Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-01-28

greatest pleasure Il that leave you with a
consciousness Of annoying your friendship
and good will. For nearly ten years have
our lots been cast together--a short period
when we look back upon 1t as past; but a
long time In the life Of even the longest
lived individual. How changed our con-
gregation within these ten years ?
How many once fami lar faces have
disappeared Some to seek, In more
distant States, Of our vast country, the
home and Independence which our great
mother, the American Republic, refuses to
none OF her sons, native or adopted, who
prove themselves worthy Of her; and to
carry with them the Faith once delivered
TO the Saints, some to that bourne whence
none return, but let us hope, bringing
with them, too, the Faith, to the portals VI
eternity, where seeing takes the place of
believlng-where hope and faith are no
more, but are merged and lost in charity.
How many have within that period Joined
our little flock and became In heart and
sentiment one of usl have lived to see the
few Catholics of ten years ago, grow into
the large, influential and respectable body
they now are. l have seen the little
school with its three teachers grow into
one of upwards of seven hundred
children, forwhom eight teachers and eight
sch0Ol-rooms are not sufficient. The con-
gregatiOn whose wants were supplied by
one Clergyman, now find two insufficient.
Two religious orders of devoted women
have come amongst US, to minister to the
wait, temporal and spiritual, OF Gods
poor, and given us Invaluable aid in our
ministrations. The various parochial as
sociations for the altar the school, or the
Rosary, and the beneficeDt Society Of st.
Vincent of Paul, for the relief of the poor,
have either been reoryanized or established
Five young men have responded to the call
Of God, and are now preparing themselves
for the priesthood, the highest and most
sublime dignity to which man can aspire;
others-men and women-like Mary, have
chosen the better part, and have devoted
their lives to the service OF God In religion,
and to the promotion of His glory by
works OF charity among the poor of Jesus
Christ. The congregation has responded
literally to all the demands made on it,
either for educational, charitable or re-
ligiOus purposes. Poor Ireland, the Faith
erlahd OF the majority Of US, has not been
forgotten In her day of need. And In all
our undertakings, bnt little, ifanything, un-
pleasant has occurred to mar the harmony
of action which has characterized US as
congregation. Let me fODdly hope that
the future will be even an Improvement on
the past, that still more harmony, greater
charity, more earnest zeal will mark your
efforts for the glory of God and the saliva
tiOn OF your souls. Let me hope that the
works already commenced will be brought
to a speedy and successful termination
thas the glorious Cross of Christ, ''star Of
our hopes" will ere many years he seen
browning the steeple of the new cathedral
church which, with youraid and the bless
ing of the Almighty, l have commenced, but
which more worthy and able man Is call
ed on to finish. The church Is winning,
has won for herself q recognition in our
ely. All that we need Is that In the
principal street, or Boulevard" Of our city,
called after the great Catholic discoverer
Columbus, even the material Cross, the em-
blem OF ther teaching, he raised aloft and
seen Of all men. The history Of our con-
gregation, Is but that of the Catholic Church
In America. Every where she lifts up her
cOnquering banner, the Cross; "Inhoc sigma
vinces," and all over this vast Republic tue
eyes, minds and hearts of men are turning
towards her.. Here, where religion is free,
all she asks Is a fair field and no favor. She
courts investigation. She Is city built
upon hill. She does not hide her light un-
der q bushel; and all over as well as in
our community, her heart is rejoiced
by the conversion OF numbers of
tile good, the intelligent, will say
the intellectual nobility of the land What
vast field for us! Oh ! If we were only
faithful! Oh If we would be, to those in
quiring and honest non Catholics amongst
whom we live, the sweet odor of Christ
How many, many, would we not save
How many rescue from scepticism and in
fidelity, and lead to the Church, there to
find rest for their weary feet and balm for
their wounded spirit, aud joy and peace in
believing let us be faithful and we shall
live TO see the heart of our great country
beating In unison with the Catholic Church.
We shall see the "victory which is our
faith spread through the land. And as
we have now but one flag and one country
so let there be but one faith, one Church,
one Christ, one God.
| accept with very much pleasure the
beautiful and costly presents which your
too great affection has prepared for me.
Let hispdstorGl staff remind me OF the sup
port my youthful steps have derived in the
past from your prayers, your cooperation
and your good example. Let 1t also be a
pledge to me that when far distant from my
tirst-bOrn children in the faith, they will
still support my steps by their prayers and
affecti0nate good wishes. Let this mitre
and other Episcopal ornaments OF my
priesthood, ever recall the altar where
L first stood as pastor to offer the
Holy Sacrifice. May the ring en-
ben Of union, ever unite our hearts
more and more closely to each other; and
as it is also the symbol of eternity, may it
teach us to hope and pray for that better
world, where there will be no more part
ings, but an eternal union of love and af-
lection. Many of us will never see each
other again this side of the grave; and it
is, therefore, with the deepest emotion that
/ say to you all an affectionate farewell,
and may the God of all blessings bless you
with every good gift, temparal as well as
spiritual, from the abundance of His graces;
and may Mary, the ever-blessed and i'm
maculate Virgin, intercede for you with
her Divine Son.
During the delivery of this address many