The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1867-02-13
Irish Charity.

Irish Charity.
A lecture was delivered last evening at
st. Louis church, corner of Polk and
Sherman streets, for the benefit of the poor
of the parish. The Rev. DIR. McMullen, Of
the church of the Holy Name, was the lee
turcr, and the subject was Irish Charity"
The occasion and the reputation for elo-
auence of the lecturer drew together very
large audience, and, the proceeds being
devoted to the relief of the poor, the noble
object will receive material assistance from
the handsome amount realized by the lee
ture.
The reverend gentlemans after suggest
ing his subject, spoke of it as in its bear
ings embodying history of the Irish race.
For nothing are the Irish so remarkable as
in their broad and liberal charities. To
them the appeal for assistance has never
been made in VAIN, and in their adopted
birth, do they exhibit, in all its strength
and vigor, comprehensive and commend
able spirit of true Christian benevolence.
Their reputation for hospitality has be-
come proverbial, and the alacrity with
which they extend helping hand to dis
tress is historic fact impressed upon cv-,
cry page of her history. and breathing out
of every syllable of her tradition. Their
lives are characterized throughout by acts
of charity and beneyolence, aid the histo-
rian, in ascribng upon his pages the vir-
tues and failings of the Irish people, nee
essarity assigns their charity prominence
which no other nationality either obtains
or deserves. ~ --T
He then alluded to the Irish people of
America. Their destiny is great and
glorious one. Driven by oppression from
their native land, and with keen sense Of
their sufferings yived in their mind, they
land upon the shore of America animated
by glorious determination to carve out
| for themselves name and history which
the disagreement of Ireland absolutely
prceluded. Reared in the Catholic church,
their minds thoroughly imbued with its di.
vine teachings, and adhering to it with the
tenacity of life, Irishmen stand to-day pre-
eminent as supporters of the church OF
Christ and advocates of its Supremacy
For an adherance to its doctrines they have
been subjected to contempt and outrage
hut, animated by the spirit of truth, they
the apostolic church. For this they have
| lelG dIu CdIuc W AucliCta, ucCluAS
mating the former and materially increas'
ing the population of the latter, with a
people sturdy, brave, generous and catho-
lie. Millions of them have migrated to
America, and, here domiciled, they are
multiplying ra1idly, and another genera
ton will witness as constituent element a
goodly proportion of Irishmen and their
defendants. In America Irishmcn retain
many of their natural characteristics, prom
inent among which are their adherence to
Catholicism and their extension to succor
and charity to the deserving and distress
ed. In proof of this look at the magnifi-
cent temples of worship which they have
raised, their schools, their hospitals, their
asylums. Look at the many charities
which are indebted to their generosity for
an existence. The Irish are brave and an
educated people, and their destiny is one OF
glorious promise.
In conclusion, he cxhorted Irishmen to
work for their children's and their relig-
ions sake. Educate the young, provide
for the aged and the infirm, instil into
youthful minds the divine teachings of the
true church, persevere in noble charities,
and greatness, influence and happiness will
be the reward.