, 1884-07-26
To the Editor Of the "St. Croir AyiS.'
Dear Mr.. Editor.

1Iedt MI |NlllOA'
It is highly gratifying to us Oddfellows
of the "Gem of the Ocean" Lodge 10 know,
that owing to our persistent efforts through
many difficulties with which we have had
to contend to maintain our Lodge, and
over which we have now happily triumph
ed, that t0-day we are in such Il healthy
financial condition, as to elicit praise from
a quarter which is as unexpected as It's
startling.
On Sunday last Reverend Molloy of TIL"
Roman Catholic Church in referring to our
body spoke in high praise Of it. The Ma.
SONS were not quite so |ftvonred, however,
they are accustomed to it though | believe,
or ought to be, as it has been a long phil
on that side against them, so long indeed,
that Of the time when it was not, history
makes no record, and it would have been
more startling if only one word was utter
ed commendatOry Of the good work which
is every day being done by that noble in
stitutiOn. His referring to us in such
terms | must admit is q little pulling.
The Reverend gentleman is SO pleased and
satisfied with the working of the "Gem Of
the Ocean" that he is Of opinion there's yet
room enough for another society, somewhat
on the same principle, but without, l pre-
sumo, its mysterious signs sc. | under
manu- budC SISluluItS nave btCll !tCtlNtN
from those who are DESTROYS Of enrolling
themselves as members. and | am pretty
sure we will soon see it established, as the
Reverend gentleman is possessed Of a
remarkable amount of energy, and his love
for Benefit Societies is strong, there being
NJ less than three, "Children If Mary and
"Sacred Heart" for both sexes, and all
fourishing. Besides these a country
school has been established. and The Town
School improved to such a marked degree
that its educational standard-arc0rIing
TO the Reverend Eather-iS above the Pub.
lie school of either town. | would here OBJ
serve, that having heard it expressed that
this embryo society is the result OF a iral-
GUS eye | do not entertain this opinion, bat
| believe that as the Revd. gentleman sees
with half an eye the rapid strides which
we are making, he is afraid lest some of
the sheep of his fold, when straying by
the waySide, should fall in amorg us, and
as he Is jealous of their spiritual welfare it
Is impossible that he can look with calm
Indifference on this threatening danger
and not make an effort to save them from
the yawning abyss into which once fallen
they are ~irrecOverable. In conclusion,
dear Mr.. Editor, | would nave YOU remove
the opinion, if entertained, that we are
a hard-up set in the West End quarter,
for to support all these societies shews
that cash is not a scarcity with us. Pos
sibly you base your Judgment on the
smallness of our deposits in the Savings
Bank, in comparison with yours, but then
l would call your attention to the fact that
fully a quarter of our population is attach
ed to the Roman Catholic Church, and
they have arrived at that religious state Of
perfection that they had rather lay up
treasures in heaven" than "upon earth"
With many thanks for the space allowed
me IN your valuable paper. l beg to sub
scribe myself, Dear Mr.. Editor,
Yours &c.
AN ODDFELLOW.
Frederiksted, 10th July 1884.
What leads u correspondent to