The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-12-21
Sssisty Of st. vinoeut do fanl.


Last unday,morning the members OF this
Society assembled ut st. Michaels church u
the number Of about ono hundred and sixty,
and received Holy Communion at the7 O'Clock
Mass. They were addressed by tho Rev. Fa-
ther .Briordy, who expressed his Joy ut seeing
20 many mon giving practical evidence OF their
faith NOT only by their works Of charity, but
by their open acknowledgment Of their de-
pendencs ON the grace Of God for perseverance,
in tho right path. It made him feel a. though
he were once more in the old country, tho Is-
land of Saints, which he had left only Few
short years ago.
In the evening, at o'clock, tho mepberes
assembled in the Star Hall to hear che repdfts
of the several Conferences and special works
Of the Society. These reports were for the
quarter beginning July 1st, and ending Sep
tember 30th. Twelve conferences reported,
the totals being a. follows. 20. ..aaas 4.
Active members July lat ; ss
Subscribers os
Poor families 'i.t0d S S1ly ass sou; ~
RKcElYTS. -,i-.
Collections at meetings 1851 62
Other sources. 40 05
slso4 o.
EXPENDITURES.
All being given directly to the poor in tho shape .
Of groceries, fuel rent, etc. slasa 46
Balance hand in the several treasures. July go, y
These reports did not show the Society to
be progressing much, and the outlook, at the
beginning of winter, with o financial panic on
hand, little employment for the working classes
and only $110 in the treasures over and above
what was due, was certainly very gloomy.
The members were aroused to more energy,
however, and since the date of these reports
have been active in their efforts to raise funds
for the relief of the destitute. Several Con-
ferences, thanks to the generosity of the
people in their vicinity, have been very sue
cessful, and we doubt not that the next quar-
terly reports will prove that while we mourn
over the hard times and the distresses Of the
poor, the godlike hand of Christian charity
has dispensed its gifts with increased liberal
ity.
Reports were read also by the Presidents of
Especial works showing them to be progress
ing. The President of st. Vincent's Home
reported ninety three boys in that institution.
The Home is now in debt $1102, and it 10 only
through the kindness of two gentlemen who
are advancing funds that the managers are
not compelled to turn out q number of the
boys The only hope of relief seems to be in
in the success of the fair which is to be hold
next month in Grunewald's Hall. The report
concludes as follows:
"The present condition of the poor boys We
have in the Home reminds us SO forcibly of an
incident in the life of st. Vincent, that we
must remind You of it. He had collected q
number of neglected, destitute children, and
confided them to his Ladies of Charity, who
provided for them in good times, but bad times
and misfortune came on France, and these la
dies informed the Saint that they could not
devote their time and their means to these
cast-a-ways, but gould have to give them up.
The Saint called them together, placed the
children round the hall, spoke to the Ladies
kindly, told them that they had been the
means of preserving those children up to that
time, that their fate was now in their hands,
that if they continued their exertions for them;
they would live to bless them; if they
Withdrew their support and abandoned
them, they would be lost for time and for eter-
nifty that they were now their judges and
executioners; if they said yes, the children
would live, If they said no. they would surely
die. He was only answered by tho sobs and
cries Of the whole assembly, who stripped
themselves Of their jewelry and money, and
there was not q word said about abandoning
these children or the great difficulty of obtain
ing means for their support"
Wendell Phillips last week delivered his leo