Middletown transcript., 1878-03-09
Our 0lio
BALTIMORE LETTER.
BALTIMORE, MARCH 4th, 1878

BALTIMORE, MARCH 4Lni 1915.
DEAR TRANSCRIPT: How nume-
ous, how diversified, aud at the same
time how eminently discordant and
contending are the transitions Of
great metropolis. How versatile must
needs be the mind how keen the per-
ception, perfectly, to comprehend the
vast changes that are constantly issu-
ing from opposing elements. The same
philosophy seems equally to apply to
society in poetical, social, or reli-
gious bearing, but upon the latter we
will now dwell.
To-day, we behold formidable as
semblage lurking at the street corners,
or around the myriads Of drinking
hells that abound in large cities, or
wherever appears to offer the free in
diligence to the most degraded prompt
ings Of the dark side of mans nature.
Tomorrow, some circumstance has
occurred (and we are all creatures of
circumstances that has touched that
tender cord which vibrates in the vilest
heart, when proper influences are
brought to bear; and we behold the
same erring multitude with uplited
hands, swearing their eternal allegiance
to the cause of christian faith. After
all, is there not something good to be
found in man? even though it be in a
latent state, and needs the fire of pop
ular enthusiasm to force it into practi-
cal results.
These observations are the effects Of
our having casually dropped in at the
closing services Of a Catholic mission,
at the church Of st. Vincent, on Front
St., which takes in its parish some Of
the most degraded localities in the
city. The mission was led by the dis
tinguished prelate and orator, Rev.
Father Mcguire, with whom many in
your vicinity are familiar, having CIV
en- a mission at Bohemia Church about
ten years since. The result of his
labors have been forty converts, and
four hundred nominals restored to
practice. 1t was, to one, truly edify- |
ing to watch the earnestness with |
which every member of the vast as
semblage pledged his undying fidelity
to the cause he had espoused. How
ever, this would have been but com
mon-place and unworthy Of note, but
for the quality of the penitents, many
Of uhom we recognized as subjects
whom the devil must have mourned
to lose.
The Rev. Thos. Harrison, a revival
ist Of some distinction in the NJ. E.
church, has been holding meetings at
church up town, and crowds have
fiocked to hear him. He is not to my
notion, eloquent, nor possessed of high
culture, but the leading virtue con-
ceded to him is, "a certain something
that wins = "a subtle influence that
captivates." He is so in earnest in
the work he is pursuing, that he has
openly professed himself, mot vic
tim to the tender passion"
charming young lady parishioner,
pierced by "cupid's fiery shaft" ven
tured to him a missive portraying her
inner emotions. The Rev. gentleman.
vastly different from the major part Of
we fellows, evinced displeasure at the
proceeding, and as a retribution there
fore, read the feminine protestations
aloud to the congregation, with the
injunction that the author should leave
his presence; who, with more obedi-
ence than wisdom, created sensation
by departing hence. Cruel man thus
to cast off, with indifference, what 9th
ers labor lifetime to gain.
A shrewd tradesman here, short
time since, sought to increase his busi-
ness by a somewhat unique advertise
ment, owing to the scarcity and ap-
parent uselessness of the animals so
advertised. 1t read thus: "Ground-
hogs for sale here" Ones curiosity
was, naturally enough, excited, and
the consequence-many calls. Ysu
can best judge of the extent of their
satisfaction, when they were conveyed
to the meat rack and presented with a
link Of sausage.
Since writing, we have been the vic
tim Of an interruption by call from
a disseminator of "Local Option" in
quest of our signature to petition to
the legislature. We refused our sane
ton for the reason that we are not in
union with the movement, nor any
measure that detracts from the liberty
Of community. When mankind has
become so enslaved to its gross appe-
tite to require restraining influence,