The following subject is recommended to the consideration of the members of the Mechanic Association, and they are requested to consider if it be not for the interest of the whole society to join in the project; whether it would not tend to increase the number of associates, and to keep in remembrance the families of many deceased brethren, who might need even the small income which the fund now affords, but which in time will reach to a large

amount.

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS' FUND.

TO encourage the industrious, to aid the unfortunate, and to administer relief to the afflicted, are the principal objects of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. To increase the usefulness of a Society, so deserving the support of all classes in the community, especially Mechanics; to make it the medium of more extensive good; to add to its numbers; and to bind with stronger ties those connected by its various interests; the establishment of an additional fund has been contemplated, the usefulness of which will extend beyond the life of its contributors, and shed its rays over the darkness of the tomb. The interest of this Fund will be forever devoted to our Widows and Orphans, and give them a right to receive that, which gratuitous charity, coldly and sparingly administered, can never be expected to yield. For the purpose, therefore, of laying the foundation of so good a design, a number of members of the Association met at the house of Mr. David Francis, on the evening of March 26th, 1821, and having organized the meeting by the appointment of John Cotton, Esq. as Moderator, and Mr. David Francis, as Secretary, proceeded to frame the following RULES for the government of the Subscribers, which were unanimously adopted, and the Secretary requested to hand a copy of the same to every Member, for consideration and acceptance.

This Fund shall be called THE WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND, and be in the care of the Treasurer of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.

ARTICLE II.

It shall be created by the payment of Five Dollars, on subscribing, and increased by quarterly assessments of Twenty-five Cents on each subscriber.

ARTICLE III.

The money to be immediately put at interest, and the whole iuterest to be distributed yearly among the families of deceased Subscribers, in proportion to the number of children in each: A Committee of the Subscribers to apportion the same.

ARTICLE IV.

The Widows and Children of Subscribers only are to receive the benefit of this Fund.

ARTICLE V.

In counting the number of children in the distribution of this money, boys beyond fourteen years, and girls beyond eighteen years of age, will be excluded. Widows will cease to be recipients when re-married.

ARTICLE VI.

Widows without children, or whose children have grown beyond the limited age, shall seceive the same as widows with one child.

ARTICLE VII.

Subscriptions may be made for more than one right, and the Subscriber's family be regarded accordingly in the distribution.

ARTICLE VIII.

A Subscriber neglecting or refusing to pay his assessements for more than one year shall forfeit his right, but his widow and children and they only, shall receive, at his death, (provided they come within the rule of Article 5,) half the amount of monies which said delinquent shall have paid into the Fund.

ARTICLE IX.

This Fund may be incorporated with the other funds of the Association, whenever all the members thereof shall become Subscribers.

ARTICLE X.

No alteration shall be made in these articles, but by a majority of the votes of all the Subscribers.

Mr. Gardner deceased the past summer; his widow will of course receive the interest

from the time of his death.

One hundred and seventy-five Dollars are now in the Savings Bank.

Massachusetts Charitable Mechanick Association,

With their different Occupations.