even move, in the grand pew to which I was generally| CONVERSION OF A PROTESTANT BISHOP,— obliged to transfer my unwilling body, and who could The important news has just reached us that the scarcely be civil if they asked to put any one into the seat Right Rev. Doctor Ives, Protestant Bishop of Carolina, with us; and no sooner do I find myself at the soul- in the American Reformed Episcopal Church, has stirring service of the Catholic Church, than over- abjured the heresy of the Reformation, and submitted come, as it were, by the majesty of the place, and the to the Catholic Church. Dr. Ives is now in England, sublimity of its worship. I fall down spontaneously and in passing through London last week, on his way on my bended knees in profound adoration, and to Rome, he had an interview with his Eminence the exclaim with the apostle, on Thabor: "Lord, it is Cardinal Archbishop, who very warmly sympathised good to be here," I knelt during the whole time of the with the new convert in his feelings of thankfulness long High Mass on a hard board in a common seat, for the mercy which had been shown him. As Docand drank in most eagerly every word of the sermon. tor Ives is married, unfortunately there is no prospect Thus, whilst my reason was instructed by the pure of his devoting his energies as a Priest to the service doctrines which I heard announced, I found, even in of the Church of his adoption. Dr. Ives, we underthe sensible effect produced, an additional proof of stand, was much beloved and respected in his diocese the superior wisdom of the Catholic Church, enlisting of Carolina, and his example is very likely to have a the senses on the side of religion, and consecrating wide influence upon a considerable number of his late the whole being, soul and body, to the pure worship Clergy. We shall, in all probability, be enabled in of God. I repeat it, never shall I forget the impres- an early number of the Tablet, to give further partision produced on my mind on the occasion; but culars of this most interesting conversion. whilst it served to estrange my affections from the world, and fix them on my God, it also increased my anxiety and fixed my determination, as soon as possible, to make myself thoroughly acquainted with the MANCHESTER principles of the Catholic religion.

AND

SALFORD

CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

On the 28th of June, 1831, my poor father died. As long as he lived, could scarcely have summoned courage to reveal the full extent of my religious scruples; his prejudices were extreme, and, in fact, he so often said in my hearing that the Catholic religion was all mummery and absurdity, that I dared not open my lips in such direct contradiction to him; nor could I, his darling, now his only that evening's meeting, and in the name of the child in his old age (he had lost five), bring myself to add to his sorrows, or forfeit his affection. His lamented death, I mention it with pain, did not tend to remove my strong suspicions of the fallacy of Protestantism. Although a decided supporter of the Church as by law established, and although his favourite had been, by his wish a clergyman of that Church, yet, in his last illness, my poor father would listen to no one that recommended him to see a clergyman, alleging, as I heard him say, that the parsons could do nothing for him; that he himself knew as much as any parson. How different the sentiments of a dying Catholic! "Is any one sick among you," says St. James, "let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sickman,and the Lord will raise him up; and if he be in sins they shall be forgiven him. Confess, therefore, your sins," &c. Such is the practice of the Catholic Church The priest is brought in; the sick man confesses his sins; the priest prays over him, anointing him with oil; and St James assures us that the sins of the sick man shall be forgiven, and that he shall be saved. My poor, dear father thought differently, and I have been since credibly informed that amongst dying Protestants his was by no means an isolated case.

On Sunday evening there was a district meeting of this association in the boys' school-room of St. Mary's; the Very Rev. Canon Formby presided, and stated that he rejoiced to see snch a numerous meeting. He was glad to find that they had responded to the call made that morning by his rev. colleague, of attending committee of this association. and of the Clergy of St. Mary's, he thanked them. He saw around him many who, for the first time, were present at a meeting of the Manchester and Salford Catholic Association, and he would take that opportunity of assuring them, that no nobler objects had ever demanded their attention than those of this association. Its great aim was to unite in one compact body the whole Catholic population of this large town. It sought, by the union of prayer and alms, to bring within the reach of all the means of procuring a truly Christian education. There were many around him who had children or brothers and sisters growing up who, without some fostering care, could never withstand the storms that all must encounter in the field of the world. He looked upon these little ones as so many tender plants, that required, for some considerable time, a careful hand, or they would soon be stunted, if not destroyed, by the rank weeds that so continuously sprung up around them. The time allotted for their training in this nursery, if he might so term it, was bnt short; most of them would have to face the keen blasts of the world in the field of labour at a very early age, and their early culture must therefore be efficient to prevent their utter destruction. They had amongst them, to use the words of St. Paul, not many noble, not many mighty, not many wise according to I did not see my lamented father for a week before the flesh; but Almighty God had said, "that where two his death, having been confined to my bed by serious or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the illness. During that time, and in the subsequent midst of them." Influenced by such a thought as silence, solitude, and sadness of a house of mourning, I that, the association had been formed, and placed had more time for refleetion. About two months after, under the patronage of the Ever Blessed Virgin we went into Germany, to my mother's brother, and Mary, with the full sanction of their beloved Bishop, his samily. I was then in a Catholic country; and who had in every way aided its progress. His LordI had a better opportunity of observing the ex-ship had attended committee meetings, advocated the ternal practices, &c., of the Catholic religion. society's cause, subscribed to its funds, and placed Often did I linger 'mid the cemeteries, admiring himself at its head as its president. All the Clergy the little crosses, emblems of our hope of a happy of the town were equally anxious for its success, and resurrection, that marked the Catholic's grave; and it could not be otherwise, for the association sought not unfrequently too did I cast a longing look at the confessionals, as if I should like to pour out my anxieties, my conflicts, my sorrows, my sins, to the minister of religion, who could understand and heal them. I, however, still continued externally a Protestant.

(To be continued.)

to diminish their labours by the increase of the number of Pastors, as well as of teachers. What must be thought in Catholic countries of the 90,000 Manchester Catholics and their eighteen priests to attend them? He believed there were in Dublin 170,000 Catholics and 160 priests, so that, to set us on the same footing as they were in Dublin, we should require five times the number of priests, even ac

cording to our numbers. But there was a still greater of Brüun, who caused her to be instructed by a Priest number needed, it thedepravity and barbarism of this of his diocese, in whose hands she has deposited her town, in the midst of which they all had to live, were profession of faith. A correspondent of the Journal taken into account. He had lived for many years in de Dresde, ordinarily well informed, denies in the Catholic countries; he had been in Ireland, and he most absolute manner all the rumours which have had studied closely the habits and manners of that been current of a project of marriage hetween Louis most maligned spot, and was prepared to prove, that Napoleon and the Princess Caroline Wasa." nowhere where he had been had he found a tithe of CONVERSIONS IN CANADA WEST.--We the barbarism that Manchester afforded. What were the prevailing habits of the lower orders of this town? received a letter a few days since, from a respectable Where could such incivility, such grossness, such friend in Georgetown, who makes mention of a very brutality be met with as daily and hourly comes under edifying scene, which was witnessed in that locality the notice of the least observant passer through the on the visit of the Rev. Mr. Hozler, C.M., of Guelph. streets? And yet our poor have to grow up amid this Two Protestant ladies-Mrs. Curly, of Norval, and barbarism, and therefore he inferred a greater number Mrs. Hill, of Georgetown-after having been duly of Clergy were necessary here than in Dublin. It was instructed, abjured their errors, and were conditionally for them, by their cordial and efficient co-operation in baptized and received into the pale of the Catholic the working of this association, to produce the means Church. Such facts, which are of daily occurrence, for the attainment of these two great objects-the inthroughout the length and breadth" of this vast crease of Pastors and the increase in the number and diocese, we leave to speak for themselves.-Toronto the better provision of schools. To those of his own district the Very Rev. Canon thought the state of their miserable school-room spoke most piteously. He bade them look around them, and think what must be the state of the hundreds upon hundreds of poor children that crowd in that poor confined and miserable room, and what must be the feelings of the teachers and Pastors who attended them. No spur to exertion could ever be wanting to them as long HIS LORDSHIP THE RIGHT REV. DR. DENVIR, as such a miserable state of things existed. He reminded them that there were 400 Catholics in that parish, and if they did their duty-if each per

son subscribed their halfpenny per week, 4001. per

anmum would be raised by them alone, and what an example they would show to those larger districts where there were four or five times their number. They must be constant in their prayer, that daily Hail Mary without which no good result could be hoped for. Their alms would be repaid a hundredfold. He would tell them the result of his experience an experience of some years: he had ever found that when an extra collection had been an

nounced for a future Sunday, the day of its announce ment had an increased collection; the more calls that were made upon them the more they gave, the more they were enabled to give. Let them look around amongst their friends and they would find that the charitable and the generous were always more prosperous and more provident. If every Catholic in that district would set himself earnestly to work for this association, one-half of the entire number of Catholics in the town might be brought within its ranks, and a sum of 4,500l. per annum would be raised; and how then would our schools flourish? The Very Rev. Canon then called upon the secretary: who stated the progress made, and briefly went through the rules of the association, showing that not only in the increase of Priests and teachers, but in many other ways. this association sought to benefit the Catholic body. He announced that a series of lectures were promised to be given this winter, and that the Very Rev. Canon O'Toole had consented to give the first lecture. All collectors would be admitted free. The enrolment of members was greater than on any former occasion, the Rev. Henry Browne taking upon himself the task of their enlistment, and the meeting was one of the most satisfactory yet held by the association.

CONVERSIONS.

CONVERSION OF THE PRINCESS CAROLINE WASA. We read in a journal of the Tyrol:-"As we have already announced, on the fourth of this month, took place the solemn abjuration of the Princess Caroline Wasa. For several years this Princess had. felt a desire of entering the bosom of the Catholic Church, but her youthful age and other reasons had hitherto been obstacles in the way of accomplishing this wish. Having at last obtained the cousent of her father, she confided her resolution to the Bishop

66

Mirror.

LADVERTISEMENT.]

BAZAAR AND BALLOT.

Under the especial Sanction and Patronage of

Bishop of Down and Connor.

A
1ST JANUARY, 1853, for the Benefit of the
CHARITIES, under the Management of the Brother-
hood of St. Vincent de Paul, Belfast.

BAZAAR will be held upon SATURDAY,

Each holder of a Ticket will be entitled to a Prize, many of which are Valuable.

the Society, and at the COUNCIL ROOOMS, 7, HERCULES Contributions will be received by the Members of

PLACE.

To Correspondents.

I terary communications to be addressed to "Hugh
Harkin, Esq., the Editor of the Bulletin, Clarence
Place, York."

Mr. W. E. Stutter, 7, Little Blakestreet, York.
Business letters as hitherto, to the Publisher,

Those who wish to insert Advertisements in the Wrapper of the Monthly Parts, will please forward them not later than the 18th of every month.

All communications relating to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which may be intended for publication in "The Bulletin," to be forwarded to the President of the Council of Direction, 7, Hercules Place, Belfast.

Printed and Published by W. E. STUTTER, at the Beverley and Salford Diocesan Steam Press, 7, Little Blake-st., York, and 30, Oldham-st., Manchester; and Published also by C. DOLMAN, 61, New Bond street, and 22, Paternoster-row, London; and may be had Wholesale of the following agents:Liverpool: E. TRAVIS, 57, Scotland-road; Manchester: HEYWOOD, Oldham-street; Birmingham: MAHER, 108A, New-street; Newcastle-upon-Tyne: JOHN FARREN, 5, Moseley-street; Sheffield: C. LEONARD, Waingate; Edinburgh: MARSH AND, BEATTIE, South Hanover-street; Glasgow: H. MARGEY, Great Clyde-street; Dublin: MISS BATTERSBY, 10, Essex-bridge: Belfast: O. KERR, 12, High-street.

A CATHOLIC JOURNAL

DEVOTED TO RELIGION, EDUCATION, GENERAL LITERATURE, SCIENCE

No. 17.]

&c., &c.

[By Episcopal Authority, and under the Invocation of St. Vincent de Paul.]

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1852.

MEN'S SOCIETY.

[PRICE ONE PENNY. ORGANIZATION.-THE YOUNG | Men's Association," established in Limerick. A kind and revered correspondent has There is no safety for the Catholic favoured us with a small pamphlet, containChurch and her children in the British ing an account of the rise and progress, the Empire, but in a close and holy organization. working, the objects, and the rules of this There never was a period in our history which latter association. We gladly avail ourselves more pressingly demanded union than the of his courtesy, and publish for the advanpresent time. For this conviction of ours tage of those whose zeal and wisdom may we have frequently, of late, given many urge them to establish similar societies, reasons, and have urged, with our best such extracts as may aid in the good work. ability, the necessity and utility of associa- Of course, we do not mean them as perfect tion. In so soon returning to the subject, models, suited to all circumstances, but they we know that we run the risk of disgusting may serve as hints to the pastors and people some polite and respectable Catholics, who who may find it desirable to establish holy consider it bad taste to keep ringing our brotherhoods, guilds, benefit societies, or wrongs in the ears of their Protestant burial associations. We respectfully request friends. We care not for this. We hold some of our Manchester correspondents to the opinion of such men cheap indeed. We favour us with the rules of their important believe their moderation a sham and a society. Should the authorities consider mockery. We esteem their philosophy un- the services of The Bulletin even remotely sound, un-Catholic, and un-Christian; and valuable, our columns are at their command. despite the sneers and illnatured observa- ORIGIN OF THE YOUNG MEN'S tions of these would-be-Liberals in faith and AND ITS GENERAL morals, we shall hold to stern Conservatism-to the only true Conservatism-the The Young Men's Society originated in the feelings Conservatism of Organization established and principles which are embodied in the foregoing on the basis of Religion, and sanctioned and address, (the principal part of which appeared in the sanctified by the Church. We do not, in tenth number of The Bulletin.) At its first meeting these observations, speak at shadows. We it numbered only about forty members, but they were animated by a high and holy resolution to labour by address ourselves to men who deserve prayer and persuasion, for the extension of a Catholic rebuke-men wise in their own conceit, spirit in a Catholic land. Every man became a however they may rank in the estimation missionary, and every day manifested the results of combined exertion. In the course of a comparatively hundreds, and its character became so high, that the brief period, the Society counted its brotherhood by promise of success daily augmented. Before six months, there was scarcely a profession or a calling which had not been largely represented, and the religious and manful bearing of the members at home and abroad, shewed that they were not unmindful of

of others.

SOCIETY,
RULES.

their engagements.

It is not our design to-day, to enter largely on the subject. We neither intend to offer new arguments, nor recur to old ones, for the purpose of impressing the principle more firmly on the minds of our readers; on the contrary, we leave speculation aside, and apply ourselves to practice. We do so Yet the Society had, of course, to contend with the more readily, because we are aware, difficulties. The idea of assuming such a high posifrom various communications received from tion in charity, as to appear in open organized contrust-worthy and influential sources, that flict with vice and falsehood, though, most natural, men's minds are opening to the utility and was novel to some. They thought it was expecting too much from laymen, as if laymen do not make up, necessity of such an Organization as that it may be said, the Christian world, and as if the which we have been advocating, namely, a Christian world are not deeply interested in destroycombination embracing both the clergy and ing sin, and possessed not a mighty power for such a laity. It will be in the recollection of our purpose. But these doubters soon became convinced readers, that we have frequently called their of how little they appreciated the power which God's attention to the "Manchester and Salford multitude who were saved to home and hope, by the grace imparts to its children when they beheld the Catholic Association;" as, also, to the "Young resolute perseverance of men, who met them in the

1. That the council do provide four Masses in each month for the benefit of the Young Men's Society. 2. That the devotions and spiritual lectures shall When the Society became extensive, the members terminate at nine o'clock, on Tuesdays and Thurswere divided according to their various callings, and days, and the remainder of the time be given to cateformed themselves into the Holy Guilds of the Im-chetical instructions. maculate Heart of Mary. The following are the

Society-rooms is principally the exercise of devotion, no discussion, calculated to create disunion, shall be tolerated.

4. That the council do meet every Tuesday evening, at eight o'clock.

any money, and he must, before his illness, have paid up all his subscriptions to the mortality and sickness fund. A member more than three weeks in arrear at the time of illness, shall have no claim.

13. As cases of sudden indisposition may occur, the merits of such cases shall be decided by the council.

5. That a member, six weeks in arrear, shall be noticed to pay up, and at the end of three months, if he continue in arrear, the council shall have power 14. To be entitled to draw funds from the Society, to expel him, with the consent of the Spiritual the member must have made his confession, and Director. receive the certificate of a medical man. that he is 6. That any work to be executed by the Society incapable of pursuing his ordinary employment or shall be contracted for by the brothers, and that tenders be received for the same.

7. The librarian shall always hold the keys, and distribute the books on the application of the brothers, and shall also get them again from the brothers to whom he shall have given them.

8. That no other engagement beside the devotions of the Society should occupy the attention of any brother, while devotions are going on.

9. That the wardens shall be entitled to vote in the council of the Society-on all matters concerning the Society.

We do not insist upon total abstinence, but we encourage it. Hence, in our Society there is a total abstinence body, whose ranks are steadily increasing. As its rules should harmonize with the general views of our organization, they have been drawn up on the religious principle, and we have reason to thank God, they have been eminently successful.

The following are the

RULES OF THE TOTAL ABSTINENCE
SOCIETY.

avocation; and his claims must be recognised by the council.

15. The council and spiritual director shall, in due time, arrange the salary and attendance of a medical officer, whose duty shall be then defined; and they shall, at all times, decide upon the meaning and administration of the above laws.

16. All the members shall vote by ballot at the election of a councillor, and shall supply his place, in case of resignation or demise, &c., after the same manner.

17. To change the above constitutions, at least twothirds of the paid members shall be required.

18. No member of the Society, or member of the council, shall be capable of voting in any case in which he shall have been four weeks in arrears of subscription, or shall have broken his pledge.

19. For any extraordinary allocation of the funds, two weeks notice in writing shall be necessary, after which, the committee shall proceed to vote. This notice to be posted in the Society's rooms.

20. Any and every sum in chest, over five pounds, shall be always lodged in bank, in the name of the

1. This Society shall have for its object the main-spiritual director and two of the council. tenance, during sickness, and the decent burial of members, their wives and their mothers, according to the conditions to be specified hereafter.

2. The Society shall be governed by a council of eight, and the Spiritual Director of the Young Men's Society, or his delegate. The council to be selected by ballot, and from the members.

3. This council shall have a special secretary to keep the books and accounts, and record the transactions of the Society.

4. There shall be three treasurers, who keep the moneys of the Society under three locks, of which each treasurer shall possess a key.

5. This committee, or council, shall meet at least every week, for despatch of business, or more frequently when called by the secretary.

6. The secretary shall call a special meeting at the requisition of four members, or with the consent of the spiritual director, and to such special meeting all

members of council shall be summoned.

7. Five of the council shall be competent as a quorum, to transact all business of the society; but the signature of the spiritual director shall be required to the validation of every act of the council or

quorum.

SUBSCRIPTIONS.

21. In every case of doubt respecting the conduct and character of members, as well as in everything regarding the restoration of rights, forfeited by violation of rules, the council shall finally decide.

THE BENEFIT FUND.

In a Society approaching two thousand in number, the obvious benefits of a mutual aid fund, and the facility of establishing it, induced the council to turn its attention to this desirable object. The necessity of working when nearly incapacitated by illness, and commencing to labour before complete recovery has re-established strength, have made many widows and orphans, or engendered debility, which ended in pauperism and the workhouse. Indeed, the protracted sickness of any working man leads to the latter result; for, after selling and pawning, and begging, no other resource commonly remains. A large body can easily assist one another, and save their own self-respect and the public money. One penny a week we think quite sufficient to bestow a fair help during infirmity, and decently consign to the grave a Brother or his wife. We shall not swell these pages by printing rules; but the rules of the Temperance Soctety may, with little change, afford a model. We hope that in every "Young Men's

8. The sum to be subscribed shall be twopence per Society" such an institution shall be found. week, and sixpence at entrance.

DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.

9. At the close of six months, members shall be entitled to two shillings and sixpence per week, and after twelve months to the sum of five shillings per week, on the conditions hereafter to be mentioned. 10. At the close of six months, members shall be entitled to one pound towards burial fees, and at the end of twelve months, to two pounds; such sums to be expended only by the council, and for the decent burial of a member or his wife. Unmarried persons

shall have a similar claim for the burial of a mother.

CONDITIONS.

We cannot close without begging of the other localities that may determine upon joining us in brotherhood, to adopt, as far as possible, our mode of government and our name. Our desire is not created influence; but we believe that each Society may, to by any poor anxiety to claim parentage or exercise some extent, exercise the power of all, should all be thoroughly identified; and furthermore, that this is the only mode of securing the UNIVERSAL CATHOLIC SPIRIT which the "Young Men's Society" contemplates.

KNOWLEDGE.-We may glean knowledge by 11. Every member must have taken and kept the reading, but the chaff must be separated total abstinence pledge, to entitle him to weekly sub-from the wheat by thinking. Knowledge is

sistence.

12. He must have paid up all arrears of subscrip- proud that he has learned so much-wisdom tion to the Young Men's Society, before he receive is humble that he knows no more.