The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-06-06 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The annual feativol of the Weymouth branch of this
szoolleot society fame off on Weinesday evening last.
The Guildhall wog goily decorated with flurs and
bannerets of all bright ooloars, cot disposed in grace-
ful groups. The Council Chamber at the end of the
room we. thrown open, but by a tasteful arrangement
of fi igs we. converted into a pretty little bower. Toe
hall and isonnal chamber, were filled with the member'
and their friends, both ladies and gentlemen, about 230
being present. The members were nearly all decorated
with blue and red sashes, and some wore stars and
other insignia of good senior. Tho Weymouth Town
Band played in their spirited style a good selection of
music outside the hall, during the tea.
Tabus were provided by Mrs W. Eliot, Mrs (3. E.
Eliot, Mrs Talbot Grooves, Mrs Milledge, Mrs Crick y,
Mrs Ross, Mrs Robertson, Mrs banes, Mrs Aylesbury.
and Mrs R. Thomas ; and other ladies presided at other
tables.

The social meal onnolnded, and the table' cleared, a
meeting was held, to hear of the advantages of the
Society, and enjoy • musical treat.

The'rdsair wee 'taken by the Mayor, Jas. Mlllesige,
Esq., supported by the Rev. I'. Gramm, rector, and B.
Pearce, Esq. There were also preseut : R. if. Eliot,
Esq., G. B. Eliot, Esq,, Mr Robertson, Mr Aylesbury,
Mr R. Thomas, Dr. Rhodes, Mr Innis. branch steward,
Mr S. S. Milledge. hon. steward, ise., and the members
of the Weymouth breach committee Mr Holt, Mr
Meeeh,_and dr J. C. Shinuer..
_ .

The CffillKill did not think he shouldlhave greater
pleasure daring his term of office as Mayor than in
meeting so many kind friend. around him to support
the Dorset County Friendly Society, o! the Weymouth
branch of which he had at the solicitation of the late
C. Porcher, Fag, been hon. steward. The Mayor read
letters of apology for non-ittendanee, from the borough
members, and he bad also received inch letters from
Sir E. Baker, Bev. C. W. Bingham, Rev, Prebendary
Bond, Mr. Hindereley, Mr. Ferrer, Bev. J. Stsphenson,
Bev. T. Falknor, and the late M.yor, Mr, Howard.
B. PLUM, IN., gave an address on the benefits of
the society, which is intended to provide help in sick-
ness and to help forward children on setting out in
life. It has between 2,000 and 3,000 members, the
fend, are invested in Government securities, and so
well have the central committee interpreted the rules
that there have been only two appeals both of which
have been decided in seeordenoe with the views of the
oommittee. Upon the branch medical officers and
branch stewards be impressed their responsibility to
see that no member is admitted whose health is not
fully up to the mark, and not to allow convolesoeat" to
remain on the funds. If either were permitted a
wrong would be done, and the society robbed. As the
funds come from the earniw of the poor, he considered
their admiostration • sacred trust, Lad some degree of
hardness would be properly exercised. He did not
desire • rapid increase, but member" honest and of
good repute, and he hoped the society would spread
until it gives shelter to all the poor of Dorset—
(applause).
rho Rev. TALBIT GRIAVIIII considered that to teach
men honesty, economy, and eelf-help,are even more lm-
portant than • money provision for sickness and old
age. The wretched habit of living beyond their in-
come is affecting al classes in this country, but Ws
society teaches habits of fragulity. A very proper
object of philanthropy would be to provide proper
means that the working wan might be indnoed to
invest his savings, for whereas a rich man can do so
at 5 per oent., the poor man eon with difficulty get
3 per sent, with safety. The satiety also tends to
promote honesty, teaching to lay up in store that we
may not in times of difficulty be tempted first to live
by others, and then to dishonestly live upon others.
Is that fearful insurrection in Paris, nowiseethW in flame
and blood, a very noticeable feature is that almost
every one of the Communists when taken had on him
large sums of money. It is the love of other people's
money that hal produced some of the greatest evils of
our day ; but we must remember, is the words of the
poet, that

Prince. and lords are but the breath of kings ;
An honest man'. the noblest work of Gosh'
—(applause).
Dr. BRODIIB expressed his pleasure at seeing so many
dear friends—dear friends they must be, for cionitaat
intercourse in health and sickness, snob as be had had
with them, makes friends of all. He thanked them for
their unvarying kindness towards him in the discharge
of his duties. Few had hotter opportunity of ()housing
the benefits of the society than their doctor, and he
had often heard • man tikes laid asi, say with
tremulous vol.» "Ah 1 gnu Glad 1 I ea is IN