The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-07-18
An Unezpeoted Advocate

During the late debate in the House of Lords
on the Church Bill, the Bishop of Litchfeld
made quite sensation by the frankness of his
confession in preferring another scheme to that
before the House. In the course of his remarks
he enlightened has audience by an anecdote
personal to himself, which lets US into a little
bit of history quite creditable to a Catholic
clergyman. The comments after the quotation
are those of the Cork Examiner:
"When he was serving in the army in New
Zealand, he was one of three military cbaplains
who all held the commission of her Majesty.
There a, very excellent chaplain of tic
Roman Catholic Church. an Irishman, who had
served long time in the garrison at Dublin,
who had attained the military rank of leutel-
ant colonel. There was Presbyterian chap
lain appointed, of course from the Established
and not from tue Free Church of Scotland and
there was himself, who was then oul y Il fourth
class chaplain Now, instead of the chickering's
and aniIu0sitics that elsewhere prevailed
amongst religious bodies, the Roman Catholic
chaplain, being q tctd-OtliceF, and such en-
titled to a double hut, said to him as soon as
he came into the camp, Il have got two rooms,
aud you must take one Some OF the Roman
Catholic officers said they would stare ut this
in Ireland. Bat What was yet more remark
able. it showed how charity crew when they
g"t-rid "f M these religious cnnGplir;rtinns''
Ihc excellent prelate, who had gone thus far
IN utter OBLIVION OF the fact that what he was
stating was really an UuuuswUriIblc argument
in favor of the bill, which propose, 10 estab-
fish in Ireland tic same equality which had
-9vltcrated religions jeaiousies and asccTbtiea
In New Zealand, was suddenly reminded Of the
trIlc ctlect of his argmmeUt by n loud burst of
ministerial cheers, and seemed not little en-
barrassed by the result Of his commcnGablc
though in Il political sense iH-timcd caudar.
The effect this act of simple kindness produced
in the mind of the bishop does not rebound to
the credit of the Established Church. Trained
in an atmosphere of suspicion aud prcjudice,
DR.. Selwny, though himself kindly and gen
man, could hardly believe a Catholic
priest capable of generous action, and he
eonfesses to having asked his felluw<chaplain,
care you acting quite consistently with your
principles in fraternising with usr The an
of the priest, in whom we think we can
identify an ITishman, was, " If my suDeriors
were to debar me of the sacred duty of hospi-
tally, would resign any office" From this
incident DIR. Selwyn appears to have learned a
lesson that he has not forgotten yet and the
effect of which may be traced in the respectful
and even kindly tone in which he spoke of
political and religious anita gonists. 1t was
pleasant in the heat of an angry debate to hear
him refer to his cold friend, Mr.. Gladstone"
and again express the satisfaction with which
he would receive Zone who the other day stood
at the foot of the throne, with their dear bro
Their, now their Hear MISUNDERSTANDING Man
ming" should the Queen, in the execution Of
the leveling up scheme he suggested, decide on
calling his Lordship to her councils.