The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-05-28
JACKSON. MISS, May 25, 1867.

JACKSON. Miss, May 25, 1867.
Editor Clarion: will you be kind enough
to give insertion to the enclosed document
from Right Rev. w. H. Elder, d. D., Bishop
ofNatchez, authorizing me to raise subscrip-
tons toward the completion of my church at
Meridian, Laudefdale county, Miss.
Through the fundamentally Of the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad Company, who donated
us 4 lot Of land. as an eligible site for the
new building, and the kindness of our pro-
testant friends at Meridian, who have liberal
" subscribed, nay, even taxed their means
Z to supply o want-a desideratnm, so much
needed by the Catholic community at this
place, we have-been induced to commence
the good word, with which am very sorry
to say we are unable to proceed in the want
of funds TO meet the demands made upon us.
It is o fact, we'll known to all. that the
number Of Catholics there are very few, yet
our generous, warm, kind-hearted friends
would not have it said that they should be
without place of worship in the midst OF
a growing population that owes its fame
its all, to energy and perseverance. 1t is
only few years, since we were reduced to q
heap of ruins, but thanksyto indomitable
persistency and good will, we bid fair to
compete with any of our sister States for
town replete with industry and unequall-
ed for the neatness and cleanliness of
its vicinity, besides great number of
churches and schools, as an enc0ur-
agement for families to come amongst us
whonare DESTROYS of such facilities, for the
well being and education Of the rising gen.
Grafton. With any individual in the com
munity, this seems to be the one prevailing
idea "teach the young idea how to shoot.
art of arts" without which all other advan-
tages would avail but very little.
1t is education well directed, that makes the
good citizen and soldierof the republic, and |
what else might ask either entitlts them
to, qualities them for or assures them high |
position in civic life, unless education and |
religion, not one separate from the other
They must be nourished at the sacred foun-
tain otherwise learning only serveth to puff I
up, as we see by daily experience.
Give us then churches and schools, and in
order to enable us ''free-born Americans" to
keep pace with the age, let us begin by Ii
quidating the debts already contracted for
those grand and noble purposes, and then
proceed not with slow but rapid steps in the
onward march of progress. This is my view
in coming here after doing what he could at
home, and SO we shall be obliged to call upon
the frisnds of Catholicity and Catholic char
ity at jackson and elsewhere, always with
the kind and favorable permission of the
Rev. Pastors to see five can realize the small
amount that will be required for the COM
pletion Of the glorious work so auspiciously
begun. 1t would be a shame in the commu-
nifty to tax the generosity of other denomi-
nations, chow willing soever they might beg
who are already but too heavily burdened
by subscriptions for churches and schools
Indeed it is surprising to see what
this generous spirit has accomplish
ed there for the last two years
l do not know if any other place within the
limits of my acquaintance has done half SO
much for the public welfare, considering all /
the disadvantages under which we have
labored since the "cruel war" We do not,
of course, mean to vie with the larger and
more opulent places where wealth abound
ed. t8 liz
Such isthe spirit of good will, disinterest- {
edness, and friendly feeling that iscultivated
here among the people that the town, with !
out an exception knows not bigotry, nor sec |
of any kind, and hope will long 8
continue SO, as the surest and best means of !
promoting joy, peace and happiness among t
"men of good will" such as we are blessed q
with. truly Yours,
I'M. BENNETT.
CATHEDRAL OF Our LADY OF SORROWS,
Natchez, Miss, March 81, 1867. +
BIsHoPRIc OF NATCHEz,
Rev. Jerome Bennett, Reu'd and Dear Sir:
authorize and Recommend you to solicit
for building your church at 9
in any part of this Diocese, with
the consort of the pastors, and in any other :,
Diocese where you can attain the consort of n
The ecclesiastical authority. 8
earnestly recommend your necessities to 0
the charity of all-both, because of the very !
great need there is for Catholic Church in !
that important place, and because of your t
OWN merits as laborious and selfsacri6cing k
pastor.
Your faithful servant; in Christ, a
WILLIAM HENRY ELDER, Il
Bishop Natchez. q