ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN CHARLESTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 50, 11 April 1874, Page 8

ST. PATRICK'S DAY IN CHARLESTON.

A TERt beautiful and edifying tight was witnessed here on Sunday last, in the Catholic Church. The members of the Charleston Branch • . i °' Al>B - Society, in considerable namber*. attended the nine o clock Mass, wearing their bright green and gold sewfs. and other insignia jwcuhar to the society, and approached the Holy Communion m a body. It was the first time since it. establishment that the Branch carried but m so public and conspicuous a wanner that imP?**"*™ 16 ti he Soaety which obli 6 e » all its member, to comply with the Pascal duty ol Easter Communion. Their devout demeanor and fervid example appear to have had a talutary and good effect upon the congregation— which was large and re.peotable,--nnd it is to be hoped will prove a powerful means of inducing many more earnest men m the district to join a society which confers to many spiritual ?T?u ng }£\ V l l ai *?? m P° ral advantages upon its member.. The Rev. Father Walsh, the Chaplain, took occasion to compliment the Society, expressing himself very much gratified with the amount of good it had already accomplished, remarking that such a society when properly conducted and its rules strictly adhered to deserved and received the Btrongest approbation and encouragement of the Church; and concluding with the timely admonition that Catholic., instead of joining condemned and dieaaproved organisations, should be found co-opera^ roe with, and sustaining in our midst co excellent an institution as the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. The Rev. Gentleman mao> a deep impression on the minds of his hearer. On Tuesday following— St. Patrick's Day— the Hibernian Society turned out m splendid style. The Charleston and Brighton Branches together, assembled at an eaily hour in the day, at the St. Patrick's School, .formed themselves into order of procession under the leader•tup of their respective marshals, headed by the Charleston Brass .Band, which played B orne favorite national airs, and discoursed seme equally inspiriting martial music, proremd the different .treete, producing quite an electric affect', on the heart, of those who. though exiles from their native land, still cherished the memory of him. to whose priestly sanctity, fervent devotion and indefatigable labors, the day bos, irom time immemorial, been celebrated \r«.. A L! e Y' ClOCk Ji the . forft «» o ». tt crowded congregation attended Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev. Father Walsh? who delivered the Panegyric of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, in a rery feeling and impressive manner, and was listened to throughout with marked attention. The rev. gentleman also blested the magnificent new banner which was received recently by the Hibernian Society from Melbourne, and used in procession for the first time that day In the evening the processionists employed themselves at their ball for a few hours in an ngreeable and happy manner-cake and wines being .applied in abundance. Mr Richard Delany, the Presia ' °P«"P, led ' h » Chair - He opened the prooeedin B . with an able and spirited address, which was well received by the large and anpreciative audience. Beveral toasts, interspersed with good old Irish songs, were afterwards proposed and duly responded to by Bros. Westor and Kirkpatnck, of the Charleston Branch ; and Bros. Murphy and Maloney of the Brighton Branch. Altogether the c^Jion was one of hilarity and friendly greeting; and tho uncompromising attachment and unswerveing devotion «o that faith brought from Rome of the Pep*,, by Sf Patrick, to Ireland, was fully atte.ted-by Z patriotic sentiments which emanated from ttiow who were allowed the privilege of part .orpatiug in the evening's festivities. &ud it is .carcel y lieces.-arj to inform your read™ that the Emerald I«l 0 was not forgotten. In responding to the toast to tho chair, Sir Delany wound up with a few felicitous and eouUlirriig sentence*, whith touched a Bympathetic chord ond drew forth expressive plaudit., especially where he introduced the wo.ds of the immoral poet and national bard cxpi easing the hope that he should soon see hia beloved Ireland— " prczt t glorious Mid fre»— Firet flower irf the earth, and firet gem oC the met," Thus ended the celebration of St, Patrick's Day, 1874, in Charleson ; and from the orderly manner in whioh it hu« bo«n carried out the Icrvor and patruti^m of its promoter*, that undying love for faith and fatherland which manifc.terf i-»,lf in the d.y'i proceedings, doserves for ,t a place in the ranis of aimil.r, thoiwli larger dcitration., conducted simultaneously in other countriee. Nothing tended to mar the celebration of the anniversary of the Patron Saint of Ireland ; there waa none to molest Irishmen in tbeir joyous festivities: the ihamrock was displuved on every hat