The amount paid by lodges in Great Britain, etc., for the funeral benefit of 9,310 members was £98,362, 19s., or an average payment of £10. 11s. 34d. In 1898 the amount paid on the deaths of 8,718 members was £92,224. 3s., or an average payment of £10. 11s. 71d. During the year 1899, 4,310 member's wives, 68 second and third wives, and 688 widows died, and the total amount paid for their funeral benefits was £29,444. 3s,. or an average payment of £5. 16s. 24d. In 1898, 4,126 members' wives, 71 second and third wives, and 635 widows died, and the sum then paid for funeral benefits amounted to £28,632. 19s., or an average payment of £5. 18s. 6d. The amount above mentioned as payable on the deaths of widows of former members has reference only to the ordinary funeral benefits for which such widows have been insured, and does not relate to any payments made by Widows and Orphans Funds, which are generally distinct from districts and lodges. to During the year 1899 it appears from the returns received that the total amount paid for members, members' wives and widows' funeral benefits amounted £127,807. 2s. equal to a levy of 3s. 7d per member per annum. In 1898 it amounted to £120,877. 2s., equal to a levy of 3s. 54d. per member per annum. The Grand Master, at the June (1900) meeting of the A. M. C. reported as follows as to female members: From the particulars I have quoted as to the numerical position of the Society, it will be observed that the number of female members belonging to branches of the Order was 1,227; being an increase during the year of 1,165. I am also pleased to say that the society has now 44 branches composed entirely of females, of which 15 lodges have been opened this year. The Order is to be congratulated on the rapid strides that have been made in the above movement, seeing that only at the Oxford A. M. C., two years ago, the necessary provisions were incorporated in the general rules for the establishment of such branches, and I trust that next year there will be a still more favorable report as to the opening of such branches. FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE UNITY. With reference to the financial position of the Order, 31st December, 1898, the latest compilation of which appears in the last October report (the financial position of the Order, December, 1899, having not yet been compiled, as the returns have only recently been forwarded to the C. S.), it will be seen that the total receipts and payments for sick and funeral purposes have been as follows: The following summary shows the receipts and payments of the several funds in connection with the society for the year ended 31st December, 1898: The following is a summary of the various funds belonging to the Order, 31st December, 1898: The following table will readily enable the reader to compare the results of the returns as to receipts and payments for the year 1898, with the receipts and payments compiled from the returns for several preceding years: 8, d. £. 1874 496,529 489, 237 3,371,027 8 8. d. £. s. d. £. 8. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. 23 18 1110 5 9 63 18 7 0 5 11 13 18 806 3 53 19 0 53 19 10 6 91 For sick benefits... From the preceding table it will be observed that, during the past twenty-five years (1874 to 1898 inclusive), there has been received by the Manchester Unity the large sum of £22,479,754 9s. 10 d. (nearly $110,000,000) for contributions and for interest on invested capital, viz. : And during the same period there has been expended by the Unity for sickness and funeral benefits the sum of £16,090,335 5s. 3d., (nearly $80,000,000) viz.. Average amount per member. UNITY RULES AND RATES. In the July 1899 edition of the "Rules" of the Manchester Unity the following appears in the preface": 66 The Manchester Unity has now been in existence nearly a hundred years. During that time many extensive changes and improvements have taken place in the Friendly Society world, and in all these improvements this Society has been the pioneer. The legislation of the Society, as one of the institutions of the country, in the year 1852 gave a feeling of security to those who had joined our ranks, and stimulated the growth of this and similar societies. Financial reforms have from time to time been adopted, the greatest being the adoption of graduated Tables of Contributions and Benefits according to the age of members joining, such tables being based on the experience of the society, and were prepared by the late C. S. Henry Ratcliffe, whose life was devoted to the study of Friendly Society work and the science of vital statistics connected therewith. Under these tables persons from 16 to 45 years of age may insure for any sum up to one pound per week in sickness, and to two hundred pounds at death. The present edition of the Rules has been thoroughly revised, re-arranged, and classified under the headings of the Order, Districts, Lodges, Miscellaneous, and Tables. This classification, together with a copious index, will materially facilitate reference, and be the means of the members obtaining a more perfect knowledge of the rules and a more extensive grasp of the principles and objects of the society. To those of the outside public who may peruse these rules, the duty of making adequate provision in time of youth and health for the time of sickness and old age, and also for providing for the wants of those who are left behind when the bread-winner is taken away, must be apparent. Many societies offer these benefits, and it is the duty, therefore, of every person, before joining, to carefully examine and inquire as to the society which seems best adapted to his requirements. The Manchester Unity is the largest, having 804,415 male adult members. It is undoubtedly the richest in the world, having in its several branches an accumulated capital of 9,783,020 pounds, and it is also one of the most carefully and economically managed. Lodges are held both in public and private rooms, and in many instances in buildings owned by the lodges themselves. Religion is held sacred in an Oddfellows' Lodge, and politics are strictly excluded. The desire of the members at their meetings is to carry out the principles of the society in relieving the sick, assisting the distressed and the widow and orphan in their day of trouble and bereavement; to educate our members; and to elevate them to their proper position of self respect and independence. The Manchester Unity can point with pride to its past history; to the amount of poor rates saved; sickness alleviated; medical relief dispensed, and comfort and happiness brought into many a home. In our ranks we have both as financial and honorary members persons of all stations in life. To those who have not yet joined us we appeal with confidence to examine our rules and come amongst us and assist in the great work we are accomplishing. The "Rules" in full would make a book. Reference will only be made to those provisions which serve the purpose of this publication in giving American readers an intelligent comprehension of the methods of the Unity in its practical operation and progressive reforms. A systematic review of the "Rules" is not attempted. What the Unity has done, is doing, and how doing it, are the main things to know. OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY-RULE 2. The objects of the society shall be: To provide by entrance fees, contributions of the members, fines, donations, levies, and interest on capital (a) For insuring a sum of money to be paid on the death of a member, members' wife or child, or the widow of a deceased member. (b) For the relief or maintenance of the members, or in the cases hereinafter, or in the rules of any branch provided, the wives, children, fathers, mothers, brothers, or sisters, nephews or nieces, or wards being orphans of members, during sickness or other infirmity, whether bodily or mental, in old age or widowhood. (c) For the relief or maintenance of the orphan children of members during minority (d) For providing proper medicine and medical attendance for members. (e) For granting temporary assistance to the widows and children of deceased members. (f) For providing members with assistance when traveling in search of employ ment. (g) For assisting members when in distressed circumstances, and for making grants to members who may be incapacitated by accident from following their usual employment. (h) And for assisting branches unable to meet their engagements. GOVERNMENT-RULE 3. (1) This society shall be governed by a committee called the Annual Movable Committee (or A. M. C.), composed of deputies appointed by districts, as hereinafter provided for. (2) The said A. M. C. shall elect three officers, called the Grand Master or G. M., Deputy Grand Master, or D. G. M., Corresponding Secretary, or C. S., and nine other members, who, with the last Past Grand Master, shall be the Committee of Management or Central Body (hereinafter called the Board of Directors). PARLIAMENT AGENT-RULE 17a. (1) A member shall be appointed as Parliamentary Agent, whose duty it shall be to watch any legislation or other parliamentary matters likely to affect the society or of interest to the members, and to act, with the consent of the Board of Directors or in conjunction with them, in any such matters, in such manner as may appear to the Directors to be desirable in the interests of the society. ANNUAL RETURNS-RULE 19. (1) Every year, not later than the 1st of June, the Board of Directors shall cause the C. S. to send to the registrar the annual return, in the form prescribed by the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, required by the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, section 27, of the receipts and expenditure, funds and effects of the society, and of the number of members of the same, up to the 31st of December, then last inclusively, as audited and laid before a general meeting, showing separately the expenditure in respect of the several objects of the society, together with a copy of the auditor's report, if any. ACCOUNTS OF THE ORDER-RULE 21. (1) The Board of Directors shall cause the accounts of the society to be regularly entered in proper books. Separate accounts shall be kept of all moneys received or paid on account of every particular fund or benefit assured by the society for which a separate table of contributions payable is adopted, distinct from all moneys received and paid on account of any other benefit or fund. A separate account shall also be kept of the expenses of management of the society, and of all contributions on account thereof. The books and accounts shall be balanced up to the 31st day of December in each year. UNITY SICK AND FUNERAL FUND-RULE 23. (1) A fund shall be established, to be called the Unity Sick and Funeral Fund, to which every district shall contribute one penny per annum for every initiated member on the books on the 1st of January in each year, provided that such contributions shall |