The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1897-01-21
Chapel Services.

st. Paul. Efforts were made to have
Archbishop Ireland grace the occasion,
but owing t" various and unavoidable
causes he was unable to he present
Notwithstanding his absence, the soci-
ETY. managed to present an interesting
program and one which was greatly
appreciated by the inmates.
The exercises opened by a selection
from the choir which was creditably
rendered. a dialogue then followed,
by boy members of the society, illus
trating phases of schOolbOy life, the
parts being taken with charming eager
ness to excel. A recitation by Mr..
O'Connell was next in order, Irish
Philosophy" being the selection. With
an inimitable rich Hibernian brogue,
he depicted Pats pretensions to philo-
sophical lore and happy faculty of ex-
Treating himself from difficulties. In
answer to an encore, he responded with
"Pat's Good Morning" portraying an
Irish love story. Mr.. Ryan, leading
member of the society, then delivered
an address on the value of character
dwelling on the elements most neces-
sary for its upbuilding. The following
is brief synopsis:
| When we reflect on that part of our
past which we most regret, we must
study the causes that effected the
evil in our character. We must
be honest with ourselves if improve
ment is to be had, for if the weak
points are not known, the steps neces
sary to ward off the enemy of tempta-
ton can not be taken. All moral prog
ress is made with the aid of self study,
reinforced by the resolve to abandon
bad and form good habits of living.
Wrong never appears in its true hide
business until it is viewed with re-
Elective Judgment and its miseries COM
pared with the serene peace Of mind
that is the reward of following the
paths of right.
The foundation of good character is
industry When the mind is occupied
with the duties of life, thoughts of evil,
of vice and of dissipation can find no
entrance. Temptation attacks the idle,
instills into them the influences that
destroy, and blinds them with false
views of what is necessary to attain
prosperity and enjoy the respect Of
their fellowmen. The idle, the vicious
and wrongly-inclined never find con-
genial company where there are indus
try, honesty and responsibility. They
must seek the hauntS Of the depraved
not the workshop Of the Industrious
Each and every one Of us have it in
our power to choose between that
which elevates us in the good opinion
of our fellowmen and the course that
lures to moral and material destruction.
1t is a duty we owe ourselves, our
fellowmen and our God to guide our
lives in channels of usefulness and
build up characters that will endure
long after we have passed away.
Intemperance is the great enemy Of
character. Its temptations come in
the most alluring forms; that of pleas
ure, of goodfellOwship and Of attract
i've surroundings. 1t is the cause of
more poverty, misery and crime than
all other vices combined. 1t degrades
manhood to the level of the beasts, de-
stroys self-respect and makes of its
victims inmates Of either penal, chart
table or insane institutions. If the use
of strong drink would cease in this
world nine-tenths of the misery and
crime would cease with it, and in their
stead would come happiness and pros
perity.
Mr.. Regain spoke with great earnest
ness and at the close of his address
was literally applauded by his appre-
ciative audience. He was followed by
Mr.. J. Mcguire who spoke on the aims
of the Crusaders Total Abstinence So
ciety. lie reviewed its history, growth
and present standing. The suppression
OF the curse of intemperance, incul-
eating habits of industry among youth
and teaching the value of citizenship are
the objects of the sOcietys work, and
in this the cooperation of every citizen
is asked. Mr.. Maguire's remarks were
brief. but pointed. lie requested all to
consider the evil of intemperance, to
think of it's unprofitableness and re-
solve that when the day of release ar
rives to shun it's temptations.
"A dialogue, "'rhe Rival Speakers"
by two of the boys followed the speak
ing. The services closed by the choir
singing the hymn Scatter Sunshine"