The Irish standard., 1897-08-14


little ones you did it unto me- Chrsts
public life was eptomized in ihcs,
words. He went about doing good.
EARLY then in the history of tho
church. in full accord with the example
and preccpt OF the Sublime Teacher. We
behold asylums for the poor. orphan
ages for the fathrrless, hospitals fol
the sick and wounded srowu. wher-
ever Christianity was established.
THE wealthy considered it the high.
est honor to take part in the establish.
ment Of these works CT mercy. and men
and women. actuated by the puresl mo.
tives' of Christian philanthropy. not only
gave their wealth. but gave themselves.
Hence arose the religious orders in
The church. that the pressin. needs of
the poor and distressed might be an,
swered and their surrows assllagcd.
The representatives OF one of In.
most ancient orders stand amongst us
here today, the Sisters of ST. Benedict
Centuries tell the story of their self.
sacrifice in their charity towards the
sick and the poor. Only those who
have been the objects of their tender
care can tell how much it all means.
To feel when utterly Frustrated by i'll,
ness a mothers love and sisters ten,
derness, that is the nursing care of tho
sister of ST. Benedict. Ask tho wound.
ed 'longshoreman or the stricken
woodsman and they will tell you with
glad memory of their experience under
the good sisters careful nursing.
The long night watch, the soothing
draught, the kindly smoothing of the
pillow for the fevered head, the gentle
word of hope and encouragement, the
prayer for health and mercy, all these
show in some measure the fostering
care inspired by religion.
ITO these angels of mercy there is nc
exclusive class, upon whomsoaver af.
Fiction has laid its heavy hand, there
is the object Of their tenderness.
Religion is their JOY and their
strength, yet never has il been known
that the Catholic nursing sister has
taken a mean advantage o: helpless.
ness or weakness to proselyte those OF
a different faith.
Ever respectful Of the patients hon
est convictions his slightest wish fol-
the presence of a minister Of his re.
ligicn is promptly seconded. How diff.
fcIent all this from The picture that
bigotry and fanaticism paint for us
when they represent the sisterhools OF
the Catholic Chuvall
Cunning and Hypocrisy, wicked anG
devious methods, of decc.ving the un,
fortunate Catholic that comes into
| their clutches; Graf! and evil design in
| all their movements; all these the COED
sisters are credited with and much
more.
Are not the basement rooms in this
very building but dark cells for horrible
| purposes of diaboic ingenuity? Has
| not the building inspector of this city
been asked to investigate the object II
/ these gloomy. underground chambers
| Were there not hints and inuendoes ant
| shakings of wise heads anent the grow.
ing audacity of these fair agents Of
Rome's subtle schemes?
But why should | dwell on SO pain.
| full subject? | turn away from it with
pleasure. The action of educated mer
of all creeds in this city, the presence
of the honorable mayor and of so large
a number of non-Cathoics, fully wipe
out the stain by which the thought!cs.
| and the ignorant tried to befoul the fail
| name of the Catholic sisterhoods The
generous contributions to this goot
| work give evidence that the best pnr.
| tion OF our non-Catholic brethren do no,
believe these foul calumnies.
"Yes, the day of better under,
! standing Of our beliefs and motives
! has happily dawned and the gloomy
| birds of night, besmirched by their own
founess, have sought cover in congenial
| darkness.
"The general public can know but lit
| tie of those that, following the counsels
| Of Christ, have eifaced themselves thar
| they may do greater good for suffering
humanity Content with food an.
clothing, no others can spend to greater
| advantage the means entrusted to them
With wise economy unknown save &C
religious orders, their money Is spent
| not upon themselves, but upon thei,
patients.
'Nheir hospital. name that once
brought up so much that is fOrbddinS.
is a place made bright and wholesome
| with all that patience and love bring IL
their train.
Thine can best tell the story of the
noble work that shall be wrought il
this hospital of ST. Mary for the pool
and the afflicted.
"'rhe names of those nursing sisters
whom the world disrcgards. shall be
enrolled. not in traisicn. records. but
in the book of the Master, who ha.
said, For whosoevef shall give you t.
| drink cup of water in my name, b.
cause you belong to Christ; Amen. l
say to you. he sllal1 not lose his re.
ward"
A collection was then taken up in The
audience for thc 'hn;icfit ur Inc insti;u