THE SCOPE OF A CATHOLIC CLUB.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 48, 30 November 1899, Page 10

THE SCOPE OF A CATHOLIC CLUB.

There ia little, if any, maudlin sentimentality about the Archbishop of Adelaide, the Most Rev. Dr. O'Reily (says the local Herald). His address on the opening of the Adelaide Catholio Club was a straightforward and a manly one, and was well worth listening to. He gave it to be distinctly understood that the club was not intended to be a political or scientific institution, as he said ' it was in a more respectable line of business.' For the purpose of giving rest to the mind and change of occupation, he was pleased to see billiard tables, as well as chess, draughts, and oards there. In the course of his remarks his Grace said they were going to have no prayer meetings in the hall, no instructions in catechism, no Bible readings, and no sermons. Within a stone's throw of the club there was a large building, erected by the contributions of the Catholics of the city and country : a building set aside for exercises such as he had mentioned. It* doors were always open, and the young men who wish to take part in the devotions, or who like to hear sermons, would find in the services of the Church, ample opportunity of gratifying their predilections. Neither was it an advanced school for grown boys, who, if they wish to improve themselves in their spare time, would find that the School of Mines and similar institutions gave ample scope for gratifying their desires. Knowledge was a very desirable thing, and those young men who devote a few spare hours to its acquisition were deserving of praise. He went to school until he was 24 years of age, when he was ordained, and in his last year at school he came to have a large opinion of the extent of the information he had acquired. His professors, who werr old and experienced men, took care to cure him of his pride by reminding him that he was not to suppose himself a philosopher after his many years of study, but that he oould consider he had done well if, during his long course of education, he had learned how to learn when he had left the college, and was thrown on his own resources. He did not know whether the young colonials considered themselves cultured scholars when they left school at 15 or 16 years of age ; they certainly could not be accused of want of self-confidenc, and, possibly like himself when he was 24 years of age, they were a little vain of their accomplishments ; but they made a mistake if they imagined they had done with book learning when they had taken their certificate under the compulsory standard. Although the education of adults is a desirable thing, it is not the object of the Catholic Club to supply the place of an educational institution for those who have left school. Then, again, the Adelaide Catholic Club was not a political institution. There was a celebrated American writer who, in a letter to Abraham Lincoln, the President of the Republic, wrote : ' I have no politics, nary a politic. lamin a more respectable business.' The Adelaide Catholic Club will not recognise any form of political opinion. Conservative as -well as Liberal, Freetrader as well as Protectionist, and Federationist as well as Anti-Federa-tionist, will be welcome as members. The club had no politics ; it was in a more respectable business. It claimed to be merely a place for the amusement and relaxation of the Catholio young men of the city and suburbs. If he were asked to give a definition of the Australian young man, a definition which would embody his chief characteristics, he would say he is an animal to whom amusement is very useful and oftentimes essential. Australians are sometimes accused of being too fond of sp rt, but although they throw themselves into their games with enthusiasm and vim, when the time comes for work — and they are a people who work very hard — they do it with a vengeance. He was pleased to see they had two billiard tables. The stcond room was to be reserved for minor games, such as chess, draughts, dominoes, and for cards in modera 1 ion. The trust* ea decided long ago that cord playing should be allowed in moderation, and he did not see any reason for setting himself against their determination. He was told by some person that there would be temptation in cards, but there was t -mptation in everything, and if every game in which teiuptation lurks were abolished, there would be little left for pur delectation,