Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-14
F0RclBLE LECTURE.
Rev. Father A. p. Doyle Speaks on Tenn.
psrance to Large Audience.

1t was large and serious audience
which gathered, Friday evening, in St
Mary's Catholic church to listen to the
| earnest and poignant arrai gnment Of in
temperance by Rev Father A. P. Doyle
of New York
Rev. Father Doyle is a preacher and
lecturer Of worldwide reputation and has
been engaged in the Temperance cause for
a series of years. He is the national secre-
tary of the Catholic Total Abstinence
Union Of America, and, as such, has con-
tinued to carry Oh good work among the
young men of America
His visit TO Augusta was partly of an
official nature. As secretary Of the Abb
stinence Union, he has recently visited the
local unions at Portland, Bangor, Lewis
ton and Westbrook, to strengthen them.
The st. Mary's Total Abstinence So
ciety which was formed only two weeks
ago. is now in a furnishing condition,
with % members. The following are the
officers: 7. J. Lynch, president; W. p.
Walsh, vice president; J. B. Sheehan,
secretary; A. l.. Brown, treasurer; with
Rev. Father Doherty, chaplain.
The visit of Father Doyle was especially
timely, coming as it did 50 soon after the
quence and sense displayed by the lecturer
cannot but have been of inestimable bene-
fit.
Among the specially invited guests
there were present at the meeting, Rev.
Fathers 4. A Hamel of Augusta, j. p.
Nelligan OF Hallowell, J. Mccarthy Of
Gardiner, and J. J. Ahern of Whitefield.
The services commenced with singing
by the choir, after which Father Doyle
was introduced by Father Doherty. The
audience was intensely attentive, and was
much impressed by the speakers eoqu-
ence and force.
. In his lecture, Father Doyle depicted
graphically the terrible results of intern
perance as manifested everywhere, and said
the cause of temperance demanded the
homage of all Christians In the United
States annually 5000 people went to
drunkards' graves-200 day, eight in an
hour In the brief hour of this lecture,
eight souls would go down in darkness.
| Yet, with these terrible facts staring
them in the face, there were many men
| and women who sat with folded hands,
help it"
Referring to the evil effects Of alcohol
upon the human system, Father Doyle
said it was well understood that alcohol
was poison and of no benefit whatever
to anybody. The idea that any kind of
liquor was nourishing or strengthening
experience was to the contrary. Good
bodily health, which is essential to good
morals, is best promoted by total alb
stinence. The athletes understand this;
so do the life insurance companies, for
total abstainer is considered far more
desirable risk than a drinker
Turning to the most sorrowful phase of
the liquor questionable ruin of domestic
happiness, Father Doyle drew beautiful
picture of the institution of home, the
foundation and bulwark of society, and
deplored its wrecking by the curse of
drink He painted dismal picture of low
life in large cities where poverty had been
made heavier and hitterer by drink, and
related some instances which had come
under his personal observation of the aw
full results of intemperance.
At the conclusion of the lecture, devo-
tional services were observed, after which
the large audience dispersed, with doubt
less better understanding of the evil of in
temperance.