The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-10

all who believe in the legitimate use of
liquor. 1t proposes to aid in the forma-
ton of sound public opinion on the
question, and to accomplish the cordial
union Of the laity with the clergy against
drunkenness and the drinking habits of
society.
In each parish are established junior
and senior branch. Membership in the
irst-named branch is confined to boys and
young men under the age of q. They
agree TO abstain from all intoxicating
liquors or from visiting places where such
is sold until they arrive at the age named.
The programme presented yesterday was
an attractive one and highly entertained
the immense crowd which had assembled
to witness the exercises. w. A. Breslin,
president of the district branch, made a
few remarks appropriate to the occasion.
Charles a. brady rendered a vocal solo,
and f. J. O'Connell A. c. Curtis, A. Hay
and ID. A. Barry sang together. Then came
the address of Joseph E. O'Donnell, who
spoke as follows:
The associations of childhood are centered
around the home circle, where in q great
measure are nodded the habits and disposition
OF the man. Within the precincts of truly
Christian home there abound the fortifying in
nuences OF habit and example which produce
lasting and beneficial impression upon the
mind of youth. The pleasant years Of child
hood, however, pass but too rapidly, ana the
youth finds himself in the midst of the world
a vortex of influences surrounding him, and
gradually removed from the protecting in
huence OF home association. 1t is at this period
OF Life that the choice OF association becomes
an important factor in the well-being of every
individual.
Association from the beginning has produced
It's good and its evil effects. There have al
ways been associations aiming at the destruc-
ton OF society in one way or another coexist-
ent with those associations whose influence
surrounded the social structure with an in
Vulnerable defense that rendered futile the as
saults of the would-be destroyer. The moral
influence exerted by the latter is of far higher
force than the power OF physical resistance
The power OF association for evil is likewise
great. We see by the light of history the
greatest nations of modern times, their poll
teal and social ties rent asunder, and revolu-
ton in its bloodiest garb, led on by nihilist,
communist or Jacobin, desecrating the most
sacred places and enthroning itself on the
ruins of law and order.
The destiny of society rests upon individual
influence, and association is the great dis
seminator of that influence. The natural
pride pos sessed by mankind makes us respect
the judgment of others. IL we know that strict
principles prevail in society, if we are sur
rounded on all sides by witnesses to our con-
duct, we are checked at every step where we
wish to do evil, and urged on in our inclination
to do good. If association possesses such power
over the individual and over society, it be-
comes the duty OF the worthy citizens to aid in
the propagation OF those associations which
produce q salutary effect upon the destluies of
both.
Above all others in their beneficial effect
upon the individual and upon society are the
associations with which the Catholic church
endeayors to surround its children during that
period between youth and manhood, when the
individual most often acquires permanent
traits of character and when association
effects its greatest influence. 1t Is then the
church exhibits her maternal solicitude and
afords that protection which the influence of
religion alone can offer. The benefits accru-
ing from these associations are incalculable
and their influence from a social Standpoint
must be apparent. The prosperity Of society is
to his religious tenets, insures his obedience
to the laws that govern and preserve social
order, and no influence tends to produce that
result more than that exerted in the associa-
tons to which have just referred.
Your organization, the League of the Cross
affords an excellent example of the care with
which the church guards the youthful portion
OF her flock and the safeguards with which She
surrounds the child in his journey to man
hood.
You cannot too well appreciate the adyan
tages offered by such an association and it will
only be the experience of more mature wears
that will cause you to realize the benefits you
are deriving and will derive as members of the
leagne. You are mostly boys whose minds are
thoroughly impressionable. Let the impress
of the principles OF your organization be dis
PLAYED in your actions, form your rule of life
upon the instructions OF the spiritual director
of your branch of the league and you will so
mold your character that when you grow to
manhood you will be able to cope successfully
with the many dangerous influences you must
meet in the world
In conclusion, feel that should congratu-
late the clergy and people of this City on hav-
ing in their midst such an association as the
League of the Cross, which has achieved SO
great q measure of good in the short period of
its existence. May its sphere of usefulness be
still further extended, and its influence be
potent when the worthy and revered orig
inators and those who have so ably followed in
their footsteps shall have peacefully passed