The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-10-07
FATHER MATHEW.

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Theobald Mathew, the apostle Of
total abstinence. The event will be
concentrated by his followers
not alone in the land of his birth
but throughout America wherever
total abstinence societies are estab-
lished.
He had reached his forty eighth
year before he mustered up cour-
age to free himself entirely from
the habit of moderate tipping
which seems to have been the tradi-
tional attitude Of his countrymen
towards drink. In response to the
oft-repeated appeal of a quaker,
William Martin, Father Mathew,
then in the twenty-fourth year Of
his priesthood, signed the total alb
stinence pledge on April 10, 1888,
with the ever-memorable words:
"Here goes in the name of God. !"
Thenceforth he was not only pro-
fessed total abstainer but the rec
ognized leader of a movement for
the spread Of total abstinence
which has done more to break the
chains Of drink-slavery than any
other method advocated since his
time.
On this approaching anniversary
the Catholic total abstinence unions
throughout America will commem-
morate the birth Of this renowned
apostle of total abstinence for the
purpose Of recalling his heroic eff
forts to Danish the vice Of intern
perance from the hearts and homes
of men, and to urge upon all the
necessity of continuing the cru
SADIE he inaugurated on behalf Of
humanity. It is fitting that his
name be held in loving remem-
brance; that his memory be hon
ored from generation to genera
ton; that his self-sacrifcing devo-
ton be dwelt upon as an inspira-
ton to others to set no bounds to
their zeal and activity in behalf Of
the cause he loved so well. The
whole world has been his benefi-
ciary for large as mankind was
his splendid humanity, large in it's
record the work he has done. -
Notwithstanding the lapse of more
than half a century since he laid
down the burden Of his life-work,
the sweet perfume of his influence
has never ceased to pervade the So
cial atmosphere the beacon-ight of
his example continues to guide his
followers; he is still their model
and leader. The cause he cherish
ed, they cherish; the principles he
advocated, they advocate; the
good he accomplished, they strive
to accomplish.
Although the world has changed
considerably during the past half
century in it's attitude towards the
drink problem, there is yet urgent
need for faithful and consistent
temperance workers; for men and
women whose daily lives are open
books wherein all may read the
story Of their devotion to the cause
Of total abstinence. In every walk
Of life men are beginning to realize
more and more The value Of total
abstinence as a prerequisite to sue
cess. The strenuousness Of Ameri-
can life; the energy of American
enterprise; the strain Of CONNER
cial pursuits; the intensity Of ap-
plication in the professional world
all conspire to place the laurel
wreath upon the brow Of the total
abstainer In the arena Of modern
life the palm Of victory is won by
the man Of alert and clear brain, OF
sound body and steady nerve; and
total abstinence from all kinds OF
intoxicants helps to mould such
men.
By their advocacy Of total alb.
stinence as ''the proper and truly
effcacious remedy" for the mani
fold evils attributable to indul
gence in strong drink, Catholic to
tai abstinence societies play a very
important role in qualifying mer
for the battle Of life. They main
tain that only by the practice Of
this heroic form Of temperance car
the individual and the community
be absolutely safeguarded agains1
the allurement Of alcoholic bever
ages. AS a means to this end they
utilize the method so successfully
adopted by Father Mathew him
self, namely, moral suasio1
: siren 0thened and sustained hv thu