Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-03-18
FINE Entertainment
In Aid of St. Mary's
Parish Library.
TRIBUTE TO FATHER SMITH
Given Il Check For 81 000-Lecture by
Father 0'Rourke.

st. Mary's new school hall was we'll
filled last evening on the occasion Of the
concert and lecture in aid OF the parish
library.
The concert opened with chorus, 80
Give Me My Own Native Isle" by the
choir, followed by recitation by Miss
Annie McCready which was well dcliv-
cred. The next was a solo, "Sho is Far
From the Land" by Robert j. Casey. II
evoked SO much enthusiasm that he was
obliged to respond with "The Green,
White and Gold"
The next was a solo and chorus, My
Erin," the solo parts being wpll sustain
cd by Miss Ada Forbes.
The appearance OF Mrs. William Gillian
in the next number" Forget not the
Field was the signal for an outburst of
applause seldom witnessed in gather
inss Of this nature. II shows that there
is ttill warm place for her in the hearts
of the parishioners of Old st. Mary's. Her
rendition of the stirring rebel ballad
evoked such unboundcd enthu usiasm that
she was applauded to the echo.
ing her appearance was presented with an
elegant bouquet and beautiful basket Of
roses. Then, in her own inimitable man
ner, rendered, "Ireland Shall BE Free"
The lecture by Rev. NJ. O'Rourke was
next in order. The chair was occupied by
Rev. j. II. Lennon, and seated on the
platform were a few OF the parishioners,
together with Joseph Osiield, Jr., Rev.
Father McKenna and Rev. J. /. Smith.
Tho lattcr's appearance oil the platform
evoked tribute of applause.
The lecturer was introduced by Father
Lennon in short, spicy speech. Father
O'Rourke was we'll received and delivered
an eloquent but short address Oh the
"Ireland of the Future" He wanted to
impress on his hearers that thinking over
the great deeds of Brian Boru or
Malachi, who wore the collar of gold, !"
would not make Ireland what slis deserved
to be. We must be up and doing, alive to
the situation at present and strike effect
ually If we desired success and an oppor-
tunity for tue writing of Emmet's cpl
taph.
lie characterized drink as a curse to Ire
land and lrishmen, as IL dragged down
many one, who, but for it, would be a
credit to his country and race. He con-
ciuded by quoting from the words of
Alexander Sullivan, "rhat the future OF
Ireland must be that freedom woulS
triumph, and her children should look be-
yend the present dark prospect and make
her the peer Of any nation on the globe"
Tho lecturer, as he took his seat, was
warmly applauded.
Mr.. Joseph Ostield then arose and, in a
few well-chosen words, referred to the
departure from the parish OF Father
Smith and In behalf Of his many friends
presented him with check for 81 600
As he concluded, two little misses, dressed
III white, appeared and addressed the
reverend gentleman and, In a poet ical
address, expressed the regrets of the
people OF st. Mary's, and concluded by
presenting him with the address on
satin and utiful bouquet.
Father Smith, upon rising, was received
with thunders of applause. He was
vsibly affected and spoke with difficulty.
He referred TO his seven years conncc-
tion with st. Msry's parish, saying it was
his first love, as he said his first mass
twenty-five years ago in the old church
and he also celebrated the last mass in the
old church before it vas torn down. This
was an anniversary requiem for his dear
friend, Father Delany. He paid a grace
ful tribute to the pastor Of st. Mary's,
who was too i'll 10 be present, which was
deeply regretted by all. In concluding, he
said he should always cherish the people
of st. Mary's as friends.
The Irish National Anthem, "God Save
Ireland" was then given "a Il solo and
chorus, the solo part being ably handled
by w. T.. Rogers, and he was obliged TO
give all encore.
l., Nay then gave violin solo and in
response TO an encore rendered the
"Mocking Bird" This took SO well that
he was obliged to respond 10 another en-
core and he gave a medley Of Irish airs
which captured the audience
william Butler then sang "Portrait Of
my Mother with good effect and was en-
CorCd.
Charles l.. sexton then recited Erins
Flag, and the closing chorus was " Hail,
Glorious APOSTLE" the solo parts being
sustained by Misses Annie and Mamie
McGinn, Robert J. Casey and William
Putlcr