The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-02-26
Father Nuoent on the work Of the Laity.

ence of the Brotherhood Of st. Vincent OF
Paul was established at st. Mary's Cathe-
dral, Galveston. The-Rev. Father Nugent,
of Liverpool, who has been passing SIX
weeks in Texas for the purpose OF estao-
fishing q system of immigration Tor the
Irish people in England, was leaving that
morning for New Orleans, but was induced,
previous to his departure, to preach upon
the work of the Brotherhood. After giving
a clear and eloquent outline of the life OF
St. Vincent of Paul, and setting forth the
means by which he acquired such a mar
velous power of charity, he then set forth
the duties of those who were that day en-
rolling themselves under his standard.
Under existing circumstances heavy
weight of responsibility rests upon the
laity. You may answer and tell me that
you give money, that your purse is always
open to the call of charity, but that you
cannot possibly give your time. Under
stand, money is the lowest form OF charity.
This age, and especially this country, re-
ouire the sacrifice of the heart-of time
and self more than money, Sef-saerlhce
can always command money. But you say
that you cannot spare the time that your
duties, your state of life, and the obliga-
tions which you owe to society, will not
admit of it. You have no time! Let us
test this excuse. Honestly speaking, is not
this the common cloak which covers our
neglieencef You cannot spare time! Well,
1 grant time is most valuable. Upon every
moment of time hangs an eternity of hap
piuess or woe-heaven or hell. The good
Christian turns time into heavenly re-
ward, the worldly man into gold. There
fore, agree with you that you have no
time to waste. But you are young man
let me ask you how much time do you
waste each week in idle conversation
How much in light and dangerous readingf
You go into society, how much time do you
spend in chit-chat and flattery, where your
tongue bellies your heart, whilst you make
yourself silly and others vain How much
time is spent each week at cards and bill
lizards, at the bars of drinking -saloons9
Yes, your time is most valuable, and you
will one day have to account for every
moment of it. You can find time for par
ties and balls, you can find time to frequent
the theatre, for the latest actor or singer,
and, shame be it said, how many can find
both time and money for the fallen objects
of their blind passion, but have neither the
one or the other for Christ's suffering poor.
1t is not the want Of time (; men can find
time for every thing. "Where there is Tilt
there is a ,ray." They are truly miserable
who cannot find time to relieve the mental
and bodily suferings of their fellow crea-
lures, when it is made an absolute condi
ton of their own salvation.
Your position in the world will not suf-
fer by your active charity. Your family
obligations and your social duties will each
be benefited by your personal knowledge
and contact with the actual condition of the
poor. The eye is a quicker and surer pas
sage than the ear, and impressions through
it are indellibly stamped upon the heart.
Sorrow and suffering must plead by NO
delegate, must be looked upon to be real
lied in all their force, and the nearer we
approach them the more Christ-like will
young men, see the mission of love which
the Brotherhood of st. Vincent of Pau
opens out to you, and the pledge it give'
you of saving your souls. Understand, thu
salvation of your own soul is the first OBJ
ject of the Brotherhood the relic wing thu
poor, visiting the sick, instructing th
ignorant and protecting the orphan, ar
only helps to this.
See what a good brother may do, withou
show or ostentation See what mission
to the neglected and suffering is now befor
you! In the poorest part of large Euro
pean city, in a miserable abode of filth an
!, poverty, lay working man at the point c
death. A weeping mother with six help
, less children hung over his wretched bed {
, straw. He had not made his first commu
3 MON, he was not married to the woman b
: called his wife, and several of the childre
had never been baptized. He was not a
j, unbeliever, but he had never been instruc
8 ed, and now he has only. few hours
\ live, in which he has to he instructed fl
Q his first communion, to be married, and {
n prepare for death. A Brother of st. Vii