The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-08-13 00:00:00

CERNE.
FORESTERS' DEMONSTRATION.

One of the most interesting events that has taken
place in the little town of Cerise for some time
past occurred on Wednesday last, it being the
first anuiversary of the opening of Court St.
Austin, which has been established a little more
than 12 months. The occasion was looked forward
to with no small degree of interest by the inhabi-
tants, who seemed to vie with each other in decora-
ting their houses and in showing the greatest quan-
tity of bunting. Long before the time appointed
for the procession to march to church numbers of
persuns flocked into the town, some of them coining
from a great distance. The town was very prettily
decorated with numerous triumphal entry arct es,
many of them bearing festoons of flowers winch
were worked with a great deal of taste. Each arch
bore appropriate mottoes, amongst which were
"Welcome Foresters," "Good-will towards men,"
the motto of the society, "Benerolentia et con-
corda," "Every man for every 1111.14 himself in.
eluded," "Pro bono publico, ' rke. Several bre-
thren from Weymouth and other courts attended, and
shortly before 12 o'clock the whole marched to
church in the following order:—
Trustees in carriage.
Chief Ranger Morley. Sub-Chief Ranger Northover.
• Secretary.
Robin Hood. Little John.
a Friar Tuck.
O Senior Woodwsrd. Junior Woodward, E
Senior Beadle. Junior Beadle.

Flag—Bed Ensign.
Band.
Flag—White Ensign.
Brothers 1h..1,1 and Batt with Dispensation.
Members on foot. Members on foot.

Blue Ensign.
Ooiit Progrtsi (Dorchester).
Courts ti i Weymouth with banners.
Digby (Sharborne).
C.; rr Visiting Brethren.
Brothers 1; eh and Crocker on horseback.

An excellent sevaon was preached by the Rev. A.
Williams from 0 6th of Galatians, verses 1,2, 4,
5 :—" Brethren, :f a man be overtaken in a fault,
yo which are sp4itual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekne, • ; considering thyself lest thou
also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfil the I..•is of Christ. But let every man ,
prove Iris own a .k, and then shall he have re-
joicing in himself Alone and not in another. For
every man shall ,ir his own bunlen." The rev.
gentleman, in the ~urse of his sermon, said there
was a warrant for the establishment of societies
such as theirs in :he preaching of Christ and his
disciples, arid ailed. ,1 to the fact that the Christian
religion was one of charity, which ranked above
faith and hope.
, On leaving the church the procession marched
through the principal streets of the town, where a
number of persons had saaeniblerl to witness the
procession. They then proceeded to a field a short
distance from the town, where an excellent collation
I was provided by Mr. Thomas Beer. The chair
I was occupied by James Hellyar, Esq., and the vice-
chairs were filled by Messrs. C. J. Fooks and W.
11. Clark. Amongst the company were the Rev.
A. Williams (Up Cerne), and the Rev. T. J. Brown
(Sydling), \V. F. Coles, Esq., Messrs. Northover,
Stroud, Morley, CR., Follett, Chamen,

Ample justice having been done to the good things
provided, the cloth was removed, when the CHAIRMAN
gave the usual loyal touts, which were duly honored,
after which he proposed the " Army and Navy, and
Volunteers," coupling with the toast the name of Mr.
James Northover, jun. (Cheers.)
Mr. NORTHOVER, in responding, said he hail been in
the Yeomanry for the last three years,and if duty called
him to the field, be would endeavour to do his hest.
(Applause.) Since the organisation of the Rifles, the
Yeomanry had not been taken no much notice of, but
let them work together, and with 111011 a body of men,
as the Yeomanry and Riflemen, there was no fear of in-
vasion. (Cheers.)
The CH AIRM AN nest briefly gave the "Health of the
and Clergy of the Diocese," coupling with the
toast the names of tlio.Revs. A, Williams and T. J.
Brown.

The Rev. T. J. BROWN responded. He thanked them
for the kind way in which they had received the toast,
and with regard to their association, he said be was
certain no bishop or clergyman could walk under the
banner on which was inscribed the motto of their society
without sincerely 'saying "Amen." It was, therefore,
with feelings of great pleasure that he, as • stranger,
occupied the position he now did. He knew very
well the good which societies such as theirs did, and he
found that in the counties where he had been they had
done real sterling good. Having alluded to the presence
of Friar Tuck in their procession that .day as a type
that they were not hostile to allowing the bettsr feel-
ings of their nature to join with them, he said that
most things required something to push them on in the
world, and to pass them off before the public, besides
their real good, and he must Ray from what he had seen
that day, that they had that which could pass off their
society very fairly, irrespective of the private and more
sterling qualities, with which it was connected. its
again thanked them for theirltindness, and could only
hope the BenendeNtia et comeorda might flourish among
them. (Applause.)
The Rev. A. WILLIAMS also responded, and said he
thought • ch rgyman was never more in his place than
when mixed up with the laity. The clergy stood much
in need of their support, and therefore he did feel in
mixing with his brethren of the laity, that lie was
simply doing his duty. The clergy ought also to syuipa-
thise with thiee enjoyments of the laity, which were
rational, and where they did not degenerate to anything
which their consciences did not approve of. Having
been vicar of this parish for nine years, he could say
that he had never known any ill result from meetings
of thir kind. (Applause.) After noise other observa-
tions, he said it was with great pleasure that lie had
accepted their invitation that day. (Applause.)
Mr. COLLIS said lie had a toast to propose, and when
he told them that it was "Success to Forestry," he had
no doubt it would be well received. (Loud cheers.) Not
being • Forester himself, and not knowing the mysteries
of Forestry, he laboured under a difficulty in proposing
the toast. With regard to Forestry, • short time ago •
pamphlet was left at his house, entitled "The Rules of
Court Austin." The first rule stated that Foresters
joined together for the mutual benefit of each other in
sickness and distress. That was indeed a very laudable
undertaking. In the second rule he found that there
was a sort of understanding that a Forester must be •
good man, that he inust be what they called a brother,
' and assist and behave towards each other honourably
and uprightly. If that was Forestry it was • good in-
stitution, but taken by itself it showed a smack of self.
Forestry, however, did not stop there, for that day lie
had seen • banner on which was written " Remember
the orphan and widow," (Cheers.) That was one of
the grand aims anti objects of the society, and certainly
that was not self, for many Foresters hail no,wives, and
therefore could not have widows. Theirs was, indeed,
if properly carried out, a famous institution. He said if
properly carried out—because a thing might be a very
good thing in itself, but if not properly carried out
might, instead of doing good, do a great deal of hanu.
They, however, had the rightinau at the helm. (Cheers.)
He had known their Chief Ranger for a long time, and
had been connected with him in business, which was the
right way to test • Sian. He did not say this in a sort
of after-dinner praise, for he did feel that he con•
ducted their affairs with tact, and a great deal of good
sense. He concluded by proposing "Success to Fores-
try, accompanied with the name of the Chief Ranger,
Mr. John Murley." (The toast was drunk with three
times three, accompanied with the Foresters' fire.)
Mr. IBALIIT, who was received with loud cheers,
I sail he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for
I their good wishes to Forestry, particularly Court St.
Austin, and for the way in which they received the
mention of his name, as Chief Ranger. Twelve months
ago Forestry did not exist iii Ceme, but be, with a few
others, having met to discuss its rules, a Court was
formed, but for some time appearances were so much
againstthern &alto almost make him despair, but helms com-
mon with the rest of his brethren had not forgotten what
they used to write in their school books when at school,
that " Perseverance overcometh all difficulties," and
they set their shoulders to the wheel and determined
to succeed, amt lie pointed to the sight they had seen
that day as • proof that success hail attended their
labour.. (Applause.) Forestry bad not ouly triumphed
in Ccrne during the past year, but in almost every town
in the county of Dorset had it struck its roots deeply
and thrown out its branches widely, and he was glad to
tell them that within the last few days he had received
a letter from Bridport requesting him to take the
necevary steps for the purpose of opening a Court in
that town. At the present time Bridport was the
stronghold of the Odd Fellows—and that was an institu-
t. which lie wished every success, as lie believed its
objects were as good theirs— but in a few days • Court
would be established there, and he trusted not onl7 in
Bridport, but in every other town ahem their society
did not already exist. Some few days ago lie had
mad some statistical information with regard to
Foresters and Old Fellows. He found that the Old
Fellows in the 31ancheater Unity uumbered 300,000
men, whilst the Foresters amounted to 200,000. There
was a vast difference in the numbers lie must own, but
what had the two societies done during the past year.
The Odd Fellows with their 380.000 to influence
society, had inerelied 211,000, whilst the retests:, hail

increased by 30,000. After
.some other remarks, lie
quoted the words of hlr. Tad Pratt,. who said that
the friendly societies of ()rest Rearm save the
ratepayers of the country two millions A year. (Ap.
phone.) lie then callea upon the gentlemen present
to Rid them pecumarly, and by their counsel and
advice, and lie felt assured they would not only confer •
benefit on the society they supported, but on the public+
at large. In conclusion he said that he had been twice
elected Chief Ranger of their Court, and in • short
time his term of office would expire, but in office or out
of office he should do Ilii best to aid them, and he would
always study she interest of Court St. Austin. (lijed
cheers.)
Mr. HURLEY again rose and reopened the health of
the trustees, " Messrs. looks and Clarke."
Mr. Foots i responded, and in doing so bore testi-
mony to the good which their Society was likely to
effect, as well As to all that had bees Wd
respecting their chief rawer. He concluded by pre.
posing "The Visiting Brethren," coupling with the
toast Mr. Jordan, of Dorchester, and Mr. Brain, et
Weymouth.
Mr. JORDAN returned thanks- He stated that when.
I he first came to reside at Dorchester he had great
difficulty in finding a brother Forester, and when he did
find one they endeavoured to form • Court there. Ile
then found that some other parties were endeavouring
to do the same thing, and at last a Court wu formed.
He could assure them, however, that their success for
a time was very little. It was certainly • Court, but a
very blllllll one. But althongli they did not progress he
a Court, still Forestry progressed as a body. Wey.
mouth had a Court which was the largest in the county,
and the Dorchester district was the second largest
in the order. lie had lately had a conversation with
the district secretary, and lie stated that during the
time lie had been in office (12 months), they had in-
creased somewhere about 30 Courts. After some other
observations he concluded by impreseing upon his
brethren to let " brotherly love continue."
Mr. BRAIN, of Weymouth, briefly responded.
Mr. CLARK proposed the "Demonstration Com-
mittee," mentioning the name of Mr. Robert Childs,
who briefly reqemded.
The Rev. A. WI LLIA us rose to propose a toast which
lie had confided to him, and after stating that he
endor.ed all that hail been said respecting the chief
ranger, than whom A more lining liersoe they could not
have chosen to inahage their affairs, and having paid is
compliment to the trustees, palmed on to the subject of
the toast, which was the -" Health of their Chairman."
(Cheers.) He lied bad the pleasure of niceties him
upon several occasions, and had always received from
him the greatest possible kindness and courtesy. HO
then alludtd to the fact that in the year 1855, whea our
arms were crowned with snob brilliant success, and
when public rejoicings were being held all over the
country, their chairmen took the matter up, and in
conjunction with some other gentlemen, invited the
poor of that and other parishes, to the number of 200,
to • field where plenty of eatables and drinkable, were
provided for them. It was but just to say that that
selienie did nut originate from the chairman, but from
his excellent wife, whose health he would ask thew to
drink with that of the Chairman. (The toast was drunk
with three times three, with one for Mrs. Hellyar.)
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks,expreesing the
great pleasure he should always feel iii forwarding any•
thing which might conduce to the prosperity of Court
St. Austin.
The " Ladies" and the " Press" having been given,
the company left the tent, and indulged in various sports
and amusements. A number of the fair sex were on
the field and dancing was kept up with mush spirit.
Kissing in the ring and Aunt Sally had also many
admirers., but unfortunately about seven o'clock it began
to rain in torrents, which auickly brought all out-door
amusements to a chew. The tent was spin quickly
filled and the harmony of the evening was. prolonged
some time, and altogether a pleasant time was spent,
everything peeling off to the sathdaction of all
parties concerned.