Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-16

EtI<htAA Va INV. AAs - = -
b Yesterday We wsrashocked to hear Of the
death of the Rev Henry Vincent Brown,
of CHATTANOOGA The sad event occurred
at his home, on Thursday evening about 2
O'Clock. The intelligence has cast gloom
over his many friends here, who sincerely
loved him for his many good quahnes; ana
especially for his extreme kindness OF heaf'
and charitable disposition. HIS whole NE
was devoted to the benefit of others. Born
and reared New England Puritan OF the
straitest sect, he received q finished classl-
cal education. In early life his love OF the
fine arts led him to devote much OF ms
time to their study, and long years ago lew
artists could excel the beauty OF his con-
ceptions and the perfection OF his land
scape paintings. We have heard two ac-
counts of his conversion to Catholicism
One is that during one of his visits to Ken
lucky, for the purpose Of viewing and study
ing the magnificent mountain scenery In
the southeastern portion OF that STATE
he became an accidental visitor OF 81.
Catherrae's, one of the converts OF the Do
minican Sisters, and was prompted BY MS
impressions to study the Catholic religion,
which he had been taught from infancy 70
consider the mother Of denominations. Inc
result was that young Mr.. Brown was dis-
inherited: but impelled by what he felt to
be duty, he cared little for this world
goods. Returning to college he passed
through thorough course of theology, and
was soon after ordained Priest. The
other account of his conversion is
that be went to Rome for the purpose Of
improving his artistic taste and skill. While
there studying those grand old masters
whose paintings have given them immor-
tality. he became attracted to Cathohclty,
and finally became a convert to that faith.
Father Brown was Pastor of Nashville
in 1e4S-49 we believe. He negotiated
the purchase of the lot on which the Cattle
dral stands and inaugurated that work
The old altar piece was painted by his
hand. With the beginning of the con-
struction of the Nashville and Chattanooga
Road he began migratory missionary life,
attending the religious wants of the labo-
rers from one end of the line to the other,
in conjunction with the indefatigable Father
Louis Orengo. With the completion OF
that work, and the impetus it gave to the
growth of Chattanooga, he was settled over
| the little congregation of Catholics that
had nestled there, which grew apace under
his ministering care.
In the earlier years of his ministry, before
his constitution was shattered by the ex'
posures of the railroad mission, and his
| voice thereby lost, he was mellihuous
pulpit orator, of tender, persuasive, mag
| netic power. One of his sermons, deliv-
cred in the Cathedral pulpit some twenty
| wears ago, comes to our mind,
some passages of which were singularly
powerful. They have rung in the ears OF
| his hearers many year since; and subse-
quent events, then deep in the bosom OF
| futurity, have made them almost prophetic.
How well he performed his ministerial
| duties thousands of families throughout
| Middle and East Tennessee can testify; and
the ''boys in gray" at Fort Donelson can
attest to the qualities he displayed there
among the dying. That trying time re-
CURED all the qualities of faithful servant
| of Christ. But he has gone to receive his
reward May God deal kindly with him
and speedily admit him to the mansions OF
| the Just.
The following notice of his unexpected
demise we gather from the Chattanooga
| Times of yesterday:
| death OF FATHER BRowN.-We regret to
learn that, Rev. II. V. Brown, for more
than fifteen years the faithful and beloved
| Pastor of the Roman Catholic Church Of
this city, departed this life last night, at
| about s o'clock His death will be a sad
shock to his parishioners, and, indeed, to
all the citizens of Chattanooga, by whom,
without exception, he was held in the high
est esteem. We reserve until tomorrow q
more extended notice of his life and char
acter."
His remains will reach here by the Chat
tanooga train this morning, and the funer-
al service, with Mass for the Dead, will
take place at the Cathedral, at 10
| o'clock