WELCOME TO FATHER HAYS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1377, 11 February 1905, Page 3

WELCOME TO FATHER HAYS.

On Monday evening, January 10th, every available soat iu tho Melbourne Town Hall was occupiod, tho oooasion baing a oitizons’ woloomo, convened by tho Vietorian Alliance, to Father Hays, tho Bocuan Gntholio tompqranco advocate. Tho chairman,. Mr J. W. Hunt (prosidonfi of tho Alliaueo), said that they wore proud to welcome suoh a man as Father Hays. Father Hays was known throughout tho world as the grout apostlo of tomporauoe. He was also known as the modern Father Mathew, and,a higher title could not be given him. As an illustration of the popularity of Father Hays iu the old country, ho mentioned that when tho boat was leaving Dublin on its voyage to Australia 620 persons signed the pledge while standing on tho quay. Father Hays had done move to break down the barriers of religious bigotry than any other man. Father P. Cromin- (president of the League of the Cross) welcomed tho guest on behalf of tho Boman Catholios of Vietoria. It was a matter of sincere congratulation that so many had assembled to pay homage to one who had done so much in the saorod cause of temperanoo. (Applause.) v Mrs Harrison Leo spoke on behalf of the women of Viotoria. In days of old S’ had banished the snakes, and sb*s?oped that Fathor Hays would banish thOoaisoa of drink. (Applause.) nfijljlStephen Barker represented the T®’tlos' Hall Council, and on behalf of the workers of this State welcomed Father Hays. The Bov. Frank Lade added the Methodists' greeting. No fewer than 80 per cent of the Methodist clergymen were total abstainers, and tbo younger members were teetotallers almost to a man.

Father Hays was received with tumultuous okeoring. After thanking them for the splendid rocoption, he said that ho had travelled in many lands, and stood before many audiences, different alike in race, in class, and in creed, but never before in all his experianoa had he stood before a people with the same sentiments as be did that night. Ho was proud of tho welcome aooorded him by the various temperance societies throughout the State, and especially tho greeting of the workers. Ho sought to break down tho barriers of bigotry, and to stop that petty wrangling, which did no good, but only harm, to both sides. We wore sent into the world to love one another, and black men and white were the children of Jesus Christ, who died that ' they may be saved. (Applause.) The temperance platform was a platform of humanity. The ..temperance movement had been adversely criticised, but tho oritic was the “ do-nothing.” Intemperance .was a great and growiDg evil, but could not be coped with solely by religious means. It was very often a physical disease. If the Government of the country protected the people against it as they did against contagious diseases all would be well. But intemperanoe oould not be cured by religious and moral means while the Government practically sanotion the sale of intoxicating liquors. Prevention was better than cure. They wished to save the man or woman who had fallen ; he wished to save them before they fell. It was the duty of the State to give to the people the power of working out thoir own salvation. If the doctor said they must take drink they should refuse —(applause) —as alcohcl was not a food.

A vote of thanks to Father Haye was proposed by the Bov. Alexander, seconded by Mr J. W. Barrett, and agreed to with acclamation.