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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 60

Preface. — Forestry and its Principles

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Preface.

Forestry and its Principles.

That "Unity is Strength," is by all men confessed,
We in this Order should be so impress'd,
Being bound by ties, from which, if borne in mind,
Many an aching heart will comfort find!
To sympathise—to aid a Brother's cause—
Is one of Forestry's great moral laws;
Brothers in need our sympathy require,
Or, being sick, our kindlier thoughts inspire—
To cheer the couch, to ease such pressing care
From wife and child, when on them oft-times bear;
When by disease a brother is bowed down,
Or grim death knocks, and straightway claims his own,
The husband dead!—the wife of help bereft!
Perchance some nurseling in her charge is left!
To grow in years without a father's care,
With widowed mother, the world's frowns to share;
'Tis then a Forester his duty knows—
To help alleviate the mourner's woes.
If by misfortune Brothers be oppress'd,
Our duty's still to help our own distressed!
In doing this—our duty—bear in mind.
To give is right, if with it, we be kind;
Simply to give from an o'erflowing store
Is charity indeed, and nothing more;
With rich or poor, to help without pretence,
In all exemplfies Benevolence!
Unity, Sympathy, Benevolence combined,
Another sentiment will call to mind—
One that at all times in our midst should dwell,
And every unkind feeling there dispel,
We each propose—our own ideas suggest—
Our own ideas are not always the best;
With patience hear, then, each their thoughts unfold,
Nor form your judgement till each tale is told;
Bear and forbear will realise the word
That peace to us will give and bring Concord;
These sentiments at heart, let each resort
Oft to his own or any other Court,
To learn to teach, that no one may deny
We do to all as we would be done by.

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