Stamford.

Excelsior Tent, No. 85.—An anniversary of the above Tent was held in the Oddfellows Hail on Sunday and Monday, February 2nd and 3rd. Two sermons were preached on Sunday afternoon and evening by Bro. R. Hunter, of Manchester, Corresponding Secretary of the Order. His texts were "Do thyself no harm," and "By their fruits ye shall know them," and his argument was that it is a sin against nature to take alcohol as a beverage. The hall was well filled, and the speaker was listened to with marked attention. On Monday the members and friends sat down to a first class tea, after which the public meeting was presided over by Mr. Markham. The report read by the Secretary, Bro. J. Moore, showed a low rate of sickness for the year and a balance of £93 in the sick fund of the Tent, which has 40 members. Bro. Maltby, of Peterboro, gave an address, after which Bro. Hunter spoke of the advantages to be received by joining the Order, they having much less sickness and longer lives than any other friendly society. Mr. Clapham, in proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman, said to insure against sickness was a grand thing, though he believed much sickness was self-inflicted by not living in harmony with the laws of nature, eating proper food, drinking pure water, breathing pure air, &c., which would extend life considerably.

Mr. Hinson seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously, as was also a vote of thanks to Bro. Hunter. A very pleasant meeting was closed by singing the doxology.

Joseph Moore, Sec.