Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-01-30

..,. ,,r,....-.. ..-.,, ~ provide elsewhere
for the additional means of building and to build
bcsi,lcs, thus became duty which was unwill-
ing decline. And if the 'ro.r Popph" be really
criterion, must yield to its decision and esod
e<t!y admit that have been successful collector
and IN inicfatigable workman.
At the start, had not one ,"la. tc pay for the
whole work lone in So short u time. indicates
how have lahorcd. Cod alone sustained me.
lTis blessing Was the secrct Of my success. 10
Him BE- a!l the glory.
In all that has been .nc, cnn truly say that
selrintcrcst hal no part In purchasing the
House and Lot, which decided to the Doce.s,
purchased nothing for myself. I had higher
o!jcct-to secure eligible site for Coils Church,
and IIom. for Catholcity where it had none.
counted myself merely us the "unproftable
servant" anil only wished tn stand on par with
the more JEALOUS Priests who will come utter Inc
nul find The work all done.
But while self was entirely ignored, have
new, apart from the Church, an abiding consnla-
who shall alternately occupy the Residence
have purchased shall lie my Guests, thro' the
labor underwent, an'l through the buunty Of
those at Il distance on whom l called, und who
aided my object with their charity, for Gods sake.
Hence, no Occupant can ever call the Place his
own. twill be for him merely tenement, not
nhtaincd by his own means or excrtivii, but by
;!lc flii3le< and sclf-deniul Of another, who has
,lrs hrcuiIr to Tim 8 beuelactnr.
It viii lac to luc moreover M additional abiding
consolation, that the object for which struggled
has been realized, and hst the House and Lot
nnd I'LL the Premise. shall be ever known iu Edge
field. as the Ahu'c Of Catholic Charity, because
contributed rur that purpose by Catholics, and
principally Ly the poor Irish Lnbourors and Me-
rlaucs far away irom EdgeIcld.
There IS another motive Tor lasting qualification
which wisi n, this time to express. Apart from
the divine ucc; of the Church, the building itself
is prUof that I have not aburc,l, in an alien
crossing sense, fer Cn;hUlicity, but that have
contributed my share to the appearance Of our
beautiful Village To this end hssa ssda in Eye ali.
;hiulgI, and my last effort was stimulated by it.
Recently, when my funds were low unl tho front
Of the Church unfinished, thus soiloquized Ny
fellow -ctizcus lai! the Corner Stane and Fuunda-
tinn for me, and shall I now leave tim Church,
like hen,lless statue, without Turrct or Cross |?
This thought was an arrow to my relaxing bow.
The Tower and Cross, all of granite, soon appear
ed. They now beau'iiy the House Of God, and
the whole building, completely finished, adorns
our Court Village.
Besides my gratitude to God, the Author of my
success, must acknowledge that feel Il Villngc
pride in thi, result. 1t is the index of what feel
md owe to our guod citizens. For, with re-
gnrd to our whole population, can say, that du-
ring my three years constant intercourse with
them, while building, l have never received u
personal unkindncss, discourcsy, or o;fense, in
word or deed. Eu on the contrary, every needed
favor has been extended to me, and every mark Of
respect and politcncss manifested.
Hence, shall always deem il an honor and
happiness through life,--Mr. Editor, and my libc-
raj and generous ow-Citizcns-tu he, with
high consideration and grateful heart,
Your most respectful aud devoted servant,
I. BERMINGliAM,
First Catholic rricst, Edsricld, S. c.
Canrir,ton, .Jas. O., 1851.