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| FATHER MATHEW'S STATUE, CORK. -The genius of Foley the sculptor has given to the citizens of Cork the striking and characteristic statue of the Rev. Theobald Mathew, D. D., the great Irish apostle of temperance, presented in the picture. This truly great ecclesiastic was born in the county Tipperary, of aristocratic family, in 1790, and, after completing his theological course, joined the Capuchin Order and was ordained a priest in 1814. His first active mission was in the city of Cork, where he became universally beloved, because of the multitude of his good works and his devotion to the interests of the poor people. He had served previously, for a short time, in Kilkenny. He is credited with having first introduced the noble brotherhood of St. Vincent De Paul in Ireland. Early in his useful career, he recognized that the status of the Irish political and social systems, and also the economic condition of the people, were adversely affected by the crying vice of intemperance. Therefore, he set himself zealously to work to cure the evil, and, if possible, eradicate it from Irish soil. In this he had the potent support of O'Connell, ever ready to promote the well-being of his fellow-countrymen. The success of Father Mathew reached its greatest height in the "Year of Monster Meetings," 1843, and it is estimated that, at least, on million Irishmen took the pledge from his sacred hands. He also conducted, with great success, temperance missions in Great Britain and America. This grand churchman died, lamented by all nations, in 1856. His monument, "the tribute of a grateful people," was erected in Patrick street, Cork, in 1864. Father Mathew's relics repose in St. Joseph's cemetery, Cork. |
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