The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-08
THE cATHoLIC INSTITUTE.


Opening of the New Hall of the Insti-
tute-Addresses Of Rev. Father Cares
che, NJ. p. O'Connor, Esq, and others
History of the Institute.
Last night the new hall lin the Paro-
chlal building on Broad street, of the Catho-
lie Institute was opened, and addresses were
delivered by Rev. Father Garesche, N. p.
O'Connor, ESQ.,, and Father Qugley
HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTE.
Twenty years ago, number of young men
connected with the Catholic Church of this
city organized themselves into a society for
mutual benefit, called themselves the Catholic
Institute, fitted up q hall on Broad street,
where the Parochal school stands now, col
lected q valuable library, and Just previous to
the war were in a fourishing condition. Dur
ing the 'sgreat fire Of 1861" their hall, with its
valuable books, maps, records, &C., were de-
stroyed. The members were scattered by the
war, and the Institute was scarcely an organ
lied body until 1866, when it was revived.
For a time the meetings were held in the base
ment of St. Pauls Church, but shortly after
the reorganization, rooms were secured on
King street, where the meetings were
held and a few books were collected.
These, with six or seven hundred vol
u,nes, consisting OF biographical, histori-
cal, theological works bequeathed by Rev.
DR.. Dunn, (formerly of this diocese,) who
died in Philadelphia about three months ago,
made quite respectable library. When the
Parochial school was completed, Rev. Father
Quigley, to whose exertions is mainly due the
completion of the building, donated portion
of it to the Institute. This portion was fitted
ND by the Institute lower story as libra
ry and reading room, and the upper story as a
billiard saloon (for the use of members only
and opened last night. The officers of the In
stitute are: Bernard O'Neil, president; E. F.
Sweegan, T. S. O'Brien and H. Q. Laurey, vice
presidents; and H. J. O'Neil secretary.
OPENING OF TIE HALL.
About one hundred persons assembled in the
ball last night, to witness the opening ceremo-
MES. among whom were the Catholic clergy Of
the city.
At half-past o'clock, Mr. B. O'Nelll called
the meeting to order, and after stating the OBJ
ject of the meeting, and giving brief sketch
OF the objects and history of the institute,
which are given above, in most complimentary
terms, introduced Rev. Father Garesche.
The Reverend Father, after expressing his
regret at not having sufi ;iently inquired into
the objects and aims of Il Institute to enable
him to speak to the members as he would de-
sire, said that his experience led him. to be-
lieve that there was a general apathy among
the Catholics, not any apathy as regarded
their duties to the church, but in what they
considered to be the duty of the priests 10 at-
tend to-such as cXerting influence to gather
children and others into the fold of the church,
and he believed that societies such as he was
addressing contributed much to relieve the
priests of some OF their burdens, and aid them
in their efforts to promote the interests of the
church. He was glad to be present and con-
tribute his share to the interest Of the first
meeting of the Institute in its new hall.
The speaker, after apologizing tor the digres
sion, which he said was not much ofa depression,
for the society should take hold of the matter,
spoke at length upon the benefits accruing to
the church from Sunday schools, urging that
as there were many Catholic families, the pa
rents of which could not or would not incul-
cate the doctrines of the Catholic Church
among their children, it was necessary for the
church to see that they were not neglected in
this regard, and he knew of no better methUi !
of meeting and overcoming the diff
Guilty than by forming Sunday schools and
gathering the children into them. The speak
er then related an account Of his visit to a
model Catholic Sunday-school in Boston. con-
sIsting of one thousand children, who were
formed into classes of six each wit hone teach
er to each class At 9 O'Clock Sunday morn
Ing there was mass especially for these chill
dren, after which there were interesting Sum-
exercises.
The speaker was of the opinion that there
should not be more than six scholars to each
teacher, and that the hope OF the church was
In great measure dependent upon Sunday
schools, in which the young could be trained
In their duties to the church.
The Reverend Father then alluded to the
good which society like the Institute might
accomplish If Its members went to work with
the right spirit, and cited an Instance of So
cIety in ST. Louis which started with ten men,
bers, and one year afterward numbered hun
dreds, and during the year distributed $1,000
in charities.
With words of encouragement to the men,
bers, and expressions OF good wishes for the
success of the Institute, the Reverend Father
took his seat, much to the regret of his audi
ence, who were intensely delighted with the
words of cheer and encouragement from the
speaker, and desired to hear more.
Mr. N. P. O'Connor, being called upon,
spoke feryently and at length of the duties OF
the Catholic to his church, Of the interest and
pride he should feel in it, and of the energy
and spirit he should exercise In promoting Its
A. oT