The Columbian fountain., 1846-05-07
TEMPERANCE IN IRELAND.

Catholic f1eTaiu, DeuevlDS IL VIII De very &C.
ceptable 10 all our readers.
FATHER MATHEW.
The apostle of the millions preached on Sun
day, 9Th March, in the parish chapel of Rath-
tarnham 10 most crowded auditory, immedi-
ately after which many hundreds of eager pos
tuants pressed forward to take the Total absti-
nence pledge al his hands in the chapel. a.
mongst whom we were delighted TO witness
many highly respectable ladies and gentlemen,
manifesting by their generous remuneration Of
the use OF intoxicating liquors, their conviction
that true enjoyment, in the social and domestic
circle is to be found only by abstaining from
those drinks, even the moderate use Of which
vitiate our nature and impair health in the
same proportion as they are used. Immediately
AFTER the apostle proceeded to an adjacent field.
where convenient platform had been erected,
which was occupied by the parish priest, the
Rev. Mr.. Roche, Rev. Mr.. Spratt, Rev. Mr..
Smith, of Sandyford Rev. J. J. F. Murphy,
Vice President of-the several Mathew Total
Abstinence Societies; Rev. Mr. Farrelly, Mr.
Houghton, Mr.. Reynolds, Mr.. Hayes, and
that accomplished and jealous teetotaller Mr..
Bauersby, Doctor Nagle, &c. Deputatons
from several societies waited upon him with
addresses, which were first read. In them
were found beautiful ef1usions of the sober
mind, which frequently elected bursts of ap-
Planse from the meeting, particularly that
where they entreated him to visit Dublin, at
least, twice in the year. During this time the
field began to fill rapidly with thousands Of hu-
man beings, and in few minutes presented
one Of the most splendid gatherings of respec
BILE, well-dressed, comfortable, and contented
looking people we ever recollect to witness in
the neighborhood of Dublin. When the read
ing Of the addresses was over, Father Mathew
commenced by saying that he never was more
gratl6ed in all his life than on the present oc-
casion. The spectacle which then presented
,tsefsurpassed his most sanguine expectations,
and gave him another Of the many proofs
which he lately witnessed Of the extensive in
crease of the cause of total abstinence all over
the kingdom, notwithstanding the efforts of the
enemies of virtue and foes of morality to i'm
pede its progress, some by administering, and
others by advocating the use of those deleteri-
Gus drugs called cordials. He had lately visit
ed the greater part of the south and west Of
ireland, and he could safely declare that for
every unfortunate back-slider who, Judas-like,
broke his pledge, there were thousa nd addi-
tional converts 10 the comfort giving and hal
lowed cause of temperance. He said that the
language OF the addresses surpassed, in elegance
of dction, refinement of sentiment, and beauty
of penmanship, anything he ever before had
heard or seen. He was, he said, justly proud
of such minds and hearts as were there dis
played. 1t clearly proved that they had a.
mongst them, those who might be justly term
ed the elite of society. This cheered and gave
vigor to his gladdened heart; but that the
praise offered to him must be ever given to
GoD, whose humble inst strument he was
There was point in one Of the addresses 10
which he would briefly alude, and that was
their earnest entreaty that he would visit Dub
lin tcice in the year. He assured them that
his not having hitherto done so was not owing
10 want of feeling particular interest in their
welfare, but from the liveliest faith and conf
dence in the sterling worth and consequen,
progress of the cause in Dublin. He would
however, bow to their wise and prudent discn
minaton; and as he was at all times most anx !
ious to meet the wishes of his brethren, the
virtuous teetotallers, he would readily obey
them in everything calculated to propel the
glorious cause in which they were embarked
and he would, therefore, at convenient time
after Easter, pay visit to Dublin, and hold a
large and extensive meeting there. Gle has
since appointed Whit Sunday and Whit Mon
day next, for his first visit to Dublin.) After
again expressing his delight and happiness at
beholding before him such dense mass of hu-
man beings as then presented themselves, and
after delivering one Of his soulstirring appeals
TO the hearts Of the multitude, he conjured
them for the honor of the Christian name, and
for the love they owed themselves and their
dear children; and thus to break those chains
by which SO many noble-hearted human be-
ings were kept enslaved, and by handing il
down to posterity, with the happy millions al
ready enrolled. those proofs Of nations virtue