and the Poor Laic. 
105 
committee is also appointed by the honorary, and not by the 
benefit or free, members. All persons wishing to become free 
members are to apply to the clergyman of the parish. The age 
on adjnission not to be less than six or more than forty years. 
A certificate of health from the medical attendant to be pro- 
duced, and the name and age of every such candidate (we 
suppose the ladies have no objection in Wicken) "shall be put 
up on the church door for three consecutive Sundays," after 
which, if no reason to the contrary is made good (which must 
be stated to the treasurer or the secretary), the candidate becomes 
a free member, provided also that he pays a shilling for the 
rules. 
Full sickness pay Is allowed for 26 weeks, and half- pay for 13, 
and there are facilities afforded for more pay should the case 
require it. 
Each member is required to provide himself with a medal, 
Avhich costs sixpence, and is to be worn on the club-day. In 
this respect a hint might be taken by the various orders of larger 
societies, whose members array themselves in an absurd and 
expensive manner on such occasions. The members muster at 
the rectory, and walk in procession, headed by their band, to 
church; and on their return parade the village, and dine together 
in a tent. The proceedings of the day commence at 11 and 
terminate at 7 o'clock. The rules " are framed on Christian 
principles, so that the business of the club may be carried on in 
the fear of God, and that its members Aiay hope for His blessing." 
Some excellent advice is contained in the short address, which 
is printed, and given to each member on joining the club. 
The benevolent founder states that, " while the poor themselves 
are benefited by the club, the ratepayer is also benefited to 
a greater extent than is generally supposed ;" and he institutes a 
comparison from the point of view taken by the poor, of the 
effect of the friendly society in lessening the rate, between the 
cost of applicants for relief who are members of the society and 
applicants in the same parish who belong to no society, from 
which he shows that the saving: is larare. 
The Aveak point in a club of the parochial kind (which 
has, however, much to recommend it to the notice of readers, 
especially among the clergy, who are interested in benefit 
societies) is that the real management is, and must be, in the 
hands of one or two persons. So long as the founder is spared 
to take the chief part, all may be well, but sooner or later a 
change comes. The management, which requires some skill and 
considerable labour, is thrown into the hands of a new officer, 
with whom the committee do not Avork Avith the ease and 
efficiency to Avhich they have been accustomed. Attendance of 
