The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-10-26
PRODIGAL F%ORESTERS.
Court Bergen Welcomes Court Ho-
boken Back TO the Ancient
Fold.

Court Bergen, A. o. #. last night en-
tertained Court Hoboken and Court
America, and Court Pho Xix. Of New
York. IL was. to quote from Mr.. Bon
netlis address of welcome, the killing of
the fatted calf to celebrate the return of
the prodiaal. Court Hoboken In 1889.
when there was a split 10 Forestry d
the A. o. F. Of A. was formed. left the
Ancient Order for the new one. There
have been constant ~dlssentions In the
new Organization. and Court Hoboken
before long regretted the step 1t had
taken. About q month e it returned.
and IL was to celebrate the return that
the festivities were held last night.
Court Ber gen held its regular meeting
at Its ball, Bergen and Fairmouut ave,
uues, aud 1t was there that the other
courts assembled. After the meeting the
line was formed and all marcued to Ber-
gen Hall, where a feast was prepared.
Entertainment was by volunteers.
Brother John T. Conlin was Master OF
Ceremonies. After every oue had been
supplied with both solid and LIQUID re-
freshment. Past High Chief Ranger Bon
nell was call ID upon for the address of
welcome. He said
WORDS Of WELCOME.
This meeting Is one have been look
ing forward to for q number of years.
Why, four or five years ago, when Court
Bergen was on visiting terms with Court
Hopekeu. / remember going aud putting
its members through the second degree.
Since this, through reasons you all know.
We have been deprived of that privilege.
Court Hoboken, In its wisdom with many
other Foresters, in 1889 Joined that
fraudulent order known as the A. o. F.
OF A. They thought they were doing it
for, the best. Like the prodigal OF old
who left his fathers house, they Left the
parent order to gain more Independence.
They have found out their mistake as
did The other prodigal. aud am glad to
welcome them back to Ancient Forestry.
We have figuratively killed the fatted
calf aud may now eat, drink aud bs
merry for our brothers who have re-
turned.
ITO the brothers of Court Hoboken 1
extend q hearty greeting In the name of
Court Bergen. l also give greeting to
Court America and Court Phoenix of
fraterral visits aud hope you will come
often. | believe In promoting soci ibility
among brothers of a fraterasl order. /
believe that the A. O.. f. is the best
fraterpal society In the world today
There was q time in its history when
thingsslooked dark for it, a time of seces.
sion, when 4 9,0007out of AZ. 900 members left
the order for the A. o. r. OF A.. but like
the Phee3ix Of old she has rIseu wi OF
ashes and is gradually pulIiug back all
the courts who have left. The time is
coming when we will make an assault
upon the A. o. F. of A. aud sweep it OUT
Of existence. l dou't think W. will have
to do much, she Is doing more to tear
herself TO pieces tnas We could aver do.''
GLAD TO GET JACK.
Chief Ranger Evans OF Court Hobokeu
| responded as fottows:-"I thank you III
the name of Court Honosen for your
cordial invitation, aud feel happy to be
among you. l never had the houor of be-
longing TO the Aucient Order, but be-
cRme a men Der of the new Order. the A.
o. r. of A. | am glad tn It the trouble
in the Order occurred in Court Hoboken
az it has given me ii chance to Steer it
back to the old BROTHERHOOD. Il Is
pleasant to md yourself among meu who
will extend to You II friendly hand. The
American Order Ia trying to reconcile
its members, but without success. They
are trying 10 explain away the c)lor
question, aud right hers [ wish to say
that since we have returned to the An
cient Older we have Initiated one colored
memue He is with us tonight, aud
| later in the evening will contribute to
| the sutertafD ment."
one, and was participated in by the fol-
lowing artists:-M. r. Kennedy, humor-
ist; James Court. violin soiolst; James
prumbell, songs John R~3selbower,
soloist: James Westervels. musical
sketches; Wood Brothers, banjoist-:
George Orme, sentimental songs. aud
Thonias Shannon in musical sketches.
The Entertainment Committee were:-
John G. Conlfn. Chairman. and Msssrs.
T.. H. McCaulsy. John r, Dickson,
James Ii. Westerveit and R. NJ. Preston.