New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-08
FATHER MATTHEW VERSUS PI0US
PUNCH.

and of every Christian persuasion. 1t ii
particularly dear to Roman Catholics o
Irish birth or descent, the class to whose
welfare he devoted his talents, his ener
gies, and his zeal. Called to religious
life at an early age, his genial, socia
nature soon pointed him out to his spiri
tual superiors as one especially fitted tt
do good in the world. He was accordingly
released from that portion Of his monastlt
VOWS which enjoined seclusion. and per
mitted to exercise his talents IN the
broader field of the Christian ministry
Endowed by nature with keen vision,
as well as a warm heart, be soon perceived
that intemperance was sorer curse to his
beloved country than any political evil
under which she groaned; and determined,
as the cure rested with the people them
selves, to devote his powers to effectlnG
it. His apostolic labors are now mat
ters Of history. as well as the bril-
liant success with which they were
! crowned His very name is synonymou
1 with the word temperance. That in SEEK
I ing to promote this virtue he did not
divorce it from religion, but rather strove
to unite the two more closely, is known to
all familiar with his history; and Jealous
| as he was in the cause of his faith, it can
not be questioned that he would have
| scorned to promote its material intere SITS
| by anv means which would have endan-
gered the cause of temperance. Nay, he
| would not have admitted that the cause
of religion could have been promoted by
any means calculated to foster drunken
ness.
These remarks are suggested by our
having met few nights since. at late
hour, in an advanced state of intoxication.
two young men returning from ladies'
fair, held for religious purpose. They
had got drunk at the ladies' fair, ''for the
benefit of the church," Now, we feel Ger.
tain that the amiable ladies engaged in
this praiseworthy enterprise are very far
from designing TO act as apostles OF intem-
perance. They simply offer such refresh.
ments CO as are customary on such occa'
sions, and as they themselves would never
be tempted 10 excessive indulgence in
spirituous liquors by the abundance sur
rounding them. they are unable to sym
pathize with their weaker brethren. 1t
is therefore thoughtlessly that they assume
the fearful office Of tempters. and in-
stead of painting the way to heaven. as
angels are expected to do. adopt course
calculated to lead ''the other way-the
other way" 1t is no apology to say that
this is done for the benefit Of the church.
What is the chnrchr Piles Of stone. or.
namented with heaven-pointing spires:
their interiors grained and arched in me.
dieyal grandeur, their lofty affairs blazing
in gold and Jewels. their priests robed in
white and silver. the air made musi-
cal with the swelling notes Of the organ.
and softened to dim religious ligh. by the
rich eoloring of their tinted windows: All
this does not constitute q church: and
even were such buildings thronged with
kneeling votafies there would still! be no
assurance that Il church was there unless
the spirit Of Christ prevailed among them.
4 church is u society instituted to make
men like Christ, earth like heaven.
II then. these fairs ate for the benefit
Of the church. they are held i'll Christ's
name, and He has said. "Whege two or
three are gathered together in my name.
there am I in the midst OF them
Surely. were these words realized. as e1.
pressing fact. no congregation. gathered
in His name. would undertake TO promote
His cause by any means upon which He
could hot smile. We do not wish to be j..
profane. but just imagine Him. for whose
glory these enterprises are professedly
undertaken. entering hall devoted to a
ladies' fair. Surely. He should be wei
coined; His blessing should be invoked
upon the work. We pause-stopped
in the delineation Of our Imaginary
picture by.-a bowl Of brandy punch
Behind it stands a young girl. robed
in heavens own azure. smile
upon her lips, The light Of youth and love
beaming from her eyes. ladle in one fair
hand, glass in the other. But we for.
bear, and will close these remarks by a
few practical suggestions. The cause of
religion is one in which the majority OF
people are interested. Fairs are suitable
method Of raising money. Refreshments
are acceptable on such occasions. Let
there be refreshments. then, and let them
be delicious enough to SET before the gods:
but let the Hebes who preside over them
offer no intoxicating drinks. Surely the
fragrant herb of China. the rarest and
choicest that the market affords; the arom.
attic berry of Arabia, prepared in way to
tickle the palate Of sultan; the luscious
chocolate ''eating and drinking both"
the cooling sherbet, the sparkling frozen
melting nectar-surefy these
ere enough to slake the thirst Of the most
fastidious. and while they crafty the
palate they leave no sting behind.
Try fair. fair ladies. conducted On
principles; a fair, upon every
table of which you can freely ask the bless
ings of Him in whose name and for the !
benefit OF whose church the entertainment |
is given.
MILITARY OCCUPATION OF STATES !
The term State FIGHTS Is taken very