The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-30
NUMBER A3.
Importance oe Catholic Institute.

Importance oe Catholic Institute.
Referring to the account elsewhere in these
oalumns of the demonstration In Boston on the
18th, We had intended to give only one Of tho
speeches delivered, but the following, by the
Hon. p. A. Collins, treats Of subject % full
OF interest to Catholics generally that We are
satisfied our readers will DO pleased to eco IL:
We shall be pardoned IL tonight We ezult
at the marvellous Progress of our faith In this
New England metropolis. Tho one hundred
men, women and children who gathered round
. convert priest In hired room In School
fSey tSen
the Catholic Church In New England. AL, per-
haps, are gone to their rest; but the grain Of
mustard seed they planted has grown into .
mighty tree, and under its branches, In this
g0odly city to-day, are sheltered moro than
hnndred thousand soulsi
More than Ave and twenty churches, besides
colleges, academies, schools and charitable in
stitutions-many In number-now stand 40
monuments of tho faith, hope and charity Of
the Catholics Of Boston. In my short day,
have seen some sixteen of those churches, and
moot Of those institutions, built or purchased,
has been accomplished, mainly without tho aid
of great individual wealth, for most Of those
who have knelt ct our sltars have been the
the Srsoa OF ood
trust, and never falling charity. Thus much
have we done, but the hour has struck whom
We should and can do more.
Lars for the use Of halls for lectures, concerts,
fairs, receptions, festivals and other purposes.
We must take those halls az we find them, and
when we can End them-just as We take this
to suit our phrposs. Many Of our decorations
and adornments arc never used twice. because
We have no place 10 keep them. We have
many societies-religious, charitable, socisl-
which meet, at great expense. in inconveniOnt
places, where there surroundings arc uupleas-
ant and the duration OF their tenancy uncer-
tain. Their rents in the aggregate are enor-
nous. Not SO 10 il with others. See what the
Associations and Unions, the Free
Masons, Odd Fellows, and other organizations
have done! Elegant buildings, suitably az
ranged and furnished, easily accessible from
be objected that those bodies are richer thaa
We. Granted. Yet we have built churches,
schools, colleges, asylums aud other institu-
ions, because nseded them, aud not because
We were rich and IL we ero persuaded that
we need building Of another kind We will
rave 1t. The scheme Of erecting Catholic
Hall 10 not o new one. IL has been discussed
Ind agtated at intervals for many years, aod
variety of opinions hes clustered round the
,uhject. But while the need has been rec0g
aized, I am not sure that any definite plan has
been publicly presented. ! cannot do more
han restate the need OF such hall. and Leave
70 others, who are now discuasing plan, The
pleasure of presenting it, The Catholics OF
Boston, however, should do nothing by halves.
To build o mere hall in an obscure street w00M
reflect little credit upon rs. To my mi0a We
should look forward TO the time when We can
Bee in the heart of this city o structnre which
will attract the visitor rs an object Of interests;
the architecture of which will typify Catholic
ity; and which will containiwithin its walls ae
noble hail as this In all respects; besides fire
proof apartments for our archives, . library
anb reading.room, gymnasium and club
room, offices and rooms for Ebe councils o. our
Catholic Union, our st. Vincent de Paul Society
our temperance Society, our Catholic Lyceums
and other bodies-in short, q Catholic 1nstitute
and Exchange, every feature Of which wo1l1
educate and elevate MS, aud rebound 70 eho
would cost o large sum. But II the cost 30
great, great will be our ability 70 pay IL
twenty years ago We dared not give such
structure place in our imagination today
we contemplate 1t as y vast work, but p0ssibie.
Twenty years hence men will justly blame us
IL We fail to do it. We cannot and should nos
attempt to build it ut once. Bat We most DO
grown. Let the subject take bold Of ue; les
as begin. Let as secure and hold Q site, II so
thing more. When. paid for, and . surplus
over, We can safely build, and truSt 70 sne an
Why, the money spent by MS in ten years for
rens of halls and meeting rooms would neerIy
build IL. The money spent IN paroles On ~
Patrick's Day during the past ten years WOai0
Even in this hour Of financial and business
trouble dare to invite the Catholics OF Boston
and vicinity to think seriously Of this snhleet
We must think and plan before We act. The
futuro is before US, bright with the smiles OF
and rich in the promise for our
welfare and advancement. / offer you no plaR
for the work commend; others in that regard
will do their duty. All ask for them 10 yoGr
cordial good will and generous cooperation
Will it DO prsctieAblef There are thooo here
tonight who once knelt in the only Catholic
,huTch in Boston, aud saw in lite fonr Rnala
aOrtgaged walls contain our entire Catholic
population Did they dream that they ghoal&
zee this dAyf They trusted and worked, and
lace seen this day. Let Ne trust and work
also; mindful Of our doty, conscious Of our