Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

18 articles on this Page

Advertising

--,-----_. CORRESPONDENCE.…

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

CATHOLIC TEACHERS AT DOWLAIS…

MR. J. O'GRADY, M.P., ON THE…

CAN A CATHOLIC BE A SOCIALIST?

Advertising

A MERTHYR VALE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT.

News
Cite
Share

A MERTHYR VALE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT. THE DAGO. OR COKE OVEN TRAMP. Sir,—I am a unit of that despicable syndicate called Dagoes. If I withhold my proper name, you will readily understand when I state that my swelling throat and heaving breast still indicate sympathv and love for a deserted mother, and I still hope that my blighted life may close in brightness. My life is a constant scourging with the triple whip of remorse, vain regret and self-disgust. Public outnion analyses me and my companions somewhat thus: That our capacity for evil is only equalled by our op- portunities: and that we are brutes, not even decent d-evilq. We are invariably greeted by expressions of aversion and disgust by those who think themselves exceptionally good be- cause they have been exceptionally fortunate in escaping temptation. I share too deeply in hu- manity's faults to be very critical; should I claim to be immaculate it would be utterly re- pugnant and you would denounce me as a tran- sparent sham. Upon inquiry, you will find that the lives of our bitterest persecutors are redolent with rank odour of unsavoury remem- brances, their relations, physical and moral, a jangling discord, and in some cases the maternal hand is unsanctified by the significant plain ring. Although I have reached the bottom of perdition I once thought mythical, I cannot but think when assailed on all sides that the devil has so many doing his work that be can afford to fold his hands in idleness. We hear of great preachers arriving from great cities holding successful missions. I re- gret to say that their successful mission is to convert the converted and fill the collection plate. They do not visit the outcast or the resort of the Dago. This is a fine harvest field for iliein. If they can pluck a few brands from the burning surely their crown of glory will be emblazoned by scintillating diamonds of righ- teousness and theirs will' be a veritable suc- cessful mission indeed. I appeal to ministers and Christians not to leave us as perpetual living monuments to Great Britain's deplorable poverty. Remember us when you say, "Our Father," etc.. thereby making us your bro- thers do not forget us when you proffer the chalice in the Holy Eucharist, stating that you are in love and charity with all men. We all know the founder of our faith was a friend of publicans and sinners; that when good in- fluences are felt in roan's soul evil becomes es- pecially active that the damp chill of sin has taken the place of the genial sunshine of re- pentance. We are in a slough of despond-a more fear,' uI bondage never cursed a human soul. If you have a keen eye for character, and a human interest for humanity; if you have the subtle power to fill his thoughts, quicken his pulse, stir his soul, lead him mentally to that place of holy memories, the place called home, where mother is—this is the open sesame to all his eruilty miss-doings—you may be the means of hope stealing into the heart that before was paralysed by despair. It is because Christians pass by on the other side that so many perish by the way. Teach us that your Christianity is a reality and not a fashion. There is nothing like relijrion lived out to open a heart closed against it. We sometimes think that God must become human to gain humanity; that His law is too perfect for im- perfect humanity. I We had a surprise visit a few evenings ago. Our gejusl qAd frisd tht JSftrry*" ii us a casual visit. We were delightfully sur prised to hear this diamond in the rough de- livering such masterly counsel. The noble An- gio-Saxon flowed from his lips like a string of pearls, impregnated with the spicy Welsh ac- cent, making it as irresistible as a. gentle south wind. I felt enraptured with him as he greeted us with feelings sincerely cordial and friendly. He taught us how to he elegant under circum- stances the most adverse, making us blush in conscious confusion. He filled us with iavol- untary admiration when he taught us how to avoid the stress of temptation, and to shun the poison of flattery; that pity and sympathy were qualities not agreeable to pride, describ- ing with logic and eloquence that still cold in- difference that is a.kin to death. His prayer echoed in my soul; it seemed as though the heavens could not be deaf to such an appeal. Finally between those guided by divine and earthly principles, the great gulf that is ever fixed between the good and evil in their deepest consciousness. If ministers should visit Coke Oven Terrace I would ask them not to veil their contempt by more politeness. Let the ice of your pride thaw and be not dishonest to yourself or us. Approach us with the silken cords of love. We are too well acquainted with the iron chains of crime. It rests between you and God, and you cannot shift the responsibility. That is acceptable devotion to God which leads to practical, active charity towards men. and the most unbelieving are won by such religion. I now retire for the night, cokes, brickbats, and other debris my bed, my pillow an empty corn- beof tin, the sky above my head the counter- pane. In a few moments I shall join that chorus. which I never hear, like a frog pond in full blast. KENVIN MATT.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT.

[No title]

EVERY WOMAN.

Abergavenny Chair Eisteddfod.…

--_-------Mysteries of Memory.

[No title]

EVENTS OF THE WEEK.

Crippled by Bad Feet

Advertising

CAN A CATHOLIC BE A SOCIALIST?