The Irish standard., 1914-03-14
The Traditions of Irish Race En-
couraeed and Fostered by
Order
Influence of Ancient Order of Hi
bernians of international
Importance
Faith and Patriotism Have Ever
Been Guarded by Members
Everywhere

The following brief review Of the
wonderful work of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians have done in the cause
Of Catholicity in the United States
appeared recently in the Western
World. Every Irish Catholic should
be member of this great order.
During the past twenty-five years
the A. o. H. and ladies' auxiliaries
have paid out for sick and funeral
benefits more than $7,5OO,O0O. For
charity they have given during these
years the sum of $4,275,0O0. The
greater portion of this has been spent
for Catholic churches, as you will
notice by the windows, ETC., bearing
the letters A. o. H.
The A. o. H. was the first to set
the example in endowing a chair for
$4,000 at the Catholic University for
the preservation of the language, lit.
erature, history and antiquities Of Ire
land. 49,,
A striking example of the noble
generosity of the members of the or
der was furnished during the latter
part of 1906, when over $4,000 was
promptly raised for the members who
suffered in the San Francisco catas.
trophe. Financial aid was also rem
dered in sums of $1,000 to $4,000 to
sufferers in the Johnstown, Charles
town; Kansas and Galveston floods Of
recent years.
Along educational lines the work of
the A. o. H. has been effective.
States, counties and divisions have
contributed over $25,Oo0 to the work
of the Gaelic league and the eminent
president of the Gaelic league, DR..
Douglas Hyde, testified that we're 1t
not for the aggressive cooperation Of
divisions Of the A. o. H. and auxiliar-
les his recent American tour on behalf
of Irish Ireland" would not be sue
cess. Over 500 scholarships have
been established in colleges and acad-
emies throughout the land. and hun.
dreds of divisions offer large cash
prizes for students showing proficiency
In the study of Irish history and litera-
ture. During the year 1907 the ladies
auxiliary gave $4,000 to Trinity Col
lege, Washington, D. c., and members
of the auxiliary will compete for the
scholarship thus endowed. At the ma
tional convention held in the city Of
Chicago $4,000 was turned over to
the Catholic Church Extension So
ciety by the A. o. H. and ladies' aux
iliary to further the work now being
done by Rev. Father Kelly, in the
building of churches in the West and
Southwest, where the good "Soggart
Aroon" will gather together the scat
tered children Of the faith to assist at
the Offering up of the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass. This is great work, and
God will bless this order for this con-
structive work which has received
commentator from priests, bishops
and even the good Cardinal Gibbons
himself.
| Because it is carrying on great
educational campaign in teaching the
Irish people of America to respect
their greatest stock-in-trade, racial
pride and drive from the minds Of
many those false ideas which make
them ashamed of their Irish extrac-
ton.
Because 1t stands for faith and fa-
therland, and is, therefore, the only
Catholic society in which religion and
patriotism are twin ideals.
Because it has made and will con-
tinue to make war on all misrepre-
sentations of the Irish people on the
stage, in the press and elsewhere.
Many insulting caricaturing stage
productions have been driven out Of
business throughout the country dur
ing the past few years.
Because it stands for the principles
of Irish nationality and has always
given loyal support to the struggle Of
the Irish people for freedom and its
teachings inculcate spirit Of loyalty
to the great republic whose freedom
they helped to win.
Because more genuine fraternity Ok.
lists in . division Of our order than
in any other fraternal body; thus *.
fering q good opportunity TOR acQuir-
ing knowledge Of the history, iiter-
ature and achievements OF your raes
and . great help for the development
! ceasau.a .. R,s. !.