AUCKLAND NEWMAN SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, 23 October 1913, Page 19

AUCKLAND NEWMAN SOCIETY

(From a correspondent.) The general monthly meeting of the' Newman Society took place last Sunday afternoon at St. Mary's College, Epsom. Rev. Brother George, 8.A., occupied the chair and among the members present were Rev. Fathers Doyle, Ormond, and O'Sullivan, as well as the Sisters of Mercy, and a number of the senior girls from the college.' After general routine business had been dispensed with, Father Doyle, of Remuera, delivered a : most interesting lecture upon 'Robert Louis Stevenson's, treatment of Catholics.' Father Doyle said in part: Stevenson's earlier works, notably An Inland Voyage and Travels with a Donkey in the Gevenn-es, were teeming with painful and rather unjust criticisms of Catholic persons and practices. This want of fairness, in Stevenson's earlier writings was all the more strange, because Stevenson himself reprehended most severely, and justly condemned its presence in the typical Englishman. From a man like Stevenson, so generally broad-minded and free from religious bigotry, we naturally expect a juster judgment than ■ we could hope for from one blinded by passion and prejudice. And from this point of view it would seem that Stevenson's strictures on things Catholic are far more hurtful and reprehensible than the criticism of Dickens and Thackeray. Stevenson had a most lovable character, and generally his books are a reflection of himself. His thoughts and character, his tender sympathies, his child-like nature with its poetic outlook upon life, and its perfect candour, shine forth behind the printed word on every page. Indeed, one of the most charming things about Stevenson is his absolute frankness and lack of reserve. Because of these things, and liking Stevenson as we "do it is with pain and regret that we stumble now and then on his little slurs and jests and witticisms upon Catholic life. Some of his verses, too, are tainted throughout with the rankest materialism. After these considerations, it is with pleasure that we turn to the truly bright side of the picture. If Stevenson did us a great wrong in the beginning of his literary career, it may almost be said that he made ample amends for it, as he grew in years and experience. In fact some of the finest and most heartfelt tributes ever paid to Catholic missionaries by outsiders have issued from his pen. His noble and courageous defence of Father Damien is a production that will endear Stevenson to the heart of every Catholic, and, indeed, to every lover of justice and fair play as long as English literature shall last. In the same spirit of justice and fair play and with the same vigor did he defend the cause of Mataafa, the dusky Catholic King of Samoa, against the injustices inflicted upon him by the representatives of the great Powers. And R.L.S's account of the ruined mission of Carmel (California) could scarcely be more touching or sympathetic if penned by the band of the most fervent Catholic. Finally, when all is said—when his praise and his blame, his tributes and his censures, are weighed in the balancewe are safe in maintaining that the good outweighs the evil he has done us. And his latest accounts of us go a long way towards atoning for the faults and injustices of his earlier days. So, after a deliberate survey of the field, we might freely pardon him the wrong he did us unwittingly, and gladly acknowledge him as our friend, and the friend of truth everywhere as God gave him the light to see it. An interesting discussion followed the lecture. Brother George enlarged upon the shattering power of the Damien defence. Miss Jacobsen said we owed much to Stevenson for propagating the gospel of cheerfulness. Mr. Kavanagh urged the necessity of studying modern authors, and correcting in an emphatic way their distorted views of Catholicity. A most hearty vote of thanks was accorded Father Doyle for the splendid material he had placed before the meeting. The Sisters entertained the visitors at afternoon tea, and the gathering was. brought to a close with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the college

chapel. It was arranged to hold the next meeting at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Remuera, on 'the second Sunday in November. -•