PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

der the act of incorporation. The general fund is formed from the money received from application fees and monthly dues, and is subject to a vote of the members, for all expenses incurred in the management of the branch. Whenever there is a sufficient sum therein, the branch may, by vote, apply it toward paying an assessment for each mem- ber. A branch may also by vote use part of this fund to keep in good standing a sick or distressed member whom the branch might deem worthy of such assistance.

In keeping with sound principles and just rates, insurance is given at actual cost from year to year. Only such assessments as are necessary are collected, but provision has been wisely made for the collection of a sum sufficient to fulfill all its obligations, taking the experience of the pastas a guide. The con- stitution provides for twelve fixed assessments, and also for special assessments in case the fixed assessments be not sufficient; but the total assessments can never, according to the laws, exceed twenty-four in any one year; as should it be necessary, through any cause, to require more money than said assessments would bring, the reserve fund is drawn upon. By this system benefits are assured to Catho- lic Mutual Benefit Association members at a figure not exceeding the actual cost thereof. The rate fixed for the age at which an appli: cant becomes a member remains the same

throughout.

His Grace the late Archbishop Walsh was grand spiritual adviser until the time of his death; then His Grace Most Rev. Arch- bishop O’Brien, of Halifax, was chosen as grand spiritual adviser. The venerable archbishops and bishops. throughout the do- minion, who are precluded by age, gladly encourage the spread of the association in their respective dioceses. The files of the asso-

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ciation contain many letters of encouragement from those who, studying the interests of their people, highly commend its aims and objects. The names of the following arch— bishops and bishops, with those of nearly all the parish priests and curates in Canada, wherever branches are established adorn the roll of membership: Most Rev. C. O’Brien. archbishop of Halifax; Most Rev. C. H. Gauthier, archbishop of Kingston; Right Rev. R. A. O’Connor, bishop of Peterbor- ough; Right Rev. T. J. Dowling, bishop of Hamilton; Right Rev. F. P. McEvay, bishop of London; Right Rev. M.Decelles, bishop of St. Hyacinthe; Right Rev. J. M. Emard, bishop of Valleyfield; Right Rev. A. Pascal, bishop of Prince Albert; Right Rev. E. J. Legal, bishop of St. Albert; Right Rev. F. X. Clotuhier, bishop of Three Rivers;Right Rev. T. F. Barry, bishop of St. John, New Bruns- wick. The Right Hon. Sir Wilfred Laurier, premier of Canada, is also a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and evinces a deep interest in theorganization, which he recognizes as being fruitful of much good throughout the dominion.

His Grace Archbishop O’Brien, referring to the association, says: “I' have a great in- terest in the Catholic Mutual Benefit Asso- ciation. I have been a member for a great many years and have watched it very closely. _I wanted to see the working of the associa- tion before I joined it; and after observing its development and worth, I became a member.” His Lordship Bishop McDonald writes as follows to his priests: “We appeal to you on this occasion, all the more readily, because we‘have now firmly established in the diocese a fraternal society enjoying all the temporal advantages claimed by others and at the same time honoured with the highest approbation of our Holy Mother,