The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-08-11
lBY EEQUEsT.l
IN RFAH< EzEnD"<E

Died, on Friday, July 18TH at o. clock p NJ
Mr.. PETER CHRIsTY, in the 6Sth year of his age
Mr.. Christy, cne of the earliest settlers of I.o-
retto, was during his life model OF every vir-
tue, and truly his death that of the Just
He was an affectionate husband, a devoted faith
er, kind and generous neighbor, and above all
stood out his piety. Daily was he an attendant
at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Whether the
heat of summer or the inclemepoy of winter
prevailed, it was all the same-this true servant
of the Gospel would be seen vending his way to
officiuted his early friend, the sainted Prince
GallitZin, and there, book in hand. most geuer-
ample of ferVor that charmed every behoIder.
Truly, i'll Mr. Christy were combined all those
acquaintances and so readily secure for him the
esteem of the most Indifferent. But, above all,
generally. did the virtue of this good man most
singularly manifest itself. Suffering from
heard go issue from his hps-never word ex-
pressive of impatience. From the very COM
mencement of the attack that preluded his
death, he seemed perfectly to understand the
nature of his case. and that recovery was inn
cOnsummate patience took the bitter draught
that was offered and submitted cheerfully to
the requirements of medical skill-showing. as
it were, that obedience in all the occurrences of
life is incumbent upon the Christian. We can
not forbear referring here to very touching
incident relative to his death bed, and it will IL
lustrate more clearly the singular piety of this
virtuOus soul Oppressed with a racking fever
scarcely able to lift his hand from the he'd of
pain. and apparently unconscious of every pass
Opening his eyes, he looks around, and calls
upon those standing near to recite with him the
usual saiutatlon though excruciatfnE pain fol-
lowed the 4tterance Of every syllable he pro-
nounced. We thought within ourselves bow
true the saying, 'As man lives shall he die"
Around the bed of this dying saint stood his
afflicted wife and eight sorrowiTg children-one
religieuse of the Order of Mercy. another the
respected pastor of Ebcnsburg, Cambria county
and many weeping relatives and friends To
ing his children separately, he exhorted them
to live as they should-that, though his turn was
today, yet theirs was quickly to follow-that
| their only reliance should be on God. and that
whenever He called they should be ready; and,
above all, that charity should be the bond ever
uniting them. Thus lived and thus taught this
good old man. and having fulfilled the work that
was given him TO do, he passed happily to our
! Lord without single struggle. Oh! on deaths
! like this one loves to dwell. For him the sound
of the ''Profscere" had not the slightest terror
! At the Judgment seat he found little to grieve
/ We should not mourn his departure, but il
/ leaves a void in our midst that nauVht can fill.
On the Monday following his death grand
/ Requium Mass was celebrated by Rev. r. c.
I Chrfsty. son of the deceased. assisted by Rev. r
BennO, @. 8. b, AZ Deacon, Rev. f. 8lauritus o
/ S. B., Sub-Deacon. and Rev. e. Burns, Pastor of
/ St Augustine. Master OF Ceremonies. The chO-
! raj services were performed by some ten OF
/ twelve clergvmen present, among whom were
| Rev. e. A. Bush. Loretto, Rev. Giles Christoph
st. Vincent's We6tlnoIe,and Co, Rev. J. Far,
deceased9 of New Brighton. Pa. and a number
/ of Benedictine Fathers whose names failed tc
! learn. These with their rich basSnS and tenors
. in the solemn Gregorian chant added immense
| ~ to the sublimity of the scene.
| At the conclusion of the Mass the burial ser
/ vice was read by the celebrant, assisted by the
| deacon and sub-deacon. The sermon, touch
ing one, was delivered by Rev. r. Phelan. pastor
of st. Peters, Allegheny county, who took fol
his text. blessed are the dead who repoSe IL
the Lord, for their works follow them Thj
Rev. orator spoke of the virtues of the deceased
told how all flesh is grass and the glory thereo
as the flower of the field that fadeth away, anC
how are compelled to acknowledge that eve
rything here below is vanity of Vanities, excep
to love and serve God. Heaven and earth Sllai
pass away, saith the Lord, but my word Shal
never pass away. God is our only resource ant
our only hope in the midst of the dangers ant
trials Of life, well as in the midst of the ter
rors of death. Having thus spoken at consider
able length the Rev. preacher concluded wItl
those beautiful words, well done, good ant
faithful servant: because thou hast been faith
full over n few things will now place thee owe
many. Enter into the kingdom prepared fo
thee.''
The remains of the deceased, enshrined in
magnificent metallic case Orn9nented with sill
YER mountings and q rich silver cross, We're thel
taken from the catafalque, and preceded b.
the acOlyteS, clergymen, and brotherhood o
st. Francis, passed professionally down the ais!
of the church. followed by the numerous rela
tives and friends to the cemetery. The clerg
eutOned the burial psalms as the processic
moved in the direction of the graveyard. an
all present felt their hearts deeply moved Er
| long the grave closed over all that remained @
! Mr.. Peter ChriSty, and we turned from the SpC
echoing the words of the sacred text: "Bcat
! nortu qUi in Domino mOriuntur. AmodO jar
dicit spiritus ut requiescant lab0ribus suia
opera enim illarum sequentur iilas." Rt**.