Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-03
ST. PArRICK's TEMPERANCE So
CIETT.
Our Oldest Total Abstinence Organize
tion-An Interesting History.

ST. Patrick's Total Abstinence society was or
ganized on the 4th of July, 1S4O. It 10 conse
quently nearly half q century old. Since
formation 1t has kept the temperance flag con
tinually flying. During all that time, in fail
weather or foul. the society has met every Sun
day night. George Savage, John ID. Clark
Nicholas Callan, Patrick 4. Byrne, Thomas
Daily, John F.Kane and others, then prominent
Catholic citizens of Washington, were its
founders. The pledge was first administered tc
the members in the old church of st. Patrick
by the then venerable pastor, being Rev. VIM.
Matthews, who was known and beloved as the
patriarch of Cathoifcity'' in this District. II
reads as follows:
ana Agony q on
and 70 prevent s much possible BY advice and ex
ample, the sin Of in:emperance in others"
Many thousands have taken this pledge
which has been instrumental in carrying peace
and happiness into innumerable homes.
VI the original members of the society but
three are now ltving-MesSrs Byrne (now pres
ident) Callan and Kane.
president Of the organization, was well known
as one of the most jealous workers In the cause
Of temperance. By day and by night, in season
and out OF season, he went forth into the high
ways and byways on his mission of love and
mercy to reclaim the drunkard and to prevent
the moderate drinker from becoming one. He
probably induced more persons TO take the
pledge than any other layman in Washington
during or since his day. His name is still hon.
o orsd and revered by the members of st. Pat
At subsequent periods in the history OF this
association its presidents were John D. Clark
]. W. Adams, b. j. Waters. F. McNerhany and
T. %; Byrne, the latter being the present in
During the administration of Father OToole,
the society was very large and prosperous, and
always took leading part in Catholic demon:
Patrick's day parades of former times It was va:
always one of the most brilliant and attractive
features.
Several of the most distinguished Catholic
clergymen have been identified with the so
ciety-among them being Rev. TheObold Ma
thew, the renowned temperance apostle; Rev.
thew's church; Rev J. j. Keane. now bishop OF
pastor ofSt; Peters and St. Matthews churches;
Key; r F: Mccarthy, late pastor Of the Church
OF the immaculate Conception; Rev. B. A. Ma
guire, ex-president OF Georgetown college, and
others.
The present bishop of Richmond, Va, when
member of the society, took very active in
terest in its welfare, and left nothing undone to
has never tagged, and in his present distin-
gutshed position his powerful influence as one
OF the first pulpit orators in the land is thor
Oughiy enlisted on the side OF total abstinence.
In by-gone days, when Fathers Mcguire aud
Boyle were actively engaged in temperance
in the several Cathoc 40 n scS oH
sions 1t was net uncommon to see two or three
hundred persons take the pledge. On one Occa-
sion, in old Trinity church, Georgetown, after a
stirring appeal by Father Boyle, the entire con-
gregaton arose and repeated in unison the
saving words of the total abstinence obligation.
On the rolls OF St Patrick's Temperance so
ciety are the names of many of our best-known
citizens, as well as of others who have gone to
various states and territories and Won fame or
fortune, or both.
The society is now in prosperous condition
and is doing incalculable good. Its every Sun
day night meetings, held in Carroll Institute
hall, are largely attended, and the musical and
literary exercises which supplement the tenn
perance addresses give pleasing diversity and
additional interest to the entertainments,
The recent emphatic declarations of the third
plenary council on the subject OF temperance
have aroused the Catholic community to the
necessity OF more united and energetic action
in antagonizng and eradicating. II possible, a
vice which blights both soul and body and fills
our cemeteries with premature graves. Much
as st. Patrick's Temperance Society has done
in the past. 1t promises to do still more in the
future. F. Men
Washington, D. c., April 1, 'S6.