The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-18
A WORD FOR THE
CATHOLIC KNIGHTS
Father Yorke's Spirited
Address in Metropoli-
tan Temple.
AIMS OF THE SOCIETY.
1t Has Paid 100000 in Bene-
fits Since Its 0rgani-
cation.
NO LITIGATED DEATH CLAIMS.
An Organization Whose Charity Is
Always Ready and Uni.
verSal.

musical and literary entertainment
and Lecture by Rev. Father P. C. Yorke
were given last evening at Metropolitan
Temple under the auspices of the Catholic
knights of America. The letters of red
and gold, peculiar to the temple, por-
trayed across the front of the pipe organ
the words in glittering characters, Gath
Ollie Knights"
If the temple had been a theater playing
a popular drama the legend standing
room only" ought TO have been displayed
at the main entrance before s o'clock.
Every chair in the temple was taken,
people crowded the side and rear aisles,
and the terraces of steps in the gallery
were improvised as seats.
A. J. Mcmahon was chairman. He
made brief speech, and introduced each
feature OF the programme. He spoke of
the founding of the organization of the
Catholic Knights OF America in 1877, and
stated that on four different occasions the
society had received the blessing of the
Pope. He stated that 100 OF the regular
Roman Catholic clergy carry a certificate
in the order; that the order had paid
$1,000 900 in benefits since its organiZa-
zation, $l62, 900 in San Francisco, and had
never Irrigated a single death claim.
In his opening remarks Father Yorke
referred to the colors of red and white in
which the hall was ornamented. He SAID
he did not know Just what they meant at
first. He thought they might refer to free
silver and the Roman right hand until he
heard that they were the remnants of
recent free-silver meeting. He thought at
first that they might be delicate COM
pliment to the blood which has been seen
sin the moon out on Valencia street,
The subject of Father Yorke's address
was "The Catholic knights of America"
He said substantially:
GU know this is an age OF organize
ton. Men and women have gone into So
cieties in order to advance their interests.
If we look in the social or political world
we find anything that it is worth doing at
all is done by organization. We find the
Catholic church is not behind the times in
this. She is progressive in the matter of
organizations. She is for this world as
well as for the next She wishes her chill
dren not only to be abreast of the times,
but to be ahead of the times.
IF there is one virtue needed by men,
young and old, it is the virtue of stead
fastness and prudence. No man is abso-
lutely alone in the world. It is his duty
to see that there is before him such COM
fort as modest provision would give. 1t
is not humane or Christian to leave pos
terity In want. No man has a right to
bring children into the world unless he
provides for them.
THE idea of the family is that it is
something continuous. Unfortunately in
our day the family seems TO be only q
name. That in fact is not the case. The
head of the family should see and provide
that if he be taken away the family VIII
live in peace and comfort afterWard. Few,
however, do this.
There are large numbe of million
aires, but no one cares to inquire too
carefully how they got their money,
Men should strive to provide for those
that come after them. Societies which
look after the widow and the children
after the head of the family is away are
to my mind, one of the best features of
our civilization. The Catholic knights of
America seek to be such society and To
preserve that Christian institution, the
Christian home.
"Can you imagine how much comfort
has been given by 81, 900, 600 paid to bene-
ficiaries since 1877? 1t was not given as q
charity, but given as right. Applause.
Zone of the objects of this meeting ia tn
bring before Catholic men the objects of
this society. We should be prepared for
both riches and poverty. 1t would be well
for Young men starting out in the battle
of life to remember that the future has
claims and that wife and children
should not be left to cold charity. 1t is
your duty to insure yourself with benefit
societies, so that if you are taken away
something may be left to those who are
dependent upon you.
"These societies have their spiritual and
intellectual good as well. The day has
passed when Catholics need to apologize
for organizing as Catholics. Men know
that in this City we are in the majority,
but defenseless.
There is a necessity for Catholics or
ganizing, but not on political lines, thank
God. But we want no man to understand
that he can override us, because we are of
a religion that is guaranteed US by the
constitution. Two years ago strangers
came out of the woods and declared that
Catholics were not loyal. Was there a
paper in San Francisco that came to your
defense? No. If your rights are worth
having they are worth fighting for. 1t is
the duty OF Catholics TO stand together
for their rights"
1t was announced that the next lecture
under the auspices of the Ladies' Liberal
League would be given September 81, in
stead of September %. The literary and
musical programme rendered was well
appreciated, and called forth much APP
plause.