Year: 1877




at the last National Convention the follow
ing letter from the Bishop of Natchez was
read:


will be heartily united with you in spirit. ]
Will remember you very particularly on that
day, and hope on the following day, being
the Feast of the first Saint of America, st
pressly for Gods favor to the Total Abstinepce
Union men and to all the forts made agsinst
the terrible sin of intemperance. We see a
great many associations for this end--rnn rap
out, too often only leaving ashes TO mark
where they have passed. Whatever there has
been of more efficacy and stability in our
Catholic societies, is owing precisely to their
members using the means God gives them in
his Holy Church, especially the Sacrapents
and prayers, and their continued existence and
entirely on the fidelity with which the men,
bers continue to draw life and vigor from the
same source The Vicar of Christ has given
the opportunity of the Church to q special de-
sin of intemperance, the devotion in honor
of the Sacred Thirst of Our Lord upon the
Cross 1t is mot for you to say whether i. is
advisable for me to make formal adoption of
this by rule or resolution {: but certainly every
me mber who will adopt it for himself, and en-.
courage it's use among his friends. will render
a very sure and very powerful! help for the or
resting of intemperance. Aud another most
powerful support will be obtained, if mothers
and sisters and daughters. ard the devout-
female sex in general will unite in this and
other devotions directed to the same end.
" Unless the Lord build the house they labor
in vain who build it,"


remain very cordially your friend and SER
want in Christ,


WILLIAM HENRY ELDER,


Bishop of Eatche Z, Miss.


TINE RESOLUTIONS.


From the Resolutions adopted at the Con-
vention, We take tie following as being Of
general interest:


That all societies try to place aud keep them
selves upon the soundest Catholic basis, living
in sweetest harmony with it's clergy, following
and not dictating the advice given, and thu
aiding them in the common cause of q nobler
Christian manhood.


That as intemperance is frequently the re-
suit of misguided or neglected religious in
struotion, We urge our members to do their ut
most by word and by act to second the noble
efforts made to-day by Mother Church for
the fostering of the Catholic education of our
Catholic children.


That in order to possess every means of OBJ
tanning Gods blessings, We heartily repeat the
recommendation of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Of this
Diocese in regard to the devotion of the Sacred
Thirst of our Saviour, and We would gladly see
this devotion enter into the practical life of
every member.


bers of the Union to all Catholic papers, and
more particularly to those who advocate the
cause we love 30 dearly.


The Communion of st. Stephens Total Alb
stinence Society at st. Stephens Church last
Sunday, was attended by all it's members and
some from other Societies. To those last we
are requested to tender the thanks of the
Spiritual Director and officers and members of
st. Stephens for their attendance, which to
many involved, among other inconveniences,
that of long trip at an early hour in the
morning.


At the meeting of st. Theresas Society, Sun
day, five new members were admitted. This
Society is making very steady progress, and
will present fine appearance on the 14th
October.


st. Joseph's Society will meet this evening.
See notice on fifth page.