The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-08-14 00:00:00

ODDFELLOWS' AND FORESTERS FETE.

Portland taok it full share in catering for the incur-
sionista who swarmed into the Inland on Bank Holiday,
and also for its own lads and lames who noised this
opportunity of makiier a day's pleasure. The mendiem of
" Victoria and Alls•rt" lodge of fhtlfellows resolved to
have a grand ilemoimtvation and Pie on the Hill, and, as
the brethern of loyal "Portland" beige, awl the Foresters
of courts " Perseverance" and " Itohin
Foresters, lent sufficient aid, a very respeetahle proression
was organised. The .n shone out brightly in the morn•
Inc. and encouraged the brethern, who mustered about 10
o'clock near the 104,m-room at the Clifton Hotel, awl
formed procession as

P.C. R. 'Fisher, A.0.F., in fell dense as Robin Hood, on
horseback.
Band of the it), Dope.t Votenteer Artillerv, led
by Bandmaster (i. Paris Jones,
o.ldfellows' Wardens, bearing IWO and Heart.
Banner of the Weymouth United District, A.0.F., having
on one side "It is more blessed to give thsn to receive."
and on the other aide the Widow and Orphan. The
banner was borne by Bros llowring and Horne.
Court " Rehin Horst," IW, A.O.F.
Court "Perseverance." A.O.F.
Banner of the Poole District, AEU., Odilfellowe.
Juvenile Oblfellowe, about 3), with lue riblans and
rosettes, and attended by the committee, P.O. Esmes
secretary.
Banner of Poole District, M.U. Oddfellowe.
Lodge "Victoria and Albert," 4.421, Oddfellows.
Lodge " Portland," 4,444, Oddfellows.
These lodges carried Oi of the metal regallaof the district,
crowns. sceptre., birds, &c.
The rear of the procession was brought up by P. Prot,.
G.M. Chivers, carrying the lamb and flag, supported by
C. R. Samuel Smith, Robin Hood, A.O.F„ and Secretary
R. Elliott. of the same court.
The reoreseion marched up the Groveroarl, past the
pri,on, round the Clifton cottages, and returned to the
Clif ton Hotel, through Easton, up Reform., to the parish
church, where a sermon was preached by Bro. the Rev. J.
A.. Morn- from Gal. vi., 2—" Bear ye one another's
burdens, and to fulfil the law of Christ." It was an
excellent discourse, and gave great satisfaction to the
brethren.
After leaving church the procession reformed. marched
through Weston, Southwell, Straits, through Easton, and
returned to the Drill-hall, where a capital dinner was
provided by Host Smith, of the Clifton. The entrance to
the Drill-ball was gaily decorated with flags, and over the
door way was the legend—" Charity is the scope of all
Gars minuends." Inside, the hall was abundantly
decorated with banners and flags. "Faith, Hope, and
Charity," "Faith is the root of all good works," " Friend-
ship, love, and truth," "Hope is the chief blessing of
man," were on banners each side of the door, and the
walls were hung with Union Jacks, behind the chairman '
was a splendid Royal Standard, and over it the words
"The Manchester Unity embraces the world." The
rapacious drill.hall was admirably sidled for the occasion,
belfl7, cool, without suspicion of a draught.
The chair at the main table was filled by Dr. Parsons,
supported by the Rector, Rev. .1. A. Beazer, Bro, S.C.
Chivers, P. Prov. G.M. and hon. nee. of the committee,
and faced by Bro. Radcliffe. At two other tables respec-
tively presided Bro. C. White and Bro. Samuel Smith,
About MO sat down, including 2fi juvenile Odd-
fellows, the leading Oddfellews an ,l Foresters of the
Island being present, and Deputy Grand Master Ifounsell,
Mr. Weston for Messrs. Devenish and Co., dic.
The CHAIRIII4S (Dr. Parsons) propoatt the usual loyal
toasts with much ability, and they were heartily drunk,
the band playing appropriate tunes.
The Rev. J. A. BtAZOR, at the request of the Chairman,
gave the "Army, Navy, and Volunteers," remarking that
the country never had greater cause to be proud of her
defenders than now. Last week we had an opportunity
of seeing what our navy is like when those splendid
veseels were in the Roadstead, and though in the parish
where he was before he came to Portland, it was RO rare
to see a soldier that a red-cost would bring all the
people into the streets, here we are familiar with
them. and are sure they will prove themselves just as
good Englishmen as three who formed our army in the
days of old. With the toad he coupled the names of
Sergeant Hollis. Mr. Pinhorn, Mr. Radclyffe, and Corporal
Miller for the Volunteers. (Applause.)
' Rand "British Grenadier& . .

Mr. RADCLTFFE. responding, was quite sure that, if the
Army, Navy, or Volunteer. were called on, they would be
found just as good as the men of yore. If we had been
called to go to war, we should not hear of our forces such
reports as come from the seat of war now; they would be
on the side of Christianity really and truly, and not for
sham or selfish ends; would never kill a wounded soldier
or sailor but would act as in the times of Nelson
and Collingswood. It has been said that we have
only a lot of boys for soldiers and sailors :
but let them be tried, and they would be found as
Rood as ever, old and young, and perhaps more energy in
the young than in the old. (Applause.) As to the Odd.
fellows, he had been connected with the society, 28 years
and had found the benefit of it; but he did not care
whether Oddfellows or Foresters, they both took their
stand on Faith, Hope, and Charity. (Applause.)
Sergeant HOLLIS briefly responded for the Army.
ortibitilOgneeti aculdknpolweaaleseigeihilmthehetitest.rt ftohranthewNgaovyin, anfodsail ,
another rub at the present time—(applause)—he would
' go in and do his duty, and whenever wanted they would
be there. (Applause.)
Sergeant MILLER spoke for the Vounteers. Though not
a prominent soldier himself yet, as Dr. Watts says
" The mind's tho standard of the man."
(Great laughter and applause.) Small army as the Volun-
teers are, they are true to their pout: they may be called
on shortly, and not s volunteer lives but who will defend
the English shore. (Applause.)
Band " Rule Britannia," the company giving the
chorus with vigour.
Mr. C. WHITE proposed "The Bishop and Clergy of the
Diocese," coupled with the nAlue of their worthy rector,
Mr. Beazer, whom all knew, and all respected.—A voice
addded "and Ministers of all Denominations," the toast
was drunk with cheers, one more for Mn, Beazor, and
another for the little ones.
Band: "Now pray we for our country."
The Rev. J. A. BLAZOR said this toast was drunk in
ajn,dat any assembly of our countrymen, so that it was not
quite unexpected by him. He was very glad to have been
mixed up with this gathering, and It was a proper and
good thought to inaugurate their proceedings by Roma to
church and asking the blessing of thwl. (Hear, heard On
behalf of his brethren the Bishop and clergy he felt it an
honour to respond : they deserve well of the working man
and the poor man ; they are the real friends of the work-
ing classes for they could not go, he believed, to any place
where they would find • benefit society not enjoy the
favour and help, no far aa he can Rive it, of the clergyman
of the place. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN wished the next toast had fallen into
better hands, for it was the toast of the day. He felt
proud to address so many bound in the same bond of
human friendship, and to give "The Manchester Unity
of Oddfellows, the Poole District, and Victoria and Albert
Lodge." (Applause.) By Victoria and Albert Lodge he
had, during his residence )ons, been always treated with
the greatest respect and lynas he • prociated very
much the appointment he WC aaked tham for the
compliment paid him lig kin PreallalkisaZ
he should again be akbh
witaim
such • mambas d Was
to-day. The aleat
forward IWO
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