Current Topics

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 27 March 1896, Page 3

Current Topics

AT HOME AND ABROAD.

UNWHOLESOME BEADING.

Pabents are bound to ward off daDger from their children. There is decided danger in the pernicious literature of the day. Catholic parent! Bhonld exclude noxious leading. A Catholic newspnper should be found in every Catholic house. The Lancet, a medical paper, hat an important word to say on the subject of unwholesome booklets and newspapers :— " We would fain hope that those legal authorities who, in this country, represent the centor morum will, before long, find means of analysing the penny.dreadful and of including it witbin their Poisons Act, As an aid in the same work, though far too little used, we have already the great force of education. This weapon, indeed, has a double edge. By conferring the power to read it has opened a road to every mind for the widelydistributed germs of morbid fancy. It is bound by public duty to produce a remedy, and we have, in the meantime, no agent so reliable as it may easily become for the purpose of mental disinfection and invigoration. It is to its powerful influence, whether employed by a parent or a teacher — and a duty is incumbent upon both in this connection — that we mußt chiefly trust in order to attain this purpose. To forbid what is pernioious ia not sufficient. Parents and teachers alike must go farther and seek frequent oocasion, out of school or ia school, not only to expose the idle and mischievous, but to protect, as far as possible, the weak from temptation."

A MANUAL OF BACBED CHANT AND CEBKMONIES.

The Manual of Sacred Chant and Ceremonies written|Jby Monaigoor Verdon while president of St Patrick's College, Sydney, and pnbhshed by Finn B. others, is nieful for priests, invaluable for students, trnd serviceable ia many respects for choirmasters. The distinguished author has pat together in a|compact volume authentic and practical information for carrying out ia a correct and effective manner the beautiful ceremonies of our holy religion. "In compiling the manual," writes Dr Verdon, " I hate aimed at providing a useful tdition of the Vesper Psalme, hymns and chants, together with a clear and concise exposition of some of the Bacred ceremonies of our holy Chnrcb, especially the beautiful ceremonial of the Forty Hour's Adoration. While explaining the ceremonies I have been mindful of the admonition of our Apostle, 8t Patrick, Ut Christiani ita et Romani aitia (Book of Armagh, Fol. 9)." Few of our readers are seminarians, and therefora bound to acquire extensive knowledge of liturgical music and ceremony. Many of our readers, however, with praiseworthy zeal devote much leisure time to Bacred soog. Both of these classes, as well as the clergy, will find the manual interesting and highly instructive. For the special information of priests to whom the work will without doubt be a handy vade mecum we give the table of varied contents :— Gregorian Ohant, Psalmody, Ceremonies of Veßpers, Chants, Vesper Psalms, Hymns, Versicles and Anthems, Ben«diction of the Blessed Sacrament, Te Daum, Oereaonies of Solemn High Mass, Forty Houra Adoration, Litany of the Saiute, Pange Lingua. The work is particularly serviceable for Vespers, which when well carried out is a very impressive and edifying function. It were well that choristers, who pay such attention to elaborate Maßseß, would devote more lime to the psalma, and hymns, and anthems of Vespers. The Sunday evening devotions are largely attended in the citieß by non-Oatholics as well as those belonging to the household of the faith. Excellent remits follow the proper rendition of Vesper and Benediction music. In the years gone by scarcity of books and want of technical knowledge oould be pleaded by Catholic organists and choirmasteri. With mariuals such as this within eft By reach difficulties of long standing tie removed. A competent ttacher in a few lessons can make choristers master the principles of Gregorian chant contained in Dr Verdon's work. The children ofCatholio schools can also profitably receive instruction in Plain Chant from its pages. We know that there U considerable prejudice againßt " Plaia " Chant. This is not

to be wondered at, Modern music, ostcby and frivoloui, is only rendered after careful study and much rehearsal, Gregorian maiio gets as a rule a very poor chance of pleasing or edifying the people. Where choire, with whom unison singing finds little favour, do not seriously try to understand the beauty and appropriatenen of the true music of the Church, we mußt not be surprised that the forced rendition of a badly-reheaned Gregorian Chant is not appre* ciated by our congregations. When, however, a piece such as the " Pange Lingua," at the end of this manual, or the "Te Deuno," or the grand old " Salve " are intelligently given by a good volume of voices, the effect is fiae. the heart is turned heavenward and maiic fnlfils its function. We do not express the unpractical desire to hare Gregorian music very extensively employe! by the mixed ahoirs which generally obtain in these colonies. Tbe choirmaster has to make the beßt of tbe material at hand. Any sensible person, bow* •ver, cannot wish a meritricioua style of so-called sacred song, suitable perhaps to music-halls or theatres, but entirely out of place in and tbe house of God. The publication of this work at tha antipodes is another evidence that tbe pioneer days are passed. This manual, which distinctly helps on tbe cause of decorous worship; will be well received throughout Australasia. Honest effort, we believe, is now being made by choristers generally to meet tbe requirements of the Church in tbe matter of sacred music.

A BIVAL TO ELECTRICITY.

Thebe ig a rival power to electricity in compresied air, now need on some American railroade to clean cushions, floors, and windows. Tbt operation isdas* cribed by an exchange. Car cleaning in the States is usually performed by women. Instead of broom, feathtr-dueter, and chamois skin, " a hose, which contains compressed air, is ran into the car through the window or door, and the women, handling it as they would a garden hose sprinkling the grass, tarn the jet of hissing air upon the plueh cushions, and the dust flies oat. No whisk broom, willow paddle, leather strap, or beater, can get at the doit as compressed air does. The jet searches every crack and cranny and drives the dust from the very wood itself. Sometimes the women tarn tb« air npon the window casing and in a jiffy it is olean of dust." A maker of air compressors, referring to the contention of electricians that " this is the electrical age," said :—": — " Well, perhaps it is, so far M lighting, telephoning, telegraphing and welding goes, but when it cornea to the transmission of power they are talking too much. They have worked and studied for years to make an electric rock drill which would take the place of the air drill, but they have not succeeded. They have tried to make an electric train brake which would bring a limited express train to a full stop sooner than the automatic air brakes will do it, but they are ao far behind that they will never catch up. It will not be long before street cars will b« running with compressed air as the motive power, and they will ba safer, more easily controlled, will ran as fast, will stop quicker, will wear longer, and will be operated at less |ezpense than the belt electric system they can put on the rails. With a good air com* pressor air at any pressure oan be stored up in a reservoir or steel tank, and can be taken to aoy point within reasonable distance ai economically and with less waste than electricity can be sent by wirt. The air compressor is a pump which is part of a stationary engine. The piston in the air chamber first sucks the air in and then forces it through a pipe to the reservoir. Of course the more air one pumps into the reservoir the greater pressure to the square moo one gets. The compressed air works like steam, ezoept that it is cold and has not the expansive qualities of steam. But steam cannot ba carried through pipes out of doors to any great distance, for it would soon lose its heat, would condense and soon turn back to water."

BOYCOTTING AN OBANGE HALL,

A case of successful boycott ia reported from Ararat, Victoria. It seems the local Orangemen for some years have desired to baild aD " orange hall." This resolution wa» formed after tho opening of a Catholic Convent. Year after year, for aevtn yean, a resolution was passed affirming the desirability of having a " Protestant hall." The foundation was laid last May. The ceremony was a fizzle and tbe hall, on which there is now a debt of £1200, is a

white elephant. Offensive speeches made at the founda'i-n demonstration were followed by th« dismissal of a Catholic workman who happened to get employment at carting bricks, and by other acts of a mean and pe'ty nature. Fibers Cleary and Merde and their people have not been inactive. Using the local Press and other agencies, the nature and effects of Orangeism have been fully exposed, with the reaultthat the openiDg ceremony was also a fiasco, and now a " completely successful boycott " stares the rabid Orangemen of Ararat in the face. '• We ere anxious," writes an esteemed correspondent, " to teach our rabid local L. 0. L, that there are occasions on which it does not pay to indulge in eavage attacks on our Church." Evidently the Ararat Irishmen have been successful. Even conotrt and dramatic companies shy clear of the hall. The place was long a congenial soil for people of the Ohim'quy and Piddy O'Gorman stamp. Times are changing therej,aa elsewhere. The beating of the July drum and playing of the " Boyne water " no longer draw a crowd. Orangeism is a diminishing quantity. The action of determined Catholics and the attitude of sensible Protestants will compel the Orange tag-rag-and-bobtail to keep their abaße of fellow citizens and denunciations of the Pope for the dark recesses of their own Lodges,

ODDS AHD ENDS.

The Brains of the Sensitive Plant.— The sensitive plant fairly enamela the earth in Ceylon, growing wild from Adam's Peak to Point de Galle, multiplying its dainty, bell-like, pink blossoms, mingled with the delicate* feathery acacia. GrowiDg so exposed and in weed-like abundance, it is natural to suppose that it would become hardened, as it were, to rough usage ; but it is not so, as it retains all its native properties in exaggerated form, if possible. Our little hothouse specimens are cot more delicate or sensitive to the human touch than is this Ceylon mimosa. It is the most impressible of all knowa plants, and is appropriately named. Curious experiments will prove this. If a person will fix his eyes upon a special branch and slowly approach it, the plant is seen gradually to wilt and shrink within itself, as it were, before it is touched by the observer's hand. It is endowed with an inexplicable intelligence or instinct, and what appears to be a dread as regards rude contact with human beings. A few years since the writer was at Cereto, in the island of Cuba, where he was the guest of an English physician who was also a coffee-planter. While •itting with the family on the broad piazzi which formed the front of the bungalow, a thirsty sensitive plant was recognißed and made the Bubject of remark. The doctor called hia daughter of eleven years from the housj. " Lena," said he, "go and kiss the mimosa." The child did so, laughing gleefully and came away. The plant gave no token of shrinking from contact with the pretty child 1 " Now," eaid our host, " will you touch the plan! ?" Rising io do so, we approached it with one hand extended, and before it had eomo fairly in contact the nearest spray and leaves willed visibly, "The plant knows the child," said the doctor, "but you are a stranger." It was a puzzling experience, which seemed to endow the mimosa with intellig nee — Exchange

A priest in charge of a country parish down South, says the Cincinnati Catholic Trlegiaph, tired of trying to get a satisfactory honßekeeper among women folk, advertises for a " middle-aged man, •Ingle, and experienced in cocking, to keep house for a priest ; a good home to the right party." Woman has been driving man out of so many occupations that it is only fair that man should compe'e with woman on her native hearth.

I will not doubt, though all my ships at sea Come drifting home with broken masts and sails ; I will believe the Hand which never failp, From seeming evil worketh good for me ; And, though I weep because those sails are tattered, Sill will I cry, while my best hopeß lie shatter d, " I trust in Thee." I will not doubt, though all my prayers return Unanswered from the still white realm above ; I will believe it is an all-wise love Which has refused these things for which I yearn ; And, though at times I cacnot keep from grieving, Yet the pore ardour of my fixed beheviDg Undimmcd Bhall buro. I will not doubt, though eorrow fill like rain, And troubles swarm like bees about to bive ; 1 will believe the htights for which 1 strive Are only reached by anguish and by pain ; And thiugh I groau and writhe beneath my crosses, 1 shall see ever through my bitteiest lotses T. c greater gain. I will not donbt. Well anchored in this faith, Like some staunch ship, my soul braves every gale, So htrong its courage in, it will not quail To breast the mighty unknown sea of dea'h. Oh, may I cry, though bjdy parts with spirit, "1 do not doubt, ' co listening worlds may hear it, With my last breath 1

It was & story of severe trials and adventures among the natives of icy Alaska which a member of the Jesuit Order told in a Catholic Church here last Sunday, says the New York Sunday Sun of January 5. He described the life of the Jesuits and the Sisters who have carried their faith to the Yukon River and the shores of the Behring Sea. They become as Eskimos, build huts, wear the Eskimo drew, eat senl flesh or frozen meats, endure all the hardshipp of tbe Arctic weather, and have communication with the outer world bnt once a year. They carry a knowledge of Oathjlicism to the Pagans, teach ttiem to sing in Latin, and make them acquinted with civilisation. Archbishop Seghers was murdered by a madman, but recruits for the mission cao always be obtained. It ia a noble tale of Buffering aod bravery for the sake of r2ligion. Self-aacrificing women and men, truly, are these missionaries in Alaska. Their labours remind us of those of the early French missionaries in the wilds of Canada and in the frosty regions beyond Hudson Bay, though we must say that the climate of Alaska is even more trying at some seasons than that of Cpper Labrador. We hear so often that we live in an age of selfish, ness, mercenariness, and earthly-mindednesa that it is invigorating to learn of the Jesuit missions on the Yukon. There are men and women of oar generation who are ready to brave the tropics or the poles, the jungles or the deserts, for the sake of their religion, as ever wtre the men and women of any other generation of our race.