The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-08-11 00:00:00

FORESTERS DEMONSTRATION.

The members of Court "Forest King' No. dee A.0.F..
took advantage of the Bank Holiday, and held a grand
demonstration on Monday last, which in every respect
proved a great success, and drew together • good assem-
blage of visitors. The weather, too, was remarkably fine,
so that holding the fete out-doors was advantageous, and
contributed in no email tneasere to the enjoyment of the
proceedings, all the arrangements having been made with
' regard to the comfort( and necessities of the numerous
party.
The village was of course en Me, the route of the pro'
cession being deemmted with the usual display of flags.
Assembling In the field set apart for holding the dinner
and sports, the members arranged themselves in marching
order, headed by several mounted and gorgeously-attired
representatives of the ancient order. First came Bro.
Harris, as the bald Robin Heed, follower' by P.C.H.
Padden and Bro. Hansford, and wren other "Foresters so
bold," whose glittering and bespangled paraphernalia
made them "the observed of all observers." Following these
was the Wool and Winfrith band, conducted by Mr.
Langton', to whose inspiriting music. marched the 2.1
members of the juvenile branch of the Court, carrying a
number of banners kindly lent by the Rev. G. Philipps.
Behind was borne the Dispensation of "Court Forest
King," and the beautiful banner of "Court Progress"
(Dorchester). These were succeeded by e Visiting
Brethren, among whom we observed S.P th.C.R. Jenkins,
I`.R. Whittaker, senior and junior Beadles Cake and
Starner, and Bros. Davis and Stagg, all of Dorchester,
besides others from the Weymouth and Wareham courts,
whose names we were unable to obtain. Then came the
handsome banner of "Court Pride of the West" (Brid-
the procession (lasing with about 121 of the
mellibers of " Court Forest King." The march to church
was admirably conducted, and there WWI the usual crowd
of followers, far a demonstration in the "quiet, secluded
village" of Winfrith is not an every-day occurrence.
Arrived at the church the banners were" piled," the guy
music ceased, and the members entered the sacred edifice,
where the service was conducted, and the sermon
preached by the Rev. G. Philippa The rev. gentleman
founded an admirable and eloquent discourse upon the
words of Solomon container' in the sixth verse of chapter
six of the Book of Proverbs--" Go to the ant thou sluggard;
erinsider her waya, and be wise." After showing what
lessons might he learnt from the ant—lessons of industry.
forethought, providence— the preacher dwelt at some
length on the advantages of belonging to a benefit club;
and exhorted all the young men of his parish, who had
not already done so, to enrol themselves forthwith
members of the "Forest King" Court of the Ancient
Onier of Foresters. The rev. gentleman forcibly demon-
strated the benefits of combination, showing that a
working man's earnings, winter and summer together,
although enough perhaps to make him comfortable, and
enable hiim to pay his way in time of hmlth, would hardly
be enough, when husbanded ever so carefully, to furnish
him with the means of recovery in sickness- not enough
for supplying medical attendance and medicine ; not
enough for his support and the support of his family when
laid by and unable to week. But, said the preacher,
" Let him belong to your club, and then if sickness over-
take him, he is prepared for it. Henn apply to the 'box'
which he himself as helped to fill ; he will he maintained,
not by charity, net by the parish, hut by what he has
helped to lay up in store while yet in health and strength
—the honest fruit of past forethought, Test wisdom." The
preacher concluded with a few words of warning and
advice as to their conduct during the remainder of the
day. lie told them that they had begun the day well by
attending the house of God; had begun the day well by
acknowledging themselves • Christian club • had begun
the day well by praying God to defend them through
"that day with Hill mighty power, that He would grant
that they should that day fall into no sin, neither run into
any kind of danger." They must remember these wombs,
and act upon them ; and if they did so it would not lessen
their pleasure and happiness, but it might, perchance,
restrain excess—might, perchance, check excessive drink-
ing or stop the angry oath or the indecent talk with which
many deified themselves over their merriment, their
feasting, and their cups. The sermon was chiefly rzternpw,
and nothing could be more satisfactory than the conduct
of the members of the club and the large congregation
assembled, who seemed much impressed with the earnest-
DOA. of the preacher's delivery.
At the conclusion of the sermon the men again
funned in procession, and honoured the rectory with
, their presence and their music: from thence to Clairton,
where they were liberally entertained by Mr. Udall,
a worthy friend and supporter of the society. Here
cheers were giren for the well.time4 hospitality
bestowed, folios/el by others for the new minister
(The Rev. Mr. Hill) and his family. This finished
the round of perambulation, and the proceasionista
returned in order to the field where a spacious marquee
, had been erected, and tables laid an liberal pro-
, fusion with cold joint., and poultry for the refreshment of
"the inner man." There was, indeed, a capital and
onibstantial dinner provide' by Mr. and Mrs. Read, of the
George Inn. Dorchester. The Rev. G. Philipps presided,
supfsirted by Mr. It. G. Randall, Mr. J. Udall, Dr.
Stirling. and Mr. T. Randall, the treasurer of the Court,
Mr. Philipps said grace both before and after meat; and
dinner at an end,

The Customs. proposed "The Queen." He trusted
they were all loyal subjects-loyal with fidelity. Ile
hoped they would always be true to their duty-to their
masters, their Queen. and their Hod-rapplaused
"The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the
Royal Family," DNA also 3 1.0321 L. the (Imamsv said, they
would glally honour. There was a large Royal Family
they knew, and only two of the Queen's children remained
unmarried, and one of these he believed was "bespoke."
The Prince of \Vales was always ready to throw himself
into the enjoyments of the people, and had he been with
them in Winfrith he would no doubt have shown the
same desire to have made himself popular.
his. WHITTAKF.R said he wished the Prince would come
to Dorchester -(a laugh.)
The Climaxes: I wish he would; we WORM RR come
to see hint-(the toast was duly honoured.)
Mr. UDALL linqio...l the health of chairman, who was,
on every possible occasion, ready to help them and to
f„rn-srd their views; and he has) preached them a most
excellen.' 'Sin?" that morning. They had heard a great
lately, but me (Mr. Udall) 11111 l ended
I every
deal about U 'ma,
man tooig to a Union such as theirs, which
was indeed a gond sty- :(bear, hear...) The toast
.was
heartityprnith, with .. three Loses throe for Mr. Philipps
and family.
The CHAIRMAN feelingly responded. As regarded the
Bishop, he believe,' him to lie a good conscientious man,
and one who did his duty with a sincere regard for the
interest of the Church; for tte clergy he would say they
were striving, :wild many down:owing& to do their best.
Speaking for himself, he bad fised amongst them nearly
six years ands half, made many friends, i.ms4 he hoped but
few enemies. Whenever his seri Wes is cre required he
had always willingly given them-whether .CLurch or
Dissent he had made no difference, where good could be
done. On many occasions when he had been solicited Isy
parents anxious to obtain situations for their children, or
to render them help in any other way, he had never asked
the question "are you a Churchman or Dissenter;" at
any rate he did not belisve any one could speak of him as
a bigoted Churwhinan, or O.K. soy that he had spoken
bitterly of his Dissenting brethren. Ile did not believe
the clergy were out of place in gatherings of this kind;
although he hail wished they hail got BORK A.LO else to
preside over them, as he told 111 r. Harris; hut if he stela
find no one else he was to fall back on him-(hear. hsal
As regarded "Court Forest King" he believed it to be a
good sound branch of DINI Order, and he hoped it
would continue a prosperous one-flicar)-and that the
number of its members would go on iacreasing. The rev.
gentleman then alluded to the report of the Royal
Commission on Friendly Societies, remarkitss that, on
account of other bills, legislation in reference to these
societies had been deferred. He was anxious to impress
upon them the nececsity of lonking after the interests of
their society, for it hail been very properly pointed out
that a society might obtain confidence iskd support on the
strength of an official assurance that Its scale of contribu-
tions and payments was accurately computed, and might
yet fail through fraud or mismanagement which no oft:vial
interference could preclude. The results of the Royal
Commission had disclosed come startling facto, and in a
paper which he held in his hand it was stated that Mr.
Cross foes,' evidence that at the present moment the
greater nuinter of the Benefit Societies are insolvent
They may in ARIAN IMAM go on indefinitely if their funds
are kept up IT the sontinual accession of young members;
but their liabilities wit' Increase in a greater ratio than
their assets, and, whether the catastrophe comes soon or
late, their end is certain, and Muds existence in the mean.
time is a public grievance as well as • private wrong.
How necessary was it for them, then, to look :after there
affair., and to see their money properly funded end if
not funded at any rate that it was in safe keepiug
--(applause.) On sober matters, the rev. gentleman
addressed some pertineid &nervations especially with
regard to the rising of the working classes in the social
wale. They had no doubt progressed a good step, but
they must strive to keep it. There wee a demand, too,
for the franchise: but before they could hops to obtain it
they must educate, train, and discipline thernselv.. ; for
he was sure that even ta his parish there were tbs.° setsO
were morally unfitted to Ilia from their present condition.
There must be war to the knife with ignorance, and they
must educate themselves and their children; and exercise
sonic self-control, if they wished for a sphere of life above
themselves, which it wed.' be impossible for them to
obtain unless they showed great' fidelity in cling the
gifts which they already possessed-(applausej
"The Healths of the menibers'of Court Forest King were
then drunk" coupled with the names of Mr. Robert
Randall. (treaoltrim) Mr' and Handord.
Bro. RANDALL responded. In so doing, he said they
were all aware that his interest in the society was great.
He had belenged to it ever since the first night after its
being established in 1/013, and was still willing, as long as
he was able, to render them his services -(hear, hear).
That they were progTeaoing might be understood when he
told them that they started with 12 members, and now
had 130 on their books; and he trusted they would go on
and prosper for many years to cen.e-(applatise).
Cheers were then given for Bro. Uarria, assistant
secretary and chief-ranger.
fies if smuts briefly returned thanks. As long as to:was
spared he was satisfied to work for the Ancient Order td
oresteri, and Court Forest King in particular-(cheend.
The CHAIRMAN then sore the " Visiting Brethren,"
among whom were several (tofu Dorchester, Wareham, and
Weyinouth.
WHITTAKER acknowledged for tug Dorchester
brothers. Ile had been three times to Wined* and
14.1.1 to dome again. As regarded his Court its name wes
Ilwress" and he was pleased to say their progress was
yew's' satisfactory : their juvenile branch now excisided 100
meniliers-(applause).
Bro. T. Isswucay respond.' on behalf of Wareham ;
and the proceedlass at dinner terminated.
The brethrcn and visitors then adjourn.' to the open,
where jumping for plias., kiss-in-the-ring, merry-go
rounds. Christy ininstrelsy. RIM dancing were inilidged
in till shades rd eveninc luul fairly self's: and the com-
pany left for home highly delighted with a sot.jenal and
highIy•DICOARIIL ilay's recreation.
It may be added that Court " Forest King" I. MA
among the least of the many flourishing in the South.
Western district The receipt, during the financial year
ending December Slid were £192 12s. Ed., wit of which,
after deducting all distsesernents. there remained the
handsome balance of pri Is. lid. The total worth of the
club on Januan• Ist, wits .C4llO no, the Savings hank.
besides 1:911, 41. in the treasurer's Ilan& : laving gn`rid
a
total of aSti 3,44 d. During the year .ClB has) mss paid
to sick misname.. The juvenile branch in also in • n—
'
perous condition., though the members are amid' in
number. During the year 5.5 Is. 1081. had been disbursed
in sick pay, and CI on the deal.* of a member.
During the dinner Mr. Udall handed .C 1 to the Assistant
Secretary I,n behalf of the expenses of the day; subse-
quently Cl was subscribed to provide banners for the
juvenile branch of the Society, including /I given by the
Chairnutn.