Gilpin observer., 1914-09-17
.H|BERN|ANS HOLD SUCCESSFUL MEETING

On last Thursday afternoon, in the
A. o. q. w. hall, the thirty ninth
biennial convention of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, was convened.
The convention was called to order
by the Rev. Bernard E. Naughton,
who in few most pleasing and lap
py remarks, introduced Judge w.
c. Matthews, who welcomed tie as
sembled delegates to Central City
and Gilpin county on behalf of the
mayor and city officials. Following
Judge Matthews address of welcome,
which was filled with many splendid
tributes to the character and labors
of the Irish people both at home and
abroad, State President Balfe, on be-
half of the delegates. expressed their
pleasure in being in Central City,
and also expressed tie hope that tie
convention would be most success
full one in every way. Miss McDon-
aid made a few remarks along the
same lines, as the representative of
wise assembled here for their con-
vention. After the opening prayer,
President Balfe proce eded with the
regular order of business.
On Friday morning at 10 o'clock,
solemn high mass was offered in st.
Mary's church, at which all the del
egates assisted in regalia, having
marched to the church in a body.
The full quota of altar boys was in
the sanctuary, 32 in number. The al
tars were most beautifully decorated
and a special and splendid musical
program was rendered for the occas-
ion. The officers of the mass were
as follows: State Chaplain Rev. T. j.
Wolahan, celebrant; Rev. B. E.
Naughton, deacon; Rev. G. Burke.
sub-deacon Father Naughton deliv-
cred a forceful sermon on tie I'D
eals of True Citizenship" taking for
his text, Render to Ceasar the
Things that are Caesars" He en-
phasized in a most special manner
the necessity of proper understand
ing and fulfillment of our duties to-
ward God and toward the state. Such
he said were insepar2ble, one being
the expression of the other. Con-
sequently real, true, sincere patriot
every good Catholic citizen as such
conduct in his life was sanctified
by motives of religion. He. dsplored
the malicious and unAm erican attacks
made upon the church by some So
called patriotic citizens and said that
undoubtedly much of the abuse heap
ed upon the church was due to ina
bility of so many Catholics to ex-
plain and answer intelligently con-
cerning their faith when requested
by non-Catholics to do so. Here he
and importance of disseminating
Catholic literature and likewise for
the necessity Of splendid, generous
report on the part CT the laity for
the Catholic press. By comparison
he asked why it was that If tLose
opposed to Gods church were willing
and anxious to spend even milliors
of dollars to stop her progress by
bigoted misrepresents tions of her
highest teachings, that her own sons
and daughters were often so unwill
| ing IN sunnort tho CatIoIio nracs and
why so frequently they were lax in
this duty by their own failure to give
personal subscription to some Cath
olic paper He referred in particu
lar to the Catholic R gister. of Den
YER. paper which weekly should be
found IN every Catholic home in the
diocese. He mentioned also The Am
erica, published by tie Jesuit Faith
ers, and The Little Sunday Visitor
all of which papers he said would dc
much to counteract the evil influ
ence and harm done by that miser
able. unclean sheet, The Menace. He
concluded by exhorting all true Hi
bernians and Daughters of Erin te
use their influence everywhere EOS
sible for tie support and spread o.
the Catholic press. Finally he de
clared that their lives as Catholics
and in particular, as members o
these two organizations. the A. o
II. and Daughters of Erin Should a
all time be so perfectly In accord
ance with those high Christian prin
ciples of life and acton that thei
lives would be in word glory t.
their God, a credit to their countr,
and an honor to their church.
Following the services in st. Mary
church, the delegates assembled 70