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12 THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA CATHOLICS IN GEORGIA CAPTAIN P. H. RICE To Capt. P. H. Rice, of Augusta, president of the Catholic Laymen’s Association of Georgia, belongs the honor of having done more than any other lay man to promote the cause of Catholicity in Georgia, and perhaps in the whole South. Captain Rice is now serving his second term as president of the Laymen’s Association, and never was an honor more fittingly given a man. To him, more than any other layman, the organization owes its existence. The Laymen’s Association was formed in 1916. Fully ten years before that time the present head of the organization, as State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, raised for Bishop Keiley $1,500 to enable priests to visit Catholics in Georgia who lived in out of the way places. Part of this fund was used to dis tribute literature not only among non-Catholics who requested information, but among Catholics who had fallen away from the Church. In this way he was directly responsible for the return to the fold of many a strayed sheep. This was the real foundation of the work that was to start a decade later with the organization of the Catholic Laymen’s Association. Captain Rice was at the first meeting, the preliminary, when nine men met at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Augusta and laid the plan of the organization, and has been present at every Laymen’s Association gathering since. Captain Rice is a native of Augusta, being born in that city May 15, 185 7, the son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Galvin) Rice, both of whom came to Georgia from Ireland. Leaving school at the age of thirteen, he entered the employ of an Augusta cotton firm, but two years later became assistant bookkeeper for the shoe firm of Gallagher and Mulherin. At the age of 19 he was buyer and manager for the store, and at 2 1 purchased an interest in the firm, then known as William Mulherin & Co. In 1888, Jeremiah O’Connor was admitted to the firm, which became Mulherin, Rice & Co. Five years later, Mr. Mulherin died, and the present firm of Rice & O’Connor formed. The business of the firm has grown until it is one of the largest of its kind in Georgia and the South. Besides the flourishing retail business, a large whole sale business is conducted. The Boston Shoe Store, of Augusta, is also under the control of the firm. On September 22, 1886, Captain Rice was mar ried to Miss Elizabeth Carson, of Savannah, Ga. There are four children, Anna M., May Claire (Mrs. James B. Mulherin), Matthew S., a graduate student at Catholic University, and Patrick H., Jr., a student at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Ala. Captain Rice’s family, his business interests and his work for the Laymen’s Association have not monopo lized his attention, however. He is an active Knight of Columbus, perhaps the best-known Southerner in the circles of the order. He was the first Grand Knight of Patrick Walsh Council, and has held that position a majority of the terms since its foundation, despite his frequent protests that he had not the time. His last term expired in 1 920. He has also been Master of the Fourth Degree for the States of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, and State Deputy for Georgia. The organizations Captain Rice was responsible for starting almost rival his years in number. His most recent work in this line was the formation of the First Sunday Communion League, the purpose of which is indicated by its name. Hundreds of Augusta men are members of it, and it is an inspiring sight to see them approach the altar rail on the appointed Sunday each month. It is one of the feature of the flourishing spiritual life of Augusta. Many years ago Captain Rice was active in organ izing the Sacred Heart Cadets, which were famous through the South in their line. During the lifetime of the company he served as captain. He has been treasurer of the St. Joseph’s Branch, Catholic Knights of America, since 1 893, vice-president of the Savan nah Valley Fair Association, vice-president of the Female Orphanage, Savannah, president of the Au gusta Retail Merchants’ Association, president and a director of the Board of Commerce, a director in the Union Savings Bank, and an official in many other religious, fraternal and business enterprises. Captain Rice is one of the best-known and highly respected citizens of Augusta. Hundreds love him for what he has done for them; the others honor him for the man he is. His only fault would be a virtue in others he works too hard. As The Bulletin and the Laymen’s Association benefit more than any other organizations through this “fault” of his, we can hardly object very strenuously to it. May you be here to be written up on this page again, Captain, twenty-five years from today. AN ENCOURAGING COMMENT. The Bulletin has been commented upon favorably many times since it made its first appearance, but it has received no letters of commendation it values more than the one re produced below: Pass Christian, Miss., April 4, 1921. Catholic Laymen’s Association, 407 Herald Building, Augusta, Ga. Gentlemen: Be good enough to send me “The Bulletin” regularly as published. 1 enclose my check for $2.00, and I think that “The Bulletin” is worth ten times as much. With kind regards, I am, Yours very sincerely, JOHN E. GUNN, Bishop of Natchez.