FATHER HAYS'S MISSION,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13266, 25 April 1905, Page 3

FATHER HAYS'S MISSION,

MEETING AT IVIOSGIEL. The liev. Father Hays continued his temperance addresses by sneaking at the A olunteer Hull nt Mosgiel last evening, when a very largo gathering-assembled, the building licing packed to tho doors. Tho arrival of Father Hays waa received with u round of applause. 'lhe Rev. \\. Kinmont was chairman, and he was accompanied by tho Rev. j'. AV. Bcrehaiu. The £hairiuau briefly introduced the speakei of tno evening. Father Hays, who was received with applause, spoke for an hour and a-quarter, and his remarks were followed with the closest attention by his audicnco. His bright humour speedily won the friendship of the meeting, which seemed to recognise the earnestness of purpose of the speaker and to pay li'.m duo rcspect accordingly. liis speech had none of tho orthodox violence of language apparently necessary to tho equipment of a prohibitionist Jccturer—indeed, it partook 111010 cf tho nature of a frieudiy chat, oftentimes humorous, cei-u----sionally anecdotal, but earnest throughout, and, as lias been said of another reverend father, ho "had a way with him," and his appeal to the young ■ people drew ready appreciation. In the courco of his address lie referred to this being a. democratic country where the working man was king. 110 went oil to say 1 hat- to "help the working people, and to assist them on the road to success, it devolved 011 iho country to bring about tht>_ sobriety of its people.—(Applause-.) Kvery eflort towards the social regeneration of the people must bo for tho benefit of the country. If New Zealand was to take that: place amongst nations that it was the aspiration of every true patriot it should take, then it must have a sober, industrious, and self-respecting people in order (hat they might carry with dignity tho honour of tfieir countiy.—(Applause.) lie cculd not understand how a mail with a love for country or with a spark of love for God in his heart could not see that intemperance was the great barrier between tho people and progress and enlightenment. AVhen ho came nut into the world to do Ins duty lo God he saw that if he was to attempt to do that duty he must first strike a great blow at tho enemy of the home and pcace and happiness of the working people. He had found that his friends were engaged in the liquor traffic, but lie had turned his back on his friends because he would not be a traitor to his duty. Against the argument that the drinking in this country was not by any means as great as in some other countries, ho said there was all the more reason for his work, for prevention was better than cure. . After giving some amusing reminiscences, he wc-nt 011 to Gay he bore no enmity to publicans; lie was their very good friend if they, would allow him lo be so. The one idea which every true patriot must have was an industrious people practising thrift and temperance. The liquor habit was boring its way into the very heart of the nation, paralysing its life and crippling its progress. Prayer against the evil wa3 not sufficient. His own idea was that prayer without work was a failure, and also work without prayer wxs a failure.—(Applause.) For the last II years lie had made up his mind that- he would not know any distinction of race or creed,— (Applause.) In the cause of tcoipcranco b» would work with any men, no matter what religion they belonged to or what race.— (Applause.) He had oomo to the conclusion that if lm was asked, in an honest and straightforward way, to.speak out the truth and to give to the people what from practical experience iie believed to ho the. supreme remedy lor this universal curse of iutemperance, 110 would tell them that it lay in personal total abstinence.—(Applause.) Ho kneiv there were many people who would not liko that because it was 11a'; a palatable subject. Ho found that if he preached a popular doctrine men chesred him; but if he pointed to the Cross of Christ and preached tho following of the Divine Master, then people turned their heads away. It was one tiling to preach Christianity ; it was quite another to practise it.— (Applause.) Ho found ihat his results were 500 per cent, better when he eaid, "I will not ask you to make a sacrifice that I am not prepared to make myself; take my hand and como along with me."—(Applause.) P>eferring to tho influence of heredity, iie mentioned the case of a child of six dying in Dublin Hospilal of delirium tremens—(A Voiee: " How do you know that?") Father Hays said because the doctors certified publicly to the authorities; that, was how lie knew.—(Applause.) He never mad& statements ho was not prepared to back t'p with authority. The mother of the child bad been :ui babit-ual drinker, and the influence descended to the child. He told how, when 110 strove to comfort an aged and hardened 1 criminal in Liverpool Gaol, the criminal had said, " It's no good, Father; save the boy and yon will save tho man." From that moment he had determined t ( hat in the temperance crusade the young 111011 and young women should bo his closcst. friends.—(Applause.) At the conclusion of tho address a hearty vote of thanks lo the speaker was carried by acclamation.