CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 19, 8 September 1893, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From oar own Correspondent.') Thbbb is a well-known fable about a handle of sticks and the boy that could not break them. 8o long as they were fast bound together he could not break them. Let eaob member of this Society bring a stout walking- stiok, let tbe president of the Society take a stoat rope and bind them firmly together. Where is the man in New Zealand that could break them T Bach wera ths introductory words of a very able and comprehensive paper beautifully read to a highly appreciative audienoe at the Literary Society's meeting on Tuesday last the Bdv Father Bell, lc a powerful and lucid manner the Bef Father demonstrated the all-importance of unity and organisation at' the levers necessary to raise Catbolics to a more equitable position in the State, and to secure for them their just dues in educational matters. Illustrating the power of unity be cited the foundation of the Jesuits under St Igoatios, when seven men bound together by the bonds of holiness and learning were formed into tbe heroic society which defied all the opposition of its enemies, and exercised a power-

ful influence for good over the whole world. Tbe foundation uf ths Franciscan Order by St Francis of Assist was also pited as an example of how twelve men bound together by the unbreakable ties of holiness and piverty completely changed the face of Europe. Bat the rev reader reminded them that unity, although of the first importance, was not the only thing necessary. An army without a leader was powerless, but a powerful leader and organiser could wield together a confused mass into a concrete and invincible whole. Tbeiefore it behoves them to select leaders. Constantino at one blow established Christianity at Boms. Charlemagne at a time when tbe inroads of Northern heretics had wrought most disastrous effects gathered together the scattered fragments of Christianity and formed the great Christian empire of tbe Franks. Passing on a thousand years and be came to a people " isled on the Emerald Isle, carpeted with shamrocks, and rich in the relics of generations of saints, " they bad suffered tbe most terrible oppression for ten generations. They were completely disorganised and were as sheep without a shepherd, when O'Uonnell appeared, the great gifted )aad glorious liberator, Daniel O'Connell. Catholic Emancipation and Home Rule are the results, and the name of the great patriot remains as a bright example to Catholics for all time. All these and many more illustrations were used by Father Bell to prove that by perfect organisation nad competent leadership tbe 20 000 Catholic men of New Zealand could press their claims in such a manner that it would be impossible any other than a success* ful result would ensue. He reminded Catholics that under the present Act they were drained to the extent of £40,000 pounds per year, and in considering the question of the sinews of war he said one shilling a month from our 20,000 Citholic? would realise £k 0,000 to fight the battle of Catholic claims iv Parliament, in the Press, and ou the public platform. In conclusion tbe rev Father said that he would never be satisfied until be s»w a complete organisation, available funds in the hands of oar Bishop and the daily prayers of 40.000 Catholic children which would mean victory. The paper was eulogised by the members and the president, and a vote of thankl recorded to the rev writer.

A moTement has been initiated to erect a suitable monument to the memory of the late Mother St Gabriel prioress of the Convent of Oar Lady of Missions, Ohristehnroh. It la proposed to place a memorial window in the Cathedral— the subject chosen (at the suggestion of the Sisters) is " the Annunciation," which was a devotion our late dear Ber Mother was particularly attached to. It is to be hoped that every member of the congregation will cheerfully give their mite towards this good work, and thereby assist in perpetuating the memory of one so honoured and so loved. A well-attended meeting of the League of the Crow was held on Friday evening last. The Bey Brother Joseph occupied the chair. Original papers were read by Messrs O'Beilly, Evans, Griffen and Young. It was decided that the business for the next meeting be an eloontionary contest for a valuable prise. At High Mass on Sunday his Lordship the Bishop read a letter which he received a few days ago from Very Bey Father Nioolet, 8.M., postulator of the cause of the servant of God, Bey Father Joseph Benedict Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Institute of the Little Brothers of Mary (Marist Brothers). Besides containing a most interesting epitome of the life of the holy priest, the letter announced that the commission appointed by bis Bminenee Cardinal fulou had the Processum Informatorum of his life, his virtues, and his miracles drawn up and deposited with the Sacred Congregation of Bites, by whom it was examined on the 12 th of January last. We may confidently hope that the cause of his beatification and canonisation will be speedily introduced. The Marist Brothers now number 68,000 religion*, with schools in 88 dioceses, In which there are more than 100,000 pupils. They are labouring in France, Spain* Belgium, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Tnrkty, Algeria, Cape Colony* Seychelles, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Chins, Canada, United States, and South America. At the Masses and Vespers on Sunday the prayers of the congregation were asked for the venerable Bishop of Duntdin, whose illness has caused widespread sorrow and sympathy in this diocese. We sincerely pray that, If it be God's holy will, he may be spared to us yet awhile, for we can ill-afford to part with that great champion of our holy Faith and our Fatherland. The first shot of the electioneering campiagn was fired by Eden George in the Tuam street Hall on Tuesday last. There was a very lively audience. Eden George deserves commendation for his perseverance and he means to get into Parliament by hook or by crook or die in the attempt. Amongst other things he admitted the justice of Catholic claims and expressed his disapprobation of the godless system of public instruction. He pledges himself to favour the consideration of our just claims and proposes to grant aid to Catholic schools to the extent of £2 per head for every child who passes the 4th standard. Why does he ignore the children who pass the let. 2nd, and 3rd standards 1 The Capitation grant to Government schools is nearly £4 per head for every child. We are entitled to payment at that rate. Yet Mr Georgt thinks we are satisfied to take half. No " No," Mr George, that falls far short of justice and must fail to satisfy Catholics. A Deaconess Institute has been established in Christchurch by Bishop Julius. When girls talked of riding bicycles people thought they were taking leave of their senses, and when we were threatened with that " horror of horrors," the reform dress, the howl of indignation set up knew no bounds. But it spite of it all, a great many of onr girls ride bicycles, and a few, just half a dozen, don the '< reform dress." It is no nnusual night to see a party of girlß go bowliDg along our streets on their bicycles dressed in knickerbockers and tnnic, and fears were entertained lest we should (like the proverbial eel) get used to the abomination. But the Women's Institute (to which those strong-minded ladies belong) have taken the matter up, and have decided to put it down with a firm hand. At a special general meeting held this week, a resolution was passed condemning the extreme views and practices of that section of the hygienic department, and rsoording its objection to the name of the Institute being need in connection therewith. The sooner that ridiculous and most unwomanly fad is stamped out the better.