Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-08
d. VINCENT DE PAUL.
National ConventaOa OF . Great
Catholic Soefety.


kind held In this country for ten years-began
al Carron hall, In this city, this morning. The
nan was elaborately and tastefully decorated
Win nags shields and bunting. A pretty ar
rangement OF flags In the rear OF the stage en-
circied portraits of Pope Leo XIII. and Cardi-
mai Archbishop Gibbons. A large Irish nag
was unfolded at one side Of the stage, and on
the other was the green banner of the Knights
OF ST. Patrick. A large papal flag with the
mitre and keys was displayed at the rear Of the
was placed q portrait Of Pope Plus TX.
banners set up at intervals, each inscribed
WILLIE. witn the names Of places nom which dele
gn.iohns have come. The representatives wore
nue-Dutton badges inscribed with gilt letters.
The two hundred representatives comprising
the assembly met at the hall at $50 this morn.
Walter ''-'
THE BUSINESS SESSION.
Upon returning to the hall after the service
Mr.. j. Mclaughlin, Of New York, vicepresident
| of the Superior Council of New York, called the
body to order; Mr.. +. n. Churchill, Of Brooklyn,
secretary of the Superior Council, filling the
post Of secretary. In accordance with the GUS
rendered their posts respectively, to the presi-
dent OF the Particular Council OF Washington,
OF the same o. Mr sns ans Rs
Father Walter and the clerical representatives
occupied seats upon the platform with the off,
cuiar OF the Superior Council OF New York,
calling the assembly to meet In this city at this
time, and circular of the Particular Council
OF washington, announcing program for the
assembly.
THE WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY.
The assembly will consume three days in its
| sessions. The superior council has suggested
number Of topics relating to the work of the
society and the methods of carrying on the
charities In which the councils are engaged
prepared these
| arranged by committee, and the chief busi-
ness Of the assembly is hearing and discussing
these papers. The assembly Is not a legislative
body, but Is called together tor the purpose
mainly OF comparing notes and ideas. Among
consolidating the four superior councils in
the United States, and another Is q pro-
position to hold annual meetings of the presi.
dents or representatives OF Particular societies.
1t is suggested also. in the circular Of the supe
rior council, that councils should adopt some
special work OF charity In addition to visiting
the poor. Among such works the following are
mentioned The promotion Of :emperance: the
encouragement Of deposits in good savings In
stitutiOns; the teaching OF trades and other
occupations TO orphans; the visiting Of the in
mates OF prisons, reformatOries, hospitals, aims
houses aud similar establishments, and the
providing and maintaining of places OF resort
for boys and youths, labOring men and me-
chanics, In which, when unemployed, dur.
Ing their leisure hours, they could ind reading
matter, hear occasional Instructions, and find
harmless recreation and amusement. The
places last named might be made TO serve as
BE
A cablegram OF greeting from the president,
Gen. Bandon, AT Paris, was read, and also q
letter from the Carroll institute, extending to
the assembly the cOurtesies OF their library and
reception rooms. The assembly then proceeded
TO listening 70 papers.
PAPERS READ.
Papers on aspirant councils making sugges-
tions as to their organization and work, were
read by Alexander p. Morse, of this city, and
VIM. j. McAuliffe, of Philadelphia. Papers on
other topics relating to the work OF the society
were read by 4. w. Dammann, president OF the
Particular council OF Baltimore, and other
gentlemen.
THE CARDINAL ARRIVES.
At halfpast eleven o'clock the cardinal,
Archbishop Gibbons, arrived at the hall and
the business of the meeting was Interrupted for
few minutes The archbishop was escorted by
saSer OF mt and Id ksy
ali the representatives rose to their eet and ap-
plauded: The archbishop, whose high-cut vest
up the aisle, carrying his silk hat in his hand
ana bowling In Acknowledgements of the recep-
ton accorded him. When he reached The plat
form he was formally presented TO the assem-
bly, by MIR. Waggaman, and the representatives
again rose TO their feet. The cardinal then took
a seat in q chair beside the presiding officer and
which had been begun before he entered the
hall was concluded.
THE CARDINALS ADDRESS.
Then rising to his feet he addressed the as
idly, but with ease and distinctness. He had
come, he said, in accordance with a promise
made several weeks ago, and 1t was with much
difficulty that he had been able to keep his
promise. He had been at work In Montgomery
county, Nd, and yesterday drove twelve miles,
through the rain to reach Baltimore, where he
found large mail awaiting him, and spent
last evening reading S and letters
then started for Washington. At no place, he
said, did he find himself more at home than
pe the socesy Tsey Of st. ssa
striving to walk in the footsteps OF our
blessed Saviour. The Lord was raising up men
to confront the hereSieS OF the time as he had
raised LoyalO and Charles BorrOmeo. He was
raising up men to revive the dying embers of
Vincent de Paul and Canaan he said the utility
OF charity was not to be measured by the
amount given out, but by the number Of per-
the st. Vincent de Paul society to personally
visit the poor. They went not as officials but as
brothers. as the friends and benetactors OF the
poor man. They were the brothers OF
the poor. This should not be
mere sentiment but IT., PR practical ~ idea.
erty was great aiction; sickness was g Pea
misery. They should not enhance the misery
OF others by any needless humiliation. 1t was
beautiful commentator in.practice-Ozanam-
that we should he benefited ourselves in visit
ing the poor. Those who have borne the cross
themselves only are capable of approaching or
fully sympa thizing with the suterings OF others.
This society, he said, were to the priests what
the deacons of the early church were to the
apostles. He urged them to go and cooperate
with the clergy. He thought it a blessing that
in this 10Th century the laity were drawing so
closely to the clergy.
CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE CARDINAL.
When his emtnence ceased speaking q resolu-
ton congratulating him upon his elevation to
the cardlnalate in the name OF the Society OF
st. Vincent DE Paul OF North America was
passed. A prayer was then said by Father
Waller, and the assembly adjourned till to-
morrow. After the adjournment the members
fiocked to the platform and saluted the cardi-
the cardinals extended hat To every one the
cardinal spoke pleasant word OF greeting.
The cardinal returned to Baltimore this alter
noon.
THE SOCIETY AND IT'S PURPOSES,
Apart nom the spiritual advantages which
the st. Vincent de Paul society confers upon its
members, its chief aim is to relieve the necessi.
ties of the poor, without distinction of creed,
nationality or color. The president-general OF
the society, NJ. Bandon, resides at Paris. The
president OF the superior council which directs
the general movements OF the society in this
country, is MIR. James Lynch, Of New York, and
Vicar General Quinn, OF that city, Is the direc-
tor of the superior council. The first general
assembly was held in New York city Septem-
Der 8, 1864; the second was held in that city
September. 1865; the thru in Philadelphia
therefore the fourth and the largest ever held.
The present assembly has no power to make
amend or cOnstrue the rules by which the Soci-
ETY. is governed, These can only he cha nyed