Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-06

| NaIlOHaI D1fectOf
 | With notable addresses by National Director William J. Mulligan Of | ThompsonvfEle, State Lecturer Rev
 v. A. Keefe of Piainfield si+ and Thomas @aas | Council, No. Is. Knights of Columbus, held a ladies' night, in the assembly | hall, Sunlight building, Monday even | ing that proved to be one of the most enjoyable occasions in the history Of Everything considered. it was 8 re- markable gathering of the knights. and filled the large auditorium and over flowed into the two adjoining rooms, I which are connected with the assem- bly hall by large folding doors.
 I Besides the addresses by the several speakers a musical programme was presented consisting of solos and cho- rus singing by The Columbus Choral Society, a feature that met with the enthusiastic approval Of the aualence spontan applause that greeted each number. l Grand Knight J. A. Desmond pre- sided and opened the exercises by very graciously welcoming the guests of the evening and expressing the pleasure which it gave the council to see the large attendance of ladies
 The first number on the programme was the singing of The Star Spangled Banner by the Choral society. in which the audience joined, standing. The conclusion of the song was the signal for an outburst of true American sp1r- 1t and applause that was long sus- tained. This was followed by The Bridal Chorus from Rose Maiden by Tie Columbus Choral society, a so!o entitled Darlin' by Miss Nellie J. Buckley and solo. Out on the Deep by Horace F. Corning. accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Sullivan
 State Lecturer Heard.
 Grand Knight Desmond then intro
 duced State Lecturer Rev. William A. Neefe of Plainfield who spoke on The
 Advantages of a Permanent Home A
 great outburst Of applause greetea a. ther Keefe as he arose, he being
 particular favorite in Norwich and es-
 pecially so in a Knights of Columbus
 gathering. After paying glowing
 tribute to the work of the local coun-
 cil the speaker said:
 This campaign for a permanent home
 for the almost 5G0 members or the To-
 cal council of Knights of Columbus
 The members of this council have never failed to lead the way in every undertaking of our churcres. hospi- tas Board of Trade, Chamber of Conmerce and kindred orgsnlzadons of every race, creed ana color, in be- half of the religious, charitable or in dustrial welfare of Norwich. Who would be so ungrateful as to refuSe 10 reciprocate by helping these same Knights of Columbus now in their campaign for a home where their mo- ble zeal may be encouraged and their good works multiplied?
 Deserves Public Encouragement. As a movement in behalf of the most practical and progressive social re- form this campaign deserves the heartiest cooperation of every pro- gressive citizen. There is not fair minded man or woman who can deny that one of the most dangerous infiu- ences which threaten to destroy the ideals of Christian home and church and school is the so-ca1led club and amusement place, too frequently the only recreation and social center, in- viting the young men who are natural " sthirsting for pleasure and compan- ionship after the laborS and tolls of the day are done. Whether we like it or not, we must admit that the club whose chief asset is a bar and whose attractive feature is a Sunday license must sooner or later weaken and in many instances absolutely destroy the morality and good habits of it's mem bership. Talk to any man wEc under stands the situation we'll read the re- ports of hearing only last week in our state legislature, study any honest ar ticie on publdc morality and you will | be convinced in a thousand ways of the truth of my assertion.
 What is the Remedy? Then ask What is the remedy for | this serious social disease?'' Who can | deny that our only hope lies in the establishment of social centers where | the habits of our young men are guarded, liquor, gambling and other vices are forbidden, and ali sorts of | legitimate recreation is affol Ged under auspices that tend to deve-op the mo- blest teachings of home and church and school. If we do not provide proper environment then other inf1u- ences will continue their vicious work We may preach and teach aud warn as we will, but unless we back up all our words by practical action cur young ! men will soon forget and fall among dangerous influences that never sleep Where is My Boy Tonight?
 This Knights of Columbus campaign deserves the help of every employer I who from the purest business point of view realizes that he must be intense 1y interested in the social life of his employees after labor hourS. If the young man spends his evenings where Christian ideals pfevail there is no danger of his fidelity and ability in the N 4