Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1857-04-04
HONOLULU, H. l., APRIL 4. 1857.


into the city in thousands. So great was the crush
that though no violence used the iron railinos
which surrounded the residence of s'the Apostle
of Temperance" were torn down, and some scores
OF people precipitated into the Shannon 1t is said
that some of the Scots Greys, who attended TO
keep order in the Streets were actually lifted from
the ground; and so densely the people throng-
ed that SEVERAL in their eagerness to touch the hem
OF Father Mathews garment, ran quietly along on
the heads and shoulders of the vast crowd At
Parsontown order was only maintained by body
oil the Rifles, with their bayonets fixed and point
co. SO as to form barrier to the rushing mutitudes
IN front of the chapel in which, in strong contrast
to the striking scene without, sat the mild and un-
assuming man who had collected this display of
numerical force, and had marshalled this peaceful
army. We have not the time or the space to fol-
low Father Mathew in his Temperance progresses
Some idea of their results may be formed when we
state that at Nenagh 10000 persons are said to
have taken the pledge in one day; 100 900 at Gal
way III two days; in Loughrea $4,000 in two days;
between that and Portumna from 10000 to 2O0,-
600; and in Dublin about 10000 during five days.
There are few towns in Ireland which Father
Mathew did not visit with like success. In 1874
he visited Liverpool, Manchester and London; and
the enthusiasm with which he was received there
and IN other English cities testified equally to the
need and to the progress of the remedy.
1t only remains to add that in Father Mathew
the eccleslastic was completely absorbed in the
Christian the man of goodwill towards all his fell
low men. To him the Protestant and the Catho-
lie were of equal interest and of equal value A0ain
no man ever displayed more disnterested zeal
He spent upon the poor all that he had of his own
and reduced to bankruptcy his brother, distiller
IN the south of Ireland, whose death followed
shortly upon the losses resulting from the ITEM
perance" crusade. Yet this man, and other branch
es of The family, though extensively connected with
the wine and spirit trade, not only bore their losses
without murmur, but even supplied Father
Mathew with large sums of money for the prosecu-
ton of his work. A few years since, Her Majesty
was pleased to settle upon Father Mathew an an
nuty of E3OO, in recognition of the services which
he had rendered to the of morality and order
but even this we understand was almost entirely
absorbed in heavy payments on policies of insur-
ance upon his life, which he was bound to keep up
to secure his creditors and further collections were
made on his behalf about four years SINCE
The personal appearance of Father Mathew was
most remarkable. We will conclude by adding
the following interesting and graphic account of it,
which is taken from Mrs. S. c. Hall's work on
Ireland.
'No one who sees the Rev. Mr. Mathew will hesi-
tate to believe that he has been stimulated BY pure
benevolence to the work he has undertaken. The
OF his countenance is peculiarly mild and
gracious; his manner is persuasive to degree sin-
PIE ana easy, ana humOI without q shadow of at
tectation, and his voice is low and musical-'such
as moves men, A man more naturally fitted to
obtain influence a people. easily led and pro-
verbally swayed by the affections, we have never
encountered. No man has borne his honors more
meekly, encountered opposition with greater gem
tleness and forbearance, or disarmed hostility by
weapons better suited to a Christian. His age is
somewhat above So but he looks younger; his frame
IS strong, evidently calculated to endure great IA
tsue, and his aspect is that of established health
servlceable illustration of the practical value of
his system. He is somewhat above the middle size,
his features are handsome as we'll as expressive.
Our brief interview with him confirmed the avora-
BILE impression of his character we had obtained
from knowledge of the benefits derived from his
labors; and we left him with fervent thanks to God
that man so qualified to sway a multitude had SO
wisely, SO noby and virtuously applied his pow
ers and directed the energies of his marvellously
active mind, feeling how dangerous he might have
proved if they had been exered for evil and not for
good"