The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1912-03-11
HUNDREDS HEAR
REV, DR., M'kENNA
AT P0LI'S THEATRE
sFATTH AND FATHERLAND," SUB.
JECT OF SERMON BY NOTED
WORCESTER CLERGYMAN.
ZINE Musical Concert Precedes Lee
ture In Which Noted Artists
Appeared.

Rev. DR.. Michael McKenna, ac-
in the Catholic clergy of New Eng
land enthralled a large audience at
Polrs theatre last evening. Taking
as his subject, Faith and Father
land the eloquent priest delivered
one of the best lectures it has been
the good fortune of Bridgeport Cath
olics of Celtic persuasion to enjoy
cert was presented in connection
with the lectune. The undertaking
was under the auspices of st. Pat
rick's parish. The theatre was fill
ed with enthusiastic auditors.
DR.. McKenna's eloquence coupled
with his faultless delivery and con-
vincing manner made the evening one
of rare pleasure to the lovers of ora
tory. The concert, too, was of un-
usual merit. The singers were Miss
Margaret Hogan, soprano of New
Haven, Mrs. John F. Fay, contralto
of this city; Nicholas Sebastian, tenor
in st. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
and William Grab. baritone of New
Haven, comprising one of the most
delightful quartettes heard here in
many years. The singers were each
heard in individual selections and each
received marked acclaim. Prof. Elm
er S. Joyce was the accompanist. Err.
win Ruton. the male alto who appear
ed at Polls last week contributed ar
enjoyable number as did his little
boy.
The audience included a large rep
resentation of Catholic clergy includ
ing several from other cities st
Patrick's parish was well represent
ed, but there were also many Catho
of irr;
Gus belief from all parts of the city
Rev. Dr. McKenna. who is stationed
in Worcester. was introduced by Prof
Frank s. Buckley of this city, sup.
erintendent of schools in Ansonia
Mr.. Buckley's Introductory remark!
s impressed his auditors. Most genei
GUS appliance was accorded him.
= DR.. McKenna said in part:
There are notes on the keyboard OF
the heart at whose very touch a ma.
I tons soul has been oft aroused ani
her sons inspired to the sublimes
heights OF virtue and of valor. Such
are love OF God and love of country
and of every land wherein God and
country ever have been sounded, we
/. know full well the story. The sriri
of the Nations life seemed of sudder
changed. mans very nature wa:
transformed, his countenance bright
the divinity of which the mortal spe rk
the soul within him, was a livns
image, and the sentiments that hi
words expressed were all aelow will
grandeur and sublimity, while his lis
teners, world wide, treated him Will
al the dignity they would a prophet
God and country SO inspired him, 81
controlled him, that they took pos
sess:on of his very soul and sent
tremor of delights through every fibe
Of his being, till the entire man be
came enraptured with the mobiles
hopes and aspirations as with al
those sentiments so divinely sweet ant
wondrous that the adjoining chord
awaken, such as faith and freedom
virtue, valor. fireside and altar. Fo
the truth of this we need but consul
the pages of human history; and, La
dies and Gentlemen, if such be true o
nations generally, how distinctivel.
true indeed is not this same of Irelanc
in whose heart these notes and chord
have been sounding wildly and inspir
inely for countless ages?
Whether in the days of the romanti
long ago, or in the days closer to on
own. under paganism or Christianity
Irciand's love OF God has always gon
hand in hand with her love for coun
try. Since that Easter morn OF