AUCKLAND NEWMAN SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, 30 July 1914, Page 43

AUCKLAND NEWMAN SOCIETY

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.)

Ihe July meeting of the Auckland Newman Society was held at St. Mark's Convent, Ponsonby, yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. There were some seventy members present, and Rev. Brother George occupied lie chair. A good deal of correspondence from members of Parliament, declaring their " opposition to the socalled referendum for the introduction of the Bible into the State schools of the Dominion was read and favorably received at the meeting. The principal business oi the afternoon was an address delivered'by Rev

Father Doyle on Gray’s ‘ Elegy.’ Father Doyle pointed out that some of the most beautiful elegies in the whole world are to be found in English poetry. He said Gray was the laureate of the poor, and out of their round of toil, their simple annals, and then- narrow cells he built up the e ) e b r • file central idea of the poem was that man is great not by virtue of the magnitude of his duties. The charm of Gray s work rests in the simplicity and universality of its thought, enshrined in Language at once clear, beauteous, and harmonious.

An interesting discussion followed the address, in which most of the members took part. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Father Doyle for the interesting matter he had placed before the meeting. It was decided to hold the next meeting at the Sacred Heart College, when a debate will be held on Scott's works. The meeting was brought to a close by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the convent chapel.