The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-08-13
A NEGRO PRIEST.

While DR.. England Bishop Of Oharles.
ton, a on q visit to his native City, Cork
he became acquainted with on exceedingly
Intelligent negro m Irishman by BIRTH
After n few interviews with the young man,
he conceived the idea Of educating him for
the priesthood, believing he. would be ser
viceable in that capacity amongst tho neg
in South CAROLINA, many Of whom
were Catholics. Consequently he sent him
TO Franco TO prepare for holy orders. After
spending several years in the seminhries,
having completed his studies the young
came TO Charleston, and tho Bishop
ordained him, gave him facilities, and sent
him on the mission among his brethren,
but strange TO SOY they received him very
coldly, and in fact gave him to understand
that they did not want hm-that they
preferred white shepherds. This greatly
discouraged linn, but he laborod earnestly
for q time, till, finding he could do no
good, he resolved to leave them and go TO
Europe, where he could be better received.
Accordingly, he started for New York, TO
take passage for France. Arriving early
on Saturday morning, he concluded to say
mass, as usual. st. Peters being the near
est church, he directed his steps thither.
DR.. Ps, who was the pastor, was a ma
tive of Cork, like our friend. Having come
10 the pastoral residence, our friend ascend.
cd The steps, rang tho bell, and inquired
for the pastor.
The servant informed him that tho pastor
was at breakfast, and, pointing to tho base
ment, said, 'lf you wish to SEQ the Doctor,
go down there
Having closed tho hall door, tho servant
ran down 10 the Doctor, and told him that
- - 1910 I.aEsNVH nanny man Vvstu
coming down 10 see him on important bust
ness.
"'rell him to come in here" said tho
Doctor.
When our friend entered the room, the
Doctor England, without rising from tho
table. bowed politely tothe man, and said,
with n rich Cork ascent; GOOD morning,
sir"
Good morning, kindly" replied our
friend, with Just as rich n brogue.
The Doctor, surprised at tho accent
looked carefully Mt the man, and said TO
him very %inquiringly, "What countryman
are you sirf'
81 am an Irishman, sir"
Gan Irishman2' said the Doctor, still
more surprised.
eyes, sir; an freshman"
'Tlien what part Of Ireland arc you
from?"
I'm from Cork, sir"
''wcre you born there2" said the Doctor
perfectly nstonishcd.
al was, sir replied our friend,
"What IL your occupatiou?' snidth Doc
tor.
81 have the honor Of being a clergyman
priest"
az priest2' said the Doctor.
eyes, sir, " was tho answer.
"Who, in the name of God, toll me, or
dained your
'Bishop England, sir" said orr friend.
This was too much fer tho Doctor, 10 he
called tho servant TO show tho man tho
door. A black priest was, in his opinion,
bad enough, but he thought it was carrying
the Joke too far for tho man TO try TO pass
for n Cork man and n priest, ordained by
Bishop England, 30 no motioned toward
the door and said 'ClcNr off; you are an
impo5tor.'
"AlLow me 10 show You my credentials, "
replied our friend, proceeding 10 unlock
his valise. So having produced tho docu-
ments, together with letters OF recon-
mendution and his Great from Bishop Eng,
land, he was allowed 10 sit down and ex-
plain matters.
Even tho Doctor was not altogether on
yincod till he had questioned him in Latin,
aud on certain theological points. Hay
ing received correct answers, in classical
to his questions, he excused HIM
self Tor his incredibly; "but' saith he,
'1'm afraid to allow you to say mass in the
church; these Now Workers are very unru-
ly I ooplo, and 1 am afmid thoy would do
some damage to You, ~ they are not at all
friendly 10 the nagurs- I mean the black
men. However, 1 have no objections to
allow you 10 say mass privately in the base
ment OF the church or in tho house here,
If you choose"
Our friend seeing the p%reiudices that
and having had experience among
men Of his own color, Thought his best
would be 10 keep dark 10 he
thanked tho Doctor for the privilege, and
proceeded very quietly TO the chapel in
the basement. the Doctor having told him
that he would send over n couple Of boys
TO serve his mass.
Whom our friend had LETT, the Doctor
called the servant, and told her TO send for
boys to serve that mans mass,
"What y exclaimed tho girl, sis that ma
CUR n priost2"
eyes, indeed, he is" said the Doctor;
Ah oAAhNNA ANh nm lNAlNNAnF anu \ AlNANnAAhAA~
ed him. He's all right"
"Ah, now, Doctor, sure you nro only
Sure he's NJ black as tho old boy
himself"
IL know that" snid tho Doctor, "but
hes really priest, for 1 examined him
ooh, glory BIO TO Godl wonders will new
or cease. We'll, we'll. what won't you sec
in America. But did you speak Latin TO
him, DoctorP"
Il did, and ho speaks Latin very correct
ly."
"Thank Godi for thoy say that the
doyil can't speak Latin, so he's not devil
But did you look Mt his feet ? or
lid you try him with the holy water, Doc
tor, icwelY'
mo, but it's all right, hurry off and do
Ms 1 told you"
SO off she went on her message TO tho
altar boys. After allowing the man n suf-
icient time 10 rest and got ON the altar,
her curiosity was 30 excited she resolved
90 hear his mass. She heard the poor man
saying mass deyoutly, and tones as sweet
and correct as any priest she had heard in
the could dart" She did not pray much,
however. for she kept her eyes, mouth and
ears Oyen till tho very end ofthe mass, and
then fastened back 10 the house 10 prepare
his breakfast for him, which sho did most
willingly, after hearing him say mass.
IL is stated that this priest il still living
in France, whore he found a warm welcome.
- Philadelphia Catholic Standard.
Swearing by Means OF the Bible.
During the time Of the freshet on the
Wabash, when the fiat country ON both
sides of the river was inundated by the
rising water, it became necessary for those
in the way TO escape 10 the mountains
the mounds that were probably made by
the Indians for that purpose. A party
fugitives, on their way 10 q place Of safety,