From a Special Correspondent
LEICESTER.
'An interesting event took place in St. Peter's Guildhall on Sunday; evening last, January 15. Mr Cyril Clancy, of Liverpool, was present to talk about his experiences as an official of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society.
The speaker commenced by alluding to his fifteen years' connection with the C.E.G.
His main theme was: 1. We have got " the goods."
2. Non-Catholics will listen.
3. We are not giving them the goods and we must.
In support of his ease he went on to describe his rather hectic career in Liverpool lodging-houses and slum streets, in Wigan market place, and in New Brighton.
THE REPORTER
Mr Clancy quoted cases of conversions that were dramatic in the extreme.
One was of a Liverpool reporter who, after he had been persuaded to spend a quarter of an hour on his knees in church, began to believe in God for the first time,
Some months afterwards he was received into the Church, and Is now studying at Port Augustus for the priesthood.
Another story, connected with New Brighton, concerned a mass attack by 3,000 Orangemen on the C.E.G. pitch, which was completely swept away.
Mr Clancy went on to speak of his prawn work and the gratitude shown by prisoners whose dependents are helped by the D.P.A. His work in this connection was often very grim, but there was 8. lighter side to it as well.
On one occasion a negro prisoner, charged with obtaining a night's lodging under false pretences, was brought into his office, It appeared he had been robbed of his money whilst asleep at the lodging-house.
Mr Clancy's companion, an Anglicani said to the negro, " Are you a Christian?"
" Oh yes, are you?" came the reply' " Of course," said the Anglican officials " Yes, but are you a In Nosnine Pains, at Filit et Spiritus Banctt kind ot Christian?" demanded the black one.
At any rate, they were able to help him, and when he reached Lagos, his home, he wrote thanking Mr Clancy, the letter being addressed, " To the Lord Clancy, Liverpool." And he got it,
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
A question concerning the Wigan House of Hospitality drew from Mr Clancy an unqualified praise of the Y.C.W. and the C.S.G. Another guess tion concerned the Apostleship of the Sea, which he meets in the course of his work. The Legion of Mary also came in for full praise for the magnifle cent work they are doing around Lanese. shire.
It was all very, very interesting, buil the time was getting on, and it's no good arguing with publicans, poor men, so the meeting came to an end.
The attendance was splendid cone sidering the weather, and it is cone fidently expected that the hall will be filled when Mr 5. Kirwan comes in at fortnight's time to speak on " The Church and Social Justice."