The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-15

entered the city, preceded by his captives. and
! the treasures he had seized, followed by an
| joyful people. but the most graceful act OF
| homage was his meeting with the vestal vir
gins, who came to thank him for tho good he
had done to bis country. and the protection he
had afforded them.
In the Bible we all remember the honor that
was paid to David after his victory over
Goliah; how the Jewish maidene nocked from
the Villages and towns, to dance before the
victor and sing his praise.
In the days of chivalry, no tournament
would have been complete had it not been
graced by the presence of woman, and it was
the queen Of the lists who placed the crown on
the Vlctor's brow.
And again more than all this, whilst our
Lord " rs on earth, whom He was performing
prodigIes FROM day to day, healing the sick and
raising the dead He WAS then surrounded by
men, woman WAS in the background, but when
tho days of danger. suffering, ard death had
come, the Apostles fled then the holy women
crowded around Him; noble, generous, devoted
woman took her proper place, TO soothe the
sorrow, and sympatk!Ze in the sutlerings which
she conld not prevent.
Nor is woman changed to-day, as in the
days of the past, she honors courage, nobility,
self-sacrifc fee. Now as then she is ready to pre-.
sent banner 10 the soldier who leaves his
lone to defend his country. If the warrior
never returns woman will net forget him,
gratitude will preserve his memory, and she
will hasten to adorn with garlands and crowns
of flowers the grave 10 which tho hero lies.
Everything that speaks of self sacrifice and
courage is honored by her, aud therefore she
admires the brave fireman who forgets bis
ease and endangers his life to protect property
and life.
But in the grand movement Of Total Absti-
hence where to the glory of repentance is
added the heroic self denial Of the temperate,
no sign of approval, no mark of sympathy has
been shown.
Here ladies you have failedl You have not
been true to the instinct that makes you rec
oRnze what Is grand and good.
This is strange, because intemperance in
man is the cause of the greatest suferings to
yourselves and your children it il the cause
of the improvident father, the careless bus
band, the uudutiful son.
If all the sufferings you have felt, all the
sorrows you have known, would be counted
up, the greatest number, and the most pain.
by this fearful vice.
Total Abstinence has the blessing of the
Church of God; the clergy in Eugland, Ireland,
and America, has urged the movement We
need your helpl God had placed in your
hearts power that men do not possess. They
have strength, ynu have Influence; that power
which is yours and yours alone, must not be
81 wandered in day dreams; make it practical, |
help us to blot out one great evil from the |
world, help us to give peace to man, and JOY to
jhe angela in heaven.
Father Begly spoke for about an hour, and
vas listened to throughout with the most
earnest attention. Though his voice is not
very strong, his enunciation is so distinct that
very word he uttered was heard through the
immense hall, even to it's fsrtbest corners.