VISIT TO FATHER MATHEW.
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VISIT TO FATHER MATHEW.


We copy the following interesting letter from
Rev. j. P. DURBIN, distinguished Preacher Of
the Methodist Church, travelling in Europe,
from the last number of the Christian Advocate
and Journal:


But among all the attractions at Cork, the Rev.
Theobald Mathew, the Apostle of Temperance in
ireland, was to me the most attractive; and had
the good fortune to 6nd him at his own house. just
returned from Limerick. In reply to my letter
which | sent him he despatched messenger to
our hotel, saying he would be pleased to see me
at any hour. l waited on him at helf-past SIX
o'clock. Upon entering the narrow hall of his
plain. but commodious house, ] found the room
on the ground floor full of very plain people, all
standing around the Secretary, who was making
most vehement speech to them on the benefits Of
Temperance He was showing bow it increased
the vigor and power Of enduring fatigue, and illus
trated it by boat-race which had just taken place
between three crews:-one, whisky-drinkers; one,
ale or beerdrinkers and one, cold water-drinkers.
AS he advanced in his animated defamation, he
aised his huge FIST aloft, saying the tee-totalers
came out FIRST, the ale.drinkers next, and the
nasty, dirty rum and whisky-drinkers last, which
declaration he confirmed by bringing down his
lions paw with tremendous weight upon the huge
record-book containing the four millions of names
of those who have taken the Pledge from Father
Mathew. 1t really was novel and interesting
scene.


soon learned that the Secretary was entertain
ing the crowd until Father Mathew could come
down from his tea and administer the Pledge to
them. In few minutes he came down, and
having spoken to us with much kindness and
affection, he turned to the motley group, and
asked if they wished to take the Pledge. They
came forward en- maSse, and kneeled down before
him. He said-"I 1t is all for your good; many
now are decent, well clad and comfortable who
before they took the Pledge, were naked, hungry
and wretched: say after me- PROMISE by Di.
vine assistance, to abstain from all Intoxicating
liquors, and, by my example and ADVICE to en-
deavor to prevail on others to do the same
He then added" May God give you grace to
keep your promise; may God grant you all tenn
pcral and spiritual blessings" Then putting his
hand on the head of sach he said God bless
you" They rose from their knees, and he d.
rected their names be inscribed in the great book


We witnessed the same scene next morning al
ten O'clock, in the same room. 1t is always full
when he is in town, and Secretary is in waiting
20 record the names. The general impression is
chat it is more sacred and binding to take the Pledge
from Father Mathew than from any other. Hence
but few take it of others, and always take it again
Of Father Mathew, whenever be comes within
from ten to thirty miles of them. There were
persons present when we were in the room who
had come thirty miles to take the Pledge. He
informed US that he had seen thirty thousand peo-
pie kneeling before him at once in the open fields
and their repeating the Pledge was like little
thunder-like the sound of many waters The
Pledge is understood to be perpetual, and the
party may not dissolve the obligation at pleasure
" o,1 nj, -, /
ne cannot, as we express it, pttkdrow. There is
evidently religious obligation attached to the
Pledge, founded, to some extent, in the authority
and sanctity of the party administering it, as well
as in the consent of the party taking ii. This I'M
preston the mind of the taker of the Pledge is
strengthened by the fact that Father Mathew has
nopastoral charge and is subject to any Bishop
or Ecclesiastical authority in Ireland but is, by
special letter from the Pope, Commissary Apos,
sol'c for Ireland that he may prosecute his srea,
work without let or hindrance from any Church
dignitary.


Thus the sanction of the Pope is indirectly OBJ
tanned to the cause Of Temperance in Ireland. !
learned these facts at the table of Father Mathew
frem his brother, who sat next me, and from him,
self also. Yet, .ludcioss is this truly benevo.
lent man. that he will enter the Diocese of any
Catholic Bishop without his consent. inquired
ot hiu why He was tnuS IorUS9flng, Wnen tile pee
pie clamored for his presence and his answer was.
the success of the cause depended very rnsch upon
the coun'enance Of the Clergy, and he was auxiou.
TO avoid producing disccrd in the Church. Upon
particular inquiry learned from him tha, the
sa'nol'c Siersy We're not generally favorable. as
s'etoea 20 reflect on the ineffciencv of their in
1iuence and preaching to suppose a PLEDGE was
farther necessary to bind their aocks to
living and farther, many OF them said ,hnt Fa,bs,
Mathew knew tha, administering the Psdse 70 ,sa
people would lead them to condemn the nrac,;cs.
OF their priests. The Protestant Clerrr are No,
favorable, but they are no, opposed. Tbev TAX" S,
no part, but make little opposition, perbans Mons
5 as the movement is almost exclusively oops,sS =,
Catholics, in the Pledge form. Ye, some Of ,bs
digntaries of the Established Church have been
requested TO give their sanction; and Archb;sbon
Whassley, of Dublin, declined, saying the Gospel
was sufficient without Pledge. presume j,
might be, if his Honor, and all s,hers, would
preach it as did the Master and his Apostles, and
denounce, in such terms as are suitable, all intem
perance and vice. But until they do this, they
ought not to impede the good others would do.


had as yes seen Father Mathew only by candle
light, when Mr. Cortlan and myself took cup o.
coffee with him, ard, as he said, company of tee
tetalers-ladies and gentlemen. After the party