The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-10-11
He Was Urged by Quaker to Start the
Total Abstinence Movement
in City Of Cork.
Before His Death the Movement Extended
Through the British Isles
and Other Lands.

In view of the fact that yesterday,
Oct. 10, was the birthday of Father
Mathew, we checrfully publish the
following sketch of his life, from the
lran Of Il ST. Paul priest who is too
modest to give dis name for publca-
tion:
The principles of total abstinence
have SO many vu,arics ut present that
it will not be inappropriate to so back
to the past and review the life of
their grGltcst advocate We shall
learn that what is passing in our
midst is only Il faint repetition of what
toOk~pacc all over Ireland more than
half a century ago. In the year 1888
a humble priest i'm the city of Cork
raised the standard of Total AlSti-
ncncc and in Il few years rallied round
it almost thc whole mass of the popu-
lati0n of Ireland. What magic lhc OK
mrisal or what spell cnhrallcd the
numlerless disciples who cast them
selves at his feet to repeat the prom
Use as II fell from his lips, we are at
present unable TO thoroughly under
stand. But when we recall his life
and character we shall not be wholly
at Il loss to explain his boundlcss sue
cess in lpclaming the crring ones Of
our race.
NheOhald Mathew was born on the
18th of October, 1890, about five miles
west of Cashcl in the county of Tip
pcrnry. From his earliest years hc was
remarkable for a kind, gentle and lll-
selfish disposition. When IL years
old he went to school to Kilkenny, and
having completed Iris preparatory
training in classics. passed on to May
nOOth College, where he entered the
Humanity Class. He WAS not dcs-
tined, however, to complete his course
Of studies IN that cradle OF the Irish
priesthood. A difference of opinion on
a matter of discipline with the super
visors Of the college caused him TO
withdraw from the institution. lie
afterward attached himself to the
house of Capuchin Friars in Dublin,
1ln 1i i,,n1 - 1,,,
late rcverel Most Rev. DR.. Murray,
Archbishop of Dublin. The first field
Of his missionary labors was Kilkenny.
His whole-hearted zeal and humble de-
vOtiOn to his sacred duties. combined
with his kindlincss Of disposition, en-
deared him to all with whom he came
into contact. The I'rary which was
before somewhat neglected soon rose
in public esteem and was thrOngel by
numbers seeking his advice. His
course in Kilkenny was interrupted
by the bishop Of the diocese and Faith
er Mathew went thence to Cork
which cllangc we shall afterwards see
was auspiciOlls for the Total Absti-
nellca movement.
10 Cork the same rarncStneSS, self
sacrifice and retirement followed him
which had characterized his sojourn
in Kilkenny. But his reputation as 4
spiritual director soon became 50 ia
nous that all within measurable dis
tanca of Cork tried to avail themselves
of his guidance. 10 the poor, es-
pccially, was he dear. Many stories
are related of his unlIO,lndch charity
towards the poor and distressed, and
of his unfeigncd sympathy with Them
He was particularly fond of the
young and no man better understood
their ideas and tastes. 1t was Il de-
light to him to afford number of
little ones the opportunity of making
Il holiday. and often did he preside
over their little fensts and contribute
his part to their little enj0ymenlts. In
fact, no class, creed or age was ex-
cluded from his paternal interest, and
as Il consequence his influence was ull-
bounded. This was so well recognized
mt the time that a small number of
temperance refnrmers who had been
for some years Intellectually spending