The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-11
ADVICE 70 YOUNG MEN
ARCHBISHOP IRELAND ADDRESSES
FATHER MATTHEW TOTAL
ABSTINENCE SOCIETY
URGES TOTAL ABSTINENCE
Distinguished PreIate Says Public
Opinion Is Now Set Against
Drink Where 1T Was For
merIy Tolerated.

Archbishop Ireland delivered lecture
before the Father Matthew Total Alb
stinence society. of which he was the
founder, at Cretin hall yesterday after
noon. A visit from the archbishop is al
ways looked upon as a memorable event,
for the pressing affairs of his busy life,
as a general rule. keep him away from
the meetings of the society," and yester-
day the hall was filled to its utmost ca
pacity. He spoke, in part, as follows:
ITO be here again from whence in
flesh. though not in spirit, I have been
absent so long gives me great pleasure.
This large gathering of the advocates Of
total abstinence reminds me of the old
days, the days of our youth, if I may be
allowed to speak in a reminiscent mood.
Then we used to have about 200 at every
meeting, sometimes more, but never less
than 100. In those days the members
seemed afraid to absent themselves from
the meetings for fear of something go
ing wrong. Many of the hard workers of
that time have now gone to their reward.
They labored hard while here on earth,
and the results of their labors will have
influence for many years to come.
Il have often thought that an interest
ing story could be written about the
Father Matthew society. The records left
by those who have passed away are rec
ords of good deeds, and it is the good
that lives after death I can fancy some
of the old workers of this society ap-
pearing before their God and being ask
ed, What have you done? What did you
try to do? Were any kept away from
sin through your instrumentaity?
Among other answers I seem to hear,
I worked to keep UP the Father Mat
thew society Then 1 can fancy the an
swer We'll done, good and faithful
servant
Il have no hesitation in saying that
could the dead be brought back to life,
many of them would say it was well for
them that they worked to help the way
ward, to lift them out of the mire into
which they had fallen. AS I look back 1
am proud of the part 1 have taken in
the work of this society True, : have
not had time to attend meetings as often
as many of you, but / was the founder of
the society, and I have given it all the
help. in my power. I was disappointed
this winter, though, to find 1 did not get
an invitation TO your annual. [ suppose
you did not have one. I am sorry Of
that, for it has been customary to hold
one ever since Jan. II, 1869, when the
society was founded Do not get indiffer-
ent I should dislike to believe that all
the energy of the organization has been
entombed with those who passed to their
reward. That cannot be so. You are con-
stantly getting new blood in the society,
and the work Of the older people is being
taken up by the younger. Keep up the
interest. It is a good cause. We oughc
to please ourselves with a little fiction
here and call this our regular annual
meeting We are a little late, but We
get there just the same, to express 1t in
the popular parlance.
Now, young men, I want to talk TO
you. Take profit from the lessons learn
ed by your elders who know the ways
of the world and the snares that beset
the younger generation. Shun the evils
of intemperance There is no half way
road. You cannot drink a little and get
along just as we'll. Public opinion is now
set against drinking where before it was
tolerated. Employers now will not even
employ capable men, If it is known that
they drink be it ever so little. The fact
that they drink is enough. I say honest
ly and boldly that there are few excep
TONS In railroad offices, shops OF all
kinds, department stores, everywhere, the
drinking man is not wanted. Be good,
honest, upright men and do not lessen
your chances of happiness. And you,
mothers and sisters and fathers, do your
part, for you know as well as [ that
the happiness of your children helps to
make your own happiness
Rev ]. J. Lawler also made short
address Two piano solos were given by
Miss Cora Wagner.