society, and, as far as those present were
concerned, designating its objects. Some exception was taken to this
course as being an undesirable formality not in harmony with the free
spirit of the undertaking, but meeting with general approval it was
followed.

"After some discussion ... the following resolution was proposed and
agreed to:--

"That an association be formed whose ultimate aim shall be the
reconstruction of Society in accordance with the highest moral
possibilities"

A Committee consisting of Messrs. Champion (who was not present), Ellis,
Jupp, Podmore, and Chubb, and, failing Champion, Pease was appointed to
draw up and submit proposals, and it was resolved for the future to meet
on Fridays, a practice which the Society has maintained ever since.

The meeting on November 23rd was attended by thirty-one people, and
included Miss Dale Owen, William Clarke, and Frederick Keddell, the
first Secretary of the Fabian Society.

H.H. Champion[8] introduced the proposals of the Committee, including
the following resolution, which was carried apparently with unanimity:--

"The members of the Society assert that the Competitive system
assures the happiness and comfort of the few at the expense of the
suffering of the many and that Society must be reconstituted in such
a manner as to secure the general welfare and happiness,"

Then the minutes go on, indicating already a rift in the Society: "As
the resolution referred rather to the material or economic aims of the
Society and not to its primary spiritual aim, it was agreed that it
should stand as No. 3, and that another resolution setting forth the
spiritual basis of the Fellowship shall be passed which shall stand as
No. 2."

It proved impossible to formulate then and there the spiritual basis of
the Society, and after several suggestions had been made a new committee
was appointed. Resolution No. 1 had already been deferred.

The next meeting was held on December 7th, when only fifteen were
present. Hubert Bland occupied the chair, and Dr. Burns-Gibson
introduced a definite plan as follows:--

"THE FELLOWSHIP OF NEW LIFE

_Object_.--The cultivation of a perfect character in each and all.

_Principle_.--The subordination of material things to spiritual.

_Fellowship_.--The sole and essential condition of fellowship
shall be a single-minded, sincere, and strenuous devotion to the
object and pri