The San Francisco call., 1896-08-10

ened Greece and Rome did homage 10 the god
of drink! What wonder that this religion OF
debauchery should perish; that Its senseless
idols and its sumptuous temples should be
razed to the earth by barbarian hands, and
that the Christian church should rise grandly
on its ruins to teach the doctrines of tenn
perance and sobrietyl Nineteen centuries OF
progress have not changed those doctrines in
the least; they are proclaimed to-day in every
land where Christian faith has erected an altar
to Its God.
All Christian denominations are uniform in
their condemnation of the vice of intemper-
ance, but their methods and their discipline
vary; and partly to these differences of discip-
line and partly to the influence OF race and
climate must be ascribed the diminished aver
age death rate from intemperance observed in
most Catholic as compared with Protestant
countries.
But the sanction of the lawgiver is necessary
to give effect to laws whether human or di-
vine, and the punishment threatened on the
one hand for transgressions of the law of God
and the reward promised on the other hand
Tor its faithful observance must naturally
operate check on the passions OF men.
Hence, though race indeed exerts an influence
on the prevalence of intemperance, the most
powerful instrument for the eradication OF
this hideous social monstrosity is the heed
which men give through the influence of reli-
gion TO that solemn note of warming: "Drunk-
ards shall not inherit the kingdom OF God"
The other essays were creditable efforts,
though sometimes the subject was lost
sight of, and again they took on the hu-
NOR of debate. Between the reading of
the essays the audience sang America, "
Professor Sandy sang Killarney" and the
chorus "The Flag"
Arch bishop Riordan was greeted with
wild applause when he arose to address
the audience. In opening he complimented
Company H of st. Brendan's parish for
making the best appearance. His Grace,
continuing, said: "In the second place we
tender our sincere thanks for the great
courtesy of the gentlemen of the Hebrew
Orphan Asylum, to whom we are 1nde ebted
for the presence of the Hebrew Orphan
Asylum band, and we are very grateful to
them. This is the way the people of city
should live, one helping the other, whether
of the same religion or not. l am led to
say so particularly because lately we have
been very unpopular with certain class
of the community. Any one who sees this
audience can see no danger of us dying
out"
This aroused the vast audience and a
spontaneous burst of applause was the
answer.
The Archbishop expressed his apprecia-
ton of the energy and zeal of the spiritual
director of the league-Father 0 Ryan.
Il need not tell you" he said, "how mag
nificently he has done and how deeply we
are all indebted to this jealous young G
priest. Our heartfelt thanks is also due to
the members of the executive committee.
who are able after few years to gather
under the banner of temperance 1900 Of
our young boys.
This society is organized to train our
boys in habits of temperance, so that they
may reach the age OF 81 accustomed to
habits of sobriety and prepared to lead
sober lives. The greatest and most impor-
tant work is the training of youth. We all
of us can cry out all over this land: Save
the boyl Save. the chldl' for the boy
saved will grow up to be an honorable
man whose life will bless others. All you
who are engaged in this are engaged in a
meritorious and blessed work."
President Fallon announced that by
acual count 2674 boys of the League were
on the floor. He introduced Professor
Bradley, o. c., who read the decision of
thei Judges. When he said that Benjamin
Mckinley had won the gold medal, the
boys threw their caps into the air, waved
flags and yelled. The audience was in
sym pathy with the boys, for it joined in
the ovation.
The medals were conferred by the Arch
bishop. Sergeant Sullivan was second,
Eccles third, and Denvir fourth.
The ceremonies closed with the ''Te
Deum," which was sung by the audience.