CHAPTER III. 

 " God helps those that help themselves." — Old Maxim. 



"And we shall sit at endless feast, 

 Enjoying each the others' good : 

 What vaster dream can hit the mood 

 Of love on earth?'' — Tennyson. — "/« Memoriam." 



THE sentiments expressed in the mottoes which appear at the 

 head of the present chapter, are pecuharly appropriate in 

 their application to the principles which are embodied in the 

 maxims and work of the co-operative classes in this country. 



The Co-operative movement is essentially an effort on the part 

 of Labour to work out its own salvation. As such, it deserves, 

 and will eventually command, the sympathy of all thoughtful minds. 

 In the face of the perils with which its path is beset — all the 

 greater because they arise more from within than from without — 

 the wonder is, not that it occasionally fails of its object, but that it 

 should have achieved so much substantial success. Rossendale 

 has borne a conspicuous and honourable part in furthering this 

 great movement ; and this counts for something in its history. 



About forty-seven years ago, a few earnest working men were 

 accustomed to meet in the room over the old Co-operative Store, 

 Rochdale Road, Bacup, for which they paid a rent of fifteen pence 

 per week. Their primary object in assembling together was to 

 improve themselves in., the rudiments of education— reading, 

 writing, and arithmetic ; and to discuss projects for the ameliora- 

 tion of their condition in life. To these subjects they added, by 

 way of recreation, a litde vocal and instrumental music, which they 



