THE MISSION IN SOUTH DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 35, 28 December 1883, Page 18

THE MISSION IN SOUTH DUNEDIN.

?£w < o?Fri!f le *—^ Slened " Sympathiser " aPP 6^ 6S in the-2>«% tJ~ nn f °vS e a ? reafc deal has been said written of late on the statt or life— viz., the rise in the price of bread and meat. The spiritual staff— the life of the soul— appears to be of no value, as it nas been passed unnoticed. ™- -fl*.l^"f I *. l^"? 11 to be re g retted . Sir, some of your reporters not having visited this locality recently with a view of taking notes so as to publish a brief outline of the good and pious work carried on during a mission of the Redemptorist Fathers, the Eev. Fathers O'Farrell and Hegarty, at St. Patrick's Church. The former pastor, with unremittmgpiety and energy, devoted bis sole time to the good work ot the mission. The instructive discourses and eloquent sermons delivered during 10 days ending Wednesday last, 12inst., are well worthy of notice, and will long be remembered on this Flat, a place 80 uv flom time to time for unbecoming and stormy debates on public matters. It was most remarkable that dnring the mission calmness and tranquility prevailed throughout. The streets and thoroughfares leading to St. Patrick's were the centre of attraction from 6 o clock in the morning until midnight. Hundreds daily passed through, and thronged the sacred edifice, who, with contrition approached the holy altar, receiving the spiritual Bread of the soul — an act of atonement many perhaps for years' had neglected to perform. No placard or symbol of mockery was displayed calling sinners to repentance. At intervals throughout, the church bell solemnly tolled aloud, notifying the glad tidings of devotion, which caused numbers to flock and rally round the Divine standard kneeling at the foot of the cross in atonement for their sins. Many of other denominations attended daily the evening services, all of whom acted with humility and decorum, and appeared much impressed with the discourse and eloquence of the good pastors. The Rev. Fathers throughout the mission dwelt much on the motives and occasion of sin ; also the manner in which it should be avoided. The public-house and intemperance were represented as Satan's most deadly weapon, and the forerunner that leads to all other crime. The Rev. Father .O'Farrell very truly stated that Saturday nights are the most conspicuous for profligacy. Ou Saturdays working men and others aro paid their wages, on receipt of which they rush to the public-house, where they spend the night in debauchery—drinking and gambling. Consequently, tbrongh over-indulgence in the poisonous liquid, they are unable to attend their different places of worship on Sundays. His reverence also stated that a person resorting to a hotel, and in the habit of getting drunk therein, commits a mortal fin every time that person enters the said hotel, although in so doing he does not at all times get drunk. During the discourse, I assure you, Sir, I could not refrain fiom glancing round the edifice to see. if any host or hostess were present. Well now, Sir, if those who attended the mission adhere to the vows made, hotels on the Flat after a time will diminish ; so will all bad houses, and crime will decrease ; our churches will be better patronised on Sabbath Days ; our homes and firesides will become more cheerful ; our children will be better provided for, better fed, better clad, etc., and they will have reason to rejoice in remembrance of that day when the Redemptorist Fathers visited them. The name of the Rev. Father O'Farrell will long be cherished by all well-dis-posed South Dnnedinites. His pious and charitable acts while amongst them will be banded down to posterity. The local pastor, Father Purton, is also worthy of thanks for the active part taken in assisting andjuoinoliag the object of the mission.