THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES IN THE ISLE OF MAN: An ...

THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF
RECHABITES

IN THE ISLE OF MAN:

An account with some social comment
on the influence and activities of this Friendly

Society from 1836 to 1996

by
Alan Geoffrey Franklin.

Dissertation submitted in accordance with the requirements of the
University of Liverpool for the degree of Master of Arts in Manx
Studies.

1999

N.B.
A copy of this dissertation is deposited in the library of Manx National Heritage,
Manx Museum, Douglas. Accession Reference 10217.

CONTENTS

Illustrations. iv

Abbreviations and acknowledgements. v

Introduction. 1

Chapter 1 Alcohol and the Isle of Man. 2

The legacies of smuggling and revestment.

The reaction to excess drinking, the development

of the temperance movement, the Methodist influence.

Chapter 2 Temperance movements, the first Tents
and early development.
Origins of the Rechabites. 6
Administration.
Benefits.
Its arrival in the Island.
Early progress.
The temperance movement, Sunday closing and
licensing control.
Further development.

Chapter 3 The largest home District in the Order. 16

Chapter 4 The peak of the Order and clouds on the horizon. 23
Tightening of central control.
The Boarding House or ‘Permit’ Act.
Membership reaches its peak.
The advent of proposals for Old Age Pensions and
National Insurance.

ii

Chapter 5 State benefits and events up to the 1945. 36

Old Age Pensions 1908 and the National Insurance

Bill 1910/11.

Local celebrations.

Revised rules of 1913 as a result of National Insurance.

Slow decline in membership.

Centenary celebrations.

Second World War.

Chapter 6 After the Second World War and the effects of
the Welfare State.
Decline of the Juvenile section. 54
Restructuring the Order.
Collapse of the Juvenile section.
Decline in membership.
End of the District.
Consolidation to Manchester.

Conclusion 66

Appendices

1. List of Adult and Juvenile Tents in the IOM District. 68

2. Membership figures of the IOM District. 70

3. Registers of members 1855-1972. 72

4 Mona Union members’ occupations and ages at initiation. 73

5 Mona Jonadab members’ occupations and ages at initiation. 76

6 Sons of Mona members’ occupations and ages at initiation. 78

(Footnotes to appendices 3 to 6.) 80

7. Population Census figures 1821 - 1961. 81

iii

8 Methodist membership in the Isle of Man. 82
9 Benefits available to Members. 83

a) Extracted from Prospectus for new 85
North Douglas Tent (1898). 86
87
b) Extracted from Leaflet issued for Mona Fellowship
Tent c.1905. 88

c) From IOM District Rules 1960.
10 Order Regalia from the general rules as amended

by the 1893 HMC.
11 Table of National Membership and Funds from

Highet’s Rechabite History.
12 Historical Survey of Law relating to sale of Intoxicating

Liquor. Summarised from Appendix 7 of the Report
of Licensing Commission 1933.

Bibliography

Illustrations.
Following page:
8 Emblem of Order.
9 James Teare.
15 John Joughin and HT McIver.
19 Mona Fellowship Ramsey Festival 1888.
24 District Rules 1895.
27 Manifesto to Rechabites 1897.
45 Juvenile District Rally 1925.
50 1936 District Executive.
50 Centenary Celebrations.

All illustrations are ‘Reproduced by kind permission of Manx National Heritage’.

iv

Abbreviations.

AM Annual Meeting

AMC Annual Moveable Conference

CR Chief Ruler

CS Corresponding Secretary

DCR Deputy Chief Ruler

DDR Deputy District Ruler

DHCR Deputy High Chief Ruler

DS District Secretary

DSJT District Superintendent

of Juvenile Tents

DT District Treasurer

HCR High Chief Ruler

HMC High Moveable Conference

HS High Secretary

HSJT High Superintendent of

Juvenile Tents.

HYM Half Yearly Meeting

IOM Isle of Man

IOR Independent Order of Rechabites

JS Juvenile Superintendent

MBD Member of Board of Directors

MC Moveable Conference

MHK Member of the House of Keys

MU Mona Union

PDCR Past District Chief Ruler

PHCR Past High Chief Ruler

SoM Star of Mona

TS Tent Secretary

Acknowledgements.

I am grateful for the support and encouragement given by fellow MA students, the staff
of the Centre for Manx Studies and Manx National Heritage which made this research
possible.

v

Introduction.
Alcohol, its level of consumption and social acceptability has been and continues to be a
problem in the Isle of Man. For a time in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries a vocal
and articulate section of society banded together as the temperance movement in an
attempt to reduce or even prohibit the use of alcoholic drinks. At its peak this movement
consisted of a large number of organisations allied with non conformists particularly the
Methodist church.

This dissertation sets the background to and traces the origins and development of the
Rechabites who were one of the prominent organisation in this movement. It considers its
early development and subsequent decline in the Isle of Man over 160 years. It is drawn
from the extensive collection of original records and printed material kept in the Library of
Manx National Heritage and also quotes from various standard social history texts to
establish the historical, social and political context.

The Rechabites were not just a temperance organisation. They were established as a
Friendly Society and in conjunction with other such societies provided a local welfare and
benefit system. This was at a time when there was no state and practically no local
government or parish provision. So successful were the Friendly Societies that the British
Government eventually used their actuarial experience as a basis for the gradual
introduction of the welfare state. They also provided an opportunity for social gatherings
and activities with regular meetings, annual dinners, teas and processions. Meeting like
minded people in a structured organisation also provided an opportunity for members to
improve their lot in life and increase self esteem and confidence.

Changing social attitudes and the development of the welfare state led to the eventual
decline and closure of the Rechabites. This dissertation recognises the undoubted
contribution they made to the social and political development of the Island community and
its ultimate legacy.

1

Chapter One.
Alcohol and the Isle of Man.
‘The Isle of Man, 70,000 alcoholics clinging to a rock in the Irish Sea’.1

The legacies of smuggling and revestment.
The reaction to excess drinking, the development of the temperance movement, the
Methodist influence.

The legacies of smuggling and revestment.
As an introduction it is necessary to consider the social and economic position of the
Island in the years prior to the arrival of the Rechabites by a brief outline of its political
history.2 The Isle of Man as a small Island in the centre of the Irish Sea has at various
periods in its history been under Norwegian, Scottish and English control and from the
fifteenth century was ruled by the Stanley family until in 1736 control passed by
inheritance to the Dukes of Atholl. For centuries it had existed as a subsistence economy
based on fishing and agriculture with the population controlled by the Duke’s officials
outside the jurisdiction of the English Crown. In order to boost levels of income the local
authorities turned virtually a blind eye to the smuggling trade which developed following
the English Civil War. The Island was used as a base for legal large scale importation of
wines and spirits on which low levels of duty were collected and the cargoes were then
illegally smuggled into the adjacent countries avoiding payment of much higher levels of
duty. This led to economic prosperity in the Island with widespread availability of alcohol
at very low prices which caused very high levels of drunkenness in the local community.

The British Crown was so concerned at the large loss of revenue that it virtually forced
the Duke of Atholl, Lord of Man to sell back most of his rights in 1765. This sale is known
as the Act of Revestment and it had devastating effects on the Island which were to
continue until the mid 1860’s. At a stroke the smuggling trade was virtually closed down
with the harmonisation of duties and the loss of the ability to levy insular revenues except
through limited local rates [such as for Highways] severely damaged the economy. It did
not begin to recover until the Napoleonic wars with immigration and a growing number of
soldiers from about 1793. After the end of the wars the government promoted the Island
as attractive to retired officers on half pay, annuitants and widows due to the low cost of

1 Popular ‘folklore’ statement still evident today.

2

living with no direct taxation or poor rates. It was also a relatively low crime area and not
liable to be affected by political change. Despite gradual reduction of British duties this
advantage was to last until the reforms of the 1860’s by which time improvements to the
local infrastructure were under way which were to facilitate a boom in the mass tourism
which had begun after the establishment of a regular ferry service by the IOM Steam
Packet Company in 1830.

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries the Island had returned to a largely
subsistence economy with many people living in very poor conditions in a state of
continuous poverty. Between revestment and about 1830 there were high levels of
mortality with periodic epidemics of smallpox and cholera and for many the only way of
deadening such a life was by emigrating particularly to North America in the 1820’s
during a further economic depression or by drinking to excess. This was not condemned
so much at this time as medical opinion still believed that drink was essential for keeping
away disease, for stamina and good health. Also alcohol was seen as a pain killer and
comforter. In the Island as elsewhere many of the social facilities we take for granted
today did not exist; drink was seen as a safer alternative to adulterated water and milk.
Hot drinks such as tea and coffee were still expensive although steadily reducing in cost;
cordials were not yet manufactured on a large scale.3

The reaction to excess drinking, the development of the temperance movement,
the Methodist influence.
The last quarter of the eighteenth century saw the arrival of Methodism to seriously
challenge the established church. Its rapid growth4 marked the beginning of a reaction
against drink and towards self improvement for the individual and family. The evangelists
gave impetus and technique to the humanitarian movement and links between temperance
agitation and revivalists were close.5 Agitation for reforms in Britain had brought in
various ways of exerting pressure for social reform, processions, petitioning campaigns
and permanent committees had all become accepted techniques. The methods used by lay
preachers to inspire their followers could and would be used by the temperance movement
to achieve social change.

2 See Kinvig and Moore.
3 Harrison - Drink and the Victorians chapter 2.
4 Appendix 8 Methodist Membership.
5 Harrison - chapter 4.

3

By the 1830’s a number of temperance societies6 had been started by sympathetic clergy
and lay preachers influenced by developments particularly in America where the
movement had originated. Early on the local press reported temperance meetings,
processions and tea parties. Initially these societies split into two viewpoints, temperance
and teetotal. Temperance supporters were moderationists who were solely against the
drinking of spirits and tended to be Anglican establishment such as local clergy or gentry
aiming towards encouraging reduced consumption or abstinence from the more
dangerous drinks. The teetotalists were more the working class and skilled artisans
frequently radical non-conformists who advocated total abstinence from all alcohol. Each
group had its preferred viewpoints, the former favouring an educational approach to
encourage sensible drinking whilst the later pushed for prohibition.

The early teetotalers were widely regarded as extremists or even fanatics with many
influential [establishment] people seeing them as likely to cause sedition, or judging them to
be secret societies plotting against authorities. As a direct consequence legislation
mitigated against the formation of anything other than small local societies, a problem
which was to last until the 1850’s. Some employers refused to employ teetotalers,
particularly in agriculture, where the tradition of providing refreshment [i.e. ale, cider or
beer] to workers in the fields was strong.

The public house or drinking place was a multi functional venue which served as a focal
point for the community and was seen as a meeting and recreation centre offering
facilities unavailable at home. The man who gave up drink needed to be provided with an
alternative social centre and the moral support of like minded people. Often the only
available alternative venue was the church or chapel as there were few other public
buildings until these appeared later in the century necessitated by the growth of local
government. As the established churches tended to support the moderationist viewpoint a
strong link developed with the non-conformists which in the Island meant the substantial
presence of the two main divisions of the Methodist Church. As well as moral support and
leadership they could provide the premises.

6 e.g. Kirk Andreas Auxiliary Temperance Society, Ramsey New Temperance Society, Douglas
Temperance Society.

4

The Wesleyans had arrived first, with the Primitives following in 1823. The Primitive
Methodist church recommended temperance societies as early as 1832 and in 1841
ordered unfermented wine to be used in communion. The Wesleyans officially condemned
teetotalism in 1841 but this was never unanimously accepted7 and many of its members
supported temperance activities.

7 Harrison chapter 8.

5

Chapter 2
Temperance movements, the first Tents and early development.
Origins of the Rechabites.
Administration.
Benefits.
Its arrival in the Island.
Early progress.
The temperance movement Sunday closing and Licensing control.
Further development.

Origins of the Rechabites.
The Rechabites were founded at a meeting of the Salford Temperance Burial Society,
taking their name from the Old Testament.8 The first branch or Tent was opened on
August 25 1835. The object was to provide a temperance alternative to the usual Friendly
Societies of this period which mostly met in public houses. Its initial ritual was devised by
the first secretary, Brother Joseph Thompson, a Minister of the cowherdite sect
[vegetarians and abstainers]. The strong religious tone showed his influence.9 The first
code of rules was adopted on Nov 21 1835 and contained an address to members of
temperance societies:

Our objects are to improve the morals of our brethren, and to promote
brotherly love, to relieve the distressed, to administer to the wants and
necessities of the afflicted, and to smooth the dying pillow, and
therefore members bind themselves to unite, love and inflexibly stand
by each other in sickness and health in prosperous or in adverse
circumstances … and in order to have the means we have founded the
IOR.10

The Order’s aims were stated in this extract from its initiation ceremony:
The Independent Order of Rechabites is an association of persons
united together for the purposes of mutual benefit and help during
times of affliction and at the period of death, and for the promotion of
the great principle of abstinence from all intoxicating liquors.11

Adults signed the following pledge:

8 Jeremiah 35. verses 6 and 7 We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father
commanded us, saying, ‘Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons foe ever’… but all your
days ye shall dwell in tents. Campbell Rechabite History p.20
9 Campbell, p.12.
10 Campbell, p.21
11 From Tent Ritual c.1890’s

6

You hereby declare that you will abstain from all intoxicating liquors,
all British and Foreign fermented wines, except in religious
ordinances. Or when prescribed and furnished by a legally qualified
medical practitioner during sickness which renders you incapable of
following any employment. You promise that you will not give nor offer
them to others; that you will not engage in the traffic of them, and to
the utmost of your power endeavour to spread the principles of
abstinence from all intoxicating liquors.

Breaches of the pledge were dealt with by a procedure laid out in the general rules. 12
There was a simplified Juvenile version at a later date.13

Administration.

An organisational structure developed of Tents grouped into Districts at which each Tent

was represented. The District Council elected representatives to attend a national

conference which set rules and made policy decisions. At conference High Officers and

the Board of Directors were elected to co-ordinate the efforts of the Order with a paid

Corresponding Secretary [later High Secretary] in Manchester.

A comprehensive set of general rules14 and ritual to draw members together was devised,

influenced by other benefit societies and with religious overtones, even though it claimed
to be non religious or political.15 Tent business was set out16 and quarterly meetings

12 1893 rule 30.
Should a member break the pledge he shall cease to be a member, but… readmit him on
producing a medical certificate…, shall re-sign the pledge and pay fine of 5/- for first offence, 10/-
second, £1 for third. For fourth offence shall not be readmitted except as a new member. Any
member readmitted … shall not be entitled to any benefit until 1 month afterwards and if
admitted as a new member … half benefit in 6 months, full after 12 months. Should any past or
present officer break the pledge he shall forfeit his degree, and if readmitted must sign the pledge
and pay the fine and be ineligible for any office for 12 months. Any member knowing of another
having broken the pledge shall inform the CR of that Tent or be fined 5/-.
13Juvenile Tent ritual (c.1890’s) I promise to abstain from all intoxicating liquors; from all home
made wines; from all other wines; to do all I can to promote Total Abstinence; to abide by the
Rules, to obey the Officers and ever strive to be a faithful Rechabite.
14 General Rules registered in 1854 and frequently updated.
15 Tent Ritual c. 1900 As Order is composed of those who differ in religious sentiments and also in
their political opinions we cannot allow any religious or political discussion, apart from the
promotion of temperance.
16 Tent Ritual 1. Opening Service 2. Call Roll of Officers, mark absentees and record fines. 3.
Minutes of last Meeting. 4. Balloting and Initiation of Candidates. 5. Payment of Contributions.
6. Are any members sick? 7. Has any member broken the Covenant? 8.Has any member a friend to
propose as a member. 9.Business arising from the Minutes. 10. Report on District Council. 11.
New Business. 12. Quarterly night - Special Business; Appeals; Auditors Report; Election and
Installation of Officers; JS report. 13. Remarks from visiting members. 14. Has any member
anything to communicate that will tend to promote the good of the Order? 15.Closing Service.

7

elected officers17 whose duties were detailed18 and received reports. Admission to the
Tent was by a national password which was regularly changed and allowed members to
attend another Tent whilst travelling. These meetings were important social occasions. As
the years passed a comprehensive collection of specially printed books19 were produced to
record the records of each Tent and these extensive local records are the primary
sources for researchers.

Regalia20 was soon designed with sashes, aprons, banners and symbolic staffs which were
worn or used at meetings and in public processions. The Order also had its own emblem
[modified in 1887]21 on which each item had a meaning, used for instruction purposes. The
following illustration explains them by means of a key:

Benefits.
Quite apart from social support and comradeship, the primary reason for the Order was to
provide benefits for its members. These were administered on a share basis with the basic
rate multiplied by the number of shares held. Members had to hold a share in the Funeral
Fund and if they wished could join the Sick Fund with benefits paid per share held. An
additional small fee was charged for management expenses. Tables were devised with
monthly contributions according to age, eventually modified to be based on accumulated
actuarial experience to ensure solvency of the funds. As well as these benefits from
accumulated funds the Order frequently lent money on security to members for
mortgages. Membership was restricted to those in good health and under 45, except for
Honorary members who could be any age but were ineligible for benefits.

Its arrival in the Island.

17 Tent Ritual book c.1890 lists: Chief Ruler, Deputy Ruler, Past Chief Ruler, Secretary, Assistant
Secretary, Treasurer, Juvenile Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Guardian , Levite, Book
Steward, Cash Steward.
18 Guardian to the door of the tent. Levite opens and arranges Tent Room, distributes and collects
regalia, collects the Pass Word, introduces candidates, attends to the instruction of officers.
Book Steward marks contribution cards, Cash Steward receives contributions paying them to
Treasurer and giving receipt to Secretary, both Stewards visit sick brethren.
19 Tent Ritual c. late 1890’s lists over 30 official Tent books and associated certificates as well as
the Rechabite Directory (from 1888), Rechabite Magazine and Juvenile Rechabite Magazine.
20 See Appendix 10.
21 1887 HMC adopted new emblem. Campbell p 354.

8

The temperance movement spread rapidly aided by the local clergy and itinerant
lecturers, one of whom was James Teare22 of Andreas, a shoemaker and Methodist
preacher popularly known as the St Paul of temperance. Brought up in Ramsey he moved
to Preston and was an associate of the seven men of Preston who signed the historic
pledge of temperance. He visited the Island several times, firstly in December 1835. His
example and preaching inspired a large number of societies to be formed, particularly in
the northern parishes.

Soon after his visit, the first Rechabite Tent Mona Union no. 22 was opened in Douglas on
July 25 1836 by visitors from Manchester.23 Four further Tents followed: Mount Zion at
Dalby, Mona Jonadab at Kirk Michael, Mona Joshua at Peel, [later called Star of Mona]
and Mona Daniel at Castletown. Not all of these and subsequent early Tents succeeded
and failures are noted at Dalby, Foxdale and Laxey.24 The Island was soon constituted a
District25 and at first included parts of Cumberland including Cockermouth reflecting
traditional links [ferry services, fishing, migration] although this area soon split away to
form another District in 1839. By the second Moveable Conference (MC) [Liverpool
1837] there were 61 Tents, five of which were in the Island and four of these were
represented, a sign of the enthusiastic reception given to the movement.26

A prominent early member of Mona Union was Robert Fargher,27 who was the first Chief
Ruler of the District. Founder and publisher of the local newspaper the Mona’s Herald
he also produced The Isle of Man Temperance Advocate Guardian which served the
Order until it produced the Rechabite Magazine in 1839. Campbell says: ‘whilst most of
the temperance press were quiet on the growth of the movement it, by continual
notices, kept the Order before the temperance public’.28 The third MC29 in 1838

22 Lees says: born Feb 1804 died Manchester Mar 1868. Moved to Ramsey in 1812 and to Preston in
1823. A one time Wesleyan but expelled from connexion. Influential in Preston General Temperance
Society and signed total abstinence pledge said to have travelled 200,000 miles all over Britain on
temperance work. Returned to Island on visits and early convert Robert Fargher.
23 Bro. John Morrison in address to 1883 HMC in Douglas, in 100 years of Manx Rechabitism p.5
24 100 years of Manx Rechabitism.p.7
25 The conference established nine Districts of which the IOM number 6.
26 Campbell p 50-51.
27 Harrison chapter 7 describes Fargher: “In IOM Primitive Methodist teetotaler Robert Fargher
was typical of the attack on feudal traditionalism and obscurantism using his radical newspaper
Mona’s Herald to attack the local establishment and being imprisoned for libel for his pains. His
clashes with G W Dumbell dramatised the clashes between two cultures , two philosophies of life
in 1840’s and 1850’s, they were IOM’s Gladstone and Disraeli.”
28 Campbell p.46

9

passed a motion endorsing the title.30 He also printed the first Ritual of the Order, some
sixteen pages, printed on the front page “Making Book of the Independent Order of
Rechabites, Tent No.”31

Early Progress.

The Distric t minute books do not survive before 1875 but Tent minutes for Mona Union
and Star of Mona run from 1843 and 1844 respectively. They contain considerable detail
of sick payments, pledge breaches and annual processions. Club nights, teas or meals,
rallies and procession days all provided an alternative culture to that centred on the pub
as there was little organised entertainment and no annual holidays at this time. Ritual
came from a desire to be unique and to make membership a way of life. Emblems,
costumes, regalia, ceremonies, passwords32 and special forms of handshakes were used
to encourage enthusiasm and strengthen loyalty of members, at a time when a good part
of the membership was not literate.33 The annual rally was the opportunity on which
sashes, aprons, banners and various symbols of the work of the Order might be
displayed. They also involved the hiring of bands.34 Juvenile bands were formed or
proposed and arrangements made for care of their instruments.35 Early co-operation with
other temperance societies is noted by invitation to the annual anniversary tea party and
service.36

Mona Union soon accumulated enough funds to commence lending money on mortgage a
system which lasted throughout the Order’s existence.37 The Tent also arranged a block
payment to a local doctor, for 100 members at 2/- each.38 Star of Mona had a similar

29 The Order held periodic conferences at different venues called either the Moveable Conference,
Annual Moveable Conference or High Moveable Conference.
30 ‘That this meeting recommends most affectionately to the members of the Order the propriety of
encouraging the sale and circulation of the IOMTG and Rechabite Journal as a respectable and
useful channel through which the grand principles of our Order are largely disseminated.’
Campbell p. 84.
31 Facsimile in Campbell p59-68.
32 The password also allowed a member away from home to enter a brother Tent.
33 Gosden chapter 5 Ceremonies and Convivialities.
34 MU minutes Jul 1845 Rechabite Band to attend procession at Peel on Jul 28 at £6.5.0 fee.
35 Mona Union Minutes Nov 1845 and Star of Mona Jun 1851 and Feb 1852.
36 MU minutes Jul 1846, Douglas Philanthropic Temperance Society and the Temperance
Committee.
37 Apr 1848 £50 to Henry Fargher for a house in Great Nelson Street, Apr 1853 £200 requested on
property in Rosemount.
38 May 1848.

10

arrangement at 1/- per member.39 Regalia was acquired with mention of payment for
gilding staffs,40 sashes and the care of Tent banners.41 New Banners were purchased:

one 7’6 x 6’ with the emblem of the Rechabites on one side and Jeremiah refusing the
wine on the other and a dozen small ones financed by a 1/- levy on members.42 The need

to protect members’ funds was evident by the payment of an insurance fee for five bonds
of security.43

In Britain, sparked by the introduction of prohibition in the US State of Maine in 1851 and
led by the United Kingdom Alliance, prohibitionists dominated the temperance scene44

having pushed out moderationists. However, lacking public support they fell back on local
option45 and resorted to piecemeal attempts to restrict licensing trade and introduce

Sunday closing. Locally Sunday closing was strongly pressed for and local option was a

recurrent theme.

By 1852 local membership was 375, or about one in eighteen of total membership and it
was the seventh largest of 26 districts.46 This was despite major national setbacks to the
Order with Daniel O’Connell the Irish MP mounting a strong attack in 184447 and

defections due to difficulties over enrolment of Tents and Districts under the Friendly
Societies Act.48 Strong criticism over the actuarial soundness of contribution tables49 did

not help confidence. As a result the Order suffered a sharp decline in membership from

39 SoM minutes Jul 1846
40 MU minutes Aug 1848.
41 MU minutes Aug 1851.
42 MU minutes Apr 1852.
43 MU minutes Dec 1851, Officials were also subsequently insured to protect against fraud.
44 Harrison Chapter 9.
45 A vote to be taken of the local populace and if two thirds were in favour then no drink could be
sold in that area.
46 Campbell p.198
47 He sent letters to the London papers claiming it was an ‘unlawful, vicious and worthless
institution’ Campbell p.141
48 Campbell p379-384, provides a summary of Friendly Society Law. In 1840 there was no Law for
the registration of any National Friendly Society with branches allowing the central body to
control its branches. The law was solely for local societies usually controlled by local Parson and
the Squire operated for their benefit as much as the members. In 1842/3 attempts to get passed an
Act for incorporation of the Order failed as opposed by Government who intended to introduce its
own Bill to cover all societies. The loss of Bill caused panic in the Order and it suffered a serious
loss of membership. In 1846 Registrar for Friendly Societies introduced and registered rules
collected centrally. Registrar given powers to transfer property from an incapable Trustee , to settle
disputes, require the production of documents and administer oaths. Every Society required to
send with its quinquennial return a report of its assets and liabilities. An actuarial certificate was
required before any society could be registered for the purpose of securing any benefit dependent
on the laws of sickness and mortality.

11

its early peak in 1844 and fell back to a almost a quarter of the size by 1856.50 The Island,
although it did not send a representative to the MC between 1842 and 1852,51 seemed little
affected by this as by 1858 it had one in twelve of total membership with about 500
members. The strong insular sense of community and links with Methodist societies seem
to have protected it and sustained growth.

Mona Union as the first Tent established was the strongest. It proposed that the IOM
District should be registered under the Friendly Societies Act in 185552 and was
instrumental in inviting the Annual Moveable Conference (AMC) to be held in Douglas in
1856.53 This AMC appears to have been a success although not reported in the local
press.54 At this meeting the previously separate male and female Orders were merged
into one. It is alleged that the female movement was established in the Island as a local
commemorative medal was issued in 1840.55 The Island also claimed to have established
in 1837 the first Juvenile Tent for members under sixteen.56 The Island had rapidly risen to
prominence in the temperance movement, particularly amongst the Rechabites. The
opening of new Tents and growth in membership was to continue for the rest of the
century.

The temperance movement, Sunday closing and licensing control.
Parallel to Rechabite efforts was an early IOM Temperance Association which in 1845
published a letter by William Sayle to the members of the Manx Legislature about petitions
praying for the enactment of a law to reduce the number of public houses and close them
on the Sabbath.57 By 1849 the Douglas Temperance Committee had also submitted
memorials to Governor Hope pressing for Sunday closing. The strong local temperance
movement pressed for much needed reform in Licensing Law and practices. Until mid
century there was virtually no control over the sale of drink58 with a very high number of

49 FGP Neison in paper to Statistical Society of Mar 17 1845, Campbell p.148
50 see appendix 11.
51 Campbell notes Districts represented at MC’s. The 1852 MC decided to pay delegates expenses
from an Order Levy and the IOM is promptly represented at the next MC!
52 MU minutes Mar 1855
53 MU minutes May 1855.
54 Mona’s Herald of Aug 13 1856 reports a conference excursion to Ramsey for 14th anniversary of
Mona Fellowship Tent. There is a printed account of the Conference.
55 100 years of Manx Rechabitism p.10

56 The District celebrated the 75th anniversary in 1912.

57 A local follow up to national campaign by British Assn for promotion of Temperance.
58 See appendix 12 for a summary of legislation.

12

licences issued and no supervision of how licensees behaved. The temperance lobby
pressed hard to address this. Eventually an Act was passed in 185759 which introduced
the issue of licences by four District courts and Sunday closing. It also fixed hours to be
6am to 11pm, 10pm on Saturday, with closure on Good Friday, Christmas Day and public
fast days. No gaming, cock fighting or sales to those under fourteen were allowed. No
house was licensed unless it had accommodation for lodgers. Partially as a result, the
number of licences for public houses fell from 443 in 1822 to 248 in 1862.

By 1862 the Island was suggested as suitable for an experimental prohibitory law as it
was claimed that under temperance agitation the number of public houses had declined by
48% whilst the resident population was up 24% and visitor numbers by 600%.60 It was
also claimed that the great majority of Manx were Methodists and a great majority of local
preachers were abstainers. Pressure for the introduction of Local Option continued,
particularly after this was first taken to the British Parliament in 1864 following a petition
of nearly half a million signatures and despite its comprehensive rejection.61

Further development.
Following the British controversy over registration, a committee of Mona Union
considered obtaining an Act of Tynwald62 for the benefit and security of benefit societies,
a matter which concerned the District for many years.63 As well as temperance
successes the Tents wished to protect their funds. The need to ensure new members
were in good health on initiation led Mona Union to adopt a medical questionnaire.64 Those
who could not answer satisfactorily or were too old could join as Honorary members.

59 An Act to provide for the better regulation of Taverns and Tavern Keepers and for other
purposes.
60 Mackenzie - IOM suitable for …
61 Harrison chapter 11.
62 Tynwald is the Manx Parliament.
63 Mar 1858.
64 MU Minutes Mar 1858.Where and when born. Have you ever had the smallpox or been
vaccinated. Are you afflicted with rupture, gout, dropsy, asthma, spilling of blood,
habitual coughing, fits, or any disorder tending to shorten life. When last ill and what
with. Are you in good health. Have any of your family died of consumption. Are your
father, mother, brothers, sisters alive, if any dead what age were they. Have you been
initiated into any other Order or made application.Candidates must also be known to at
least 2 members who can vouch for their health.

13

The desire to promote the order and to encourage members at displays or in processions
appears to have led Mona Union in 1863 to buy a new 7’ x 6’ banner65 and an impressive

set of regalia for use in processions. The Tent subsequently hired it out to Tents at

Castletown, Peel, Foxdale, Laxey, Crosby and Southport and it was even used at the
centenary parade.66 Members were expected to walk in procession, with or behind the

regalia and banners, take part in a service at the local church and afterwards attend a tea
or dinner [for which they paid] sometimes followed by a temperance meeting or trip.67
Fines were levied on members for non compliance.68 The intention was to make a gala

day, sometimes including sports for Juveniles. The only local survivor of this tradition is the

Andreas Benevolent Society. As well as annual processions members were expected to

attend members’ funerals and a ritual was provided, regalia worn and conditions made as
to how it should be conducted.69 Members were again liable to fines for non attendance.70

Two local members eventually became High Chief Ruler: Daniel Joughin71 of Ramsey

[1861-3] and H.T. McIver [1869-71]. McIver was also secretary of Mona Union Tent

and later District Secretary. In March 1870 he declined the post of Corresponding

Secretary. On the Board of Directors for sixteen years he was active in local temperance
work including being Secretary of the Douglas Temperance Societies.72

By 1863 local membership had increased to 1,008 from a male population of about 15,000,

[1861], one in nine of total order membership. There were eight local tents. By the end of

the 1860’s Governor Loch had taken office and was continuing social economic and

65 Jun 1863, Good Samaritan on one side and John inviting Jonadab into his chariot on the other
with mottoes ‘Go and do thou likewise’ and ‘Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart’.
66 June 1863 at a cost of £87.16.0 from Birmingham, they were carried in the 1935 Order Centenary
procession in Manchester. It consisted of: 3 x crowns, with gilt cross and jewels, 1 ditto all gilt, 4
x large balls and Dove balls and Dove gilt, 8 x smaller balls cross gilt, 50 small balls with cross,
4 x legs of man, 2 beehives hives gilt, 2 x 9 inch crooks ornamented, 6 x 4 inch crooks all gilt, 2 x
doves on globe done gilt, 2 lambs and flags, 2 cross quills, 14 x 6 inch crooks ornamented and
also supporting mahogany sticks.

67 In MU’s case often to the Calf of Man.

68 SoM members not attending tea after procession be fined 1s 6d Minute book Jun 1854.
69 Tent Rules of 1889 - the Stewards pay 2/3rds of benefit and give notice that if any intoxicating
liquor is introduced whilst the body is in the house or in connection with the funeral the
remaining third will be withheld.
70 SoM Minute book Dec 1853, proposed rule to compel members to attend brothers funerals.
71 Died Oct 1 1875 aged 45. Manx Sun obituary said Limited Bank branch manager, Good Templar,
Wesleyan Methodist and Town Commissioner elected HCR at 30, buried at Maughold.
72 Died Nov 7 1891, Manx Sun obituary said a prominent Wesleyan preacher and circuit official for
many years manager of Douglas Steam Saw Mill Co. Later managing a circulating library, and rate
collector for Douglas School Committee. The District erected a headstone by subscription at a cost
of £63.17.6 in Braddan Cemetery and later had it restored.

14

political changes. Licensing controls were in place, Sunday closing was in operation and
the local legislature was now popularly elected and more able to be influenced. The rest of
the century was destined to be a period of great social, economic and political change.
The Rechabites influence was to greatly increase. The advent of mass tourism particularly
from the North West of England was to stimulate the opportunity for and resistance to
temperance work in the Island.

15

Chapter 3
The largest home District in the Order.

By 1871 membership had increased to about 1,300 and the Island was the largest home
District, a position it was to maintain for some years. By 1873 there were twelve Tents
with 1,600 members, from a national Order total of 26,000. Cultural links ensured some
unusual requests for expansion, with the Liverpool Manx Society requesting the District to
open a Tent in Liverpool. This was referred to HMC for permission to do so,73 but it
appears not to have happened.

The District’s relative isolation and self sufficiency meant that, unlike the rest of the home
Districts, it did not need to call on central funds for promotional work or membership
drives. Disputes occurred concerning central levies.74 Everyone paid a management fee
but there were frequent local objections to other levies. Insular resistance to outsiders was
often evident particularly in showing reluctance to change and there were periodic
squabbles over changes imposed from head office75 particularly as to whether British Law
applied. The position under Manx law with regard to the application of English Friendly
Society Acts particularly the Friendly Societies Act of 187676 led to a delegation consulting
the Manx Attorney General for clarification.77 In 1879, during a visit of the High Chief
Ruler Bro. Thomas Cunliffe, it was reported the Attorney General had advised it was
optional whether the District adopted the Friendly Societies Act.78 Eventually this was
resolved with District registration in 1886.
Increasing awareness of the need for good financial procedures led to instructions to
Tents not to invest funds unless upon good house or land security and to quickly record

73 District Meeting Jun 11 1879.
74 DM Jul 1 1875 re 2d extension levy.
75 This may also have affected the other Friendly Societies such as the Oddfellows and Foresters
but further research is required.
76 This Act resulted from the 1870 Royal Commission appointed ‘To enquire into the existing state
of the law relating to Friendly Societies, and to report upon the operations of the Acts relating to
Friendly Societies and Benefit Building Societies , and the organisation or general condition of
societies established under such Acts respectively, and upon the office and duties of the Registrar
of Friendly Societies, with power to suggest any improvements to be made in the law…’
Commissioners heard evidence from the Order and made a final report in 1874. 1875 Act passed
which for first time permitted registration of Societies with branches and at same time gave the
central bodies of the Order control over their branches. Frequently amended including in 1876 until
consolidated in 1896.
77 DM Jul 4 1877 and Sept 26 1878.
78 DM Jun 11 1879.

16

deeds of mortgage passed to the Tent.79 From 1880 the British Government also insisted
that all Friendly Societies should be valued on a regular basis.80 Building up of actuarial
experience continued, with Tents asked to provide details for the District to enable
valuation of the Funeral Fund in 1880.

Some flexibility in consideration of problematical rules is shown by the approval of a bye
law exempting members of Mona Fellowship aged over 60 from attending brothers’
funerals and the authorisation of special funeral gifts to representatives of brothers who
died shortly before they qualified for funeral benefits.81

Propaganda work continued. The minutes frequently mention annual processions with the
hiring of bands, sometimes as many as four. Special arrangements were made with the
IOM Steam Packet Company to ferry them in at reduced rates. Some notable bands such
as Stalybridge, Saltaire, Leigh and Lees,82 were engaged by Mona Union.

The Rechabites were now part of an influential Island-wide temperance movement. The
Manx Union83 list of Temperance Meetings for 1882 detailed 179 names, 52 stations,
mostly with an agent and 41 groups of speakers with McIver as joint secretary. In 1884
James Cowin84 mentions Rechabites, Bands of Hope, Sons of Temperance, Good
Templars, Blue Ribbon Armies and denominational agencies. Local Option was debated in
the House of Keys 85[Keys] in 1882 on a proposal by JR Cowell member for Ayre and
narrowly rejected on the Speaker’s casting vote.86
In 1880 the District invited the HMC to meet in Douglas in.87 During this period it was
represented on the Board of Directors by Bro. John Joughin88 of Peel [1877-79] and Bro.
H T. McIver [1879-89] enabling it to have influence at the highest level. When the HMC
was held in St James Hall Douglas,89 the Isle of Man was still ‘Giant Number 1’, the

79 DM Jul 4 1877
80 Noted in proceedings of 1877 MC.
81 DM Jun 16 1880.
82 MU Minutes Apr 1884.
83 An umbrella organisation of temperance bodies.
84 Temperance in the IOM: A Retrospect and Prospect a paper read at Conference of Manx
Temperance Union.
85 The House of Keys is the lower chamber of the Manx Parliament or Tynwald.
86 Manx Union for Promotion of Temperance published a 72 p. transcript of the debate from the
IOM Times, with a large number of statistics for and against.
87 DM Jun 16 1880.
88 Secretary of SoM Tent and a MHK.
89 Conference Report in IOM Examiner Aug 11 1883 p.11

17

largest home District with 2,339 Adult and 1,600 Juvenile members. This was almost one
in six of the Island’s male population of 25,670 in 1881. It had about one in fourteen of all
the home District’s membership and was only overtaken in 1885.

William Cubbon90 summarised 50 years of progress in a lecture to Mona Union Tent in
1885.

“The temperance revival of half a century ago, which was the prime
cause of the formation of so many Rechabite Tents, was as far as the
IOM was concerned a national one. It made Manx people take an
interest in their own welfare; it energised all social and religious
matters; it prepared the people for and created among them the desire
for further self government; it brought hundreds out of a state of
serfdom and created in them a spirit of manliness, the qualities of
independence and taught them how to make their own way to self
respect.”

However he also noted the current situation and asserted that ‘[members] should take
an active part in political questions using funds, influence, resources, numbers, and
votes as only the earnestness and combination were lacking. [The Order] should
not degenerate into a mere Friendly Society and he criticised the recent lack of
involvement after early success claiming the order had degenerated into a mere
autonomical society’. This was probably a common problem for the local Friendly
Societies.

Financial procedures were further tightened when it was resolved that all accounts with
the District be audited and an auditor appointed. Tent Contribution Books and a form of
balance sheet prepared by District officers for tent use were also approved.91 Tents who
had lent money on promissory notes were instructed that other security was required or
money should be called in.92 The 1887 HMC approved resolutions requiring returns of
sickness and mortality to enable preparation by FGP Neison of tables of sickness and
mortality. These were to be used for a superannuation scheme and provided statistics to
help extension work.

90 Rechabite and Temperance Legislation in the IOM.
91 DM Jul 20 1886.
92 DM May 15 1888.

18

The Rechabites always recognised the importance of Juvenile members. At this time
uniform District Juvenile Bye Laws based on those of Mona Union Tent93 were approved.
They detailed the objects and fees payable for benefits and management.94 A committee
was appointed to consider the present position of Juvenile Tents, to establish new tents in
connection with Adult tents where none existed, to secure the adoption of the new bye
laws95 and to provide sick and funeral benefits.96 However, soon afterwards a conflict
arose with the HMC considering new rules for Tents and Districts which were considered
unnecessarily complicated. The HMC representatives were instructed to vote against their
adoption.97

Further progress was summarised in 1888 by District Secretary McIver in a speech to a
special meeting held by Mona Fellowship98 to initiate the Lord Bishop and others. He
reported both Douglas and Peel had 520 members, Island funds exceeded £30,000 the
previous year having paid out over £2,200. With over 2600 Adult members, chiefly heads
of families, who might be multiplied by five for a family so that about 12-14,000 of some
55,000 people were brought under temperance teaching and Rechabite protection. The
Lord Bishop in his reply quoted Mr Gladstone who said:

“There were three great historic curses, War Pestilence and Famine but
drunkenness is a greater curse than any of them.”

He went on to state the popularly held belief of this period that pauperism and crime were
still largely due to drink and if people could be persuaded to become Rechabites “we
would want no Poor Relief Bill.” This is of course the classic Victorian ethos of self
help and improvement rather than intervention by local authorities or local boards and
guardians of the poor.

93 DM Jul 20 1886.

94 see Appendix 9. Rule 3: to raise funds by contributions for paying entrance fees of its members

to Adult Tents, insuring a sum of money payable on death, sickness or for medical attendance,

advice and medicine and payment of management expenses.

95 Juvenile Tent Ritual (undated), Juveniles had their own List of Officers:

Chief Ruler, Treasurer, Deputy Ruler, Book Steward, Past Chief Ruler,

Cash Steward, Secretary, Levite, Asst Secretary, Guardian.

Optional officers: Captain of the visiting committee, Captain of the programme committee,

2 supporters to CR, 2 supporters to DR, 2 supporters to PCR.

The Superintendents, Trustees and Auditors are appointed by Adult Tent.

96 DM Nov 16 1886.

97 DM Jul 4 1887.

98 Mona Fellowship Grand Festival and Tea Meeting at Ramsey, printed report of proceedings.

19

Attempts to obtain better protection for the District under law continued and a committee
prepared a Bill for the Keys to secure the advantages of incorporated societies.99 By mid
1889 it reported on interviews with both Governor Walpole 100 and Sir James Gill. The
Attorney General had been asked for his opinion and a draft bill forwarded to him.101 At a
special meeting progress towards incorporation was noted and the disadvantages of
registration under the English Act in regard to investments and other matters pointed
out.102 The question of the application of the Order’s general rules to the Island continued
with the District seeking legal advice from the Manx Attorney General as to their force on
unregistered Tents.103

The matter of levies came up again and in 1889 a motion was passed:

That the Order Levies in this District being far beyond the value of the
benefits received as a Branch of the IOR the Executive are hereby
authorised to take such steps as shall secure affiliation with the Order
on terms and conditions similar to those enjoyed by the Australian
District.104

Subsequently DS McIver issued a printed note concerning the levies,105 summarising the
four disputed levies as: Extension levy from which previously exempt; Relief levy - not
needed on IOM as met by local voluntary levy; Juvenile levy never used on IOM so why
contribute; Management expenses - District has local books and provided the format for
national books, District only buys rule books all the others are at local expense. He
detailed the resolutions progress and the Board’s reply expressing sympathy but
regretting inability to make any remission, which suggested paying the levies and taking
the matter to the next HMC. The difference in levies was considerable especially
compared with Australia, £75 per year as against £2.15.6 although delegates Conference
expenses would have to be paid. In comparison, the Oddfellows levy was a half penny a
year against six pence three farthings. It was agreed that, should the resolution of
November 20 1889 not be accepted by the HMC, the Tents comprising the District should
withdraw from the Order.106

99 DM May 15 1888
100 Sir Spencer Walpole Governor from 1882-1893.
101 DM Jul 11 1889.
102 Special DM Nov 30 1889.
103 Executive Nov 1890.
104 Special DM Nov 30 1889.
105 Dated 11 April 1890 inserted in District Minute Book.

20

By 1890107 it was suggested the Tents draft an Act of Tynwald for purposes of
registration based on a modified English Friendly Societies Act and local advocate, L.
Kneale, was appointed to draft a Bill. Governor Walpole had previously objected to
appointing a local registrar of Friendly Societies suggesting instead a registrar of joint
stock companies be appointed. Eventually, a Bill entitled An Act for the purpose of
enabling Rechabite Tents to have their property rested in Trustees and for other
purposes was drawn up.108 As well as the Attorney General, legal opinion was sought
from local advocate GA Ring. Also an amendment to General Rule 8 was suggested
enabling the Board to exempt Tents/Districts outside of Great Britain and Ireland from
application of General rules or that special rules should be made for them.

All these discussions and resolutions concerning rules and levies had an effect for the next
Annual Meeting109 was attended by both the HCR and DHCR. As one of the strongest
Districts in the Order, a potential breakaway would have had considerable repercussions.
The Executive had completed consultations regarding enforced payment of levies and the
binding force of General Rules and found some rules conflicted, were not properly drafted
and if brought to court could lead to litigation. The relation between the Order and Tents
was not clearly stated. It was doubtful whether the Order could enforce payment of
levies. The proposed amendment to General Rule 8 was supported and this had been
included in the Digest for the HMC. At the meeting the High Officers were forced to
admit the Districts case against Conference. To satisfy the feeling of membership a cut in
levies was required. They urged the District to send its representatives to the HMC and
put its request for resolution. The matter was finally resolved when a Committee of
Conference decided that as the Isle of Man was so isolated for much of the year it be
allowed a 3d per member reduction in levies for last two years and in future only pay
affiliation fee of 2d per member.

106 Annual DM Aug 12, 1890.
107 Annual DM Aug 12 1890.
108 DM Nov 15 1890.
109 Annual DM of Jul 4 1891.

21

Chapter 4
The peak of the Order and clouds on the horizon.

Tightening of central control.
The Boarding House or ‘Permit’ Act.
Membership reaches its peak.
The advent of proposals for Old Age Pensions and National Insurance.

Tightening of central control.
The Order continued to modify its aims and objectives and these were set out in the
revised General Rules of 1893.110 To:

raise funds for insuring a sum payable: on the death of a member; for
funeral expenses; sickness, old age, or accidental injury; medical
advice, attendance and medicine; granting temporary assistance to the
widows and children of deceased members; assisting members in
distressed circumstances and assisting members when travelling in
search of employment.

The moralistic tone is evident in the section on improper conduct:111

Conviction of fraud, felony or other disgraceful crime, or following
wicked or notorious practices or using unlawful means to procure a
livelihood or defrauding the Order may be expelled or be suspended
from benefits as Tent directs.

Gosden112 summarised the changes in this period as a gradual shift from local to national
control, the dominance of the insurance function and the decline of the social side faced
with alternative entertainment, increased leisure time with a reduced working week and
the introduction of the Bank Holiday.

The need for uniformity in Tents saw the appointment of a committee to draw up rules
and contribution scales to be adopted in the District.113 A draft was circulated to Tents
and, after amendment by District Council and Board, Tent names and meeting places
were inserted and 5000 copies ordered.114 Whilst the District was registered, attempts

110 Section 1 rule 4.
111 Section 6 rule 31.
112 Gosden chapter 9, 1875 and after.
113 DM Oct 17 1891.
114 HYM Dec 15 and 22 1892. The Rules for local Tents issued in 1898/9 state: The foregoing rules
were drawn up … in Order to secure uniformity throughout the Island; and … [in] December,
1892, adopted … [to] govern all Tents forming … from January 1893.

22

continued to get all Tents to comply with a notice of motion That it be compulsory on all
Tents forming this District be registered.115 This was slowly adopted, as four Tents only
registered between April and October 1895. An internal dispute arose over membership
levies for District Relief and Extension Funds in 1892.116 Mona Rushen and Mona
Ebenezer refused to pay until rules relating to the levies had been registered. The
adoption of the new rules led to proposed exclusion from District meetings after February
1895 of Tents which did not accept them. Star of Mona appealed to the Board against
this and the High Secretary requested several amendments before the new rules were
finally adopted and introduced. Payment of levies also led to somewhat acrimonious
exchanges between the District and Mona Ebenezer, with letters in the local press and
deputation’s to the Tent. From 1893 to 1897 the Tent was not represented at the District
Council and the matter was only finally settled by an effective apology from the District
for the way it had been treated.117

The District Executive recommended to Council that the old system of Tents
administering their own Funeral Fund be ended by centralising the remaining balances
held for investment by the District.118 By 1895 nine of twelve Tents had agreed to assign
bonds or pay by cheque. In 1896 it was resolved that Tents should pay the whole of
contributions to the District Funeral Fund together with 3% interest on retained
balances.119 It also became necessary to insure the officers as requested by the Friendly
Societies Act through the Rechabite Guarantee Society [to protect against fraud]. C.H.
Kay, who had succeeded McIver as District Secretary, resigned and was replaced by
James Caughtery.

Progress on the Juvenile front was made with a resolution:
That it is the interest of the District that a Juvenile District be formed
and a Committee appointed to draw up a code of rules to be submitted
to each Tent for consideration…120

This committee met in late 1893 and ordered rules to be printed and sent to Tents for
consideration. It also recommended a Juvenile Levy of 1/2d per member to the form

115HYM Dec 15 and 22 1892.
116HYM Meeting Jun 18 1892.
117 HYM April 1896.
118 Executive Sep 24 1894.
119 HYM Oct 29 1896.
120 HYM Mar 16 1893.

23

basis of a District Juvenile Funeral Fund. This was initially rejected,121 but in 1897 the
District received a demand for the national Juvenile Levy which was queried as to its
legality under Order rules.122 At the same meeting a report was also made on the minor
differences between District and Order Juvenile Rules, and it was agreed to retain the
existing rules.

Local membership continued to expand and two new Tents were formed: King Orry123 at
Abbeylands in Onchan in 1896 and North Douglas124 which appears to have split off from
Mona Union in 1898. Combined adult and juvenile membership was now over 4,600 and
was nearly at its peak.

On the temperance front threats to Sunday closing continued with the Manx Licensed
Victuallers Association circulating petitions to the Legislature.125 WS Caine, the
temperance campaigner, visited and spoke for preserving Sunday closing. The District
Meeting in 1896 passed a motion condemning attempts to restore Sunday opening or the
introduction of any further encouragements to the liquor traffic. This was forwarded to
Governor Henniker and each member of the Legislature.126

The Boarding House or ‘Permit’ Act.
Pressure to reform Licensing Laws and prevent the abuse of unlicensed sales, particularly
by boarding-house keepers, led to Tynwald appointing a Licensing Commission in 1891.
The District instructed the Executive to bring necessary evidence before it and watch the
Bill.127 The Commission considered evidence on whether licences to sell liquor should be
granted and under what restrictions; Sunday closing; the bone fide traveller;128 licensing
refreshment rooms and of requiring music and dancing saloons to be licensed. Its
subsequent report suggested reform of the licensing courts and that provision should be
made for granting of short term licences, by an Act to remain in force no more than 3
years. It commented :

121 HYM Nov 1 1894.
122 HYM Apr 1 1897.
123 HYM Oct 29 1896.
124 This Tent issued a prospectus summarising benefits available see appendix 9.
125 Examiner Yearbook events of 1896 says alleged 26,000 visitors signed but petition for
residents indifferently signed.
126 Ibid.
127 HYM Jun 18, 1892.
128 A traveller from out of the vicinity could purchase drinks whereas local residents could not.

24

It having been shown to the Legislature that a law enacted by them is
daily and almost universally violated by the boarding-house keepers, it
has become an imperative duty to take steps to prevent this scandal.

Two courses open: one being the rigorous enforcement of the law; the
other being amendment of the present law by giving reasonable
facilities for the sale of liquor and strictly enforcing the law so amended
in all cases of illegal sales.

As a result, the Boarding House Act of 1894 [Permit Act] was introduced by Governor
Ridgeway. It was passed in six days. A petition to the Home Secretary against it by 1,600
out of 3,500 householders in Douglas failed. This licensed boarding-house keepers to
supply visitors from May to September between noon and 11pm. The licence was
granted by the High Bailiff to homes rated over £40. Norris129 commented that there was
no question of character, fitness of applicant or the needs of the neighbourhood, police
inspection was not allowed - as there was a special inspector under the act - and this
legislation was unique to the Island.

When it lapsed in 1897, a new Boarding House Bill proposed reducing the rate value to
£24. This ran into stiff opposition. The temperance movement was concerned over the
growing power of the licensed trade with the addition of nearly 220 recruits under the
permit system. However, the established church and also a number of prominent
temperance reformers supported the le gislation as it had improved public order. The result
was deadlock with the Keys dominated by non conformists and teetotalers rejecting the
Bill fourteen to seven against the wishes of the Legislative Council.130 This led to the
dissolution of the Keys and a Manx General Election in 1897. A sustained political
campaign prior to the election saw the Rechabites issue a Manifesto,131 largely at the
instigation of the Mona Union Tent and the Douglas Temperance Federation.132 The main
aims of the Rechabites were: no Act to license Boarding Houses; Local option of the
people to refuse new public houses and against license renewal; abolition of Bone Fide
Traveller; Country pubs be closed on Sundays out of season; Abolition of enticements to

129 Samuel Norris MHK, 1875-1948, printer publisher and advocate of social and political reform.
See Manx Memories and Movements chapter 5 the Permit election.
130 Legislative Council is the upper house of the Manx Parliament.
131 A 4 page leaflet it encouraged members to ask candidates 8 questions, hold public meetings and
form election committees.
132 Formed in 1894 its first annual report lists: Rechabites - Mona Union Tent, IOM District, St
George’s CETS and Women’s Branch, Manx Temperance Union, St Mary’s League of the Cross,

25

enter Public Houses i.e. music, singing; and it to be made a criminal offence to supply
drink to young children.

The major stumbling block to this was the importance of drink related revenues to the
Manx economy. The temperance movement appeared unable to provide any alternative
for lost revenues. Ayre133 said in 1894 that between 1884 and 1893 seven twelfths of
Insular revenue was from duties on imported liquors and malt compared with one third in
Britain. Without any form of direct taxation [income tax], the shortfall could not possibly
be made up by increasing other duties. The legislature was not sympathetic to the
introduction of any direct taxation.

At the subsequent election, eighteen of the 38 candidates supported and twenty were
against the Bill, with the result equally split. On March 23 the new Keys rejected the Bill
but on May 5 Douglas Licensing Court side-stepped this by issuing 78 new public house
licences, with conditions matching the Permit requirements except that in addition to
Beers and Stout they were now allowed to sell wines.134 Subsequent appeals to the
Attorney General and Manx Staff of Government all failed. In 1901 and 1902 attempts
were made to restore the Permit system by the Legislative Council but these failed due to
Keys opposition.
Membership reaches its peak.
By 1897 William Cubbon could state there was no other part of the world where
Rechabitism was as strong in proportion to population with 3,000 adults and 2,000 juveniles
from a population of 54,000.135 However change was on the horizon. The temperance
worker of this period still saw recreation based on home and school, with self
improvement, sobriety and leisure centred there. The changes of the late nineteenth
century with mass entertainment and spectator sport, had not been foreseen and the la ter
Victorian temperance societies were forced to adopt a lighter touch. They were unable to
compete as recreational organisations for adults, reduced to moaning about changing
times.136 The movement lost influence as the political scene shifted in Britain with the
growth of the Labour Party and changing social issues. Attempts to keep up with change

Salvation Army, British Women’s Temperance Society, (3) Wesleyan Temperance Society,
Nonconformist Council and Good Templars.
133 Ayre - The liquor Traffic in the IOM 1894.
134 Examiner yearbook events of 1897.
135 Cubbon, W - The liquor question in the IOM.
136 Harrison, chapter 1.

26

saw a letter from the High Secretary that the United Kingdom Alliance was prepared to
send a qualified speaker to deliver an address on the position with regard to temperance
legislation.137 The Executive received a delegation from the Manx Temperance Union and
agreed to meet part of the expenses for the visit of temperance lecturer Tennyson Smith.

Links with Methodism remained strong with the churches considerable influence in every
branch of public life. The majority of the Rechabite officers featured in contemporary
reports, newspaper accounts and biographical sketches are connected in some way with
the church. Moore138 mentions about 110 chapels with over 4,000 members in the late
1890’s.

The need for completion of returns to Head Office was stressed as three Tents had not
supplied valuation returns and four showed deficiencies.139 Practical problems over
valuation returns continued throughout 1899. Mona Rushen, Sons of Mona, Good
Samaritan, North Douglas and North Douglas were still unregistered and eventually the
HMC passed a motion threatening to suspend non compliant Tents.140 Some Tents
resisted changes. After settling the dispute over levies the Tent Secretary of Mona
Ebenezer Tent, then refused to complete the annual and valuation returns as required
saying that the Tent Funds were not divided.141 This was finally resolved in 1900 after the
HS threatened suspension if the Tent did not comply to enable completion of the District
valuation and became a registered branch.142

By 1899 King Orry was failing and was granted permission143 to amalgamate with the
North Douglas Tent144 stating: we consider our District to small for successful growth
of Tent: the population is largely a shifting one and therefore difficult to maintain
an interest in the Tent and we are too near other Tents.

137 HYM Oct 28 1897
138 History of the IOM, Appendix F Nonconformist chapels.
139 HYM Oct 27 1898.
140 Letter from HS to Executive discussed Sep 23 1899.
141 Executive Meeting Feb 18 1899.
142 HYM April 5 1900.
143 Executive Meeting Sep 23 1899.
144 Examiner Yearbook events of 1898 Oct 27.

27

The end of the century saw a lengthy half yearly meeting held on November 2 at the
Coffee Palace in Douglas.145 Mona Jonadab attempted to improve benefits with a motion
to allow payment of a pension. This was to those who had been members for 25 years
and had not received 52 weeks sick pay in this time, should they become infirm or
incapable of following usual employment but still capable of some light work. The Chief
Ruler ruled this out of Order saying it practically made provision for an old age pension
and as the rules did not provide for such it could not be entertained.

The HMC representatives reported a further dispute over the unpaid Order relief levy
which led to the suspension of delegates until a special committee of conference decided
that the levy did not apply, although the District was criticised for not paying first and
querying afterwards. This was settled at the 1901 HMC, which resulted in an invitation to
the PHCR Bro. A Bennett and HS R Campbell to visit in January 1902146 when they
addressed meetings in Rushen, Ramsey, Peel, Douglas and a conference of delegates.
The visit was a success and the disputed Order Relief Levy was paid.

The increased membership and surpluses improved the financial strength of the District
and allowed it to advertise in the IOM Examiner and IOM Weekly Times147 that £1,000
was available to lend on Mortgage on approved security. Such loans provided a good
investment income to add to that earned from investments in Bonds.

With regard to Juvenile work the same meeting in 1899 accepted a special Juvenile
Committee Report which recommended: An annual committee of four with DSJT to
superintend and develop juvenile works; The District be divided into four divisions, each
with a representative; There be a consolidated District Juvenile Funeral Fund; A levy of
1d per Juvenile Member be made for management expenses; Various competitions be
held with prizes for the Tent with most new members and the individual introducing most
candidates. In 1900 the DSJT148 noted the fall in membership to 1,293 at 31 Dec 1899
with 82 lapses and only 34 transfers to adults. Only about a third were in benefit and only
half of Tents had benefit sections. Benefit sections were encouraged as they retained

145 The Coffee Palace, Market Place Douglas, a frequent venue for District and Executive Meetings,
it advertised in Examiner yearbook 1907 that it had been opened by Governor and Lady Loch to
serve Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Dinners etc.
146 HYM Oct 14 and Executive Nov 23 1901.
147 Executive Meeting Dec 23 1899.
148 HYM Apr 5 1900.

28

members better than associate sections. Since 1896 only three Tents had increased their
number whilst membership in others reduced remarkably. The old returns may have been
inflated and, if so, the imposition of the farthing levy had good effect in putting Tents in
true numerical position. The need for more interest in Juvenile work by Tents was noted.
The District special committee held a programme of magic lantern shows and
entertainments of which nine during the previous three months had been most successful.
Juvenile numbers fluctuated considerably and not all years provided figures. They
remained over 1,000 from the 1860’s until 1912. Demographics affected the potential
juvenile membership considerably149 with declining birth-rates: 1861-70 15,697; 1891-1900
14,221; rapidly dropping to in 1911-20 7,992, and even lower after World War One. Death
rates also declined but only relatively slowly and by 1911-20 deaths exceeded births for
the first time and the population mainly fluctuated due to migration.

From 1895 to 1910 adult membership exceeded 3,000 with a peak in 1905 of 3,292, or
approximately one in five of the 16,867 males aged fifteen or over [1901 census].150
Attempts were still made to extend membership when in late 1900 the Executive
suggested to Mona Rushen they consider extending a branch to Port Erin or Port St
Mary,151 the Tent declined.152

At this time the Island experienced a major financial crisis due to the failure of Dumbell’s
Bank and the District belatedly responded by recommending all its monies be placed in the
Post Office Savings Bank. The Mercantile Bank protested against removal of the account
but only a working balance was kept and the rest moved.153 The District Treasurer made
a resolution that the District Funeral Fund be consolidated and requested details on
outstanding balances held by the Tents. Membership hardly altered154 as a result of the
crisis which mainly affected North Douglas Tent. The 1900 valuation revealed it to have a
serious deficiency of 11/5 in the pound. Five other Tents in the District had deficiencies.155
It was recommended that N. Douglas be asked to pay the District £2.2.9 in full
settlement of the claims against them being a liability of £5.14.6 due by King Orry Tent

149 appendix 7.
150 appendix 7.
151 Executive Sep 15 and HYM Oct 25 1900.
152 Executive Meeting Feb 23 1901.
153 £50 later increased to £80. Executive Meeting Feb 23 1901 and HYM Oct 14 1901
154 See appendix 2.
155 IOM District 1900 valuation report.

29

and taken over on amalgamation.156 Star of Mona noted a need for economy as the
general depression [from Dumbell’s] was causing members to lapse through hardship
forfeiting claims on funds. It suggested only one District meeting a year to reduce
management expenses, but with no support this was withdrawn.157

It was now agreed that the District rules of 1892, amended in 1895, needed revision due to
changes in general rules. A committee was appointed to consider them and juvenile
rules.158 In addition a full tabulated statement was now required from each Tent giving
details of funds and membership. The press were now allowed to attend District meetings
and report matters of general interest.

At the HMC in 1903159 Districts were given the option to use three fourths of any
Funeral Fund surplus for a Superannuation Fund and surplus Sick Funds could be used to
pay contributions of those over 60 or whilst sick. The Order now approached absolute
solvency with the Order Relief Fund levy likely to be abolished. General rules were
amended so that Gambling, Betting, or being an accessory thereto would subject any
member to expulsion or suspension. The practice of tobacco smoking amongst the
juveniles of the nation was also deprecated.160

A Committee reported on consolidation of the District Funeral Fund and recommended
using part of the 1900 valuation surplus to pay sums to each Tents Sick Fund, less the
amount still owed to the District, to be paid by 31 December 1903.161 This was
implemented after consultation and extension of the date to December 1904,162 although
not finally completed until 1906 following an appeal to the Order final arbitration
committee.163

North Douglas Tent’s financial position continued to cause concern. A deputation to the
Executive requested a grant in aid from District Funds as they felt keenly the loss of

156 Executive Feb 28 1903.
157 HYM Apr 16 1903.
158 Juvenile Rules revision adopted at District Meeting of Nov 3 1904, changes were: admission of
any young person from 1 year of age, girls for funeral benefit only and revised benefit tables.
159 HYM Oct 8 1903.
160 The 41st HMC extended the anti smoking rule to prohibit it whilst in public street or place wearing
a Rechabite sash or badge.
161 HYM Oct 8 1903.
162 HYM Apr 14 1904.
163 HYM Oct 25 1906.

30

money in Dumbells Bank and from a heavy sick list during the early years of the Tent.164
This dragged on. Eventually in 1909 a grant of £50 was made to bring them in line with
rule 15, this being done due to their taking over of King Orry Tent which otherwise would
have been charged to the District.165 Public reporting of District Meetings in the press had
led to protests by the Tent that revealing details of its solvency was likely to damage it.166

In 1904 the annual report of the DSJT listed prize winners and complained of lack of
interest by adults, whilst hoping membership would continue to increase until as was the
case in many Districts Juveniles would outnumber Adults.167 However, although
membership stayed around 1,000 until 1911, that year was the highest since 1900 and a
falling juvenile population made this unlikely. It was subsequently agreed that a Juvenile
District Funeral Fund should be established.168

Continued attempts to ensure uniformity of Tent records and procedures led to the
appointment of a District Book Examiner in 1904169 who later gave a detailed report on
Tent books noting incorrect procedures, missing records and failure to move bank
accounts to the Post Office matters which took some years to correct.

The delegates to the 1905 HMC reported increased political activity with resolutions on
Sunday closing, Local Veto and state control of liquor traffic. District Executives were
instructed to find out the views of local candidates with a view to maximising votes for
suppression of intemperance and promotion of total prohibition. They commented that the
Order was awakening to the wisdom of following on the actions pursued by the Executive
in the memorable Permit fight. There was also some local political success with several
members elected as MHK’s,170 in 1904 Bro. T.H. Cormode171 and in 1907 Bro.’s EJ
Curphey, Thos C Kennish and Alfred Costain.

164 Executive Mar 12 1904.
165 HYM Apr 22 1909.
166 Executive Meeting Mar 21 1908.
167 HYM Apr 14, 1904.
168 HYM Oct 1904.
169 HYM Oct 13 and Nov 3 1904.
170 Members of the House of Keys.
171 Portrait in the 1904 Examiner Annual describes him as Primitive Methodist Preacher, temperance
advocate, blacksmith and first ever working man elected to Keys.

31

The local Order had always been predominately male with a small number of widows who
continued membership after their husbands death.172 Figures are not normally given, [only
ten years were found], but apart from about a third in 1863 the female membership never
exceeded much over ten percent and in some years was as low as five percent. Attempts
to change saw in 1906 a resolution that:

The Executive notes with pleasure the new departure initiated by the
Good Samaritan Tent in receiving female members into Tent membership
and desires to congratulate the Tent on its enterprise and to commend
their example to all other Tents in the District.173

The inability to adapt to changing times was shown by the persistence of the extreme
element of temperance noted in the HMC report where a proposal to delete from the
pledge the words except in religious ordinances was defeated. This would have
excluded members from the sacrament.174 How such a decision would have been
received locally is difficult to say but it would probably have split the movement.

The loss of the Belvedere Hotel175 as a venue led to a move to Douglas Town Hall
where the Mayor was made an Honorary Member.176 The Executives annual report
commented on 109 new members, 64 deaths and a deplorable 70 lapses. During the year
some £3,000 sick pay and nearly £550 in Funeral Benefit had been paid. The Juvenile
Report mentioned continuing entertainments and meetings with gradual acceptance of
District Rules and support of the Funeral Fund. Prizes were awarded for new members in
connection with visit of Bro. Platt and entries encouraged for the Juvenile temperance
examination.

The importance of youth work led to frequent Juvenile Conferences. The HS wrote to the
District asking that any District with special experience in co-operating with the Band of
Hope177 and Sunday school work should provide details. The DS replied that “we have no

172 District Rules of 1895 rule 16. On the death of a member the Tent Officials must supply the
widow with the terms on which she can become a member in her own right but only for funeral
benefit and she must sign pledge and pay 1 shilling admission fee.
173 HYM Apr 19 1906.
174 HYM Oct 17 1907.
175 The Belvedere Temperance Hotel Loch Promenade Douglas was a frequent venue for meetings.
A limited company (135c), registered Mar 28 1891 it went into voluntary liquidation as non viable
and was sold at auction in November 1906 to WA Waid
176 Annual DM Apr 23 1908.
177 Highet - IOR Points and Paragraphs for Teachers and Speakers: Bands of Hope are Temperance
Organisations for Children origin attributed to efforts of Mrs Carlisle of Dublin and Rev Jabez

32

experience with Band of Hope and Sunday school work, Bands of Hope are all
worked in connection with Sunday Schools in this District”.178 Given the very strong
connection with the Methodist Church with its tradition of Sunday School work it must be
assumed the Bands of Hope were based at Anglican Churches and probably connected
with the Church of England Temperance Society.

The advent of proposals for Old Age Pensions and National Insurance.
Reaction to developments in the British Parliament led to the following resolution:

That the District Council appoint a Committee to act in conjunction with
the other Friendly Societies, if necessary, to watch, in the interests of
Friendly Societies, any legislation brought forward in our Insular
Legislature on the Old Age Pension Question; the Executive to be the
Committee.179
As a result, a local Committee of Friendly Societies met in 1909 to consider implications of
any Insular Legislation to introduce Old Age Pensions. The HMC delegates reported the
introduction of endowments for members of any age and the Board prepared tables of
contributions to cease payment of sick/funeral contributions at 65.180 As the District
Minute Book for 1910 to 1923 is missing and with only minimal Executive Minutes and no
printed reports more detailed consideration of local reaction to pensions and the later
national insurance proposals is difficult. The changes in Britain were to have significant
effect and these are discussed in the next chapter.

Linnicliff a Baptist Minister of Leeds in Aug 1847. Now 31,420 Societies with some 3,321,722
members.
178 Executive Jun 15 1911.
179 This appears in the HYM report of Apr 22 1909 as an amendment to Minutes of Oct 22 1908
Meeting.
180 HYM Oct 21 1909.

33

Chapter 5
State benefits and events up to the 1945.

Old Age Pensions 1908 and the National Insurance Bill 1910/11.
Local celebrations.
Revised rules of 1913 as a result of National Insurance.
Slow decline in membership
Centenary celebrations.
Second World War.

Old Age Pensions 1908 and the National Insurance Bill 1910/11.
The introduction of endowment schemes and contribution tables ceasing at 65 or 70 were
a reaction to social changes and increased life expectancy. What the Friendly Societies
could not do was help the poorest sections of the community who could not afford the
contributions. Both Teare181 and Norris182 comment on the low weekly wages at this time
and minimal poor relief for local people.

Social welfare introduced in parts of Europe and Australasia inspired the British
Government to introduce Old Age Pensions for those over seventy in 1908. This scheme
was not extended to the Island as Governor Raglan refused to introduce it, claiming
insufficient funds due to no direct taxation and also partly to his personal belief in self
sufficiency. His opposition delayed both pensions and the later health insurance scheme
until after the First World War.183 Indirect taxation produced insufficient revenue to fund
social benefits. Local refusal by the legislature to introduce direct taxation, i.e. income
tax, prevented their introduction.

A National Conference of Friendly Societies about the National Insurance (NI) Bill of
1910/11 in October 1911 drew up minimum demands to the government, resolving that if
they were not granted they would refuse to co-operate with the new system.184 A
compromise was reached and the IOR agreed to accept the Bill and introduce a new
section for State members. When in 1911 the NI Bill was in Parliament, it was considered
inevitable that it would be eventually introduced by Tynwald. A letter was received by the

181 Teare - Reminiscences of the Man Labour Party.
182 Norris - Manx Memories and Movements.
183 Norris p.162-3.
184 Highet p 270-1, 10 demands were made and some were accepted by the government see.

34

Executive from the secretary of the Oddfellows [at this time of similar size as the
Rechabites]185 inviting the District to join a local conference. This was accepted. A
survey was also made of Tents to see how many had members working in England.186
The Conference met in the Oddfellows Hall on October 26 attended by Oddfellows,
Rechabites and Foresters187 and passed the following resolution:

That in view of the fact that the National State Insurance Bill, as at
present framed, makes no provision for the inclusion of the Isle of Man
within its scope, and will in consequence seriously affect and weaken, if
not destroy, Friendly Society work and Influence in this Island, this
conference of Insular Friendly societies calls upon the Insular
Legislature to take such steps as will bring about the inclusion of the
Isle of Man within the operation of the Bill.

The estimated cost of the National Insurance Scheme for the Island was £2,500 to
£3,000 a year. A deputation waited on the Governor asking him to take the necessary
steps to bring about inclusion. Delegates were authorised to approach members of the
Keys for support. The meeting was held on November 1 and reported in the press.188
Governor Raglan’s reception was described as noncommittal and his reaction would
depend on whether he felt the exchequer could meet the cost. The press report favoured
joining the British scheme and pointed out the problems that a lack of an Old Age Pension
scheme would cause. ‘His Excellency should have realised that to promote State
Insurance on Imperial lines was to commit himself to Old Age Pensions. It would
have been better if these had already been adopted here’.

Both of these social measures moved away from self help and introduced elements of
compulsory state provision. They clashed with some of the services provided by the
Order, although the political lobby from the Friendly Societies persuaded the Government
to compromise and appoint them to administer benefits. As a result of the NI changes the
Order’s voluntary section was largely starved of new voluntary members and began an
inexorable decline.

Local Celebrations.

185 IOM Examiner Yearbook gives membership figures for Oddfellows, Rechabites and Foresters.
186 Executive Sep 16, 1911.
187 IOM Examiner Sat Oct 28 1911 p.4
188 IOM Examiner Sat Nov 4 1911 p.4

35

At the Order’s 75th celebrations in 1910, attended by the DCR and DDR, the IOR was
the third largest Friendly Society, with one Rechabite for every 100 of population.
Overall, the Friendly Societies had sixteen million members. Instead of recognising the 75th
anniversary of the Order the District instead held a Grand Juvenile and Adult
demonstration in Douglas for the 75th anniversary of local Juvenile Tents on June 20
1912. The procession accompanied by two bands proceeded to the Villa Marina where
the HCR Bro. W.A. Platt was the Chairman. The HCR congratulated the Island as one
of the largest societies at present and reminded them that it was in Douglas that the first
rules of the whole Order were printed. He was delighted to see the Bishop, a teetotaller,
who had consented to become a member. The Bishop in his address commented that he
‘thought the fundamental principles upon which the Order was founded and its
hope for the future were social and personal religion, abstinence and thrift’. The
HCR also said the Order was the first to accept boys, girls and women as members and
the first to grant women the franchise. When State Insurance came into operation on July
15, he advised local members going to England to continue contributions through another
Tent and also to take up State Insurance with an approved Society thus receiving double
benefits.189

The Revised Rules of 1913 as a result of National Insurance.
The new state section required a major revision of general rules and a special conference

at Leicester. Local delegates attended only to find it irrelevant and the District Executive

protested that the conference levy should not apply. Elsewhere it would be refunded by
the Insurance Commissioners.190 Eventually the Board waived it.191 This Conference

rewrote the rules and divided them into two, general rules and rules relating to business

under the National Insurance Act 1911. Some of the changes included additional objects

for the Order:

For the relief or maintenance of members in old age.
Paying members sick and funeral contributions when they reach 60.
Endowment of members or their nominees.
Guaranteeing the performance of officers and servants of the
Society.192

Under improper conduct :

189 IOM Examiner Sat Jun 22 1912.
190 Executive Meeting Dec 15 1912.
191 Executive Meeting Sep 13 1913.
192 Rule 4 Objects of the Order.

36

Tents and Districts are prohibited from promoting or recognising
Lotteries.193

Each District shall establish:
Funeral, Sick, Management and Juvenile Funeral Funds, in addition it
may form 9 other types.194

Increasing health and life expectancy saw the age limits raised for insuring sickness
benefit to 50 and for funeral benefit to 69.195

Slow decline in membership
Local population changes saw the number of potential male members fall and a declining
birth rate.196 The District valuation reports for 1905-25 summarised below reveal
membership changes as: an overall fall in numbers of 1,000, increased average age; and
a reversed age structure from 1,137 members under 31 in 1905 to 364 in 1925. Older
members probably kept up their membership to ensure some return from long periods of
contributions whilst some younger ones switched to the State schemes considering
continuation not worthwhile. An analysis of at what stage members lapsed would be
required to expand on reasons for their loss. You would expect increasing average age of
members to mean a greater call on benefits and falling funds but, due to investment
income, lapsed members forfeiting contributions and sound tables, the finances of the
District actually improved.

Age distribution as at December 31 of valuation year.

Age 1905 1910 1925
1-15 3 2 0
16-20 289 173 68
21-25 414 380 128
26-30 431 352 166
31-35 389 352 162
36-40 346 323 186
41-45 306 318 227
46-50 276 279 221
51-55 205 256 247
56-60 189 173 214

193 Rule 27 Improper Conduct.
194 Rule 45 additional funds were: Accident Benefit Fund, District Sick Relief Fund, District

Superannuation Fund, Fund for assisting distressed members, Travelling Relief Fund, Widows

and Orphans Fund, Members surplus contributions Fund, Endowment Fund and Medical Fund.
195 Rule 65 Tent Membership.
196see appendix 7.

37

61-65 184 163 203
66-70 97 129 198
71-75 58 76 100
76-80 22 38 66
81-85 13 15 31
86 + 3 2 12
2187 +42 widows
total 3,225 3031 2229
av.age c.39.5 40.4 49

By 1910 only Mona Daniel and North Douglas showed a deficiency. Gradually the Tents
adopted tables which ceased contributions on retirement and encouraged members to
retain membership for social reasons. The valuation surpluses of 1910 also allowed Tents
the option of paying the contributions of members over 60 or whilst they were sick.197

A new association at this time was the Manx Temperance Federation established in
February 1913 and which operated until at least the 1970’s.198 Supported by the District
and Tents, amongst its aims were the return of politically sympathetic candidates to the
legislature and governing bodies and of promoting legislation for the regulation and
restriction of the liquor traffic. It also supported temperance teaching in schools for some
years by bringing in a specialist lecturer.199

Following earlier attempts to encourage female membership in 1913, Mona Fellowship
applied to form a Female Tent in Ramsey,200 Ellan Vannin, which opened in 1914. The
District Register201 lists its membership and shows 48 initiations between 1914 and 1927,
nineteen in the first year, fifteen in the second year, seven more by the end of the war,
two in 1923, two in 1925 and a final three in 1927. Lapses were considerable as the 1925
valuation only gives thirteen members. Following this valuation the Board requested the
District to arrange for its consolidation as membership was below 25202 and it was
merged back into Mona Fellowship on 31 Dec 1927.203 Perhaps this Tent was an attempt
to provide a greater role for married women when it was normal to stop work on
marriage. The loss of independence gained during the war when a shortage of men

197 Mona Jonadab and Mona Fellowship Executive Mar 15 1913.
198 Appears in Examiner Yearbook until 1966 and is mentioned in District minutes in 1972.
199 A series of reports detail their activities from 1913 to 1935.
200 Approved at the District Meeting in Ramsey April 17 1913
201 District Register
202 Highet, 52nd HMC 1925, Tents with under 25 members to be consolidated from Jan 1926.
203 AM Apr 26 1928.

38

opened up occupations to women may partially account for the drop in recruitment after
1918, with loss of work reducing ability to pay subscriptions.

The occupations listed provide a social makeup as follows:

Clerk 1 Housemaid 1

Confectioner 3 Maid 1

Cook 1 Married 18

Domestic 6 None given 4

Dressmaker 6 Shop Assistant 2

Household duties 4 Waitress 1

[n.b. other than the married group no indication of whether married

widowed or single is given]

Ages at initiation were only given for 35 members as follows:

15 3 16 1
17 2 18 2
19 1 20 3
21-25 6 26-30 10
31-39 5 40 1

Returning to the outbreak of war in 1914, at this time the three main Friendly Societies
on the Island had large memberships204 3,983 Oddfellows, 3,788 Rechabites and 1,336
Foresters, 9,107 of 23,937 males with a substantial proportion of the population dependent
on them for benefits. As the war progressed much of the District business was routine,
such as quarterly returns, mortgages and benefits for members on active service through
the national Army and Navy Scheme. The depression in the Island economy caused by
the loss of the holiday trade is seen in the agreement to defer interest payments on several
loans or not press for payment.205

Whilst the Funeral Fund was now consolidated the Sick Benefits were not. At the
October 1917 Council Meeting, the question of consolidation was discussed. The
Executive generally approved, and a sub-committee was appointed to prepare a report206
which was subsequently accepted in principle but deferred by the Council of Oct 1918
until after the next valuation. In 1920 the Executive again considered it in view of the

204 1915 Examiner yearbook.
205 e.g. Executive Mar 23 1916 2 cases.
206 Executive Feb 7 1918.

39

early introduction of National Health Insurance and resolved to rescind the deferral and
agreed that it would recommend the District Council to adopt consolidation at once.207

Shortly afterwards, the provisional 1910-15 valuation showed the Funeral Fund to be 21/5
in the pound, up from 20/6 in 1910, and the Sick Fund up to 25/9 from 24/-. The Executive
then recommended it was a good time to deal with consolidation and suggested it might be
best achieved by transfer of funds to meet liabilities whilst allowing Tents to keep most of
the surplus and forming a Tent Special Fund for members.208 However, the District
continually stalled on this issue pending receipt of the detailed valuation. Eventually when
the HMC representatives reported on the valuation it was felt that there was insufficient
detail to proceed with consolidation and the matter dropped.209

The HMC of 1919 proved as rigid as ever seeming unable to sense the wind of change
affecting its support. Temperance was no longer a live political issue and the Labour Party
Conference in 1920 rejected prohibition.210 The Board proposed and carried motions
which supported prohibition, local veto and against state ownership of the liquor trade.

In the Island Joseph Qualtrough211 made several attempts to obtain local control [or
option] with Bills noted in 1918, 1919 and 1923 all unsuccessful. Sunday closing was still
retained and opposition continued to any relaxation of licensing laws. But the Licensing
Commission Report of 1922 recommended revised opening hours.

On July 5 1920 National Health Insurance was introduced into the Island.212 A special
conference of Tent Secretaries on June 5 1920 had discussed questions relating to it and
practical arrangements. The Order’s scheme was advertised in the Insular press and the
Executive nominated candidates for election as directors of the Manx National Health

207 Executive Mar 18 1920.
208 Special Meeting Apr 1 1920.
209 Executive Sep 17 1921.
210 Harrison chapter 17
211 Joseph Qualtrough MHK for Rushen, Timber Merchant, advocate of total abstinence and
Wesleyan local preacher. Later a MLC, sometime vice president of Manx Temperance Federation,
died c.1933. For a portrait see Examiner Annual 1906 p.35
212 Examiner Annual 1921 p. 71, The four voluntary Friendly Societies authorised as agents under
the Act: Oddfellows, Foresters, Rechabites and Andreas Benevolent Society.

40

Insurance Scheme. There was only one successful candidate from the Friendly Societies
[a Forester]. The other four elected belonged to the Workers Union.213

During a period of extensive social change when many of the recommendations of the
1911 McDonnell report were implemented, the Distric t concentrated on the Shops Hours
Bill in liaison with the Manx Temperance Federation.214 A letter was sent to each member
of the Keys urging them to sign the Bill and seventeen members did so on April 12 despite
requests from the licensed trade to keep public houses and ‘sweet’ shops open on
Sundays. It practically abolished the Bone fide Traveller and maintained the tradition of
Sunday closing. An observation made at this time confirms the influence of the
nonconformist church when at a United Rally of Douglas Primitive and Wesleyan Circuits
WM Kerruish created a sensation by claiming that ‘Methodists run the Island’.215

Periodically practical difficulties were experienced in getting all the Tents to complete
returns. Santon Union got into difficulties with its books, requiring special visits by the DS
and others. The District received complaints from the Secretary of the Manx Health
Insurance Union about the neglect of duties of the Tent Secretary.216 A fuller picture of
District Business now emerges with the availability of printed reports of meetings after a
period when the minute book is missing. Moderation in consumption of alcohol brought
about by the weakening of beer, reduced wartime opening hours combined with changing
social attitudes further reduced the appeal of the temperance movement with its inflexible
outlook. A pamphlet produced by the Order summarises the reduction in consumption
during the war. 217

The District Juvenile Report called for vigorous and up to date tactics and expenditure of
a more liberal amount of accumulated wealth on Juvenile propaganda. Only one Tent had

213 Examiner Yearbook events of 1920 Oct 19, see also article by R Fyson on Manx Labour History in

new history of the IOM volume 5.

214 Executive Mar 24 1921.

215 Examiner Yearbook, Oct 12 1921 at the Villa Marina.

216 Executive Sep 17, Dec 22 1921, Mar 12, Sep 15 1922.

217 Highet, R Points and Paragraphs. Drunkenness Statistics quoted for 1913 to 1921 show a marked

decline in convictions and in consumption of alcohol. [England and Wales]

Year. Consumption convictions.

millions of gallons

1913 92 188,877, 1914 89 183,828

1915 81 135,810, 1916 73 84,191

1917 45 46,410, 1918 37 21,075

1919 60 57,948, 1920 69 95,763

41

bothered to enter candidates for the temperance examinations. A Rally of young people
held on December 16 at the Villa Marina was presided over by the Bishop. The PHCR
visited in December for a week for a series of public meetings.218 It is apparent that the
ageing membership did not respond to repeated calls for more effort in recruiting and
retaining young people. The changes in social attitudes and increasing state benefits,
combined with falling numbers of young people meant an inevitable decline, whatever
measures were taken.

The attempted use of members’ votes in influencing local politics continued with a motion

passed that:

The District Council recommends its members vote only for those
candidates in the forthcoming Keys election who are pledged to
temperance principles, Sunday closing and preservation of the Manx
Sabbath.219

Following the receipt of the 1920 valuation the minutes note the transfer of considerable

funds to the Tents’ Aged Members and Special Funds ‘we feel sure that the benefits

from these funds, particularly to the aged members of our Order will be greatly

appreciated and will perhaps stop the decrease in membership so marked during the
past few years’.220 This of course ignores the problem of attracting new blood.

The Juvenile Executive did not give up and reported on a Conference of Superintendents
in October 1924 and on the High Superintendent’s campaign to increase membership.
Winter work culminated in a Juvenile demonstration at the Villa Marina on Ascension Day
May 21 1925.221

The Executive was asked for a scheme of consolidation of Sick Funds for submission to
Tents on receipt of a summary of the 1925 valuation.222

No Tent opened Members Sickness weeks Total Surplus Solvency

Expected /actual Sick

Fund

22 Mona Union 1836 424 10153 8891 13277 4050 25/9

50 Mona Jonadab 1837 119 1953 1882 3449 1449 28/7

60 Star of Mona 1837 351 10717 13541 9695 2410 24/-

1921 61 77,789

218 AM Apr 24 1924.

219 HYM Oct 30 1924.

220 AM Apr 30 1925.

221 Examiner Annual, the first procession and demonstration held in Douglas for over 20 years.

222 AM May 5 1927.

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61 Mona Daniel 1837 89 1854 1917 1706 191 21/7
5483 5228 5662 1904 26/4
912 Mona Fellowship1842 204 7578 6911 7036 293 20/7
43 1479 1522 1634 780
913 Mona Rushen 1859 339 115 2289 1750 2061 176
3149 3435 4401 1812 28/-
1150 Mona Ebenezer 1866 1783 1012 2197 690 25/4 32/7
2662 2940 2530 123 20/8 21/-
1162 Good Samaritan 1867 680 524 1239 690 36/9
913 870 1056 76 20/8
1163 Sons of Mona 1867 166 111 246 42 -10 19/9
50804 50669 56185 14644
1164 Star of Foxdale 1870 86

1410 Rising Star 1873 121

1710 Santon Union 18 30

2817 North Douglas 1898 87

4793 Ellan Vannin 1914 13

Totals 2187

Members & widows 2229, av.age 49, total Funds £8988, surplus £1496, solvency
22/5
At this time the Order did make some attempts to develop its benefit system in the face

of state insurance. For example, at the 1927 HMC a new Sick and Provident scheme

provided rates of contributions for sickness benefits and for a cash benefit or surrender

value at 65 or earlier. Members could transfer to this new scheme. The HSJT said in

regard to Medical Benefits:

‘We cannot persuade the medical profession to undertake the medical
attention of our children, except at a cost beyond the paying capacity of
many of the parents … however, the time was not far distant when the
State would undertake the responsibility for the provision of medical
attention for the child, and so build up a healthy nation. The sooner
they ceased to look upon medical benefit as one of the chief benefits,
the better. Let them concentrate on higher principles’.

Consolidation came up again and was sent back to the Executive by the Tents who
wanted a scheme which would pay contributions of members over 60.223 Repeated

attempts were made by Mona Daniel and North Douglas Tents to have a District Fund
for Aged Members established to pay aged members contributions,224 funded either by a

levy or on sick fund surpluses. Eventually a fund was established when a levy of 2.5d per

adult member was agreed from which the contributions of all members over 65 belonging
to North Douglas Tent was to be paid.225

The Juvenile report to the 1929 Annual Meeting reported on Propaganda work carried out
aided by visit of Bro. Brett whose message was:

223 HYM Oct 27 1927.
224 AM Apr 26, 1928, HYM Oct 25 1928, AM Apr 25, 1929.
225 AM Apr 25 1929.

43

“Your only hope is through the children; you must replenish the ranks,
and this can only be done by recruiting on a much larger scale than
you have done”

On May 17 1928 a Great United Demonstration was held at the Villa Marina Douglas and
from a spectacular point of view it was claimed to be the finest piece of propaganda
work ever attempted in the District, with over 1,000 in the parade. The presence of Lt
Governor Sir Claude Hill added to its value, and his address, along with Bro. West HSJT
and others, made a deep impression.226
The report on the 1929 HMC mentions the appointment of a Royal commission to enquire
into the working of laws relating to supply and sale of liquor.227 The whole Order was now
solvent with the combined assets of Funeral and sick Funds being £1.0.2 for each £1 of
liabilities.

The question of female members was raised again during the visit by the HSJT and a
proposal carried that the District Executive examine the question of admission of girls and
women to the Adult Tents and to prepare a scheme for submission to the Tents.228 The
Executive subsequently produced a scale of sic k fund contributions to provide 5/- per
week [2 shares] which it recommended all Tents register in their rules.229

The Juvenile report given in 1931 noted continued efforts to increase Juvenile activity,
with the usual complaints about lack of support. A young people’s rally held at the Villa
Marina during the visit of the HSJT was attended by over 1,600 children and adults and
the temperance examination was supported by two Tents with fifteen candidates.230 A
Report was received on the possibility of a medic al benefit scheme for Juvenile Tents in

226 Report of DSJT to AM Apr 25 1929.

227 Highet says at 56th HMC the Board referring to Report of the Royal Commission on Licensing
expressed disappointment in its reference to Local Option and Sunday closing for England but
welcomed following recommendations.
Education - That every child ought to receive specific and systematic instruction as to the
properties of alcohol.
Teachers - of no less importance is the instruction of Teachers in teacher training colleges.
Persons under 18 and Clubs - No person under 18 should be allowed to be a member of an
unregistered club.
Clubs and Justices Licenses - That all registered clubs must be subject to the same law (as
Licensed premises).
Wines and Spirits - That the sale of wines and spirits for off consumption should be subject to the
obtaining of a Justices Licence.
228 HYM Oct 30 1930.
229 AM Apr 16 1931.
230 AM Apr 16 1931.

44

country Districts. It compared mainland terms with the higher ones of the IOM Medical
Society. The District Committee commented that the higher contributions required made it
inadvisable and they could not support it.

The DCR delivered a report to the 1932 Annual Meeting noting that three Tent
Secretaries had resigned due to stress of business and that the trade depression was
damaging membership. The decline in Adult membership over the last 25 years was over
1,000 and the Juvenile section was also down. The Adult decrease was mainly caused by
death and insufficient new members. The DCR hoped all Tents would make strong
efforts to increase their membership. The new rules relating to female membership had
been adopted by Mona Union and he hoped they would be adopted by all Tents as a
means of strengthening numbers. Closer unity between Adult and Juvenile Tents was
needed to stop the loss of Juveniles at transfer age. However, whilst membership declined
funds increased in 25 years by £18,000.231

At the same meeting a motion was carried condemning efforts being made from time to
time to obtain further facilities for sale of alcohol in public houses and boarding houses and
especially the effort being made for the opening of public houses on a Sunday. Members
were urged to work together with all other temperance organisations and the churches on
the Island to frustrate efforts of the drink lobby.

At the 1933 Annual Meeting232 the Juvenile Report commented:

Many think our day is over but effort shown by 1 Tent with 71 new
members shows that if all pull together, bring victory to our cause.
Task set by HQ for 1933 is an increase of 93.

The DS read a letter from HS and HSJT saying they were coming to the Island for the
opening of a new Tent in connection with the National Children’s Home in Ramsey on
May 19. This was a national policy agreed some years earlier with the National Children’s
Homes.

Also in 1933 the Licensing Commission Report noted there were now 144 public house, 84
Boarding house and 38 retail licences and a marked fall in consumption comparing

231 AM Apr 21 1932.
232 AM Apr 20 1933.

45