AFRICAN MISSIONS

New Zealand Tablet, 28 July 1910, Page 1186

AFRICAN MISSIONS

The Very Rev.„Father O’Sullivan started his campaign of the Auckland diocese in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Sunday week. At the last Mass, and-especially in'the evenmg, when the vast building was thronged almost to its utmost capacity, there were record congregations. In the course of his addresses the preacher said that he sought financial assistance for the poor necessitous missions he represented, not through any collections whatever either in the church or at the homes of the people, but solely and exclusively through his public lectures. The Cardinal Prefect of the Propaganda had approved and blessed his mission not merely because of the deserving nature of the object, but also because the system he adopted excluded all semblance of begging. Father O’Sullivan’s first lecture in Auckland was delivered to a well-filled house in - the Hibernian Hall on the following Tuesday evening. Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, Administrator of the diocese, presided, and in introducing the lecturer cordially welcomed him to Auckland, and strongly commended his work. Father O’Sullivan, he said, was not quite a stranger, for many years ago he had visited the diocese on a similar mission. The lecture on Thursday evening dealt with the. West African mission field of the society, and was beautifully illustrated by a magnificent succession of colored limelight views. The Hon. J. A. Tole presided, and in his introductory speech said that those of the audience who-had heard the lecturer’s leoquent addresses in the Cathedral on Sunday and the graphic word-painting in his lecture on Tuesday evening would expect an intellectual treat, and would not be disappointed. In proposing a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the lecture, the Hon. Mr, Tole made eloquent reference to the Christian heroism of the missionaries of West Africa, of whom more than four hundred had given their lives there for the propagation of the faith within the past fifty-one years. Father, O’Sullivan is the guest of Mgr. Gillan at St. Benedict’s presbytery during his stay in Auckland. On Wednesday of this week he lectured in Devonport, the Mayor of that suburb presiding; and on Friday he lectures at Ponsonby. On Monday, August 8, he lectures in the Choral Hall, Auckland. The Hon. J. A. Tole will preside at the two last lectures.