Norwich bulletin., 1911-10-11

ANNIVERSARY OF THE
APOSTLE OF TEMPERANCE.
Father Matthew Day Jointly Observed
by Three Societies.
Father Mathew day. the 121st ami
versary Of the birthday Of the Apostle
of Temperance. was fittingly eelehrat-
ed on Tuesday evening Jointly by the
ST. Marys, Father Mathew and St,
Anne Total Abstinence societies, with
a gathering Of members and their
friends in 7. A. B. hall for a musical
dress by Rev. William Cayanaugh,
chaplain of st. Mary's society. Over
200 were present. this being the first
time that the three societies have
come together for a joint observance
of the day,
Behind the platform in the hall was
large picture of Father Mathew,
draped in American flags, William H.
McGuinness, president of st. Mary's
society and chairman of the joint com
mittee, called the meeting to order and
expressed a welcome to all present,
while he reminded them that they
were assembled to carry out a custom
which had been inaugurated in this
state by ST. Mary's saeiety. This date
was also the 10th anniversary of the
dedication of st. Mary's building, and
he expressed the hope that the custom
of this observance might always be
continued to widen and extend the
beneficient influence that these three
societies exerted in the city.
He announced the numbers on the
following programme. which was car
rled out in fine form, with generous
applause for each number.
Trio, Come EaclS to Erin, Misses Mel
lie and Mary Miner and James p.
Brown; solo. The Vale of Dreams, Miss
Josie Hartie; solo, The Rose of Old
Derry. George Clunes violin solo, Sing
Me to Sleep. Herbert H. Smith (using
a violin 100 years old; solo, Will You
Sometime Think of Me. Miss Sadie
Sullivan; trio, The Harvest Moon, the
Misses Miner and Mr.. Brown; soft
shoe buck and wing dancing. Francis
Carbray.
Address by the Chaplain.
Chairman McGuinness then intro
duced the saciety chaplain, Father
Cavanaugh for the address of the
evening, which was eloauentiy given
and enthusiastically applauded.
This .assenlblage, he said. was to pay
fitting testimonial of our affection and
gratitude felt for our sanity founder,
Rev. Theobald Mathew 1t was the
speakers intention 10 speak of the un-
that aeliated Father Mathew, that we,
being edited, may emulate his example
and practice the same devotion to the
cause of total abstinence as did the
patriotic, whole souled Father Ma
thew Ireland, though prosecuted by
tyrant who would rob her of her
faith, yet remained true TO her religion
and her God, but alas. another enemy
soon appeared, more insidloIIs and for
midabie than the combined forces of
tyranny, the desire for Intoxicating
drink. Before Ireland could realize her
danger she had fallen intB the. merci-
less clutches of that octopus of de-
StrucliOn.
But God heard her prayers and as if
by divine Intervention Father Mathew
resolved to stem the tide of mighty,
offering himself a sterling Champion
blood, every fibre of his being. to the
service of his native land.
Knew the Value of a Soul.
But think you that patriotism was
the principal motive of this giant of
charity? All, no! The peace he would
bring would be spiritual comfort. for
he was a Catholic and a priest, an
and his first thought. was for the souls
lost forever by sins Of self indulgence.
Well indeed he knew the value of a
soul and that its loss was infinitely
more dreadfu than the wreck of
worlds. Sucn was the underlying mo-
desire to heal mankind afflicted by
the scourge of mortal sin. And the
remedy he applied was total absti-
nencs. That is why he signed The
pledge in the name of God. 1t was
with the supernatural intention of in
creasing Gods kingdom on earth and
to do all for the good of souls and the
greater glory of his maker.
Is not this a worthy cause we have
chosen tonight? You who pity tine
victims of plague and pestilence and
sorrow for the exiled lepers in Molo-
kai, do not your hearts go out in long
ing to save the drunkards, those i'm
mortal souls dying forever at your
very doors. dying of a dread infection
that finds no relief in death, for
of heaven His mind is paralyzed by
the effects OF drink, his will is broken
by the voluntary sin, and he cannot
even cry. "Oh, God, be merciful to me,
a sinner!"
Gospel of Self Denial.
Like ST. John the Baptist, Father
Mathew preached a. gospel of self de-
NAL; he made the rough ways smooth,
he opened a new era of hope to a
cheerless land. Moved by his example.
and mis- eloquence, people flockeG to
his standard and the world BECAME
better, although enemies assailed him
on all sides and scoffers dubbed him
mailman, ms Eiac, fanatic, Is it strange
that Ireland again rejoiceQ and that
the light of faith still burned in Irish
hearts? is it wonderful that at mem
ton of his name prayers and bene-
iietions ascend like incense to the
throne of mercy? Truly he was a pat
riot and pride of his people and
penefactor of mankind
Will you not resolve tonight to en-
ulate lis eXa nipple and spirit of self
control? Be infused then, not with
spirit that passes like the night, but
with the constant determination that
counts all burdens light when borne
for the good OF souls and the glory of
God.
Need fer Such Societies.
The need for total abstinence socie-
ties is great, the harvests are abund-
ant but the laborers few. Our coun-,
try is threatened, though in less de-
gree, by the same dangers that inn
periled Ireland, 50 consecrate YOUR
selves to the service of Your country
and to God. Learn 10 see beneath the
repulsive exterior Of the drunkard
soul created to the likeness of God
ard redeemed by the cross of Calvary.
Lift him up tenderly fashioned so
and let your motto be. All
for the good Of souls and the greater
glory of God and nasmuen as YOU do
it unto the least Of these, Christs
loved ones. YOU do it unto Him.
Ill fs1t. 1fIr ifs iarI