THE HOLY FAMILY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 13, 28 July 1893, Page 15

THE HOLY FAMILY.

At the weekly meeting, at St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, of tbe Arch-confraternity of the Holy Family on Tues lay evening reference was again made to tho desire of the Sovereign Pontiff that Christian families should consecrate themselves to the Holy Family of Nazareth. The rev director gave a lecture on the famous Jesuit Reductions of Paraguay. He described the state of the Indians, the tyranny of tha Spanish colonists, the noble and fearless conduct of the Fatherß of the Society of Jesus in resisting the oppression and demoralisation of a conquered race. Tbe Jesuits as missionaries were always remarkable for the heroic disinterestedness of their work and the success of their labours. A touching story was told of Father Ortega, who, with some companions, was surprised K y a storm. A flood followed, the water rose, and the whole party had to c imb into trees for safety. They suffered terribly from exposure and hunger. On the third day a cathecbist swam to where the Father was clinging and told him that hid companions were dying. At once the in'repid Jesuit plunged into the water, reached the poor fellows with much difficulty, hurriedly instructed the catechumens for the last time and haptised them one by one. They were all drowned with one exception. The waters which were their destruc ion were also the means of their salvation, The Father escaped death to undergo trials ionumerab'e and to help in winning multitudes to Christianity. Father Lynch epoke of the " Encomienda," or forced service of the Indians, as a veritable slivery. The cruelty of their co-religionist white men, and the vices introduced by the Europeans, were the gieatest obstacles to tbe misbionanes in their work of civilisition and conversion. The black robe was looked upon with apparent reason as a traitor who decoyed them into the snare of the bated " Eneomienda." That reMgiun triumphed and the Jesuit Fathers succeeded for even a comparatively short time was truly miraculous. The work prospered only when the priests, with royal authority, went away from European vice to tbe trackless woods, and in secluded spots gathered, by Bkilful expedients, the natives around them, gave ibem tne bleseing of tru-? civilisation while they taught them the gospel of psace. The sweet songs they sang as the canoes glided along the beautiful streams attracted the Indians, and by their soothing influence prepared the wav for amicab'e relations and the reception of the new teaching. The Fathers, after the fashion of the country, erected and lived in " tolderias " or " wigwams." They then built a, little church, and around their modest dwe'liDg a settlement grew, plantations were gradually made, and the " Reduction " was formed. The lives led by tbe new]y-converttd and the communal arrangements remind one forcibly of tbj enrly OhriatiaDP, Father Ly eh promised to give, at next meeting, a de 1 ailed description of ihe foundation, the organisation, and rlaally the destination of these famous " Beducione*." The subject, apart from historic interest, would be instructive because of the recent departure of several hundred souls from Australia for South America, who were determined to found a new colony, subject to the Government of the country, in wbicb a certain community of goods would be a prominent feature.