The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-06-07 00:00:00

IBYNONDSBURY.

THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The anniversary of the Friendly Society in connec-
tion with this extensive parish took place on Tuesday
in genial weather. In the morning the officers and
members headed by the brass band of the "A " Com-
pany D.R.V. led by Bugle-Major Foster darted from
the Crors Keys, Mr. Trump's. and in prosession visited
the residence of the Mayor of Bri port (president),
Dr. Le-Gros Denziloe (medical officer), Mr. W. IL
Morey (Crepe Farm), and Mr. G. Pitfield (Eype),
arriving at Svmondsbury church at noon. Divine
servi e was held, A.e Rev. F. E. Allen, of Whitchurch,
preaching a powerful and earnest discourse from
John, chap. 16, verse 7. A mare was afterwards
made to an adjoining field kindly lent by
SYlMiods. Here the annual appointment of officers
WWI made as under " committee : Messrs. C.
Edmonds W. Gibbs, George Pitfield, A. Hull, A. H.
Morey, John Symonds, Robert Hoskins, and Henry
Rowe. Stewards: N. Wakeley, J. Syme., B. Knight,
...nd F. Dunham. Trustees: Mr. Georg. Pitt Id, in the
room of Mr. John l'ittield, resimed. Host Trump, of
the Cross Keys, Sri port, provided one of those
repasts for which he is famous, and which as usual
gave every satisfaction. The tent VIM a spacious one.
lent by Mr. William Bridle. The Mayor of Bripport
occupied the chair, and Mr. George Pitfield vice-chair.
After the removal of the loth the chairman in giving
the Queen, said he was pleased to meet them again
although the ti Imo lately had not perhaps been bright.
lie hoped the town of liridport woul I not continue to
go down hill. No monar h had ever enjoyed such
peaceful times as our Queen, who had just attained
her 62nd birthday, and they hoped to have her with
them for many years to come. The toast was received
with loud cheers, and musical boron.. _

....
"The Prince and Princess of Wales" followed, and
was equally well received.
'The Bishop and Cl rgy of the Diocese, and
Christians of all Denominations " was next elven.
The Chairman said he ropossed the toast w tit
mingled heti gm. The rector was lying in a precarious
state, and he Was sure they all would sympathise with
him, his wife, and family. Mr. Rawli son had been
with them ab ut 40 years, and had erected two new
churches, and had been the chief instrument in erecting
a capital schoolroom. Mrs. and Miss Rawlinson had
proved themselves fit help-meets for any rector. He
would thank Mr. Rawlinson for opening the church,
likewise Mr. Neale and Mr. Allen, the latter gentle-
men for preaching the sermon. The Chairman then
spoke in high terms of the Bishop, and afterwards, in
referen eto himself said he was not ashamed to confess
himself an old-fashioned Evangelical Church oan, but,
at the same time, he h 'sped he Wai never ready to
condemn others who called themselves High Church-
men but when he Saw • men who was teaehing to all
i tents and purposes the errors of the Church of
Rome. It Was said we should be tolerant, but he for
one would give that man no quarter, and he would not
yield to what he thought was rank heresy. At the
Synod, a short time ago, he heard • c ergyman say he
was a Protestant, Evangelical, and High Churchman,
when there was loud laughter. Their curate, Mr.
Neale, was gning to leave tl eni—(A voice : "Stay,
sir ")—and he was sure they gave him their best wishes
for him in his new sphere.
The Rev. W. I'. N.Atis res onded, alluding in
praiseworthy terms to the Bishop, and thanked them
all fur the kind mention they had made of him. He
was sorry that their rect tr was so ill, for he had done
much for the parish. (Cheers.'
The CH MINAN next :aye "The army, Navy, and
Reserve Forces," coupling th • names of Mr. E.
Clent (Yeomanry), Mr. William Hay (Navy), and
Bugle-Major Foster (Volunteers). The Mayor
remarked that it seemed our army was not bringing us
I mu h credit to judge from the recent defeats, and this
I showed that whatever drill was necessary it should be
so varied that the men may be adapted for any kind
of warfare. The Mayor referred to the gallantry and
heroism displayed by the officers in the recent wars,
and to the extraordinary march of Sir Frederick
Roberts. The Reserve Forces, he believed, were
keeping themselves up to efficiency.
Bugle-Major Forma, Mr. HAT, and Mr. CUM'S
responded.
The toast of the day followed "Success to the
Symondsbury Friendly qrseiety."
Mr. STICKLAND, secretary responded, saying if the
members were not carrying out all, he cou d have
wished they were doing well; but he should like to
have seen the sick club establishe He was glad to
see 150 members. They had lost Mr. Conway,
one of the stewards who had died, who took a
deep interest in the society. They had lost six
members, but he hoped all there would live to see
the end of the term, and that they would be
prosperous during the onning year. Mr. Stickland
referred to toe great interest taken by the late Mr.
Pope and Mr. Pittield in these anniversaries, and to
the pleasure with which the parish always b ked
forward to them. The toast Sal then drunk, with
musical honours. Mr. Stickland said Ise was anxious
as to the results for country benefit so ieties were
flourishing instead of the old-fashioned friendly soc e-
ties. Last year they had 153 members, and at present,
143, being a decrease of 12 for the year. Within six
months six nwrnbers had died, and £5l lls. 61 had
ben paid. Six members had sold out, and he was of
, opinion that the rule for selling out required modifies-
' lion. He would trust, however, that the past year
Wai an excellent one. The fun s were in a flourishtng
' condition, for they had I:415 at the bank. The labour-
ing classes were now °magi •ir from a depending
position, and are wisely encouraging habits of thrift,
and he thought this society should rive more that
way—that the old members would s ick fast to the old
ship. and that new members would help keep her
afloat. (Cheers.)
Mr. W. H. Moat; of Ceepe, proposed "The Health
of the Trustees," when Mr.. PITPIILD. responded.

Mr. STICILLAND proposed " The Chair Man." Since
last they met. Mr. C. FAmund had been elected to
the office of chief Magistrate of Bridport, and they
congratulated him with thanks for the support he
afforded them. (Immense cheering.)
The MAYOR thanked them for the kind manner in
which Mr. Stickland referred to him and as long as he
had their confidence he was pie ,st:d, and hoped he
would ever do his duty where God pleased to call him.
Nothing .ave h m greater pleasure Out • to be with
them, and he did not think he had an enemy there in
the parish. ( hear, hear).
Mr. G. EDWARDS proposed "The Medic 1 Officer,
and Mr. KNIGHT the "Hon. Members and Visitors,"
which were duly responded to.
Mr. R. SAMSON gave "The Press," which was ac-
knowledged by the representative of the Telegram.
"The Host and Hostess" was then given, when the
company disper eel for sports, held in the open.
Dancing was indulged in during the evening, when
more than a thousand people were resent.
The bells were not rung during the day in conse-
quence of the dangerous illness of the rector, but the
flag was hoisted from the hurch tower. Mr. B. S.
Payne, of Norton-place, Belgravia, L ndon, who was
among the visitors kindly promised to became an hon.
member, subscribing annually 10s. towards the fund.