Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-08-12
A NEGRO FRI ESr.
A TRUE STORY.

the priesthood believing ho would 10 scr-
viccnlIe in that capacity amongst tho neg
ro.s in South Carolina, many Of whom
wcro Catholics. Consequently ho sent him
to France to prepare for holy orders. After
srcndiug several years in thu Summaries,
having completed his studies tho young
man came to Charleston, and the Bishop
ordained him, gave him facilities. and sent
him on tho mission among his brethren,
hut strange 10 say they received linn very
coldly, and in fact gnve him to understand
that they did not want him--that they
preferred white shepherds. This greatly
discouraged linn, but ho lahorrd earnestly
for time. till. finding he could do NO
good, he resolved to leave them and 60 to
Europe, whero ho could be better received.
Accordingly, ho started for Now York, to
take passage for France. Arriving early
on Saturday morning, hc concluded to say
mass, IN usual. st. Peter being tho neNr'
est church, he directed his stops thitler.
DR.. T. -. who WIS tho pastor, was u ma
two of Cork, like our friend Having come
to the pastoral residence, our friend ascend
ell the steps, rang the bell, and inquired
for the pastor.
Tho servant informed him that tho pastor
was ut breakfast, and. pointing to the base
mcnt, said, III You wish to SEQ the Doctor
go down there"
Having closed tho hull door, the servant
ran down to the Doctor, and told him thn
Il every cons,.ty- looking naglr man w'.s
coming down to SEQ him on important busi
ness.
..rcll him to como in here" said thu
Doctor. :,
When our friend entered tho room, thu
Doctor England, without rising from tn!
table, bowed politely tothe man, and said
with a rich Cork ascent; 'Good morning
SIR"
.Good morning, kindly" replied on
friend, with just Us richa broeue.
The Doctor, surprised Mt the. accent
looked carefully ut the man, and said t
him very in9nirine'y ''What connt'ym"'
arc you, sir?
II an an Irishman, sir. :"
can Irishman?" ssid the Doctor, still
more surprised. -,
"Ycs, sir; al lrishMan.
''Then what part OF Ireland are yo'
from?"
I'm from Cork, sir"
"Werc YOU born there?" said the Doctor
perfectly astonished.
~ was, sir, replied our friend,
sWhat is your occupation said the DOC
tor.
~ have tho honor of being a clergy man
priest"
"a priest?' said the Doctor,s ;.
"Yes, sir, was the answer. - !-f1
"Who, in the name Of God, tell me, or
ilained you?" ''' 49, -
"Bisl1op England, sir" said our friend
This ,vos loo much for the Doctor. so HI
scalled the servant to show the man tn
door. A black priest was, in his opinion
bad enough, but lie thought it was carrying
the joke too far for the man to try to pass
for Cork man and priest, ordained by
Bishop England, so he motiOned TOWARD
the door and said "Clear off; you are al
impostor.'
"Allow me to show you my credentials,
replied our friend, proceeding to unlock
his valise So having produced the docu
ments, together with letters of recon-
mendation sud his e1ent FROM Bishop! Eng
land, he was allowed te sit down and :ex'
plain matters. "
Even the Doctor was not altogether con-
vinced till he had questioned him in Latin,
and on certain theological points. Hav.
ing received correct answers, in classical
Latin, to his questions, he excused him
self for his incredibly; "but" saith he
'Im afraid to allow you to say mass in the
church; these New Workers are very unru
" eople, and L am afraid they would dc
some damage to You, as they are not at al
friendly to the nagurs-I mean the black
men. However, have no objections tc
allow you to say mass privately in the base
ment of the church Of, in the house here
If YOU choose"
). Our friend seeing the prejudices thai
existed. and having had experience among
men of luis own color, thought his bes
policy would be Ito keep s':dark,.' 80 ht
thanked the Doctor for the privilege, and
proceeded very quietly to the chapel in
the basement. the Doctor having told him
that he would send over cou pie of boys
to serve his mas. a..
., When our friend had; left, the Doctor
called the servant, aud told her to send fol
boys to serve that mans mass, ... i..t:
.'..What !" exclaimed the girl, "is that ma
CUR priest?'
eyes, indeed, he u.s." said tho Doctor
che showed me his papers, and I question
ed him. He's all right"
"Ah, now, Doctor, sure you are only
joking. Sure he's as black as the old boy
himself"
Il know that" said the Doctor, "but
he's really priest, for I examined him
''Oh, glory be to God! wonders will new
or cease. .s Well, we'll, what won't you see
in America; ,l Bpt did you speak Latin to
Il did, and he speaks Latin very correct
w.
sThank God! for thew sav TINT fl a