The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-08-25
Letter from Vicar General Millet on the Howard
Association.

4
Association
ARcHBIsHop's RESIDENCE I
New Orleans, August 20. 1878
Editor Morning Star:
Some do6bts having been expressed touch.
| ing the sincerity Of the intentions of the How
| ard Association, SO veral person have inquired
of the ecclesiaatioal authority ifthey could pru-
IDENTIFY respond to the call of that benevolent
organic alton.
The apswer to that question is easy. Since
it's foundation the Howard Association has
given 80 many proofs of zeal and disinterested-
ness in allevisting the suffeiings of the poor
and of the SICK that it is entitled to the entire
confidence of all.
In all the epidemics that have brought DESC
lation and death into the bosom of Louisiana,
very often the Catholic priest and the Sister of
Charity bave met, at the same bed of sickness,
with physician or q nurse sent by that So
ciety, distributing tae materials which they
had collected with great trouble, rivalling them
in diligence and care, sharing tae same dangers
and sometimes falling victims of their heroic
devotedness.
The high character of the gentlemen who
to-day are the managers of that noble Associs-
tion proves that it has not deviated from its
former traditions.
1t is very easy matter to critioise
good men who take upon themselves the oner-
ous duties of ad dmnistrato of public charities.
They are liable to be accused of partiality, If
not of fmisappropriation. In spite oftheir prom
ises, they may be accused of being partial to
their friends and indiffe :ent to the indi-
gent. The most perfect Institutions have al
ways been complained of and found fault
with !; but these accusations and complaints
are generally unjust and were they
accidentally true, would it still bs right
to discredit destroy such an institu-
tion because of the human imperfections
which are inherent in it'll The consequence of
such q policy would be the entire annihilation
of all human ins stitutions.
have heard of another objection against
the Howard Association. 1t is "that several
members of that Society are separated by their
creed from Catholic unity" Certainly / would
prefer it otherwise would prefer that all
our fellow citizens were members of the True
Church. However, l must confess that what
seems to be a cause of scandal to some is pre-
cisely what moves me the most. Indeed, in
this, the metropolis of the South and also the
metropolis of benevolence and charity, am
greatly moved at the sight of these good men
who, without sectarian spirit, and without
any distinction of creed, in times of great
public calamities, come together and unite in
the noble work of alleviatng the sufferings of
| the dying, and giving daily bread to the widow
and to the orphan.
Mgr. Mermilled, the illnstrious Bishop of
Geneva, when yet but simple missionary,
was invited to preach in Paris charity sermon
in favor of fsmished Ireland. As he came down
from the pulpit, all pslpitsting from his
eloquence. laborer, poorly clad, stopped him
and said {: " Father, l am poor; have not
cent to give you but here is my watch" The
missionary answered "My friend, admire
your good heart, but 1 will not accept your
watch you will need it to regulate the hours
OF your days labor" Father, answered the
laborer, when people is hungry it is not neces-
sary to know the time of the day."
By analogy I will also cay that when peo-
pie is hungry and is being decimated by a ter
rible plsgne, in order to alleviate that peoples
sufferings, we need not know to what religion
they belong. We need not ask their benefactors
what is their creed. If such men have not yet
joined the Catholic religion, they ere, at least,
on fair way to it.
Cornelius was not q Prott ant. He was q
pious pagan, having, as we'll as all the men,
bers of his household, the fear of God, and
distributing abundant aims to the poor. An
angel honored that pagan with a visit, and
notified him that God, pleased with his pray
ers and good deeds, was about to grant him
the gift of true faith through the ministry of
the prince of the Apostles.
Let us, then, encourage these gentlemen of
the Howard Association to persevere in the
anhIima misaion which thew have imDoaed
upon themselves. They deserve more than our
encouragement. and praise they are entitled
to our gratitude and admiration.
j. n. M1LLET, V. G.