s been the history
of thousands of Friendly Societies, doing good and serving a useful
purpose in their time, but short-lived, ephemeral, and to many of their
members disappointing, and even deceptive.

Attempts have been recently made--more especially by the officers of the
Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows--to improve the financial condition of
their society. Perhaps the best proof of the desire that exists on the
part of the leading minds in the Unity to bring the organization into a
state of financial soundness, is to be found in the fact that the Board
of Management have authorized the publication of the best of all data
for future guidance,--namely, the actual sickness experience of the
Order. An elaborate series of tables has accordingly been prepared and
published for their information by Mr. Ratcliffe, the corresponding
secretary, at an expense of about L3,500. In the preface to the last
edition it is stated that "this sum has not been abstracted from the
funds set apart for relief during sickness, for assurances at death, or
for providing for necessitous widows and orphans, but from the
management funds of the lodges--funds which, being generally raised by
direct levy on the members, are not therefore readily expended without
careful consideration on the part of those most interested in the
character and welfare of their cherished institution."

We believe that time and experience will enable the leaders of Friendly
Societies generally to improve them, and introduce new ameliorations.
The best institutions are things of slow growth, and are shaped by
experience, which includes failures as well as successes; and finally,
they require age to strengthen them and root them in habit. The rudest
society established by working men for mutual help in sickness,
independent of help from private charity or the poor-rates, is grounded
on a right spirit, and is deserving of every encouragement. It furnishes
a foundation on which to build up something better. It teaches
self-reliance, and thus cultivates amongst the humblest classes habits
of provident economy.

Friendly Societies began their operations before there was any science
of vital statistics to guide them; and if they have made mistakes in
mutual assurance, they have not stood alone. Looking at the difficulties
they have had to encounter, they are entitled to be judged charitably.
Good advice given them in a kindly spirit will not fail to produce good
results. Th