USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Woonsocket > History of the Catholic church in Woonsocket and vicinity, from the celebration of the first mass in 1828, to the present time, with a condensed account of the early history of the church in the United States > Part 15
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O, my heart goes out to you,
Dear and cherished mother Ireland ; And my thoughts are always of you, You, my mother and my sireland !
Faith in Christ with you has lasted, Faith, that wrong has never blasted ; Coming down through ages strong, Still triumphant over wrong.
Still I see you in your glory, Still I read your doleful story,
Still I see the bayonets glancing, Still I see your troops advancing, As legions charge in war array, And are victors of the day,
And the land is free once more, From sea to sea, from shore to shore.
O, my darling mother Ireland, Still 1 love you, fondly love you, Though years and years have pass'd away, Still I see the sky above you ; In my visions of the day, In my night dreams still I see you !
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Glorious land of saints and sages, Renowned and blest throughout the ages, Grand old patriarch of the earth, You to noble sons give birth.
What am I? My days are numbered, Soon I'll sleep by death encumbered, In a grave on foreign strand, Far, far from dear old Ireland !
But o'er my grave shall shamrocks grow, Through summer sun and winter snow ; Shamrock, from the land I love ; Shamrock, spreading green above ; Shamrock, from my dear old sireland ; Shamrock, from my mother Ireland.
Shall I in my grave-dream see My dear, my cherished Erin free ? To the great God I fervent pray, That He, in mercy, speed the day When Erin's race so long oppressed, Shall be with holy freedom blessed.
After receiving instructions in various schools, at the age of 16, the Major was placed under the care of Thomas Mooney, D. D., LL. D., and Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, where, after remaining a few years under the tutorship of this learned scholar, Mr. Smyth left the school and shortly after sailed for America.
James W. Smyth settled in Blackstone, Mass. He was first heard of through the columns of the Boston Pilot, for which paper he contributed several poems. He made his bow to a Woonsocket audience about the year 1859, in the Old Armory Hall, where he delivered a lecture, his theme being " St. Patrick." He held the close atten-
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tion of his audience throughout the entire discourse and at the close of the lecture the Major received a perfect ova . tion. He was most heartily congratulated for the thorough knowledge displayed of the history of his country in handling his subject.
While a resident of Blackstone Mr. Smyth was married to Miss Theresa Andrews of Waltham, Mass. Rev. Father Sheridan performed the ceremony. Shortly after Mr. Smyth came to Woonsocket to reside. His wife died in this city in 1877. Of this union six children were born.
After taking up residence in Woonsocket he tried several ventures during which time he was contributing poems to the Boston Pilot. Woonsocket Patriot and other publications, which attracted the attention of the publish- ers of the Providence Morning Star and Evening Press, and they engaged him to represent those two papers in Woon- socket. This was about the year 1870. As there was no daily paper published in Woonsocket at that time the Major had the field entirely to himself and he took advantage of it and built up a large circulation for these papers in Woon- socket. He also represented the Boston Herald and later was engaged by the Boston Globe to send in daily reports and to give them a Sunday Letter on general topics. He held this latter position for eighteen years or up to the time of his death.
Major Smyth had been ailing more or less for some time previous to his death, which occurred on Saturday evening, September 20, 1902. The Major had been afflicted with disease of the liver. During the two months that he was confined in the Woonsocket hospital there were times when it was thought the end was near, but he rallied and was able to leave the hospital, but a relapse came and he had to return again to the hospital where the spark of life left the body on the date above named.
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The mortal remains of Major James W. Smyth were consigned to their last resting place in St. Charles' ceme- tery on Tuesday morning, September 23, 1902. The fun- eral services at St. Charles' Church were largely attended, people from various walks of life visiting the edifice to pay a tribute of honor, respect and love to a man whose life had been such as to make him popular with all and beloved among those who were brought into close contact with him. Words of praise for the deceased mingled with prayers for his eternal happiness were heard on all sides. As the funeral cortage neared the Church the bells tolled mourn- fully in acknowledgment of the approach of the sad pro- cession. The hearse bearing the remains were preceded by three carriages for delegates and bearers. The latter walked beside the hearse from the residence on Church street to the Church. Then followed carriages containing the bereaved members of the family and relatives and friends from this and other cities to see the remains of the veteran writer and speaker lowered into their narrow home in St. Charles' cemetery. Previous to the arrival of the funeral procession at the Church, a large number of men and women of all creeds had assembled within the edifice, among them were newspaper men who had been associated with the de- ceased ; Grand Army men who had recognized him as a true patriot and an enthusiastic member of Smith Post's Associate body ; men who had admired him for his literary attainments and young and old who respected him for his constant friendliness and pleasant manner. Prominent in the funeral procession were the members of the License Board, of which the deceased had been an honored member for more than nine years.
Rev. Thomas E. Ryan celebrated the Mass of requiem and at its close pronounced the final absolution. As the casket was being borne into the Church Miss M. E. Kelly,
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the organist, played Chopin's funeral march and one from Beethoven at the exit from the Church.
The bearers were members of St. Charles Branch, C. K. of A, of which the deceased was a charter member. They were Robert F. Linton, John H. Kirby, James W. Daly, Thomas F. Howe, Luke Gilleran and John Long.
The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful, many of them appropriately telling the story of Major Smyth's life. Harps from various friends bore a silent story of his love for his native Erin, and his faithful performance of the duties of a newspaper man were expressed by a floral volume, closed.
In 1879 he was appointed City Editor of the Daily Patriot. He remained in this position until the Patriot was consolidated with the Evening Reporter, when he ac- cepted a like position on the Reporter, in which position he continued 17 years, when he retired from active service on local daily papers. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest, in point of service, and widest known news- paper writers in Woonsocket. He was also recognized as a public speaker, a dramatic critic, a military man and a writer of poetry. In all these roles he was exceptionally efficient, and through them won the esteem and respect of an exceed- ingly large circle of friends. In the newspaper business Major Smyth won the reputation of an ideal news-gatherer. If he heard a report, that report must be verified before he put it in print.
As a writer of communications on public, social and religious affairs Mr. Smyth won much distinction, and as a writer of poetry hre had written many poems for various publications which attracted the attention of prominent poetical critics. His life was one of much activity, and even in recent years, although not identified with local news-
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paper work, he had frequently made contributions to peri- odicals throughout New England. He was always a staunch supporter with his voice and pen of any worthy cause.
During Major Smyth's long service as reporter of cur- rent events he had a wide circle of acquaintances and hosts of warm friends, most of whom can recall occasions when he had performed for them services of great value and many can never forget words of comfort and solace spoken and written by him in their time of sorrow. In the theatri- cal and musical profession no man in the community was better known. After his retirement from active newspaper work a few musical friends conceived the idea of tendering to Major Smyth a testimonial concert. A meeting of the musicians of the city was held and all approved of the idea. Sunday evening, February 13, 1898, was the time selected. A committee of arrangements was elected consisting of Lieut. Gov. Aram J. Pothier, honorary president ; W. H. Houghton, president ; Zeuner M. Jenks, vice-president ; Dr. Joseph Hils, secretary ; Rev. J. R. Bourgeois, treas- urer ; George Sweatt, assistant treasurer. The services of all those who participated were cheerfully given and a hand- some sum was netted.
The concert itself was a credit to the musicians of Woonsocket and vicinity and emphasized the fact that it is not necessary to go far from home to find entertainers who please, and artists who are admired. The raising of the curtain revealed an orchestra of 20 pieces, including players from Boston, Providence and Woonsocket, seated on the stage, with a chorus of 100 voices on tiered seats in the background. This chorus included a majority of the local vocalists and members of various church choirs in this city.
The entrance of William H. Houghton, who had been active in arranging the concert, was marked with applause.
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That talented young gentleman conducted the orchestra in an overture, "Concert No. 2" (Kaliwoda. ) The chorus and orchestra, Miss Mary E. Lally, soprano, then gave the motet, " Gallia " (Gounod). Those who attended the Choral Union concerts several years ago will remember this famous composition of Gounod. On this occasion it re- ceived an intelligent interpretation and was suprisingly well sung, considering the limited number of rehearsals. The chorus was equally balanced, and the sopranos especially rendered their part finely. Miss Lally, a favorite Woon- socket vocalist, won new laurels, her sweet voice being heard to advantage in the several solos.
The testimonial concert was in every sense a flattering success, both in point of attendance and in excellence of programme. The musicians of this city and vicinity united to show their appreciation of the encouragement, the praise and favors which Major Smyth had shown many of them during his career as a newspaper man for more than a quar- ter of a century.
So full of thankfulness was the Major's heart to the musicians for this mark of their appreciation of his humble services that he issued the following card :
" To His Honor Lieutenant Governor Aram J. Pothier, to Rev. Joseph R. Bourgeois, to Mr. William H. Houghton, to the members of St. Ann's Gymnasium Band, to the members of the orchestra, to the members of the chorus, to the members of the Singers' Club, to Miss Mary E. Lally, to Mrs. A. G. E. Vose, to Miss Margaret Mulvey and Mr. A. Charles Fontaine, to Mr. Dennis O'Reilly, to the editors and staff members of local papers, to Mr. George Sweatt, lessee and manager of the Woonsocket Opera House, to Stage Manager Horace E. Gould, stage assistants and ushers, to Dr. Joseph Hils and members of the entertain- ment committee as well as to every person in the large au-
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dience, my heart goes out with an intense feeling of grati- tude to each and all, individually and collectively, a feeling that shall continue with me through the remaining period of my life, a feeling, too, that shall be to me a consolation at the hour of death.
" The music of voice and instrument shall remain with me as a fount of pleasure in sleeping dreams and waking thoughts, and associated with the soul-animating strains a vision of my many dear and cherished friends shall ever rise before me.
" On each and all I ask a blessing from Almighty God, however unworthy I may be in His sight to make such re- quest. It is in the melody and harmony of sweetest sounds that He, however, takes great delight. The song of birds, the music of the wind, the voice of the ocean, the diapason of the tempest, the symphony of angels, the hymnal chorus of church congregations and harmony of instruments are all intended for His praise.
" The strains of Sunday night's selections shall vibrate in my memory until the end of life's fitful day, the purple shadow of the evening of which is now upon the western hill.
" The vesper hour of life's declining day will soon be here, and when it is I hope the twilight shall brighten into the glorious light of an eternal happy day, and in that light I pray I may there meet, face to face, when earth's pilgrim- age for all is ended, those dear friends who have been to me a comfort and consolation, and have, by voice and deed, contributed to make my evening of life happy.
"JAMES W. SMYTH."
It was about this time also that Major Smyth issued a small pamphlet entitled, " History of the Catholic Church in Woonsocket," getting his facts from one of the persons who was present at the first Mass celebrated in Woon-
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socket, in 1828. This little book received such praise from prelates and other dignitaries of the Church that the Major decided to renew his efforts.
Among his contributions which attracted wide-spread attention might be mentioned " Robert Emmet's Grave," " Hibernianism," "Wayside Inn," "The Valor of Irish Soldiers," "The Boy Patriot," " Woonsocketers Abroad," " Wolfe Tone, the Irish Patriot," "Father Mathew, the Great Apostle of Temperance." The latter article we here- with reproduce :
REV. THEOBALD MATHEW.
" The greatest heroes of the world are those who con- quer their own passions, and with pure unselfishness of pur- pose work with all their energy for the common good of the human race. Such men are greater than the Alexanders, the Cæsars and the Napoleons who on fields of carnage have spilled the blood of millions and scattered death and desolation over portions of the earth, in order to satisfy an imperious and vain ambition to be called great.
"Rev. Theobald Mathew, the greatest of all apostles of total abstinence from the use of intoxicating drink, was not one of these. This great man, though born of a noble family, sought out and made the poor and lowly of the earth his companions in his Christ-like efforts to prove by word, deed and example, that he was their benefactor. Exalted position and wealth were his inheritance. He de- spised the first, and used the last to ameliorate the condi- tion of those who suffered. In order that he might better pursue the thorny path marked out for himself, he cast off the trappings of aristocracy, among whom he was born and donned the humble garb of a Capuchin friar. He might have walked through life's journey in luxury and ease, but he preferred to serve his Creator in the interest of suffering humanity.
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" This good and great man was born at Thomastown, county Tipperary, Ireland, October 10, 1790. He was of Welsh-Celtic origin. His father was a near relative to the Earl of Landaff. The early days of the future apostle were passed in the home of Lady Elizabeth Mathew, a sister of that nobleman. At the age of 13 he entered a Catholic seminary in Kilkenney, where he remained seven years, after which he entered Maynooth, where he pursued the study of theology for four years, and was then ordained a priest by Archbishop Murray of Dublin.
" His first missionary work was in a little chapel in Blackmore lane in the city of Cork, which chapel was built by the celebrated Rev. Arthur O'Leary. Here in that filthy place, situated amid dilapidated houses and mephitic stables, surrounded with squalor, misery, vice and crime, this hum- ble Capuchin priest labored through summer heat and win- ter cold, through sunshine and storm, for the salvation of the souls committed to his care, as their shepherd, their guide and spiritual father. Notwithstanding the poor con- dition of the " house dedicated to God," and its uninviting surroundings, the confessional in that humble Church was a place of refuge for the wealthy believer, as well as for the poor, in their spiritual fervor.
" This spiritual leader saw and deplored the evil of the abuse of intoxicating liquor among the Irish people, which abuse was visible on every hand in his parish, as well as elsewhere at that particular period of Irish history. It is related that a good Quaker, who was a particular friend and admirer of Father Mathew was the means of inducing this reverend gentleman to begin the work of reformation. The name of this Quaker was William Martin, who, though eccentric in manner, was a true Christian philosopher at heart. Mr. Martin called on the good priest on a particu- lar day and addressed him as follows : 'Friend Theobald,
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thou hast the gift of controlling thy people. Think what good thou couldst do for the safety of their souls and bodies if thou wouldst use thy power to preach the good cause of total abstinence amongst them.'
" The reverend gentleman weighed well the language of his Quaker friend, language which was on several occasions repeated, and he finally resolved to put the advice in prac- tice, and in doing so the greatest campaign in the cause of total abstinence in the world's history was begun. The pledge of this total abstinence doctrine was so simple that all could easily understand it. It was in substance as fol- lows :
"' I promise to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, ex- cept used medicinally and by order of a medical man, and may God sustain me in this pledge.'
"On April 10, 1838, Father Mathew signed the total abstinence pledge, and in doing so said: "Here goes in the name of God." The date on which these words were spoken marks the beginning of his great life-work. The zeal which inspired the heart of the great total abstinence apostle won thousands to his standard. A Total Abstin- ence Society was at that time organized in his parish, and of which he was unanimously elected president. The so- ciety numhered 35, and so quick was the inspiration of the hour that on the day following the date of the organization 200 more were admitted to membership. During the first five months after the inauguration of the movement 150,000 took the pledge in Cork. He next went to Limerick, and in that city he administered the total abstinence pledge to 15,000. The old historic city of Waterford was next visited, and there, within the space of two days, the pledge was administered to 80,000 people. Protestants and Cath- olics alike knelt before him and repeated the words of the pledge in unison, as spoken by him, after which he would
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go amoung them and placing his right hand on the head of each, would invoke a blessing. In order that he might de- vote all his time to the great work he had undertaken to perform he was obliged to abandon parochial duties, doing so by permission of his Bishop.
" Pope Gregory XVI., who then filled the chair of Peter, heard of the labors of the humble priest, and appointed him Commissary Apostolic, by virtue of which authority he was privileged above all the priests in Ireland, inasmuch as he was given the right to preach in every diocese in Ire- land without asking the consent of a Bishop or Archbishop to do so. In order to show the herculean work performed by this extraordinary man it is but necessary to state that in the city of Galway within a period of two days he ad- ministered the pledge to 100,000 people.
" After traveling through the whole of Ireland he visited England and Scotland in the order named. His success in both countries was equally as great as in Ireland. The ex- pense accompanying his apostolic undertaking not only ex- hausted his private fortune, but also sunk him deeply in debt. His brother, Thomas Mathew, a wealthy Tipperary distiller, came to his aid and assisted him with his means, until he, too, sunk deeply in debt. The great love shown by that brother to a brother whose inspired mission was to destroy the business in which the other was engaged, is hardly surpassed in the whole range of human history.
" Queen Victoria of England manifested great interest in the work being accomplished by Father Mathew and in acknowledgement of his services to her subjects granted him a pension of $1,500 a year, and also granted him the priv- ilege to use the ships of the British government to sail in, wherever he pleased, by ocean, sea or river.
" In the summer of 1849 he crossed the Atlantic ocean and arrived in New York on July 2, of that year. Here a
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reception worthy of a great conqueror was given the meek and humble Irish friar. An ovation was given him in every State in the Union. On visiting Washington he was ap- plaudingly received and enthusiastically welcomed by Presi- dent Zachery Taylor. He visited the Senate chamber by invitation and was conducted to a chair among the repre- sentatives of the nation.
" In his great work and extensive travels Woonsocket was not overlooked. He arrived here on October 10, 1849, (this being the 59th anniversary of his birth), and was en- thusiastically received. He came as the guest of Rev. Charles O'Reilly, the first pastor of St. Charles' Church. All citizens of every rank and station vied with each other in extending to him a most hearty welcome. The nucleus of the Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society was at that time formed.
" Father Mathew returned to Ireland in 1851, and there renewed his work, but his great and exhausting efforts be- gan to tell on his rugged constitution. He labored on, however, until 1858, when his physical energies relaxed and gave indication that the end of his earthly life was near. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, of that year he yielded up his soul to God, after twenty years of apostolic work in the cause of total abstinence.
" Under a drooping willow, in a beautiful Catholic ceme- tery, at one time a botanic garden, and which through his exertion was procured for the Catholics of Cork, rest in their sacerdotal vestments the remains of Rev. Theobald Mathew, one of the greatest of great men."
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REV. WILLIAM A. POWER.
The following article and poem, written upon hearing of the death of Rev. William A. Power, with whom he had an intimate acquaintance for many years, was the last con- tribution Major Smyth made to any newspaper :
" He is dead. Who? Rev. William A. Power, rector of St. Paul's Church, Blackstone. A soul has, therefore, left its earthly clay and passed to its eternal reward in Heaven. No purer or more saintly soul ever breathed the air of this earth. His whole life was devoted to the accom- plishment of good. He lived not for himself, alone, but for all created beings. The charity of his noble heart went out to all. That charity was of the purest kind. It was in keeping with St. Paul's epistle to the Corinthians : 'And if I should have prophecy, and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity I am noth- ing.' He, like St. Paul, believed in Faith and Hope, but that the greatest of all was Charity. He lived in that atmosphere of Charity toward all, and therefore came as near as possible to walking in the footsteps of Christ. His mortal form is dead, but his immortal soul is with his Crea- tor. A more kind and a more saintly priest it would be hard to find in the whole range of the priesthood. He was not only a true priest of the fold of Christ, but a true patriot. His love of God and love of country were para- mount characteristics of his saintly life. His soul went out to all the suffering, and even in his severe illness he would speak words of kindness to his physicians, telling them they ought to be careful of themselves and not to ex- ercise so much thought and sleeplessness about him.
" His love of all his parishioners was of the sincerest
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kind and his love of the children of his Sunday school was always a delight to those children, who looked upon him in the true sense as a spiritual father. He was the father of the faithful, and was revered as such in every home. He, too, possessed that noble quality of doing God's work, even in all its details, faithfully and well. Many improvements made by him were done without any cost to the people un- der his care. His own private funds were used in making improvements, the last of these improvements being the building of a rectory, which it was his hope to occupy when completed, and God ordained that his wish should be ful- filled.
" It has always been a delight to every Catholic soul to witness the holy spirit which animated him in the celebra- tion of the holy sacrifice of the Mass. It always seemed as if there was a halo of glory surrounding him during the sacrifice, this appearing from the tone of his voice and the exalted spirit with which he seemed to be inspired. His preaching was in keeping with all his other priestly and saintly attributes. The same charity that was prominent in his whole life, guided his language. His sympathy was with the erring and his admonitions for reformation pro- duced an effect which can never be forgotten by those who listened to him.
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