Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 5 February 1914, Page 34

Notes

A Pumpkin Story If you are going to tell a pumpkin story, you may as well tell a good one. This, at least, appears to be the principle of the Sydney li idlcti/i , winch gravely relates the following ‘ real story ’ : A farmer told his son one day, in ray presence, to get his axe and chop a four-horse load off the pumpkin for market. The son said: If there’s more than one load in a pumpkin, it must be a big one. ’ ‘ "Rather.” says the farmer, with a broad grin. “I shoved the ladder against it and got on top to chop a load off last week. At the first lick I drooped the axe into the hole. So I lowered the ladder and went down inside to look for it. While walking about I lost my way, and met a man, who asked me what I was doing. 1 said, Looking for my axe.’” ‘‘No use, ole feller,” he replied.. I lost my team of bullocks here yesterday, and I bin lookin’ for ’em ever since A Dramatic Debate On the ,16th of August, 1913, the following decree was passed by the House of Representatives of. Columbia and became law, under the signature of the President:—' Law by which Public Worship is to be Rendered to Jesus Christ; . Article I.On the occasion of the First National Eucharistic Congress which is soon to take place, as a solemn and perpetual testimony of the faith and Catholicism of the nation, and to obtain the blessing of the Almighty for the lasting peace and enduring prosperity of this Republic, the Columbian nation, through its representatives, renders homage, adoration, and grateful thanksgiving to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in the august mystery of the Eucharist. Article 2.—This law shall be engraved on a marble tablet to be erected in a

place assigned by the Archbishop of Bogota, Primate of Columbia. Article 3. —The outlay involved in the execution of the - present law will be included in the Budget of National Revenue "and Expenditure for the present session;- ■ : * ... - At the close of the debate the following remarkable speech was delivered by the Hon. Representative for Antioquia, Senor' Mejia (of course, as is evident from the speech, the designations of political parties must v be understood in the sense which they hold in Latin America) — ‘ln the presence of this honorable assembly 1 wish most solemnly to register my vote in Support of this decree which has been introduced by my distinguished colleague Senor Dr. Casas. His motion, 1 believe, but expresses the feeling of the House. My position on rising to -sj>eak is this. ’ For forty-five years 1 have been a member of the Liberal Party. During that period of my life, I espoused the cause of Radicalism in its’ most extreme and exaggerated form. It would leave been strange indeed had it been otherwise. My father was a Liberal. My ancestors were Liberals. 1 breathed an atmosphere of Liberalism in my college days. All my -fellows were Liberals, and, being Liberal, I was of course an atheist, a. persecutor of the Church, a zealous propagandist of anti-Christian principles. As I am by nature intense -and unrelenting as an opponent. I have been the sworn foe of Jesus Christ, of His doctrines, and of His Church. Yes, against Christ and His Church have 1 fought with every means in my power. But I had the good fortune to see my error, to find the true and only way. Yes, profoundly stricken with remorse for my past life, which 1 now contemplate with horror, which for ever I cast away from me in disgust, 1 make this solemn profession in your presence, in the precincts of this House. I owe it to nothing less than the miraculous intervention of Divine Providence that I stand here to-day, for had I persevered in the abominations of my past life, from which, thank God, I wrenched myself free but four years ago, I would not be here in this illustrious assembly with the most distinguished men of my country. I would not enjoy the privilege of a share in the patriotic work of those who bear such an honored name in t public life. My right place would have been the convict’s cell. I, who until so recently was a slave of all wickedness, leading a life of unspeakable misery, the direct result of irreligion, I proclaim to-day that Christ lives, that Christ reigns, that Christ triumphs. And yet there have been a few Conservatives and Catholics who held that this discussion would serve no useful purpose. But the Conservative Party are the defenders of social order, and Christ is the foundation of that order. Others think that there is no sufficient reason for the -mention of God’s name in this House, no adequate reason why homage should be publicly and officially rendered to Him in the name of the people of Columbia, and such an opinion they hold despite the fact that God is the very base of the social edifice, the foundation! on which rest the world and the entire universe. Gentlemen, of my unhappv past, mv fearlessness alone remains to me. As I have hitherto so resolutely championed the cause of atheism, so will I henceforth acknowledge the faith of Christ, and with all the power of my being do I now and for ever profess that faith. I. am a believer, T am a Catholic, and therefore have I severed every link that bound me to my former colleagues. In this struggle for mv faith, T. am ready to make every sacrifice, even that of my life. Let my old associates insult me if they choose, let them * attack me. if they wish. Let them even assail my life. (Angry protests from the Opposition benches.) Listen to them. They are already beginning to hurl their ; insults at me. . - Heed them not. I despise and pity them.’ . • ■ * nw ••••■ •*•■•■• * : Sonor R. Casas then made the following fitting and happy reply : —M . congratulate the Hon. Senor Mejia most cordially . on his fearless discourse. If the splendid

profession of faith with which the hon. representative lias • concluded a very powerful speech were the -Only result of my motion, 1 should- consider myself amply repaid for having introduced it. Yes, gentlemen, Christ lives, Christ reigns, Christ triumphs.’