REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

To the Officers and Brethren of the A.M.C., 1843:—

WORTHY BRETHREN,—With the most ardent wishes for the welfare of our honourable Order, we resign into your hands the trust we have held during the past year. In doing this, we deem it necessary, briefly, to allude to the very trying circumstances under which we have exercised the duties of office ; to claim your indulgence for the non-performance of a few things the last A.M.C. directed to be done, and for the exercise of powers, analogous to those of the annual meeting. We assure you that these omissions were not the result of carelessness, or inadvertency, that these powers were not exercised to gratify any feeling of our own, but with a well-grounded assurance, that by no other means could we prevent a dismemberment of the Order, and we determined to leave no effort untried, to present to you the whole institution as we found it, feeling that a year’s experience would make you more fully acquainted with the general character of the Districts, with their wants and feelings, which would enable you to heal the wounds that have been made, to restore the confidence which has been destroyed, and to place the Order in such a position as to enable it to run on in one uninterrupted course of prosperity. These being our objects and desires, although we do not ask your sympathies for the many anxieties we have suffered, we do anticipate a generous indemnification.

We need scarcely revert to the fact that immediately after the last annual meeting the Order was violently convulsed in almost every part ; opposition of a most decided character was manifested by both Tents and Districts towards the new financial regulations, great numbers of protests were presented against their introduction, and some Districts determined at once to secede if they were enforced. Amid this violent ebullition of feeling there appeared no desire for disunion, the Tents and Districts lamented their inability to accede to the resolu tions relating to finances, viewing them as an infringement of the law of liberty, the exercise of an unauthorised power by the annual meeting, in the originating and enforcement of laws without first laying them before the Order. We knew that such Tents and Districts were acting illegally, but to have attempted to enforce these regulations against such a feeling appeared to be the height of imprudence ; we feared the responsibility, and we permitted the suspension of the obnoxious regulations until this period, full of the hope that you would either place them in such a light as to make them agreeable to the members, or devise some other plan which should meet with a greater degree of popularity ; and to this we must direct your calm consideration, requesting that everything in connection with it may have the most minute attention, and that you will, by exhibiting the " olive branch," banish the remnants of discord which still exist and cause every member to love his Tent as the habitation of peace.

The last annual meeting directed that an amended edition of the General Laws should be printed, and that every member should be supplied with a copy at a small charge. Immediately on our assuming office we set about carrying this into effect, and the work was proceeded with to a considerable extent, when it became evident that the Districts in general would not receive these laws, and thus we were induced to stop their progress, and we feel bound to acknowledge the very prompt and courteous manner in which the printer acceded to our wishes, in stopping the work after having printed the first twelve pages. This removed from us a great responsibility, and no doubt prevented a loss of upwards of two hundred pounds. We regret, that for this act of discretion, one District forwarded to us a resolution of implied censure, questioning our right to suspend this printing, contrary to the orders of the annual meeting ; but we hold that when unforeseen and unconquerable circumstances arise, the Executive Council are bound to be guided by prudence in carrying measures entrusted to them into effect, and as it is quite evident that this publication of the laws would have been attended with great loss, and of no benefit to the Order, we anticipate your approval of the prudential course we adopted.

We do not deem it necessary to direct especially your attention to other apparent omissions of duty on our part, the unsettled state of the Order absorbed our whole attention ; constant anxiety on that account, with the absolute impossibility of carrying efficiently into effect several minor matters with which we were entrusted, has prevented our attending to the progress and improvement of the Order with that spirit our desires created; this has ever been a source of regret, and most sincerely do we hope that our successors in office will be placed to labour under more favourable circumstances. Owing to the great diversity of opinion which has prevailed, and the non-publication of the General Laws, the Order has not progressed during the past year with the rapidity of the preceding year ; but still its increase has been satisfactory, for notwithstanding the existing disadvantages, one hundred and twenty-eight new Tents have been opened; a much larger number than at one period could have been anticipated, and for this measure of success we are thankful, for it clearly shows that if we cultivate feelings of love to one another, if we work together for each other’s good, and fall not out by the way ; if we exhibit to the world the beauties, the moral influence, and the temporal benefits resulting from a peaceful brotherhood, our Order will continue to increase in favour with mankind, until the benign influence of Rechabitism is universally acknowledged.

There has been an erroneous opinion prevalent that the Order has been seriously injured by disaffection, occasioned by discontent arising out of the proceedings of the last A.M.C. To this we give our unqualified contradiction, and we refer to the fact that upwards of twenty-six thousand members were returned for the Christmas quarter, there were upwards of two thousand not returned, owing to some neglect ; and taking into account that these returns are made with a parsimonious hand owing to the levies, we have proof that in December the Order was not diminished in strength, since which period it has increased in confidence, in power, and also in numbers.

The occurrences of the past year have in no degree diminished our belief in the utility of the Order in advancing the Temperance cause, nor in the possibility of its being carried out to the fullest extent anticipated by its founders, even though it be not possible to obtain legislative sanction or protection. The principal evils which are to be provided against are the defalcations of officers and the treachery of trustees, and we are of the ‘opinion that if a due degree of watch-fulness be exercised, these evils may in a great measure be prevented, for in most cases which have come under our notice trust has been reposed where but slight consideration would have shown it ought not to have been, and trustees have been invested with permanent irresponsible power, which ought never to be the case except under peculiarly favourable circumstances. Tents should retain by their officers power over their invested funds, for where this is the case they can bid defiance to the dishonesty of trustees, and the constant surveillance it will cause to be exercised will in a great degree, if not altogether, prevent those defalcations we have had to lament, and which have created and strengthened the desire for enrolment.

The report of 1842 referred to the fact that several brethren who were warm in support of Rechabitism, having emigrated to America, and a well-founded hope was entertained that the Order would be established in the New World, and a reciprocity of action in the great work secured. This hope has been partially realised, the formation of Tents in Boston and New York has been officially intimated to the Executitve Council. In reply the brethren in America were advised to form a new and distinct Unity—an American Order, having the whole of its government within itself, but that a reciprocity of advantages be secured to brethren leaving England for America, or America for England. Advice was also given to retain the present constitution of the Order in Tents, Districts, Executive Council and Annual Meeting. A Provisional Executive was also recommended to conduct the business of the Order until a meeting of delegates could be held, and an answer to this communication was requested in time for your meeting. No reply has yet been received, but we know the Order is moving onward, and will in a brief space of time become a source of good to many brethren in both countries.

Communications have also been received from Sydney, New South Wales, and from Nelson, New Zealand, informing us that Tents have been opened there and requesting that laws and other necessaries might be forwarded. The non-printing of our laws prevented us acceding to this request, but our successors will be enabled to comply, and we hope that every assistance will be given and every facility afforded for the formation of Rechabite Tents in every part of the civilised world ; that man may not be tempted to drink, while seeking to make provision for a period of sorrows, not be drawn into the vortex of intemperance, thereby making life miserable, and leaving but slender hopes of happiness hereafter.

During the past year we have been induced to send two deputations, one to the Potteries District, to assist in obtaining upwards of one hundred pounds belonging to the Burslem Tent retained by the Trustees, and in this, we are proud to say, that, aided by the District, we were successful. The other, to the important District of Carnarvon, who, through some misunderstanding about the Act of Parliament, had resolved to secede from the Order. The explanations which were given caused the almost unanimous rescinding of the resolution with strong declarations in favour of the Tinity ; and, being successful, we do not expect you will demur to the expense incurred.

Very shortly after we assumed office it became obvious that our Magazine was so far declining as to warrant the supposition that it would become extinct unless that misfortune could be prevented by improvement. We are of the opinion that the Magazine is of great value to the Order, and that its importance may he vastly increased ; we therefore set about ascertaining what alterations could he made and its present improved form and size was the result. It is our humble opinion that the present size supersedes the necessity of the contemplated larger work, for should an alteration be deemed advisable it is only necessary to increase the number of publications and the desired object may be obtained ; but in order to ensure its success in its present form it will be necessary to increase its circulation, and we hope you will not separate without adopting some resolution calculated to bring the subject before the Tents and Districts, with a view to increasing the sale and utility of the work.

We would also impress upon you the necessity of providing for a greater variety in the articles for the Magazine, not by offering pecuniary remuneration to writers, but by soliciting the aid of those talented men who are to be found in almost every locality, who are ever ready to put forth their energies in every possible way, in aid of the Temperance movement ; and we are assured, if our brethren would assist in this work with right goodwill, the Rechabite Magazine might be made first in importance, and greatest in value of all the Temperance publications, and from which our Order would reap both honour and advantage.

We would earnestly direct your attention to the Contingent Fund; of its importance and necessity there can be no doubt, seeing that accident may make Districts,., at present the most flourishing, become applicants for assistance. We recommend its permanent establishment by appointing some regular source of income for its support. Let no security anticipated from more perfectly arranged systems of finances prevent you coming to some resolution for the support of this fund ; the best concerted schemes will always fall short of perfection—human forethought can never wholly prevent misfortune, and if application should be made, and no assistance given, confidence will be shaken, the attraction by which the Order is bound together will be destroyed, and from that period it will begin to decline; against this contingency we hope you will provide.

The last A.M.C. directed that premises should be taken in which the Corresponding Secretary should reside and in which should be transacted all the business of the Order. Premises sufficiently extensive for nfl our purposes have been secured in a central part of Manchester, and, in future time, we have no doubt the offices will prove of great advantage, as they form a necessary part of a respectable institution. In concluding our report, we assure you we are fully aware of the vast responsibility attached to your meeting, we are conscious that the attention of the whole Order is directed towards you; upon your deliberations and resolves depends its future existence as an Union ; at the same time we anticipate no danger, we have confidence in your judgment and your prudence. We believe that you will not only provide for the real wants of the Order, but that you will study to introduce the necessary provisions at a proper time and in a judicious manner, so as to prevent any violent ebullition of feeling so destructive of harmony, and so dangerous to prosperity. If you do this, the Order will assume is wonted tone and vigour, success will attend the efforts in its favour, and the proud anticipations of our first views on Rechabitism will be effectually carried into operation. That this may be the case is the sincere wish of,

Yours faithfully,

J. H. COTTERELL, HCR.

DAVID Ross, H.D.R.

WM. GRIMSHAW, Cor. See.

GEO. COLLIER,
WM. CAMPBELL,

Members of the E.C.

DAVID MORRIS,
ROBERT JONES,
JOHN AXON, D.C.R.

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