Secondly, they believed " they had become so prosperous there was no further need for it."
Charles Darwin gave them a severe paternal lecture. "I can assure you that all the rumours about uniting the clubs to form a common fund are lies, spread for some evil purpose." He went on to explain that their Club had not accummulated excessive assets, that actuarial estimates of funeral expenses and the funds needed to provide for ill health came to about a thousand pounds, leaving only one hundred and fifty pounds available for distribution, if they so wished. "Therefore I hope that you will allow me to warn you all, in the most earnest manner, to deliberate for a long time before you dissolve the club, not only for the sake of your wives and children, but for your own sakes..."
The members took his advice.

Charles Darwin died five years later, on April 19, 1882, leaving an estate worth in excess of 280,000 pounds. The government never did form a common fund, but several decades later it succeeded in pushing the Friendly Societies to the edge of extinction.