the view of learning what practical measures to take
in this direction the Society should:

"_(a)_ Hold meetings for discussion, the reading of papers,
hearing of reports, etc.

"_(b)_ Delegate some of its members to attend meetings held on
social subjects, debates at Workmen's Clubs, etc., in order that such
members may in the first place report to the Society on the
proceedings, and in the second place put forward, as occasion serves,
the views of the Society.

"_(c)_ Take measures in other ways, as, for example, by the
collection of articles from current literature, to obtain information
on all contemporary social movements and social needs.

"Mr. Bland, Mr. Keddell, and Mr. Podmore were provisionally appointed
as an Executive Committee, to serve for three months, on the motion
of Mr. Pease. A collection was made to provide funds for past
expenses: the sum collected amounting to 13s. 9d."

It appears that Mr. Bland on this occasion acted as treasurer, though
there is no record of the fact. He was annually re-elected treasurer and
a member of the Executive Committee until he retired from both positions
in 1911.

Thus the Society was founded. Although it appeared to be the outcome of
a division of opinion, this was scarcely in fact the case. All those
present became members, and the relations between the Fabian Society and
the Fellowship of the New Life were always of a friendly character,
though in fact the two bodies had but little in common, and seldom came
into contact.

* * * * *

A few words may be devoted to the Fellowship of the New Life, which
continued to exist for fifteen years. Its chief achievement was the
publication of a quarterly paper called "Seedtime,"[9] issued from July,
1889, to February, 1898. The paper contains articles on Ethical
Socialism, the Simple Life, Humanitarianism, the Education of Children,
and similar subjects. The Society was conducted much on the same lines
as the Fabian Society: fortnightly lectures were given in London and
reported in "Seedtime."

In 1893 we find in "Seedtime" an Annual Report recording 12 public
meetings, 4 social gatherings, a membership of 95, and receipts L73.
During this year, 1892-3, J. Ramsay Macdonald, subsequently M.P. and
Secretary and Chairman of the Labour Party, was Honorary Secretary, and
for some years he was on the Executive. In 1896 the membership was 115
and t