PRESENTATION TO REV BROTHER JOSEPH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 52, 26 April 1895, Page 6

PRESENTATION TO REV BROTHER JOSEPH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) The members of tbe Cbrislchurch League of tte Cross, desirous of marking their appreciation of the devoted ness and ability Bhown by their late esteemed president, Rev Brother Joseph, during the first years of the Society's existence, decided to tender him a complimentary social on bis return from the annual retreat. Great was the disappointment and regret not only of tbe members of the League bnt of the parishioners generally at learning that Brother Joseph bad been transferred to Auckland. Clergy and laity united in testifying their appreciation of tbe zaalous Brothers genuine worth and of the amount of good work h-a had accomplished during his seven years* labonw in their parish. Kind-hearted, genial, and ever ready to assist others, Brother Joseph was deservedly popula t amongst all classes of the community,? those outside as well as those within the Faith of Holy Ohnrch, but more esptcially amongst tbe young men of the parish in whom he always evinced the greatest interest. His loss to the schools will be a severe one. Under bis able gnidance tbe schools of the pro-Cathedral parish flourished wonderfully, the Diocesan Inspector passing the highest encomiums on the work of bis scholars and on the efficiency of the school in general. I might state that one of the two scholarships offered annually by St Patrick's Collage was secured by one of his pupils, Master Leo Fanning, and tbe same lad has since passed successfully his matriculation examination Besides this instance thera were several other pupils who have been successful in the Civil Service examinations. Tbe members of tbe League lost no time in preparing an address in which they expressed their keen sense of tbe loss they bad suetained, and their gratitude for the services rendered by Brother Joseph to (he Society. The illuminating consisted of an antique floral border surmounted by a profusion of shamrocks, the lower border being St Joseph lilies (true to life) and foliage. The frame was a dsep one of green plush. The work reflected great credit on the Sisters of Notre Dame de Missions, by whom it was executed.

A copy of the address, together with Brother Joseph's reply, appears below. « Obristcburch, St Joseph's Day, March 19,1895. To the Bey Brother Joseph, president (1893-4) League of the Orosß, Bt Patrick's Branch ; under the patronage of the Lord Bishop of Ohristch arch . The members of the above Society tender their heartfelt thanks to you, Brother Joseph, and, whilst wishing you every health and prosperity in your new home, desire at the same time to express tbe regret they feel at the loss of so able a president. Your removal to Auckland was to us a source of deep sorrow, especially as the success of the Society during the two years was mainly due to your untiring efforts in the c*use for which the League was promoted. You have left us, dear Brother Joseph, jußt when we fully realised the treasure we had obtained in yourself ; but as is tbe case in your state of life "obedience" being the first in sight, we can only second you in spirit In all that you shall do, atthesamj time saying with you "God's will be dune," and praying that God will (tend to us a president who, like you, will also sacrifice himself to the welfare of tbe young men of the League of tha Cross. Once more wishing you all benedictions on this your patronal feast-day, and many years to labour in jour new home— years that may bring forth fruits of goodness in all with whom you come in con 'act— we sign ourselves, on behalf of the Society— Bey Stephen Gumming*, V G., president ; James Benoel, Charles Shanty, James Young, vice-president! ; A.J. White, hon vice-president; Patrick Nolan, John Hennessy,' John Ormandy, John Peterson, Augustin Bagley, Cornelius Teban' councillors ; Michael O'Bielly, secretary ; Joseph Griffin, assistant secretary. To the chairman and members of St Patrick's League of the Cross, Christchurch, New Zealand.— Beverend chairman and gentlemen.—" Words fail me to give adequate expression to my feelings of sincere gratitude for the many kind things you have said in the fla'tering address of which you have made me the recipient. The consciousness of having done my best for tbe welfare of the League during the two years which have elapsed since its establishment in Cbristchurch, led me to expect tbe customary vote of thanks on my

retirement from the office of president, bat I bad not the sligbest idea that the expression of your appreciation of and gratitude for the services rendered by me to the Society would take such a substantial form. You can imagine my surprise and pleasure when I opened the case containing the artistically illuminated address. Great as are its intrinsic merits, I value it more highly as a souvenir of the cordial relations which have ever existed between us and of the happy years I spent in your midst. As one of the founders and first president of the Ohristchurch branch of the League I always felt that on me devolved, in a great measure, the r« sponsible duty of impressing on th« Society those distinctive characteristics which were to form its spirit and render it a powerful factor for good amongst the young men of the parish. You all know with what 'persistent iteration' I reminded you that besides the promotion of the cause of temperance we were associated together to mutually encourage each other to promote the fnquent and fervent reception of the Baoraments, profound respect for the Cbarch and the clergy and the moral and intellectual improvement of each other. The large attendance at the monthly communions of the Society and the great interest taken in the meetings amply testified how loyally the members supported me in my endeavours to bring about the desirable results. I cannot express the pleasure I felt on reading the report of your truly edifying celebration of oar national festival— the feast of St Patrick. May the League ever continue true to its traditions and may peace and prosperity ever bless its efforts to do good amongst the young men of Ohristchurch, I remain, yours faithfully, Bro. Joseph."