The National Independent Order was instituted in 1845, and registered under the Friendly Societies’ Act, 1875.  The Order numbers over 60,000 members, but its strongholds appear to be in Yorkshire and Lancashire, which two counties muster between them nearly 40,000.  In Birmingham district, there are thirteen “lodges,” with a total of 956 members, their locations being at the Criterion, Hurst Street; Bricklayers’ Arms, Cheapside; Ryland Arms, Ryland Street; Sportsman, Moseley Street; Iron House, Moor Street; Exchange Inn, High Street; Red Lion, Smallbrook Street; Woodman, Summer Lane; Emily Arms, Emily Street; Boar’s Head, Bradford Street; Turk’s Head, Duke Street; Bird-in-Hand, Great King Street; Tyburn House, Erdington.

Old Meeting Friendly Fund was commenced in 1819, and registered in 1824.  Its capital at the close of the first year, was L5 14s. 10-1/2d.; at end of the tenth year (1828) it was nearly L264; in 1838, L646; in 1848, L1,609; in 1858, L3,419; 1868, L5,549; in 1878, L8,237; and at the end of 1883, L9,250 16s. 2d.;—­a very fair sum, considering the numbers only numbered 446, the year’s income being L877 and the out-goings L662.

Railway Guards’ Friendly Fund was originated in this town in 1848.  It has nearly 2,200 members; the yearly disbursements being about L6,000, and the payments L40 at death, with life pensions of 10s. and upwards per week to members disabled on the line.  More than L85,000 has been thus distributed since the commencement.

Roman Catholic.—­A local Friendly Society was founded in 1794, and a Midland Association in 1824.

Shepherds.—­The Order of Shepherds dates from 1834, but we cannot get at the number of members, &c.  August 9, 1883 (according to Daily Post), the High Sanctuary meeting of the Order of Shepherds was held in our Town Hall, when the auditor’s report showed total assets of the general fund, L921 15s. 4d., and liabilities L12 6s. 9-1/2d.  The relief fund stood at L292 18s. 8d., being an increase of L66 0s. 11d. on the year; and there was a balance of L6 13s. 9-1/2d. to the credit of the sick and funeral fund.

St. David’s Society.—­The members held their first meeting March 1, 1824.

St. Patrick’s Benefit Society, dating from 1865 as an offshoot of the Liverpool Society, had at end of 1882, 3,144 members, the expenditure of the year was L857 (L531 for funerals), and the total value of the society L2,030.

Unitarian Brotherly Society, registered in 1825, has about 500 members, and a capital of L8,500.

United Brothers.—­There are nearly 100 lodges and 10,000 members of societies under this name in Birmingham and neighbourhood, some of the lodges being well provided for capital, No. 4 having L8,286 to 186 members.

United Family Life Assurance and Sick Benefit Society claims to have some 8,500 members, 750 of whom reside in Birmingham.