The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-04-22


pictures the family seated al the fire
at night, when Peggy Of Shawn is
reading a chapter OF story aloud
for the family, they are distracted by
the ever-circling moth dashing against
the lamp. 1t comes and goes and
comes and comes again, until at last
the fatal attractiveness pulls it into
the flame and it is consumed.
From this simple example he drives
home his lesson forcibly. Then he
dWells for a moment on the impor-
tance of salvation He speaks of the
prosperity Of the mill and the great
natural pride which they all take in
it. This prosperity, he reminds them,
is due under God to the watchfulness
and care OF those in authority, and
the success is due to the way the
business is attended to. This homely
example enables him to show that
the salvation of ones soul is the great
est business Of all, and that it de-
mands far more care and attention
than any mere worldly business.
After the sermon and when the
priest has disrobed, the parish priest
reads aloud the names Of all residents
in the townland, and il any are not
present their absence is explained, or
il there is no explanation, the shepherd
makes Il mental note OF the missing
sheep, and so he is always able to
keep a watchful eye on those inclined
to be lax in attending 10 their duty.
Perhaps there is one absent who will
never be present agAill--a laborer
who has emigrated recently, gone to
America, where there are no sta
tions' to keep him good and to re-
mind him at intervals OF his duty. For
such a one fervent prayer is offered
up. The offerings or dues" are then
contributed by the heads of families
according to their means, and the very
poorest has his mite ready, The sta
tom is at an end, and all leave for
home and breakfast.
The priests, the teachers and the
neighboring farmers are the mana
gers guests and se,itat+ Ground the
breakfast table there is a bright
sparkle of animated conversation;
/ the cup that cheers has Il most
| eXhilarating effect. and locHl topics,
politics ana elections are the
subject of pleasant discussion. There
is sufficient variety Of opinions to
make up parliament, but all are i'll
the best OF spirits and take the good
, humored banter Of the p. p. pleas
antly. The homelincss of the priests
in the midst of their people is here
strikingly manifest. Their gentleness,
refinement and great consideration for
their flock are more than ever visible
in these little social reunions, where
they are able to speak with unre-
straint and open their minds freely
on matters Of practical interest
The mill bell rings to call hands to
work, and soon the workers, in their
working attire, are locking in. Con-
tented-looking young men, rosy-faced
young colleens, all chatting brightly
and with very evident light-hearted-
ness. 1t is the sunnlest of sunny
mornings and the very air seems
sweetened with frcsner breath. The
morning so gloriously begun has bene
fitted all not alone spiritually but tenn
porally as well and the daily routine
has fresh attractiveness after the
opening of the station"
The covered car the side car and
the trap carry away the good priests
to their other duties. The mill wheels
are starting, the merry music Of the
machinery once more rings pleasantly
in our ears, and a commercial tray
eler from Lancashire, who has come
on the morning train, and who has
been all the time waiting and gazing
with wonder and astonishment at the
varied phases of the station" is at
last able to undo his samples.
''Im afraid you selected bad morn
ing for your visit said the genial
stationmaster as the Commercial"
sat waiting in the luxurious waiting
room for the 1886 express. "Ye-es
you seem to do nothing but pray in
this country. Just fancy a Yorkshire
factory shutting down for two hours
for prayers! By Jovc! don't Think"
ooh! ye're all too good over there, -
drily remarked the stationmaster.
aye have so many religions that ye
don't want looking after"
"Righto! governor, that we have.
Why, my father is a Congregational
ist and my mother Baptist, my
brothers 90 to the Wesleyan church,