Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-13

forty. Lately, the organization has attracted
but little notice, and its efforts and usefulness
have been, in a degree, limited. Within few
weeks, however, the members have become
awakened to q sense of the evil effects Of
intemperance upon their counuymen in this
community, and have taken steps to renewa n-
terest in this much neglected field. In carrying
out thu plan, arrangements have been made to
hold series of public Sunday evening meetings.
At the first of these meetings, on the evening of
the fifth inst, so much interest was aroused,
that twenty-three men went forward and pledged
themselves 10 total abstinence During last
week the city papers Published the appeals of
thesociety for aid and sympathy from all friends
of moral reform, and also gave notice of a pub
lie meeting to be held by the society last eve.
ming.
In spite of the heavy storm, last evening, the
hall of the Catholic institute, OH Temple street,
was nearly filed with those DESTROYS of listen
ing to the speeches and Witnessing the exercises
of the occasion. The president of the society,
P. Diggins, occupied the Chair and upon the
platform were large number of members of
the organization, in regala, Rev. Father Griffin
and Rev. Father Walch, both of st. Johns
church, and Rev. Father Scanlon, of st. Pauls,
and others. The first speaker was T. NJ. Der
rick, a member of the society. He went over
the ground involved in the questions at issue,
and appealed to his countrymen to add their
names to the list of those who, under the leader
ship of Father Mathew, had pledged themselves
to total abstinence. He pointed out the danger
that lies in the path OF the drunkard, and called
upon every Irishman to add his influence to the
| movement now begun for their welfare.
He closed by explaining the purposes and eff
forts of the society, inviting all to become men,
berS. He was followed by NJ. Almy Aldrich,
who spoke briefly. Rev. Father Griffin then adj
dressed the meeting, in the interest of total alb
stinence. He said that if all present could but
know the misery and woe among the Irish peo-
ple,-because of intemperance- that come to
the knowledge Of the priest, if they could but
sec, as he did, all the dire effects of the evil,
they would arise as one man, and join in the
warfare against the curse. Seeing that intemper-
ance is one of the worst foes Of his countrymen
and his co-religonistS, it becomes the duty Of the
hour to do what may be done to stay the torrent of
evil. And, in the light OF this consideration, he
said every Catholic priest must become, in
| spirit, an advocate of total abstinence For
thousands of the suffering there is no other
remedy for the evil" He called to the minds of
his arers all the glorious history of their faith
ers in the battles Of freedom, and appealed to
them to add to the honorable record of their
brothers in the late war, by being true to their
best interests aud joining the army cnlistlng
under the banner Of Father Mathew.
His remarks had much effect on the audience
and, at the close, nineteen men, young and old
advanced to the platform, and, knceling, Joined
in repeating the pledge of total abstinence.
Much feeling was evinced, and the success Of
the meeting, on such an inauspicious night, was
considered an augury of good for the future, A
| vote of thanks was rendered to the speakers
and the meeting broke up. The next meeting
was announced to be held in the same place, OR
| Sunday evening next.