CONCERT IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 5, 2 June 1893, Page 6

CONCERT IN DUNEDIN.

On Wednesday evening a concert was given in aid of the Society of St Vincent de Paul at the Ci<y Hall, Dunedin. The Bey Father Lynch, who opened the programme with an address, alluded to the absence of the Bishop — expressing his regret at its unavoidable occurrence. He also, on his own part and that of the audience, gave a welcome to the Bey Father O'Neill, of Milton, who had just returned from his visit to Europe, and was present in the hall. The r«v gen* tleman then spoke as folio we :— Ladies and gentlemen, — There are many in this city who are unaware of the objects and methods of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The name is not frequently met with, unless when connected with the committal of a neglected waif to an industrial school, with an occasional entertainment for the poor, or the annual business meeting. It is not generally known, except by members of our own communion, that a vast amount of good is quietly and unostentatiously done by this excellent organisation. A few words on the constitution and working of this St Vincent de Paul Society Bhould form a suitable subject for my short address to-night. The Society consists of active and honorary members. The active members meet weekly, consider the claims of applicants for relief and do some work for the pcor. Visitors are told off to go to the homes of the sick and indigent Apsistance is given by cheery words, by wise counsel, and by supplying nectssary wants in the time of sorrow and need. All possible care is taken to fcelp only the deserving poor. No doubt cases of imposture from time to time may occur, but vigilant and experienced eyes quickly detect the fraud. When there is question of giving assistance no distinction is made between members of our own denomination and those of other persuasions — between Catholics and non-Oatholica. While all needy persons are helped, the religious convictions of God's poor are scrupulously respected, lam pleased to think that, as far

•» the fundi of the Society go, the odious distinction which sometimes obtains, even in the giving of charity, has found no place as yet in the work of our Dunedin branch of the 8t Vincent de Paul Society. Why should it ? We do not all agree in religious masters. 'Tis true, unfortunately, we walk in different paths. Is that any reason why the fount of charity should be dried up, because, forsooth, the applicant for relief happens to conscientiously differ from us ? I believe that, while we keep steadily to our convictions, we should not allow Mligioos belief to interfere with oar ordinary social duties, and, above all, with the giving of charity. Why should I, a Catholic, speak unkindly, think unkindly, or act unkindly, when there is question of a non-Catbolic fellow-citizen? I may disagree with his opinions and creed. Why should I find fault with hiß using the liberty of conscience I claim for myself ? Our Great Teacher did not speak unkindly, Jew though He was, to the woman of Samaria, and, in the well-known parable, a Ssmaritan is commended by our Lord for showing mercy to the enemy of his race and religion. Charity must not be restricted by the bounds of church extension. In works of charity we can all, Catholic and non-Catholic, meet on a broad, common platform. Here we can work together without fear of violating any principle of religious belief. Charity is common to all religions.

" In faith and hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity." Some of the active members of our Society visit the hospital regularly, and I kaow their visits are much appreciated by sufferers. Here also we make some distinction between patient and patient not as far as kindness and ordinary cheerfulness are concerned, but in the matter of religion. The visiting members are required not to interfere in any way with the religious belief of patients. That is the wise law of the institution, and it is the regulation for our members generally in carrying on their lan lable work. It would be well if all visitors to places of this kind were strict on this point. The zeal of the goody-goody stranger, for instance, who, in my own recollection, worried a poor fellow at death's door, by placing in his hand a bloodcurdling leaflet describing a drunkard's death— is scarcely to be commended. We all err in many ways. We should not err in this respect. I am nappy to be able to say to-night that I b>lieve true charity is extensively practised in Dunedin— the 8t Vincent de Paul Society has not the monopoly of benevolence— when I tell you that the ladies of this Association are always readily assisted by the members of kindrtd organisations, you will rejoice that sectarian difference does not, in this city, interfere with Christian charity. I have thus referred to the non-sectarian character of our work, because of some misunderstanding in the minds of many non. Catholics. 111 1 fact, I have been requ.sted to take public occasion to make this matter quite clear. It is not to be SDpposed that the Society can give assistance to all and sundry who ap^ly to it. Its •cope, through want of means, is necessarily restricted. We have to rely on the subscriptions of honorary members and the donations in kind of a few friends. Now, what constitutes honorary membership f Who can be honorary members ? Any person whatever may become an honorary member by paying the modest sum of eixpenceiper month. That is eurely doi a large amount when there is question of relieving sorrow. Even the ordinary poor manage to deny themselves to more tl an thit extent for their suffering fellows. " There are, while human miseries abound. A time and ways to waste superfluous wealth "

We do waste and do but little to check human woe. Yoj will agree with mo that this should Dot be, and I hope you will agree with' me also that the systematic relief of the poor is to be fostered and encouraged. We hear » Ijt of twaddle now-a-days about ihe brotherhood of man. A sixpence given to help the poor is worth a whole volnme of inexpensive charity. The founder ef this Society, Vincent

de Paul, the great French philanthropist, was a man of action. His service to the poor lives in the memory of the people of France. To this day his spiritual daughter, the Sister of Charity, is looked upon in Faris as an angel of mercy, even by thoee who have thrown over religion and adopted anarchy as a profession. In all sorial disturbances she moves about in her holy work unharmed among human tigers thirsting for blood. She has controlled the communards when all ether authority was set at naught. She it respected becauss she has the true spirit of Bt Vincent, who was the true friend of humanity. The ladies' association of charity, formed by St Vincent, endeavours likewise to carry out his noble ideas. They are deserving of out recognition and practical support. I am sure I express your wish when I desire that their Society may flourish in our midst and even increase in utility. I have now a pleasant duty to perform, to thank yon for your at'endance and by anticipation to thank those ladies and gentlemen who will, I am sure, give us a great tre=»t this evening. Most of you, I take it, are honorary members. All of you assist the poor by your presence to-night. Therefore, in the name of God's poor, I thank you all here present. I can Bay trnthfnlly in the words of the poet : " Think not die good, The gentle deeas of mercy thou hast done Sh-Ul be forgotten all ; the poor, the pris'ner, The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow, Who daily own the bounty of tby haad Shall cry to heaven and pull a blessing on Uiee."

The ladies who took part in the vocal music were the Misses M. Morrison, R. and K. Blaney, Rolfe and Mills. Miss Morrieon sang with her accustomed sweetness, Mattel's " Dear Heart " ; Miss K. Blaney sang Hullah's " Three Fishers," scoring a marked success. She also took part with Miss R. Blaney in a duet, Verdi'a " Peace to thy spirit " in which both young ladies gained their usual laurels, and in a quartett at the end of the evening. Misses Rolfe and Mills eang in a very enjoyable manner the duet Denza'B " Nocturne " each young lady afterwards contributing a very pleasing solo, respectively, Balfe'u " Killarney " and Glover's " Blind girl to her harp " ; Miss Rose Blaney gave a charming rendering of Philp's " Andalusian Maid." 1 he audience proved their powers of appreciation by loud applause, and an undeniable demand for encores. Miss X, Moloney and Miss Burnes, payed respectively as brilliant piano solos RafFs " Polka de la Reine,'' and Kowalski's '• Ton Troterr." the Misses Bolton and Schlotel played with fine taste and execution as a duet for violin and harp " The last rose of summer." Mr H. B. Smith contributed two fine songs, Christabel's " Maid of Athens," and Moocrieff's " Creole love Bong," taking part also in a quartette wi'b the MUsts Blaney and Mr Jones. Messrs Mouat and Joel gave a spirited and intelligent recital of the scene between Brutua and Cassiua from Shakespeare'd " Julius Ca^ar." The National Anthem was sung at the conclusion cf the programme.