The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-02-18 00:00:00

On 'Tuesday, the 25th of January last, a man named
Moroney, who was born a Protestant, but who, ft otn neglect
and inattention on the part of those who undertake, and are
paid for, the cure of souls, had for some years gone to mass,
expressed great desire that his infant child might receive
Protestant baptism. The case was pressing, for the infant
was very ill, and great doubts existed that it could survive
the night. A message was sent in all haste to the curate,
but he was at that moment not at home. A note was
then forwarded to the rector, who returned a verbal answer
that he would attend. Sure enough, in the evening he arrived
at the poor man's humble cabin, but rather after time, as
the worthy parson first deemed it his duty to call on the Rev.
Mr. Daly, the priest, to obtain his consent. Arm-in-arm
both the reverends entered the hut together (an example of
true Christian unity and concord); hut what pen can describe
their surprise and mortification at learning that their visit
was too late—that the Protestant curate had arrived, had
already done the needful, and was returned home ! An
indescribable scene followed. Rector and priest stared with
amazement. What was to be now done? At length silence
was broken by the minister inquiring why he had been
sent for in place of the priest. Moroney's reply was,
that he wished to have nothing ,to do with the latter.
" Sure, " added he, " has not has reverence christened
my child already.? " " What? " rejoined the astonished
-rector, " has he christened your child before, and do you
send for me now to christen it a second time ?" " Faix, and
he has, and me also, and all my family too," was the reply.
" Sure he christened us all at the last station by giving us
bad names." Surprise at this moment vanished from the
features of the rector, and, turning to the priest, he inquired
could the charge just made be true ? " Indeed, I called
them only by a few names," was the answer returned. "Oh
fie, sir," exclaimed the minister, " I little thought you
would act so indiscreetly." But the priest had made his
confession to the parson, and he had nothing to say in his
defence. In deep dudgeon, sulky, discontented, and morti-
fied, both quitted the cabin, ruminating on the past, and re-
solving for the future. We have just heard that the rector
has ordered it to be made public in his parishes, that hence-
forth any written message from those of his parishioners who
do not regularly attend his church, requesting him to bap-
tise their child, shall forthwith' be forwarded to the priest,
who, in his opinion, ought to take the trouble upon his own
shoulders. The following edict has also since issued from
the rectory—" The Rev. Mr. Grant (the curate) is in attend-
ance at the vestry-room of Kilworth Church every Thursday
and Saturday, at one o'clock, to give religious instruction to
such as require it, and to .receive requisitions for the dis-
charge of occasional services."
It is also currently whispered in the neighbourhood that
the great storm that raged with such violence on the follow-
ing night was produced by the curses of the priest when re,
turning home. Strange Is-It that his own habitation is a
sufferer as well as those of. his neighbours ! But many of
his votaries religiously believe the story, and think he can
do mightier things than raising a storm."