Pay Night

Abstract

This article and image reminds us that the temperance movement’s activities were not exclusively anti-drink campaigns; organisations such as the Rechabites, and individual groups, also established saving schemes and rudimentary pensions.

PAY NIGHT; OR, “HOW MUCH IN THE BANK?”

WE rejoice to find that employers are everywhere becoming alive to the importance of seeking to promote the health, morals, and domestic comforts of the hands in their employ.
The numerous Libraries, Reading Rooms, and Schools which are now to be found in connection with factories in all parts of our country, are pleasing signs of the times.
Some of the large London firms have within the last few years adopted a miniature Savings’ Bank, on the following simple plan, which has already produced the most gratifying results.
When the wages are paid on the Friday night, each man is at liberty to leave on deposit a portion of his wages, which being recorded by the Pay-clerk, the sum is placed to the workman’s credit in the “Savings’ Bank Ledger.” Each Depositor has a Bank-book. The accounts are balanced half-yearly, and interest added to the deposits.
A few years ago, one of the principals of a London factory took a special interest in inquiring how many of the men had anything put by “against a rainy day,” but he could not find that one man out of fifty was a Savings’ Bank depositor. “It is too far to go to the bank,” said one; “If you go you have to wait so long,” said another; “I have nothing to spare,” said a third.
“Let us have a bank of our own on the premises,” responded the gentleman.
The simple plan to which we have referred was then adopted. Many of the hands who at one time thought they could never save even a shilling, can now, in reply to the occasional inquiry of the principal, “How much have you in the bank,” cheerfully respond, “Above £10, sir.”
A working man with £10 or £20 on the right side of his Bank-book will not be fast, as to how he is to get a Sunday suit for himself, a good gown for his wife, and warm clothing for his children.
Let employers and employed seek to promote each other’s comfort and prosperity, and the “good time coming,” of which so many have sung, will ere long dawn on our sand.

LET us, who are working men, and who profess to know something of our rights in, and duties on, the Sabbath, inform the patriots of our day, that our condition is not to be improved by any innovation of its sacred injunctions. - D. Fatquhar.

HE that overcomes his passions, conquers his greatest enemies.
SUNDAY is not a day to feast our bodies, but to feed our souls.
NEVER check the impulses of conscience nor stifle its voice.

SHOULD the labourer be disposed to invest his Sabbath to acquire a surplus income, it would not be long ere his Sabbath would be forgotten, and he required to toil seven days for six days’ pay. – John Browning, Shoemaker, London.

THREEPENCE per day paid by a man aged twenty-one years, will secure to him above £40 a year, payable on his attaining the age of sixty, for the remainder of his life.
There are several good Insurance Companies which receive weekly and monthly payments.

A PENNY saved is a penny gained.
Go to the ant – consider her ways and be wise.
NATURE clad in russet is more agreeable than affection in embroidery.

IN many parts of the country, the mills are now closed at noon on Saturday, thus giving to both employers and employed the boon of a weebly half-holiday. This excellent arrangement has been found to work well. The payment of wages on Friday is also gaining ground.