About an hour before the opening of the exercises, I saw one of the priests with hat in hand accompanied by two of the fattest and most florid of the band, going to every one, collecting money and with the most hilarity and pleasure, each one threw his bank bills into the hat. I supposed that this collection was intended to pay for our board, during the retreat, and I prepared the $15 I wanted to give. When they came near me—the big hat was literally filled with five and ten dollar bills. Before handing my money to them, I asked: “What is the object of that collection?”
“Ah! ah!” they answered with a hearty laugh,“and the collectors laughed outright.
I answered politely, but seriously: “Gentlemen, I came here to meditate and pray; and when I am thirsty, the fresh and pure water of Lake Michigan will quench my thirst. I have given up, long ago, the use of intoxicating drinks. Please excuse me, I am a teetotaler.”
“So we are!” they answered with a laugh; “We have all taken the pledge from Father Mathew; but this does not prevent us from taking a little drop to quench our thirst and keep up our health. Father Mathew is not so merciless as you are.”
“I know Father Mathew well;” I answered, “I have written to him and seen him many times. Allow me to tell you that we are of the same mind about the use of intoxicating drink.”
“Is it possible! you know Father Mathew! and you are exchanging letters with him! What a holy man he is, and what good he has done in Ireland, and everywhere!” they answered.
“But the good he has done will not last long,” I said, “if all his disciples keep their pledges as you do.”
As we were talking, a good number of priests came around to hear what was said; for it was evident to all, that the bark of their collectors, not only had come to shallow waters, but had struck on a rock.
One of the priests said: “I thought we were to be preached by Bishop Spaulding; I had no idea that it was Father Chiniquy who had that charge.”
“Gentlemen,” I answered, “I have as much right to preach to you in favor of temperance as you have to preach to me in favor of intemperance. You may do as you please about the use of strong drink, during the retreat; but I hope I also may have the right to think and do as I please, in that matter.”