Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-01-02
THE03lLD MATHEW,
He IRISH APOSTLE OF TEMPERANCE.

SUBJECT IoT Ide DlOTrapncr. we can ONLY
give in the Rural New Yorker brief and
imperfect sketch of the life of this destin-
guished philanthropist Fortunately. how
ever, the laarels of such man as Father
Mathew are unfading--aud hence there is
no necessity of giving the details Of his
benevolent actions, or extollng his exal-
ted character.
Theobald Mathew was born at Thorn
astown, near Cashel, Tipperary county
Ireland, the 10th of October, 1890. He
was respectfully connected on both sides
and Is relative of the celebrated Gen
Mathew, honorabiy mentioned i'm Sheri-
dams life of Swift. At an early age he
was left an orphan. and adopted by an
aniable and accomplished aunt, to whose
training and example he is indebted for
the humane and pious traits of character
which have since distinguished him AZ
ter a thorough academic course, he pursu-
ed ecclesiastical studies for three years
Here, says his biographer, though
close student, lie continued to keep his
benevolent sympathes in daily activity.
and by his amiable qualities, won to his
interest the enduring friendship of many
excellent college mates" Among the
most devoted of these was the very Rev.
DIR. Powers of New York
Upon the conclusion of his ecclesiastical
course, MIR Mathew embraced the order
of Capuchin friars-and, after season
of spiritual preparation under the care
of the Very Rev Celestine C0rcoran, Of
Dublin, he was ordained by Dr. Murry
on Easter Sunday III the year 1914, and
directly went to Cork to assume the du-
ties of his mission. Here it is said he
soon evinced untiring energy and fidei
ty, with singular equanImity, as q pastor
and almoner-such indeed that he was
reyered by all, beloved by the good, and
almost Idollzed by the poor and friend
less, long before he was publicly noticed.
The first act by Father Mathew which
seemed to invoke him in notoriety aud
public favor, was a purchase by him, out
of frugal savings, OF eleven acres of land,
for the purpose OF opening it as a cemete-
~, free to the poor, who previously had
no place in or near Cork. where thcir re-
mains could be decently buried without
axhorbtant charges. Near the center Of
this beautiful cemetery. he las caused to
be erected plain obelisB, about sixteen
feet high; and. upon a tablet in the mid
die OF one of its sides, are simply inscribed
these words Erected in 1890, by The3-
bald Mathew" Under this monument
with no other after inscription but the
dates Of his birth and death, ae desires to
be buried. and. when it was erected, heck
pected only to be surrounded by the
bodies of his poor friends: but wealthy
class, partly Pr0jestants as we'll as Catho-
lies, have persuaded Father Mathew. by
considerable aud much needed contribu-
tions to his charitable funds. to grant
them the privilege Of being laid ia tha5
now lovely place with his poor dePen-
dants
Father Mathew began his work Of re-
form among the poor ncbriates about
Cork lie entreated them in private as
their friend, to break of at once from
their tempter and destroyer, and take the
pledge; he exhorted them from the altar.
as a servant of the Lord to dcsist from
habits of intemperauce as they hoped for
prosperity here or for happiness hereafter.
La 1888 he commenced holding his pub
lie meetings twice week in Cork where
he addressed the people generally upon
the Importance Of teetotalIsm distributed
irculars, and administered the pledge to
the accommodating crowds, which then be
gan IL seek his instructions and to adopt
the terms be enjOined.
The success of his efforts soon attracted
attention and induced hundreds OF pil-
grim-inebriates. from both near and dis
tant places, to seek his inhueuce-but iu-
cited no spirit of cooperation among the
great and influential abroad. until IN De
cember. 1889, when the Catholic bishop,
DR.. Ryan invited him to favor the peo-
of Limerick with his presence and labors.
The advent of the great Irish Reformer
on that occasion. produced a result and
sensation which has since beenfelt through
out the civilized world Since then he
has visited every part of Ireland. various
parts of England and Scotland, and IS
now on mission of mercy In this country.
OF his great labors, and the vast good
they have accomplished, we may cite one
llpowerful evidence Out of the nine
millions of Ireland, seven millions have
within the past ten years solemnly pled9-
ed themselves to abstain from all that
intoxicates-and nearly all their names
are recorded in his register, with the
dates of their respective pledges. and, with
very few exceptions. they have rehgIou~ly
kept those pledges unbrokenl
Of Father Mathew it is well said that
''in Christian charity. patience, forbear-
ance, humility, industry, wisdom and per
severance, his example has been conspicu-
Gus throughout his career; but in none
perhaps has he taught lesson or set an
example, next to temperance, more usciul
to his countrymon (and may We not add
to our ownO than IN his rare spirit Of lib
erality In administering the pledge, or
any other Offering or Office Of bsnevoleuce,
he has never required any test. political
or religious, has seldom enquired Of what
party or sect the subject was, and always
treated them with the same uudinisAed
kindness; when he knew they We're OPP
posed to his faith or his sentiments Up
on matters of religion he has often SAID.
~ ..-. >. - ! L.-... - 80.