Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-02-08
Awful DEVELOPMENT.

On Friday morning last there was reli-
gious service in Columbian Hall, our Catho-
lie population having opportunity-the first
for months-of attending meeting of their
own choice. The awfulness of the affair was
rendered still more awful by the fact that they
had the audacity, here in our protestant, tol-
Grant city of Bath, 10 celebrate mass The hall
was desecrated, so much SO that an itinerant
lecturer on the sublime science of Phrenology,
who was to occupy the hall the evening fol-
lowing, felt called upon to publish special
card, disclaiming all responsibility in the
premises. The following manifesto appeared
over his own sign manual, in the Mirror of
Saturday evening;
PHRESoLoGY AND CATHOLICISM. There is,
as have ascertained, an unfounded report in
circulation, in Bath, that the course of lectures
on Phrenology, now in progress at the Colum-
bian Hall, is being delivered by Catholic
Priest. Such is NOT THE FACT in any sense
whatever. Neither myself nor any one con-
nected with my business, has any connection
whatever, direct or indirect, with that denom-
ination. The Hall was let for Mass on Fri
day of this week, without my knowledge or
consent, and was in no manner consulted on
the subject. The whole report in the prem
lses, is simply without the shadow of founda-
ton. e. TOWNSEND, Phrenologist
The proprietors of the hall had the pre-
sumption to loan it without ''his knowledge or
consent" and his lectures needed protection
hence the card.
Seriously, what ridiculous humbug A
mere ruse to advertise catch-penny lecture !
As though our people are fools and dolts, that
they will think more or less of travelling
chronological lecturer, because Of a Catholic
meeting being held in the same hall. The
severest part Of the joke is the fact that our
naturally sensible neighbor of the Mirror
should be caught in such gull-trap, and lend
himself editorially to so transparent trick,
having within itself more Of the elements of
wickedness than at first appears, inasmuch as
it was virtual appeal 10 religious prejudice
The Catholics have no meeting house in
the city, or other place wherein to hold reli-
gious meetings. Since the burning of the
Old South, which was destroyed by goddess,
graceless mob, simply because the Catholics
had occupied it occasionally, they have had
no meetings in the city-no meetings to attend
in the services of which they could sympa-
thlze. Last weak, it seems, they were visit
ed by one of the clergymen of their church
from New York, and Columbian Hall was lei
10 them to have morning service ON Friday,
On that occasion Mass was celebrated and q
number of infants were dedicated according tc
the ritual of their church by baptism. Now
what was there in all this calling for the nub.
LEGATION of cards of apology! Who demande,
such cards ! To whom was the apology dpe
We think the apology an insult to our people
inasmuch as it virtually affirms an obiectio
on the part of our people to allow the CathoIi
his religious rights This is no mere ques
tion for politicians-no question of who sha
or shall not vote-how old foreigner sha
be or how long he shsl remain in the countr
before he shall be eligible to naturalization
bus it becomes question of religious right