becoming known, young men avoided the older societies, and preferred
setting up organizations of their own. The consequence was, that the old
men began to draw upon their reserves at the same time that the regular
contributions fell off; and when, as was frequently the case, a few
constantly ailing members kept pressing upon the society, the funds were
at length exhausted, "the box" was declared to be closed, and the
society was broken up. The real injustice was done to the younger men
who remained in the society. After paying their contributions for many
years, they found, when sickness at length fell upon them, that the
funds had been exhausted, by expenditure for superannuation and other
allowances, which were not provided for by the rules of the society.

[Footnote 1: The Registrar of Friendly Societies, in his report for
1859, states that from 1793 to 1858, the number of societies enrolled
and certified had been 28,550, of which 6,850 had ceased to exist. The
causes of failure in most cases were reported to be, inadequacy of the
rates of contribution, the granting of pensions as well as sick pay, and
no increase of young members. The dissolution of a society, however, is
frequently effected with a view of remodelling it, and starting afresh
under better regulations, and with rates of premium such as increased
knowledge has shown to be necessary for the risks which they have to
incur.]

Even the best of the Benefit Societies have been slow to learn the
essential importance of adequate rates of contribution, to enable them
to fulfil their obligations and ensure their continued usefulness as
well as solvency. The defect of most of them consists in their trying to
do too much with too little means. The benefits paid out are too high
for the rates of contribution paid in. Those who come first are served,
but those who come late too often find an empty box. Not only have the
rates of payment been generally fixed too low, but there has been little
or no discrimination in the selection of members. Men advanced in years
and of fragile health are often admitted on the same terms as the young
and the healthy, the only difference being in the rate of entry money.
Even young lodges, which start with inadequate rates, instead of growing
stronger, gradually grow weaker; and in the event of a few constantly
ailing members falling upon the funds, they soon become exhausted, and
the lodge becomes bankrupt and is broken up. Such ha