The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-11-25
THE POOR CAPUCHIN.

THE POOR cAPUcHIN.
Life and Labors Of TheobaId Matthew and
the Lessons They Teach.
"Some five miles west of Cashel, y
says Mcguire, in opening his record OF
the life of the Apostle Of Temperance,
'.the ancient capital of the county of
| Tipperary, and at the head of a fertile
plain, running westward between the
Kilmanagh and Galtee range OF noun
tains, locally we'll known as the Golden
Vale there stands noble mansion in
the midst of still nobler domain. Its
name is Thomastown. And here on the
10th of October, 1870, Theobald Matthew
was born" The father of our subject
was at this time officiating as manager
of the ThOmastown estate, but in 1875
he took large farm in the neighborhood
called Rathcloheen, and here Theobald
was brought up. He was his mother
pet, and deservedly so, for in his earli-
est years he displayed that goodness and
gentleness, and his invariablc habit OF
seeking to afford pleasure to others.
which in after years led him to begin
and accomplish the great work OF his
life. 1t is related that at dinner one day,
Mrs. Matthew, glancing around at the
large family OF boys that encircled the
table, exclaimed: is it not unfortunate!
l have nine sons, and not one OF them to
be priest. - There was silence for a
moment, and then Theobald started up
| exclaiming, Mother don't be uneasy
will be priest" Could the fond
mother have foreseen the wonderful
work her tavorite was destined to do as
priest and apostle, her heart must have
overlooked with Joy and pride.
| Lady Elizabeth, daughter OF the Earl
| of Llandlaff., undertook to bear the ex-
penses of Theobald's education, and he
was first sent to 4 school in Kilkenny,
and then to Maynooth to finish his train
ing for the priesthood. But he did not
finish it in Maynooth. By giving party
to some OF his friends in the college he
broke rule. forbidding two or more
students to assemble in the room OF one
them for banqueting or other social pur.
poses. the penalty tor which was expul-
sion. Anticipating expulsion he lett the
college, and was thus. providentially.
no toubt, rescued from the humdrum
life of country curate or a pastor or
mayhapa bishop. Had he gone through
at Maynooth and been settled down in
soma parish his great powers might
never have been developed because
there would be no opportunity for their
exercise, and the world might never
have enjoyed the inestimable blessings
which flowed from his labors. But he
was not the man to remain inactive when
work was to be done, or to turn from the
path he had marked out Ia boyhood be-
cause OF the Maynoo,h affair. One day
God inspired him with the idea of be-
coming one OF the humblest and poor
est of his creatures, Capuchin f-iar.
| And, after severe course OF prepare.
ton. he was ordained in the year ISL
ordained to lite of poverty and hard
work among the poor and miserable
ones in the poor and miserable quarters
of the cities of the land. In Kilkenny,
where he was first stationed. he soon
gained reputation throughout the city,
not only tor his eloquence, but for his
charity and benevolence. But FORUM
ately for him he was summary removed
from Kilkenny by the bishop OF the do
cesc, and in the humble little chapel OF
his order at Cork, which had been built
by the famous Arther o Weary, the young
Christian resumed his labors. His com.
pauion and superior was Father Dono-
van. and the two dwelt together in 8
space at one end of the church. which
was afterwards used rs an organ loft.
The congregation was too poor to afford
an organ for their little church. but good
old Father Donovan one day hit on the
plan of getting barrel organ. which
played such tunes as the "Adeste
Fideles'' and the "Sicilian Mariners
Hymn" AIR. Mcguire thus describes the
first appearance Of the organ: The
organ and its operator were in the little
chapel, and Father Donovan was having
vigilant eye to both. Nothing could
be q more decided success than the
..Adeste." as many besides Father Don.
ovan thought it heavenly; nor was its
effect lessened by the plaintive sweet
ness OF the Hymn" Tears of rapture
stood in the eyes OF Father Donovan 1t
was a moment of unalloyed triumph,
such as mortals experience but rarely in
this life. The Last Gospel was just be
ing read By Father Matthew, who was
the celebrant. when the operator COM
menced third AIR. but-horror OF hor.
rors Instead of one of those spirit
breathing strains that lift the soul TO
heaven in flood OF holy melody.
out ratified the too we'll known air OF
Mol in the wad.' 1t would be impossi-
BILE to describe the bewilderment OF the
congregation. or the rage and confusion
of poor Father Donovan, at this awful
scandal which nearly threw HIM Tito a
fever, from shame and humiliation
Father Matthew was very seldom out
of the confessional, and Mr.. Mcguire
says: 1T was in the confessional that
be laid the foundation Of his future
fame Fifteen hours \ day in little
box not the breadth OF an ordinary arm.
chair. hearing the confessions Of the