The New York herald., 1869-04-05
sltecKn STREET uMvsRsALlsr cauaca
Lecture on Father Mathew, the "Apossle of
Tcnperancc.0

Lecture on Father Mathew, the "Apostle of
Tcnperancc.0
Last evening the first of q course OF four lectures
on eminent Christian characters was given by the
Rev. Day X. Lee, the subject being "Father Mathew,
the Good Christian Priest" II Is Of the designs,
he said of our religion to elevate human character
and people the world with pure and noble beings
who snail serve and bless each other. II We would
regard Christianity In OF its grandcst works we
should study the lives Of good men and women In
whom 1t has been embodied and by whom 1t has
been expressed. The preacher here referred to the
lives OF Father Mathew Cuvlcr, Wordsworth and
Howard as illustrating the various forms In
which the benehcent influence OF Christianity showed
ITSELF and gave interesting account ofthe progress
and extent incompetence various periods. II
the scour2e OF ieand, and the cry went forth again
aud again Who WIZ slay tins monster and deliver tho
nauons' Tie Quakers nad entered on the task, and
were overpowered b. is magnitude; other cham
pCns appeared end were also defeated in their
efforts. When would the hero rise that could stay
the HYDRA OF mtcmpeIancey Gods time arrived,
the man was ready; IL was Theobald Mathew. lie
was born al IhotnastOwn, IlppeIary, OF wealthy
and noble family; but. as II to show that weath
Is not essential N carrying out great
works Of benencence his property went
To another brother aad le was clt wi,n very small
years work ofchaTiy before, IN 1889. he put himself
81 the lead OF the temperance reformation were
briefly given, and the preacher continued-Tne Qua
kers appealed 10 hun to lead the reform, and dstin
gushed Protestants said. "Fatner Mathew, you are
modest, and hesated TO assume he leadership, but
finally accepted II and entered upon the work OF re-
foim. At first he met with some discourage
ment but tue masses yielded to his persuasive
euquence, and tue most obstinate In intem-
pcrance resolved TO abandon it. The move.
mcnt began at the Horse Bazaar In Cork. HIS
fame was soon travelling along the banks OF the
Shannon and thousands Joined hts army of progress.
Twenty thousand. and sometimes upwards OF 81. 900.
received tue pledge In single day. He visited
England. and achieved new victories there, but was
mobbed on lermondsey Common bile prosecuting
his glorious work. While engaged In administering
the pledge IN Dublin q bailifr approached him and
asked his blessing, which was only prete8t 30
secure his arrest for having spent his own money
ana all that lie received from friends. An impatient
creditor who had furnished temperance medals had
procured warrant against him. In lS4p he visited
America, and received such welcome as was
given to Lafayette. Having contrasted the bcncn
cence OF his WORK with tie careers OF Alexander
Caesar and Napoleon. Dr. Lee con,inued.-Think Of
the blessings he has given the world. think OF
them every time see q band OF his green-v vested
boys The churches should give and take from
each other, and not engage IN endless recrimIna-
tons. Let US borrow the character OF Father
Mathew and give the best we can In return Let US
reopen his great work IN this city, where intempe.
rance rusnes In like flood, and with his enthusl-
asm, roll back its waves. The lecture was much
appreciated and regarded as an instance OF how
moral teachings can be successfully conveyed by
treating popular subjects with sioQuencc and
ability.