OPENING OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC READING ROOM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 244, 4 January 1878, Page 15

OPENING OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC READING ROOM.

A nUMEBOUSLY-attended meeting of Roman Catholics was held recently, in St. Patrick's Hall, Hobson-street, on the occasion" of the opening of a reading-room in connection with' the Christian Doctiine Society. Among those present, besides the chairman, were — the Rev. Fathers W. Macdonald, O'Dwyer, and' Grange, 1 and' Mr. J. T. Boylan, and other well-known citizens. Precisely at eight o'clock the Very Rev. H. J. Fynes, Vicar-General, took the chair, and immediately opened the proceedings. The Very Rev. Chairman delivered a lucid address, explanatory of the objects of the Christian Doctrine Society, and the general advantages to be derived by Catholic young men from its operations, He announced that a library, containing a vast amount of standard moral and religious literature, was in the possession of the Society, and open to • the public at a merely nominal charge. Father Fynes adverted, in a few pregnant sentences, to the spread of indifferentism in the nineteenth century, and the urgent need of co-operation among Christian workers to stem the tide of infidelity and godlessness. He referred amusingly to the free-thought lecturer recently in this city, satirising that gentleman's remark that it was reserved for the nineteenth century to witness the unfettered development of true thought, and the fearless expression of it. Talk of the Dark Ages ! said the preacher, they were ages of spiritual wealth in comparison with, ims t irreligious and morally degraded century. He exhorted his hearer's td warmly second the efforts of ' the young men of the , Christian ' Doctrine Society to supply reliable religious intelligence from all parts of ttie' 'world for the benefit of the Catholic community, and stated that the leading Catholic newspapers and magazines of the United Kingdom and America could be always found in the Reading Room. Illustrated and comic papers would also be found there to relieve the mind. The very rev. gentleman concluded with a few eloquent remarks on the advantages of pious reading and the cultivation of Christian morals. — Mr. J. T Boylan spoke on the immense importance to Catholics of being well represented by the Press. He asserted, however, that the opinions of Catholic papers should be as open to criticism as those of the secular Press. He concluded by moving, " That this meeting pledges itself to warmly foster and support the library and reading-room of the Christian Doctrine Society." This was agreed to. Father Walter Macdonald, in a few apposite remarks, proposed a vote of thanks to the Very Rev. Chairman, which was carried by acclamation. The reading-room was tastefully decorated by flags, and the tables set off to advantage with flowers, &c. General commendation was given to the members of the society for the activity they had displayed in advancing the interests of the society. — Auckland, Paper.