The Irish standard., 1889-01-05
A Trip to Belle Greek.

Special Correspondence OF The lS!6n STANDARD
On Thursday evening, in company
with j. F. Mcclure, your correspondent
took the train for Red Wing. We were
met at Hastings by John O'Brien, of
Saltwater, Diocesan president OF the
G. T. A. q. The following morning we
were met by Thos McHugh, county
president Of Goodhue county, who es-
corted us to Belle Greek. In the even
ing we repaired to the Town Hall where
the Father Mathew society we're to bold
their fifteenth anniversary celebration.
The hall, spacious as it is, was not
Large enough to contain the yast throng
which WAS early assembled Tha exez-
cises of the evening were opened with
music by Mrs. Bessie Row!es who pue
everybody in good hnnor, Thos
O'Reilly presided, and made the intro
ductory address. reviewing the work
ings Of the society for Che past IS years.
Thirteen men organized the society, six
of whom are still active. members.
Fifty-fve members in good standing at
tend regularly each meeting. From
this society members have emlgrated to
Duluth, 81. Cloud, Morris and Dakota
where they carried with them the work
of total abstinence. Mr.. O Reilly here
introduced vice. e~president Mcclure, who
said that three things we're necessary TO
the happiness of man, namely: A lasge
farm we'll titled, and you Of Belle Greek
have that. A gaod wife we'll willed, and
the married men have that, and q Large
hall we'll filled, and / am sure we have
that. I promised our houored president
that would accompany him here to
night, not to make q total abstinence ad-
dress, but to give expression to the feel
ings Of JOY and thankfuiness which ell
my heart to-nightas Lrejoice with you on
the completion Of fifteen years of Or
ganized work in this notable, life-giving
and heaven~blessed cause. Fifteen
years is not a long time IN society's
life but it is ample time in which to
show to the world that in no other way
could SO much good be accomplished
for God and humanity. We rejoice
wish you for tie good done, and pray
you to continue 70 persevere in this
work as long as life rs spared to you. T
am particularly we'll pleased to be able
to look into the faces of so many young
men. If there is one among you who
has not yet been admitted to member
ship. I hope you will see to it that at
the next meeting of the gociety your
name may be placed upon this noble
role of honor. Let. not January LIST
pass away Without resolving for all
time to come TO abstain from intoxicat-
ing liquors. take it for granted that
there are large number OF boys In
your parish ranging from ten to fifteen
years of age. 1t is to be hoped that
when our next annual convention is
held that cadet society will be repre-
sented. The hope and pride of our
is in the young men and
boys who have never polluted their lips
with liquor. When you celebrate your
twenty. fifth anniversary we hope that
we may have the good fortune to be
with you and see hundreds Of young
men in your ranks. One Of the most
sights to my eyes here tonight
is the presence Of your st. Mary's
Ladies' society. The young ladies do
not need to take the pledge, but by SO
doing they set q noble lesson to their
brothers and to their other good friends
The presence of the lady delegates from
Belle Greek to the Winona convention
was grand incentive to the other Cath
olic ladies OF our diocese. We will re-.