THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 182, 31 August 1878, Page 2

THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

To THE EDITOB OF THE 'EVENING MAIL.' | Sir— ln your last issne you published a ■ speech delivered by the Hon Mr Sbeehau on Mr Curtis' Education Bill in the House of Representatives, in which he alludes to the spread of party associations in New Zealand. The following is the paragraph referred to: — *' It (the denominational system of education; would establish a barrier between two large sections of the population, and engender a bitter party spirit. He (Mr Sheehan) was sorry that elements of this kind had already grown up in the colony through the establishment of Orangeism and Hibemianism." The hon member must have been grossly misinformed as to the object and constitution of the Hibernian Society to make such a statement. If the hon gentleman had taken the trouble to read " General laws for the government of the Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society, New Zealand," he would not condemn a society whose main object is " to strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between man and man." In the

preface to the above laws I read the following;~«it may be necessary to call the attention of non-members to the fact that this is a Benefit Society, thoroughly under the immediate sanction of the church j it is nonpolitical, having nothing of a secret nature about it, ueither signs nor pass words being used, and that its meeting are open to the press." Further on I read :-" Any thing that has for its object the advancement of human happiness and intelligence, anything that tends to ameliorate the condition of mankind, or to lessen the ills and the miseries of human life— anything that draws closer the ties of mutual sympathy and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between man and man is not only worthy of our approbat.on, but of our warmest support and admiration." This is the Society the hon member is sorry to see established in New Zealand. Apologising for being obliged to trespass on your valuable space I am, &c, Arthur M'M. Kavanaofi, Sec. H.A.C.B.S. Nelson, Aug. 31, 1878. To the Editor ov the 'Evening Mail.' Sir— l trust you will allow me space in your columns to invite the attention of the congregations of churches iu town and country to the fact that there having been of late seven consecutive wet Sundays there must be a great falling off in the'offertories, in consequence of which clergymen raUst suffer by the reduction of their stipends for the quarter, and to suggest that we should make up the deficiency when we are again able to attend the services, or in any other way that, as individuals, we may feel disposed, so that our clergy may feel assured we value their ministrations, and wish them not to be losers by the unavoidable non-attendance of their congregations. "If they sow unto us spiritual things, is it a great thing if they shall reap our carnal things.*' ''The Lord hath ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. 5 ' 1 have no doubt but many persons have had the same feelings with myself iu this matter, but some may not have thought about it, and therefore 1 humbly offer these suggestions with the hone that we may nil be stirred up to think alike upon this Christian duty, and that thought may lead to action. A Fellow-wokshipper. August 31, 1878.