New-York daily tribune., 1858-10-12
FATHER MA 7'HEU'S BIRTHDAY.

The anniversary of the birthday Of Theobad Mathew
the illustrous apostle of temperance, was celebrated
last evening at the Chinese Assembly Rooms by the
Temperance benefit Society bearing his name. About
OO, persons were present, most Of whom wore the
badge of total abstinence. The stage was draped with
the American and Irish flags, aud Manahans Baad
enlyenei the occasion with some appropriate ars.
On the platform were the ex-PrcsldeLt anu officers
of the Society Mr. Gro. FLEMIsG, President, occu.
pied the chair. In opening the meeting no stated
that the Father Mathew Temperance Benefit Society
than established seven years ago since whicn more
IS 900 persons had been induced to sign the pledge
The Society now numbered $50 members aud possessed
a fund of 81 900 in bank: lCheers.
Mr.. WILsoS ex-President OF the Society, ana i'roi
BRowER sang some capitat temperance songs, Which
set the audience in the best humor. -,
Mr. ROBERT NJ. PoER, one ofthe founders OF the
Society, addressed the meeting. lie was received
with much cheering The Society," he sad grew Da, .,
brewers thrsshed IIaynau, the woman-whipper OF
Hungary, Kossuth drank their health IN glass OF
porter in the streets of London, before twenty thou-
sand people Soon after Kossuth came over mere
and Messrs. Havens and Buckman, of the East River
emBerance Society got up rssofcn Ts. sSs
himself seeding from that Society on principle,
Tim and he subsequently got up the Father
Mathew Society. The audience could Judge how bene-
fetal it had been in its results. Cheers Mr.. Poer
stated the principles of the Society. IL only required
its members to be abstaners from intoxicating drnks
People of every nation color and faith belonged toit
and be believed that if IT contiaued To increase as u
had Of late its muster roll would eclipse the tail
of the comet in length. That the Society might con-
tinue to prosper was his devou and earnest prayer
iCheers.
The singers before mentioned sang several funny
songs illustrative Of the folly Of intemperance, that
kept the audience in n roar.
Mr. WALFoRD spoke TO "the memory Of Father
Mathew reciting his wonderful influence over the
masses of Ireland, in the to which he devoted
himself. He described, from personal observation,
the persuasive eloquence OF the who could move
thousands to laughter or tears at will, and who won
thousands to temperance almost every day OF his lie.
The speaker urged that all should try to do like hm-
leave the world better than they found II. lCheersI
Mr. GRAsT, President of the st. James Temper
ance Society said his Society numbered 30 members
He would challenge any similar body OF mechanics
and aborers not temperance men, to show su'h COM
Portable houses respectable bank accounts and we'll
clad children as the members Of st. James s.Soctty
could He went on to recite the benefits accrung
from habits of temperance and related some interest,"
ing anecdotes Of the man whose birthday they hah
met to celebrate. ....;
DIR SsOpGRAss and others entertained ths meeting
further with songs and speeches. The Doctor pre-
septed the Society with framed autograph letter OF
Father Mathew After the meeting, the company ad'
iourned TO the ballroom up stairs, where the iesvi-
ties wound up with grand ball and supper.