The Van Buren press., 1869-09-14
A Negro Priest.
A TRUE STORY.

!
ton, was on visit to his native city,
Cork. he became acquainted with an ex'
ccedingly intelligent negro, an lrishman
by birth. After n fsw interviews with
the youug man, he conceived the idea o!
educating him tor the priethood. beiey-
ing he would be scrvceable in that capac-
4 ity amongst the negroes in South Caro-
lima, many Of whom were Catholics Con-
sequently he sent him to France 10 pre-
pare for holy orders After spending
several years in the seminaries, having
completed his studies the young man
returned to Charleston, and the Bishop
ordaulel him. cayn him faciliiti.ss, ii. 81
} sent him OH the mission among his breth'
rem, but strange to say they received him
quite coldly, and in fact gave him to un-
dcrstand that they did not want HIM
I that they preferred white shepherds
This greatly discouraged him, but he In
bored earnestly for n time, till, iinding
that he could do no good, he resolved to
leave them and go to Europe, whore he
could be better received. Accordingly,
he started for New York, to take passage
for France Arriving early on Sunday
morning, he concluded to say mass as
usual St. Peters being the nearest
church, he directed his steps thithcr,
DR.. P--s, who was the pastor, was
native Of Cork, like our friend. Having
come to the pastoral residence, our friend
ascended the steps, rang the bell, and IN
quired for the pastor a. ,4..s,ae
The servant Informed him that the pas
tor was at breakfast, and pointing to the
basement, said H rt
"Jf you want TO see the Doctor, go
down there" 4f
; Having closed the hall door, the ser.
want ran down to the Doctor, and told
him that "a very consaty looking nagnr
man. was coming down to see him on
important business.
TEL him to come in here" said the
Doctor.
| When our friend entered the room, the
Doctor, without rising from the table,
bowed politely to the man, and said, with
n rich Cork accent: "Good morning,
sir" .ss 49,
az Good morning, kindly" replied our
fried, with just as rich brogne.
The Doctor, surprised at the accent.
looked carefully at the man. and said to
him iuquringly, "What eountryman are
you, sir p
II am aL Irishman, sir,"
"An Irishman p said the Doctor, still
more surprised. ''
"Yes, sir an Irishman." Hi e'
"Then what part Of Ireland arc you
from ~
Pm from Cork, sir"
"Werc yon born there?" said the
Doctor, perfectly astonisheds 3rh kat
81 was, SIR was tho reply. u . gs
"What is your occupation!' said the
Doctor. t. e.
~ have the honor of being clergy
man,pricst. 'ai ~"
"a priest ~ said the Doctor.
"Yes, sir" N W .uqi
"Who, in the name Of God tell me, or
daincd you?"
"Bishop England, sir" saidour friend.
This was too much for the Doctor, so
he called the servant to show the man the
door A black priest was, in his opin,
ion, bad enough, but he thought il was
carving the Joke too far for the man to
pass hmselffor Cork man and priest
ordained by Bishop England, so he mo-
toned toward the door, and said; ~ lc
"Clcar Off; you are an imposter. 4. b
"Allow me to show you my clVden
tials," preparing to unlock his vslise SO
having produced the documents, togeth.
or with letters Of recommendation and
: his excat from Bishop England, he was
allowed to sit down and explain matters
Even the Doctor was not altogether
convinced till he had questioned him in
Latin, and on certain theological points
Having received correct answers, in clas-
scal Latin to his questions, he excused
himself for his incredulity: (" but" said
he, 81 am afraid to allow you to say
mass in the church these New Workers
are very unruly people, and ] am afraid
tthey would do you some damage, as tho,
are not at all friendly to the nagers--Tl
mean the black people. However lhavs
no Objection to allow you to say mass
privately in the basement Of the church
or IN the house here. il you choose" ,,
oar friend seeing the prcjudices thu
existed and having had some experience
among men Of his own color, though
it his best policy to keep "dark,"3, so b,
thanked the Doctor for the privilege, anc
, proceeded very quietly to the chapel u
, the basement, the Doctor having tole
! him that he would send over q couple 0
, boys to serve mass. iF1ao
/, when our friend had left, the Docto
called the servant, and told her to SEM
for bows to serve that mansmass.
"what." exclaimed the girl, "is tina
I nagur q priest" " ~, .........
" Yes, indeed, he is," said the Doctor
, he showed me his papers, and ques
a toned him. Hes all right" rau
: 4" All, now. Doctor, sure you are oni,
1 Joking. Sure he's as black as the OLE
$ boy himself" !" .... .
/ II know that" said the Doctor, :" bu
: he's really priest, for examined hin
carefully efHlrd H.li .e V''a.
"Oh, glory be to God wonders viii
' never cease. Well, well. what wont yo'
: sea in America? But did you speak Lat
, in to him, Doctor" w" ~ ~
81 did, and he apeaks Latin very cor
rcctlvN aag .t
! 4" Thank God for they say that th'
2 devil can't speak Latin, so he's not th'
{ devil anyhow But did You look at hi
c feet or did you try him with holy wa
for Doctor Jewel Y" eHatGqJ Hyfl