of a free mem- 
 ber's wife Not payable mere than once- Con- 
 tributions. 
 
 LXVI. Certificate of marriage, when a mem- 
 ber's wife dies Hint to focieties, inflituted for 
 the benefit of widows. 
 
 LXVIL Members burdenfome to the fociety, 
 the allowance, and contributions, towards their 
 funerals. 
 
 LXVIII. Members committing fuicide Dying 
 in a parifh-workhoufe. 
 
 LXIX. Forfeits to be put into the box. 
 
 LXX. Rules to be exhibited at the Quarter-Sef- 
 iions Advantages Hated. 
 
 LXXI. Copy
 
 INDEX TO THE RULES, 131 
 
 LXXI. Copy of the articles to be purchafed by 
 
 every member. 
 
 LXXII- Members refufing to pay forfeits, or to 
 comply with the rules of the fociety. 
 
 LXXIII. The fociety may alter or amend 
 rules No rule to be altered or refcinded, unlefs 
 at a general meeting, convened by public no- 
 tice Forms to be obferved, before fuch alteration 
 or repeal be binding No alteration to be made, 
 tending to diflblve the fociety, 
 
 LXXIV. Additional articles, how and when pro- 
 pofed and confirmed Copy to be fent to all thy' 
 members. 
 
 LXXV. Concluding exhortation. 
 
 Forms and Certificates, 
 
 TOE END,
 
 Page 29. line if), for ar read far, 
 99. 6. trad happen. 
 
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