The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-22 00:00:00

PUBLICATIONS.

PRICE sd.

the gentleinc n now present, but rot now to be dilated
en) brought the Society's plans and inducements into
actual contact with every atom of insurable capa-
bility to be met with. National in its constitution, by,
making fair and enlightened representatives of the va-
rious interests of every neighbourhood members of the
proprietary—national in its comprehension of every
class, - and every capability of customers—the So-
ciety became one grand national confederacy for
working a principle beneficial for all, for the ut-
most practicable benefit of every individual in the great
community, who chose, to profit by it. How dif-
ferent swell a method from that which had been pursued
in Benefit and Friendly Societies, most of which had
already fallen or were falling into decay and absolute
, ven to the most prosperous and sound there could
ie given no security for a very lengthened existence. He
was ambitious, in common with his friend, Mr. Loraine, to
see the enlightened Rector of Gateshead and Mr. George
Hawks present at this meeting, because those gentlemen,
who now presided over two flourishing Benefit Clubs, must
know, that even their excellent Associations for the be-
nefit of their poorer neighbours, were not certain of per-
petuation, after themselves should 'be withdrawn from
them. They were fully awake to the necessity of an
assured series of equally entiehtened, equally upright,
and equally vigilant successors to themselves, in order
to maintain the existence and integrity of their present
benificent institutions—that nothing, dln fact, but the
commercial character impressed by this Society ,on such
undertakings, could impart to them .either uniformity or
permanence, both of which were, at the seine time, ac-
tually essential to ultimate economy in the ma-
nagement, under the one central administration.
But Benefit Clubs for_ the sick were absolutely vicious
in their nature, however necessary they appeared to be
before a better system was devised. By their indispensable
rules, the relieved patient, returning to health, was pro-
bilked' frogs exercising his reviving capability to increase-
his scanty means, when the enlightened Chairman more-
over knew that light employment was often highly con-
ducive to the re-establishment of the convalescent's
health. Some or all of these considerations were, no
doubt, at the bottom of the Earl of Durham, and the
Rev. Mr. Collinson's predilections towards this Society ;
in consequence of which, the Nobleman named (who
was said to have contributed largely for years, by way of
encouragement, to the savings of his colliers), had.
honoured the Society by becoming Patron to the
Branch of it established in this neighbour-
hood ; and the Reverend Gentleman would, he (Mr.
Caldwell) telt assured, be happy to learn, from the sheet
awhile ago presented to him, that the Society provided
for a mutually advantageous connection with Benefit
and Friendly Clubs already extant. Its managers in
every district were supplied with similar forms, which
needed but to be filled up, and addressed to the Actuary
in London, who calculated every individual member's
portion of the common benefit or accumulation that
might be realised, according to which the Society was
ready to contract with him for his own particular ad-
vantage. The philanthropist and moralist could be at
no loss to discover varieties of application of the So-
ciety's principle for promoting the physical• and social
ameliotation of the people. And already, public
Editors, who concerned themselves about National
Education, had discovered in the method pursued
by the Society powerfully urgent impulses and mo-
ives to calculation, which they justly. regarded as
e's effective instrument of moral and intellec-
,ual -instruction. The universal diffusion of informas
tion respecting the system, which could not fail t o be
effected by the Society's energetic and skilful agency,
during the present generation, would render such exer-
tion, and the expenses attending it, wholly unnecessary
for ever after. For the knowledge and attractions to-
wards the Society would then as surely descend from
parent to child, as that the man who was thoroughly
enlightened On his own interest would be drawn by his
conviction to secure to himself the certain benefit.
In conclusion Mr. C. remarked, that the means of
comfort to all and every individual actually existed,
and needed but proper excitement and management
to he rendered effecival for that purpose. Tans,
all the manure which was destined, for replenishing
the exhausted soil was actually in being whilst lying
useless at random over the wide surface. Even when
collected in large quantities it only scalded the spot on
which it rested, utterly killing, for the time, the pro-
ductive power as it was exerted. But carefully gather
it in commodious heaps, here and there, to have it
ready at hand for diffusion ; and when the time arrived
for each man to spread his own little heap, over his own
little field, he commenced'the work with alacrity, from
the mere inspiration of sure. hope, that continued labour
would yet amply repay his toils. Accordingly, be ga- '
thered; in the autumn, an abundant little harvest for
the sustenance and comfort of his own little circle of
family or friends, whilst every neighbour being as hirn
self, he saw the whole country smile around ; and.
thus, peace and plenty multiplied into national pros-
perity, under the influence of an easy, because natural,
judicious national system.—( Applause).
Mr. JOHN BRANDLING, in rising to move the first
resolution, felt himself relieved from all necessity for en-
larging on his reasons for joining the Society, and pro-
posing the resolution which he would take leave to
move. The lucid and masterly exposition given by
their friend, Mr. Caldwell, of the character and mea-
sures of the Association, left little for the warmest ad-
mirer of it to add to his remarks. En all that was ad-
vanced by that gentleman, he entirely concurred, and
hailed the Society as one calculated above all others, to
secure the esteem of the enlightened protective classes,
and to render .to the humblest the utmost possible
good of which their circumstances were • capable.
—(Hear.) The savings of the industrious poor man,
as that gentleman truly stated, were fructifying abun-
dantly for the future comfort and sustenance of himself
and his-family, without debarring him from the present
use of the greater portion of it, on any emergency or
unexpected need. He would not say more, but to as-
sure the friends of the causeehind the public, of his dc-
termination to do all in his power to aid in working out
the equitable, 'humane, and judiciously remunerative
principle of the Society, for the benefit of the labouring
poor in particular, as well as of all other just interests
concerned.
Mr. GREENHOW said—The lucid and very satisfac-
tory exposition of the principles of the institution which
we have had the pleasure of hearing from Mr. Caldwell,:
renders it yet more unnecessary for me, as the seconder
of the resolution, than for the gentleman who proposed
it, to attempt any further explanation of those principles.
They appear well calculated to produce the most valu-
able reselts, more especially in reference to the indus-
trious portions of the community ; and it is in relation
to those that I think it storthy of such countenance
and support. By offering to them a safe and profit-
able depository of their savings, so as to form a fund
available for all contingencies of sickness and old
age, or for the benefit of his children after his death,
it holds 'out to the working man the strongest
inducements to industry and care, and a prudent
forethought. It offers him the strongest inducement to
husband the proceeds of his industry, instead of spending
them in personal indulgences which tend alike to waste
his means and debase his mind. It has been well re-
marked by Mr. Caldwell, that this institution will tend
to the moral and intellectual improvement of the
working classes,' but will also tend to inspire that spirit
of independence which would more than any thing else
increase their happiness and well-being. Whatever
has this tendency, merits our warmest approbation
and encouragement ; and as this institution appears to
me to possess this quality in an•emineet degree, I have
great pleasure in seconding the resolution proposed by
Mr. Brandling.
Mr. JONATHAN PIiIESTMAN, before moving the Se-
cond resolution, would avow his decided conviction,
that the Society must, if properly worked, confer great
benefits upon the working classes ; and this was his
own only motive for joining it as a Local Director. He
found, by observation, that Benefit Clubs had wofully
disappointed the poor workmen, whO had committed
their hard earnings for years to their trust, in hope of
of relief when sickness. or old age might come on them.
Besides, the practices to which those associations
usually led, rendered them, otherwise, most excep-
tionable. The members were apt to be led to dissipate
a considerable portion of their money and health in
habits of intoxication. What, then, could
.be ex-
pected from such clubs, but perpetual failure and disap-
' pointment, such as were continually taking place, many
instances of which had come to his own knowledge.
One only would he give here—the case of an old man
in his employment, who had been contributing from his
youth, and now, when debility had come upon him, he
found the whole fund swept away without having ever
returned to him one farthing. His connection with the
Savings' B ink, too, gave him opportunities to discern
the want of such a Society to supply the. defect (no
doubt wisely left by the Legislature) in that institution.
But their 'friend, Caldwell, had so satisfactorily ca-
ptained this, that it sufficed for him mersly to express
his agreement with him' on the subject. With such
views he proposed the second resolution.
The Rev. JOHN COLLIN3ON (who has for many
years deeply studied every plan designed for the benefit
of the industrious classes) rose to second Mr. Priest-
man's motion ; and this he did with unqualified satis-
faction, believing
it to be a most sacred principle to
provide proper security for the small deposits of the
poor. This the National Loan Assurbnce Society ap-
peared,to him to do, in respect to which the only objece
tion that lie had heard against it was, that its terms
might perhaps be too ; but Mr. Caldwell's ex-
position of the nomad data on which they proceeded
had fully satisfied him on this point. As to :he fella-
cionsaess of Benefit and Friendly Club:, generally, ke

when

...ginTurreu M r
having known :unit:- .ble instances of the
and disapp& ..nt described by those gentlemen.
sides, it concerned him, some years ago, to examine
constitutions of between 70 and SO such Societies, ,
he found only, two among them that were' not l-inseti
unsound and ruinous principles. It was hut this mcr
ing he left the bedside of a poor two who had art
been subscribing to. two Sick Ciulis, bath of which
now utterly failed him. in his need. • Any Society
therefore, that guarded against this, the worst.illg
were now prepared to hail as their shield and
against casualty and disappointment. Believing, te,en
that the Society in question was em:nentiy calculated t,
to effect what the people needed, he had the greater
sure in seconding Mr. Priestman's resolution.
The third resolution was about to, be proposed
Dr. Headlam, when, beiocr suddenly called out, he Ct.:,
volved the charge 'on Mr. James Finlay, whose co
nection with the Savings' Bank, and other operations f
the benefit of the poor, have afforded him many.oppori
nities for observing the necessity of such au Associatiot
as this. His estimation of it, indeed, might be info: r:.:.
from his becoming one. of the earliest shareholders b
Newcastle. Mr.. Finlay said, that he coukl but ren.,;-,
what had been most eloquently set fort) by gentlen!c.
who preceded him ; and, therefore, rith a simple ded;
tion of his concurrence in all that he had heard, In
begged to propose the resolution to the meeting.
Mr. R. R. DEES followed, and having rith groan
clearness expatiated on the application of the principl
of the Society, as a remedy for the evils and defects c
Benefit Clubs, seconded the resolution. .

Mr. James A. KNIPE proposed the fourth resolution
in a neat speech, and concluded by saying that be at-
tended the meeting from his admiration of the Institu-
tion it was assembled to promote.
Mr. RonEnw TOOL, in seconding the resolution,
would very briefly.express the satisflaction he felt in per-
forming that duty towards' the eminent Nobleman, ;ted
the other gentlemen to which it referred. It, teas ii s
determination to co-operate, heart and hand, with them ;
and, with this assurance, he seconded the resolution.
Mr. JOHN AlonrusoN now proposed that the
Worshipful the Mayor should leave tlite chair, en
that the Rector of Gateshead would have tLe kitida s,
to take it.
The MAYon. said—BJoro I leave this chair, I zr,..tht
declare to the meeting that I was never pres.nit in eriy
public assembly the procecilings of which "afforded ter
stranger feelings of satisfaction. In the dcvelopmento: t'•(
effects and constitution of the National Loan Fund, L'e
Assurance, and Reversionary Interest Society, so abi.
given by Mr. Caldwell, I see at once the means 01.
viating, in a wonderful degree, all the miseries and re
vations which fall so largely to the lot of the" po..r.
classes of the people. - So small is the amount of t.'e
posits taken, that the poorest may often avail their
selves of the offered good, which possesses the tt,,!.c
advantages of the Benefit Fund and the Savings'
and each in the highest degree, without the ebji.ctiiii
to either. One gentleman has alluded to the &fee,
of Benefit Societies in withholding from membi,rs
during sickness, unless such members are prove nte
working, thereby tempting men to delay returring
work, when they might have found some easy o'unire
pation suited even to a state of feebleness, lest •y
doing they should deprive themselveS of the rc.il
forded by the Society. Of this I have known to .r.
stances. It has often been my painful duty to c:bee
upon benefit societies the claims of members eeei
were disputed by their clubs ; and still oftener le.ve
on behalf of Societies, investigated suspicious ca:_,
And detected attempt to impose upon the managers, ei
to misapply the funds. Another gentleman has eivi
us some melancholy instances of the breaking op el
ttilure of benefit societies. In the proposed lusti:u.ic
'ere is an end of all disputes, difficulties, and 'caza;-:.
very man who contrlbutcs, is to judge for
should receive back as much as twct-thirds
.s- contributions ; and if he can, under the. iniluenee

the most. powerful motive, make regular payment <,
ever small, he is provided for in his misfortunes, in
hour of sickness, and the infirmities of old age. ~ o
lidera do I feel of the power, the efficiency, an;l
wide-et.:tending advantages to the industrious pow,
this Naßmal Society, that I call upon every poor ma
who has any reliance on my prudecce in huLiaes,',
my sincerity in endeavouring to. amel;ozatit the con
tion of.the working classes, to join me in my a1.:2 s
establishing this admirable institution..,—(Applause.)
Mr. MolutisoN proposed a vote of thanks, to
Worship, which was seconded by th Mayct:
GATESHEAD ; and being put to the meeting by A:
COLLINSON, was carried unanimously.
The MAYoa—Gentlemen,_l am obliged to Mr.
rison, and to Mr. Barras, for the, handsome terul,
which they have proposed, and to you for the I:
tering way in which you have awarded me this vote
thanks, and I assure you of my zeal in tl;Cs cause. V
have catered upon an important train of events,
which this meeting is merely the commencement ;
we shall prove, I trust, that our energy will be st,o
soon by more solid tokens than aeclamations.—(:
plause.)