No. 9.

NOTICE.

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TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION

OF THE

NATIONAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER

OF

SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

[SPECIAL REPORT.]

Chester, the old city on the Dee, was the place determined upon as that most suitable for holding the twenty-seventh annual session of the chief court of the order. Thither, accordingly on the Saturday before Whit-Monday most of the one hundred and thirty odd representatives wended their way, the brethren from the neighbouring manufacturing centres leaving their visit until the morning of the session. Saturday night, therefore, found brethren from distant parts coming together, to renew old associations, to encourage one another in the work, to recount experience of the pioneers of the Order, and to hear one or two of the Sons" grown grey" describe the session held in the same old city twenty years before. The Sunday brought the usual dispersion, some to the Cathedral, some to chapel, some to Salvation Army barracks; the bulk of the brethren coming together again about three in the afternoon in front of the Town Hall. The local Temperance agent gave out a hymn, and then made way for the M.W.P. who, after a short speech, called up Bro. Lloyd (Merthyr), Bro. Moseley (Bishop Auckland), Bro. Surtees (Sunderland), Bro. Johnson (Newcastle), Bro. Reeves (Bradford), Bro. Hawley (London). These brethren made capital speeches, and were rewarded by respectful attention from a fairly numerous audience. Again in the evening at eight, on the same spot, the

M.W.P. conducted another open-air meeting, and there was really an excellent gathering of the Sons. The speakers were Bros. Macleod (Salford), Thompson (Shields), Reeves (Bradford), and others, the M.W.P. making a rather lengthy address at the close. Of outsiders there was a considerable muster and several pledges were registered.

Monday was the morning for the business assembly, and the rendezvous a mission room behind the Town Hall. A Management Committee was held at nine o'clock; at ten within a few minutes, Bro. Wightman (London), M.W.P., called the National Division to order, the only official absentees being Bro. E. Kelsey (Rotherham) through illness, and Bro. T. W. Mitchell (Rochdale) detained at Oxford by business connected with the Co-operative Congress. New representatives were at once initiated; Bro. Sutton (Rotherham) was appointed Assistant Scribe for reporting purposes, and Bro. Johnstone (Salford) for minutes of the proceedings. Bro. Williams was also appointed messenger. To facilitate business the brethren were asked to approve or challenge the appointment of the following members on special committees, their names having been selected that morning by N.D. committee of management:In the matter of Britain's Need Division versus G.D. of Liverpool, Bros. Lockhead (Bradford), Gill (London), J.A. Jamieson (Manchester), Surtees (Sunderland), and Chas. Ashley (Salford). In the matter of the Perseverance Division versus G.D. of Salford, Bros. Johnson (Newcastle-on-Tyne), Morrison (Glasgow), H. Dunkley (London), Moseley (B. Auckland), and R. D. Peterson (Liverpool). In the matter of the management and accounts of the official organ of the Order, the Son of Temperance, Bros. Jos. Thomas (Liverpool), W. Johnson (London), W. H. Lowe (Manchester), Sanderson (York), Thompson (Newcastle-on Tyne), J. Fife (Salford, and Bro. Bateson. In the matter of a difference over the last official report, Bros. W. Payne (London), Gibbons (Manchester), Lloyd (Merthyr), Reeves (Bradford), Luther Jackson (Rochdale). An attempt was made on the motion of Bro. Duxbury (Salford), seconded by Bro. Creighton (Manchester), to have the Perseverance appeal heard first of all in full session, but the N.D. resolved by 55 votes to 14 to let it go before a commmittee in the usual way, so the whole of the committees were agreed to, and the preliminaries at once cleared away.

Bro. WIGHTMAN (London), after excusing himself on the ground of pressure of work, &c., for want of time for careful preparation, then read the following

REPORT.

PAST MOST WORTHY PATRIARCH, OFFICERS, AND BRETHREN.The occasion of the opening of the Twenty-seventh Annual Session of the National Division in the city of Chester, must

awaken, in the minds of some present, a memory of a meeting in this same old city twenty years ago. That memory will be sweetened by the knowledge that progress has been made; saddened by the recollection of earnest brethren who are no longer with us in the flesh; yet, withal, hopeful, because out of their labours we are entering into extended fields of usefulness, with a consolidated and vigorous organisation. To-day the world is before us, and, practically, no set opposition. Fashion is virtually now in our favour; science has taken its rightful place as one of the chiefest pillars of temperance: while the church, so long apathetic, if not definitely antagonistic, at last bends its energies to the spread of our principles. And to crown all a wave of temperance is passing over our Islands, excited by the Blue Ribbon and Salvation Armies, and largely fostered by the same earnest reformers who have ever been the backbone of the movement.

Our heritage, therefore, is a good one. It comes into our hands at a time when opportunity is grand. It remains for us to confess what has been the depth of our faith, as it has found expression in the work. This, indeed, is the object of coming together to that I invite your attention, in the hope that the issues of our assembling may be closer union between us as brethren, and a rich inspiration as missionaries in the work.

MATTERS OF LAW.

Among the first of the duties which devolved upon me were two matters affecting the relations of our Order with the Registrar of Friendly Societies. The first had reference to the Cadets. It was reported that they could not be a part of our organisation. I called the attention of Mr. Brabrook to our General Laws, and claimed recognition of the Cadets. After some demur a way was found out of the difficulty. The office consented to recognise them on condition that certain alterations, as upon the Digest, were made in our General Laws. A General Cadet Code then gained the approval of the Registrar, which will also be submitted to you. Nothing, therefore, now remains to hinder the development of the Cadet Branch, save the want of will on the part of the adult members. There is an immense field open, and, certainly, no labour can be productive of more stability to the Order.

The other matter affected the registration of the resolution passed by the G.D. of London. It was reported at our last session. The Registrar declined to register it, returned the same for a fresh meeting, the notices of which were accordingly issued. I saw and discussed with the acting Registrar the grounds of his refusal, and, ultimately, the resolution was duly registered without a second meeting. My thanks are due to the Registrar for his readiness to reconsider and amend his decisions. There are two other matters which may be shortly dismissed under this head. At Wednesbury there was a disposition to divide, and make one into two, or even three, Grand Divisions. This received no favour at my hands, and I am glad to say the brethren now appear to be working together in unity. At Hull, too, there was a difficulty, and even a fear of dissolution, over the enforcement of the graduated scale. The brethren, however, proved reasonable, found their fears more apparent than real, set to work to comply with the expressed desire of the National Division, and, I hope, are now on the road to prosperity.

NEW FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS.

The brethren who advocated stages to centralisation, instead of centralisition immediate and complete, little foresaw what a bone of contention they were casting into some districts. No doubt it was well designed as an educative process. Some districts, indeed, have centralisation complete as the outcome of it; but where such progress has not been made the balance in hand has proved a stumbling-block. Brethren appear to have feared such balance would grow less by keeping without any definite use for it. Their active minds have, therefore, evolved many plans for getting rid of it. Some have proposed to add it to the management fund, others to devote it to special benefits for the old members of the Divisions holding it. I regret to say one application has been made for permission to divide it. This has been emphatically refused, on grounds set forth at length in the Son of Temperance. Briefly they are these(1) Such balance is not a properly calculated balance of assets over liabilties; (2) it is largely the result of service given gratuitously to the Order; (3) it is a reserve to meet liabilities, which are not met by commingling them with other and even greater liabilities; (4) it is giving to members gifts which they neither subscribed for nor were promised; and (5) the whole business savours too much of the practice of self-seeking to be

in keeping with the principles of the Order. I trust this action will command your approval.

CORRESPONDENCE.

My office has brought me much correspondence with brethren beyond the sea. Through Bro. Macleod an apparent opening presented itself for taking our Order into Ireland. Under the circumstances I thought it had better be deferred, until we were in a position not only to plant but to sustain with a strong hand. From Africa came an applicatton for a renewal of a deputy's commission. This was declined, though in ignorance of the real state of affairs. Within a day or two a letter from Bro. Hughes, formerly of Wednesbury G.D., brought cheering news of the existence of an active and wealthy Grand Division. Our brother complains that they have been neglected, and expresses a hope that new-coming Sons to that continent will promote unity rather than division, while he reports 70 members in three divisions, with nearly £6 per head in hand, with a graduated scale and common fund. The South African Sons shall have ground for no further complaint. They have our heartiest sympathies, and shall have every possible encouragement and help. Communications have also been opened up with P.M.W.P. Stearns and M.W.S. M'Culloch. The former wrote about proposed legislation upon Clearance Cards, expressing the readiness and desire of the National Division of N. America to make them as useful as possible to our brethren all over the world. I submit the correspondence herewith for the consideration of the National Division.

MISSIONARY WORK.

A difference of opinion prevails as to what is Missionary work. Some brethren incline to the notion that it is effort outside the Order. So it is, but the Missionary is required inside the Order, too, and will easily find work there of the most fruitful kind. Under this impression, in the ardour of rather old zeal for the Order, I set my heart upon personal contact with every member during my year of office. To this end conferences were arranged in Manchester, Lancaster, Penrith, Carlisle, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Jarrow, North and South Shields, Wallsend, Sunderland, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Crook, Halifax, Worcester, Dudley, Portsmouth, Newport, and Southampton. Conferences were also arranged for South Wales, but owing to the very serious illness of my wife, I was obliged to requisition Bro. Macleod's willing and hearty services, which more than compensated for my enforced absence. At all these places I "missioned" the brethren-and they wanted it. My first desire was to make them feel that our Order is just the thing for the objects in view; that its methods are admirable; its means most effective; that success is not overwhelming, because the members do not want it; that they leave the business to a few worthy and zealous brethren, and never trouble them except to be ponderously indignant when anything goes wrong. I must confess the brethren took my hard words in the kindliest possible way, and afterwards endured long addresses upon graduated scales and centralised funds. What the results have been I know not. I can only answer for myself. Upon me, my journeyings have produced the impression that the rank and file of the Order are capable of excellent work, and only need wise counsel and encouragement to place our institution in the front rank of friendly societies.

The mission to the members laid me open to a mission to the public, for which the former provided ample opportunity, probably as a set-off to my activity in dealing with them. In all the places named, with two exceptions, public meetings were held; in some places two or three. They were on the whole very large for the time of year, those in the open air rightly meriting the epithet-immense. The attention was everything that could be desired, while the lengthy reports in the newspapers must have introduced the aims and objects of the Order to additional thousands. As I have already given a summary of my travels in our paper, and, I hope, fully recog⚫ nised the kindness, courtesy, and hospitality which greeted me, it is not necessary to go into further detail here, so I content myself with recording a desire that the expenditure incurred will meet with your approbation.

"THE SON OF TEMPERANCE."

The notable event of the year has been the publication of our organ, the Son of Temperance. Acting upon the resolution of the last National Division your committee met early in the autumn, and gave serious attention to the duty laid upon them. They decided the paper should be the property of the

Order, adopted my suggestion as to the name, agreed as to what might be risked in a pecuniary way, and after an examination of tenders, gave me the option of closing with a London printer, on my offer to supervise it for twelve months. For the rest the responsibility is entirely my own. Terms were made with the printer; the National Temperance Publication Depot agreed to publish the paper on the ordinary terms. Circulars were then addressed to every Division in our Directory; additional supplies were sent to Grand Scribes; indeed, every possible effort was made to reach all the branches of the Order. Request was made for orders, advertisements, and news. The response was feeble and disappointing in the extreme. About one Division in seven sent me their name, &c., as an advertisement, about two hundred copies were ordered, and the matter contributed, apart from Bro. Johnson's essay, might have filled a page. Some personal effort in canvassing brought advertisements, and the same agency filled the other pages. In fear and trembling an order was given for 3,000 copies. Then, with the intention of finally stirring up some interest, a further order was given for 1,000 copies for free distribution. But feeble predictions for once proved false. The publishers wrote for more. The whole issue was very soon out of print, and there was a pecuniary profit on the first number. For the second issue I managed to secure that magnificent report of the London valuation, and the terms were only one way in which the London brethren have manifested the greatest generosity towards our venture. 8,000 copies of that number were printed. Not to trouble you at too great length, even with this matter, I may add briefly that the issue for six months has reached 27,500 copies. The expenses have been met out of the income; no money of the N.D. has been absorbed; and, after allowing the fullest fraction for advertisements paid in advance, there is a balance of assets over liabilities of £13 78. 9d. on the first half-year. Of course the labour has been immense, but it is only fair to add that no work in all my experience as a Son has given me so much personal satisfaction, nor has seemed so likely to prove productive. The pecuniary balance by no means represents the profit to the Order. Every month from 40 to 50 copies have been posted to newspapers, officials in other jurisdictions, prominent gentlemen in our own country; and the National Division advertisements have been inserted without charge. This has been done personally; and when to this is added the efforts at distribution locally, only coming years will be able to appraise its value as an aid to the Order. With regard to the contents it is only fair to bespeak lenient criticism. The editor had already consecrated the whole of his leisure time to temperance work, so the opportunity for careful production was small. Yet, there has been but one letter of complaint. That was inserted, and answered in the form of a dialogue, and there has been no rejoinder. Perhaps the brethren have saved their complaints until now, counting upon a sure chance of "heckling" an editor. If so, it will be well for the editor to forestall them with a catalogue of his own complaints against them. They run to this effect(1) Many Divisions don't advertise; (2) four-fifths of the members don't buy the paper; (3) half the Grand Scribes do not report Grand Division meetings; (4) half the Grand Divisions do not see that coffee-taverns, reading-rooms, and libraries are freely supplied with them; (5) Subordinate Divisions do not report festivals and special efforts; (6) some of the brethren who do send wait until the very last moment, or even prefer to see their news two months old. The editor has a few more, but puts them aside to again acknowledge the hearty way in which the labours of comparatively a fraction of the brethren have contributed to the foregoing results.

THE NEEDS OF THE ORDER.

Having thus briefly retrospected the salient features of the work of the year, you will permit me to note a few special needs of the Order.

THE SUBORDINATE DIVISION.

First stands the personal interest of every member. This can only be secured by (1) interesting meetings; (2) outside effort; (3) frequent special meetings, to bring home the responsibility of every member for the work of the Division; (4) full and open discussion of all the business of the Order; (5) diligent perusal of the Son of Temperance; (6) frequent contact in friendly conference with the officials; (7) choice of men on the ground of capacity for the duties of office; and (8) less disposition to deal harshly with brethren when our own apathy and neglect have tempted them to a violation of confidence. Attention to these matters will make a Division, and a wellconducted Division is the foundation of our stability.

THE GRAND DIVISION.

Grand Divisions call for special care. There ought to be a uniform system of accounts at least in every district; no variations in contributions or benefits; no variation in conditions of representation. It will be said that these things are already provided for. Well, I can only respond, they are not yet universally carried out, and when a man has been identified with the advocacy of changes he hardly cares to signalise a year of abundant change by literal enforcement of the law. Still, the laws must be operative, so I hope to devote minute attention to the circumstances prevailing throughout the country during the coming year, freely advise where advice is sought, and then report in detail about next session, all being well, the few Divisions still defiant. On the whole there is not great ground for complaint, taking account of the time we spent in education at these meetings, and probably this reminder will be sufficient for the present occasion.

A pressing need for Grand Divisions is a rigorous record of experience of sickness and mortality. The present obstacle to a fairly low scale of charges is the absence of a properly tabulated experience to justify it. Personally, I am fully satisfied that our charges are higher than need be. But we are in this difficulty. Persons in authority insist, and rightly insist, upon the application of a standard in valuation too high for our circumstances. The result would be a large deficit if our payments were not slightly in excess. And the persons in authority are fully justified, for until we accumulate a fair aggregate of testimony, it is idle to expect anything else. The strangest thing about the matter is, that the Divisions who profess their inability to pay a reasonable sum in contributions are just those who make a scale based upon our own experience impossible. The make no returns worthy the name, they send them in at the last moment, and their record of experience is simply unreliable. The consequence is, no decent actuary will pledge his reputation to results drawn from them. Under well regulated arrangements the results are so marvellous to the non-teetotaler that suspicion arises at once, and it is, therefore, the more essential, that evidence should be forthcoming of their scrupulous veracity. It is, indeed, imperative that this matter should have immediate attention. The London record for five years made manifest the utter inadequacy of the ordinary tables to meet our experience, and I therefore appeal to the brethren tc give us an aggregate of experience as a basis of calculation which shall at once be a justification of our payments and a triumphant vindication of our practice of abstinence.

CENTRALISATION.

What

And here I would add a few words on centralisation. I have said about the balances must be held to refer to them only when the balances are the sole obstacles to closer union. My sympathies go with opponents of centralisation when they hold out for equitable payments as a preliminary. A graduated scale provides this where the occupations of a district are general. But when the occupations differ widely in risk, equality of payment can only be secured by adding to members' payments for those risks which are exceptional. This, indeed, is the principle of the graduated scale adopted by the Order. It is intended for ordinary lives, and no district can be said to have fairly adopted the principle where this important difference is disregarded. My advice is, that districts should make variation of payment with risk a plank in their platform, and then equitable payments will remove the only reasonable obstacle to complete centralisation.

Another need is some principle of action in the treatment of old members paying under the uniform system. It is admitted that their payments do not equal the risks. Still, it must be remembered, that the terms of the bargain were our own; any departure, therefore, should be the result of careful thought. My suggestion has been, and is, that first the matter should be presented fairly to these members, with a view to inducing them voluntarily to adopt the new scale. Failing this, a new division might be made of their contributions with the view of increasing the proportion going to the benefit funds. Or, if these should not suffice to reduce the liability to a reasonable minimum, then, as a final resource, there would be no alternative but to increase the contributions.

There are other things worthy of introduction, but I hold my hand, as I fear my notes have taken up too much of your time, and merely add a desire that Grand Divisions would utilise the present teetotal wave passing over the country, and give permanency to other men's labours by making their converts into Sons of Temperance.

THE NATIONAL DIVISION.

To this National Division I hardly dare venture suggestions, but the fact is, an impartial observer would see at once that the initiative of matters here is purely a matter of chance. As a rule the introduction of changes or reform is left to a Subordinate or Grand Division. If the National Committee move the action seems to be viewed with suspicion. Now, this is a mistake, and as a protest against it I presume to recommend the substitution of some small significant badge-suitable for outside wear, as well as in Subordinate Divisions-for the white badge now used by the members. A piece of ribbon in the shape of a triangle with the motto of the Order in gilt letters would be small, inexpensive, and unostentatious, but definite enough to secure recognition. It would, indeed, answer all practical ends, and at the same time diminish expenses. Then it is worth consideration whether the practice of demanding a charter fee is one deserving continuance. Under present arrangements if the candidates were called upon to pay for goods supplied, and refund, if necessary, travelling expenses of a deputation, it would meet our objects. It certainly would make the opening of Divisions easier because less expensive, and to that extent would be an advantage.

THE VALUATION.

If he

There is, however, one matter which must claim urgency, and that is the results of the valuation. Brethren have been warned many a time and oft that the time for dissipating illusion would come, and that unlimited liabilities and uniform payments would spell disaster. The day, unfortunately, has come to several Divisions. They find that even teetotal lives are not a complete set-off to reckless finance. Blind confidence has given place to extreme alarm, and brethren are preparing to desert; brethren, too, who in long years of opposition fought strenuously for an unsound state of things. There are brethren here who know, for instance, how I was regarded as a revolutionist because I regularly assailed the system. But I am not here to laugh and mock when your fear cometh. Though you rejected the advice years ago, because we are brethren it is here for you again to-day, and if you will act as men and brethren not a member need be lost to the Order. What do the valuations disclose to these Divisions? Not immediate ruin, not actual insolvency, unless the claimants come immediately for the money. They cannot do that. What then do these disclosures mean? Virtually this. If the present course be persisted in, the box will be empty long before the last liability shall have been discharged. But this, too, is contingent upon the condition that the valuer used a basis of calculation properly applicable to our circumstances did not, and, as a rule, he would not, for reasons already explained, there is a spark of comfort for the most depressed. But there is further comfort. The result is contingent upon continuance in the old course. Are you going to do that or run away? I trust not. Better late than never. Begin now to have a payment for every risk. If a man has a wife let him pay for any benefits on her account, or, better still, let her be recognised as a member and pay in her own name. Then, if there be a family, for conscience' sake, don't throw benefits for them in as an act of charity, because you are promising to give away what is not your own. Let a distinct payment be made for each and every one, and then our Order will be mutual indeed. If these things be added to the others already referred to, the valuation will simply have proved a timely beacon, a welcome warning, saving us from rocks ahead. And here I would remark that you sometimes try the patience of your honorary servants in a cruel way. You remember that two years ago introduced the idea of a guarantee fund at Edinburgh. Well, you authorised your committee to go into the matter. I elaborated a scheme; your committee spent £10 or £15 and a whole day over a meeting to discuss and improve it. It was presented to you with their unanimous sanction at Rochdale. What did you do? In five minutes, or even less, you put it under the table. Why do I refer to this? Not to upbraid you, but simply to point out that that plan might even now be made the basis of a practical scheme for preserving the honour of the Order. Let the few Divisions concerned know that if they will embark upon the lines here sketched out the Order will help them, then, my conviction is, that they will not need the help, and the next valuation will find our finance in every district as strong as our teetotalism.

And now, my brethren, I will detain you but a moment longer. I trust that my treatment of all these matters has been honest, and without offence. My desire is the good of our beloved Order. Our association at these meetings has

always been red letter days in the year. We come together different in temperament, in capacity, in circumstances; but here we are brethren, striving for the general good, virtually champions of the weak and the oppressed. And I am, therefore, glad to say that my own experience of the year makes me most hopeful of the future of the Order. The progress has not been so rapid as desirable, but the work advances; equitable finance is becoming the rule, not the exception: the task of consolidating and giving greater potency to our efforts is better understood by the members; and, best of all, our mutual confidence is becoming an important factor in giving stability to our institution. My brethren, the future is practically with you. The means are to hand, the methods proved and practicable, the objects are worthy christian effort, certain to win the smile of God, and if we are honest, faithful, consistent, then with the poet we may say—

"Comes, at times, a stillness as of even,

Steeping the soul in memories of love;
As when the glow is sinking out of heaven,
As when the twilight deepens in the grove.
"Comes, at length, a sound of many voices,

As when the waves break lightly on the shore;
As when, at dawn, the feathered choir rejoices,
Singing aloud, because the night is o'er.
"Comes, at times, a voice of days departed,
On the dying breath of evening borne,
Sinks then the traveller, faint and weary-hearted;
'Long is the way,' it whispers, 'and forlorn.'
"Comes, at last, a voice of thrilling gladness,

Borne on the breezes of the rising day;
Saying, "The Lord shall make an end of sadness;'
Saying, 'The Lord shall wipe all tears away.'
Submitted in Love, Purity, and Fidelity.

W. WIGHTMAN, M.W.P.

The report was listened to with great attention, and many of the passages seemed to give the members some cause for rejoicing, specially that paragraph referring to the establishment of the organ of the Order, the Son of Temperance, without any pecuniary cost to the Order. The brethren, too, were amused at the prospect of "heckling" an editor. It is only fair to say that none of them availed themselves of the opportunity, and those who spoke on the usual reference of the report to a committee, simply rose to express their gratification at what had been done. The members chose Bro. Creighton (Manchester), Vincent (London), Lacey (Sunderland), Bell (Newcastle), and Scully (Ashton-under-Lyne), as a committee to consider the recommendations in the same, and then gave a hearty welcome to Bro. William Clarke, (Salford) the M.W.S., who at the call of the M.W.P., proceeded to read his annual report as under:

MOST WORTHY PATRIARCH, OFFICERS, AND BRETHREN,-In submitting my statement for another year, it affords me great pleasure to contemplate that as this and each succeeding session adds to the age of our excellent institution, it loses none of its vigour and strength, but exhibits greater vitality and force, and enables reflecting minds to look at the past with a feeling of satisfaction in the conviction that the various reforms which have been accomplished in connection with the Order since its formation in this country have tended to give to it breadth, stability, and permanency.

Ever since the year 1875 the era of reform has been steadily operating, and during the past year it may be truly said the fortunes of our society have been no less remarkable and important in this respect than in the preceding years, and affords the promise of an outcome of consolidation for the Order, and the building up of the structure on a firmer foundation, by increasing its power for good, not only as a temperance organization, but also as a provident benefit institution.

The success attending the operations of the Order during the past year illustrates beyond doubt that it can be made a powerful auxiliary to the great temperance movement, the first and primary principle of the Order, and should at all times be inculcated, not only in the case of those who become members for the first time, but also in that of all the members of the Order without distinction. It is not sufficient that we are enabled to point to a considerable accession of numbers in the aggregate during any one year, as that should be looked