Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-25

| Largely Attended Meeting Of the Father
Mathew Subdivisions Eloquent Addresses.
The two large water coolers, painted yellow,
and white pitcher, all filled with ice water
were the symbols that did service and were Of
extreme utility last night at the meeting of the
Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society, held
in Carroll Hall for the purpose of hearing
words Of encouragement from the lips of two
distinguished and talented divines Of the
Catholic church. Father james F. McGee, as
sistant pastor Of st. Patrick's Church, presided
in his capacity as spiritual director of the So
ciety, and introduced the speakers Of the
evening.
| The first was Rev. Father McAvoy of st. Au-
gnstine. Pa, who delivered a careful review of
biblical reasons Why men should be temperate.
cover to cover for arguments against drinking
| and he had found no dearth of them. He
| quoted and then reinforced the words of Scrip
| ture with expressions of his own that brought
the question to a living, present issue. He
| spoke OF the liquor sellers as lot Of ''nde-
pendent gentlemen" because, he explained,
they defy the law and buy their hackers to suit
themselves. To the question Where does
moderate drinking end?' he vouchsafed no re-
ply, but assured his hearers that it did not end
grave than that of earth for the souls that have
been lost through the curse of strong drink.
Save your money" he said; "the barkeeper
is not worthy object of your charity"
ON DARKROOM ART.
He spoke of the presence and influence in
the church of the dealers in liquor who oc-
| cupy front pews and stand at the head of COM
mittees for the payment of church debts and
do all sorts Of ostentatious things, and he
| added that it is time that these folks were paid
off and the devil given his due. Total absti-
hence. he asserted, knows nothing of matutinal
engagements Of top stories, but u clear brain
and an honest heart. Bar-room art, be said
| Is largely composed of the portraits of St.
Patrick, OConnell Parnell, John L. Sullivan
and Kiirain. Recent developments across the
water would serve to make true men wish for
the owners of such places to take the portraits
of the saint and O Connor out of the company
OF the others and remove them from the ques-
tionnbie company into which they have been
thrust. This association Of the names of Par
nell and the prize fighters and their general
designation as ''plug-ugies" caused a general
laugh, but little applause. Total abstinence,
the speaker went on to say, shuts by far the
largest gate of he'll. He spoke of the poisons
that are now put into spirituous liquors. and
called attention to the medical opinions that
alcohol does no good, but is a rank poison.
Total abstinence, he declared, will remove the
occasion OF mans degradation. solve not only
the color problem, but also the labor question,
and will elevate manhood to the level destined
for it. In conclusion Father McAvoy spoke of
the great influence that woman can exert in
this matter, and he urged all wives and mothers
to use their best endeavors to make the Father
Mathew movement a success.
REV. DIR. sARRIeAN's REMARKS
Rev. DR.. Garrigan, the vice rector of the
Catholic University of America, followed with
a brief but forcible address upon the need of
total abstinence societies in the community,
and particularly of organizations within the
church. IL up-hill work ha aai1 This fUht
ing OF human appetite and an established
custom, but 1T can be won by persistent en-
deavor. There are few men today who feel
called upon to practice this heroism in any
eminent degree. for they do not see the utility
OF the thing when they are bnt moderate drink
ers. and will never become drunkards pollute
anybody with their influence. For this reason
a society like this will always be small, but all
can do good by becoming total abstainers for
the sake OF others, if not for themselves There
Is no lasting success to be obtained in this di-
rection unless the means adopted and the
motives pursued be religious, as such
a is essentially a Christian one and
to be pushed with the aid and under
the direction Of the church. There is a need,
here In this city. DIR. Garrigan remarked. for a
large building where young men of the Catho-
lie faith may be taken by the Father Mathew
Society and entertained, house to take the
place of the bar room and a library to enter
tain. He pointed to the example of the Young
Mems Christian Association and urged emula-
ton.
Father Garrigan spoke particularly Of the
large work that the society has in hand. that OF
preparing for the entertainment of the dele
gates to the great convention of the total abb
stalners Of the Catholic church, which is to
convene in this city during the month of
August. and said that he hoped that every
effort would be made to insure success.
After the addresses a vote Of thanks was
passed to the two speakers, and at the invita-
nj
present went forward and signed the pledge
and became members of the society.