CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 287, 1 November 1878, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY SOCIETY.

* (From a Correspondent.) A LECTUitE in connection with the above society was delivered in St. Patrick's Hall, in this city, on Wednesday evening, October 23, by Mr. Nolan, a member of the society, who took for hit. subject " The Catholic origin and signification of "some words." The chair was filled on the occasion by the President of the society, Mr. Gcgan, supported by Father M'Namara. Shortly after eight o'clock°the Chairman, in a few brief remarks, introduced the lecturer to the meeting, the Hall being pretty well filled by members and the outside public. Mr. Nolan at once made himself perfect^ at home with his audience, whose wrapt attention lie engrossed throughout his entire lengthy discourse. In bis introductory remarks the lecturer showed that there were a great many words, commonly in use in the Entrlish language, that were truly Catholic in their oiigin, and had, to Catholics, a really beautiful meaning, and, closely identified as they aie. *^ v our holy religion, were full of expression and sublimity : but tuese surroundings taken away, were almost meaningless. "In dealing with the wurd AngeVus, the lecturer illustiatcd hi.s remarks by draw* ing a beautiful imaginary picture in connection with a painting after one of the old masters — the Angelas. At this portion of the lecture Mr. Nolan fairly drew down the house by his remarks, which were truly poetical and full of pathos. During the discoi rse the following woids were introduced, and their oiigin and signification explained in a manner which showed that the lecturer had studied his subject thoroughly :— Christmas, Angelus, Martyr. Traitor, Mont dc Pi'otu. Lady, Chapel, Convent, Cloister, Monastery, Vocation, Protestant. Jebuh, Church, .See. The names of some sizes of type used in print- j ing were also shown to be closely identified with Catholicity, a great many of the names being taken from prayeis used during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and receiving their appellations from the fact of their being first used on the introduction of the art into England, by Caxton, iv printing Catholic works. The lecturer traced the following names, by which the types are known in our printing offices to this day, to a puicly Catholic origin :— Canon, Augustine, Pica, Primer, Bic\ier, &c. The lecture, which was listened to with attention by an appreciative audience, occupied about two horns, and during its progress Mr. Nolan was frequently applauded. At its conclusion, a vote of thanks, propo-cd by Mr. Mahalm in a neat and humoiors speech, and seconded by Mr. Kerr, was passed to the leetuicr. A vote of thanks was then tendered to Father M'Namara, proposed by JMr. Korr, and seconded by Mr. O'Connel ; and aftor a recitation spiritedly rendered L>/ tin" President, th; meeting was eluded with prayer.