Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-09
PRIEST DESIRES
AID OF LAYMEN
Father CantweIl Talks on OPP
portunity Before Knights OF
Columbus Banquet.

Columbus Banquet.
Opportunities for the Catholic lay
man were discussed from religious
and civic standpoint by Rev. William
p. Cantwell. rector of Star of the Sea
Church, OF Long Branch, and editor
of the Catholic Monitor, here last
night. He spoke before the members
and guests OF Olive Branch Council,
knights of Columbus, at the four
teenth annual banquet OF the local
society.
The event was attended by more
than $50 persons, including Mayor
Haussling. former United States
Senator James Smith, jr., City Coun-
sci James r. Nugent, Rev. John j.
Dillon, superintendent of the Catholic
diocesan schools. and Edward j.
Sweeney, State deputy Of the Knights
of Columbus. Other speakers besides
Father Cantwell were Daniel Colwell,
of New Haven; William P. Larkin,
and Alexander l. Rorke, of New
York, and James J. Hopkins. princi-
pal of the Jersey City High School.
The POSTMASTER was Tax Commits
sioner John l.. Carroll.
Father Cantwell in the course of
his talk, which was presaged by some
droll remarks, declared that the Cath
Ollie layman of the present day has
an exceptional opportunity for doing
good both in behalf of ideal Ameri-
can citizenship and the spread of his
faith. The Catholic who lives up to
serted, is perhaps its most eloquent
preacher, by reason of the force of
example. He continued on to say
that q man is Judged by his fellow
men by the example that is set. The
man who is hayward Is injurious to
the church he represents while the
man who lives up to his civic and re-
ligious ideals wins the respect of all
those about him.
Do Not Interfere Enough.
The speaker said he had heard the
assertion that Catholic priests inter-
fere too much in politics. He said he
believed that they do not interfere
enough.
Father Cantwell declared that pres
emit day conditions make 1t imperative
that the priest speak out from the
pulpit with all frankness on civic
matters as well and not be told later
that the priests had failed to warn.
He added:
sit Is time for the priests to tell the
man In public life that he must be
just as honest In office as he is in
private life.."
Mr.. Colweil, who is one of the
founders Of the knights OF Columbus,
brought with him the congratulations
of the knights in New England Tor
! the splendid showing made by the
local members. He declared that he
| had Travelled throughout the country
| In the interest OF the organization but
could not find single council In
which the fraternal spirit was more
evident than 1T Is in Olive Branch
| Council Mr.. Colwell announced that
he had attended each OF the four
| teen annual dinners Of the council
and that he hoped he would be pres
ent at more of them.
! Mr.. Larlxin, who IL a New York
| lawyer, spoke on "Knighthood and
| Patriotism" He asked that a little
| salt be taken with the stories about
| the sordid conditions In New YORK
and that more attention be paid to
the large amount of good work being
done In the metropolis.
The speaker referred to the good
accomplished by the knights OF Co
lumbus in New York, who are MAIN
tanning beds in hospitals, assisting IN
the work of wiping out tuberculosis,
maintaining an employment bureau
and other philanthropic works. Dur
ing the past year the employment
bureau of the New York knights had
made O record of caring for so per
cent. of its applicants, he said.
Attacks ssHistory Trust"
The speaker attacked the history
writing trust of New England, wnicn
for Ave centuries had systenatieally
overlooked the prominent part wnicn
Catholics played in making the
United states the great country 1t Is
at present, he said. Although no men
ton had been made by certain MIS-
torian of the nationality OF the men
who had taken part In one OF the
famous New England battles of the
Revolutionary War, declared the
sneaker. this historians own work
leads to the discovery that there were
963 o'Briens in the regiment which he
praised SO highly. He continued:
sour Catholic parochial schools are
furnishing the greatest antidote TO
the dangerous Socialistic doctrine
which would build a great country
out of the clouds. A little less OF
eugenics and a little more of religion
would go long way toward solving
some of the important problems
which confront us today"
Mr.. Rorke in his talk attacked the
plan of teaching eugenics and sex
ology to young children, declaring
that nothing is more harmful to the
child than suggestion. which is about
all that these subjects would mean to
the young. He also took occasion to
denounce the latter-day sex problem
plays which are open to the inspec-
! ton of children for the price of adj
mission. The speaker asked the MEM
+ bers TO remain away from the play
house showing an indecent play, as
! his very attendance alone would act
as support of this enemy to any
community.
Mr.. Hopkins, principal of the Jersey
! City High School, responded to the
/ toast ideals" He spoke along the
same lines as Father Cantwell in
illustrating the great opportunities
| for good work offered to Catholic lay
men. He was followed by Assembly
man Hubert ]. Rowe. grand knight