The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-02-06

formerly Presbyterian minister in Boston,
and become preacher of Catholicity where
he had been known a defender of Protest
antism. He was afterwards removed by Bishop
Carroll. NJ. Matignou and NJ Cheverus, both
French priests and eXiles from their native
land, driven. out by the Reign of Terror, felt
that they must overcome the bitter prejudice
which weighed them down. To do this they
deemed it necessary to lead apostolic lives-to
observe the law of charity in all their inter
course with those about them, to be always
mild and gentle, never to meet railing with
railing. These choice spirits maintained the
most pleasant intercourse, tho tenderest in
timacy, yet never descended to familiarity. In
the simplicity of their mutual relations, there
was always something great and noble, and in
unison with the elevation of their sentime nts
and the dignity of their character. Protes-
tant jOnrna tho Boston Monthly Magazine, for
June, 1926, said: "Those who witnessed the
manner in which they lived together, will
never forget the refinement and elevation of
their Friendships it surpasses those attributes
which delight us in classic Stories and equalled
the lovely union of the son of Saul and the
minstrel of Israel" To all this was added IL
life of poverty and privation-honorable and
dignitied-devoted to works that should make
men wiser and better, in tine they came to be
recognized as men different from others, being
governed by more elevated sentiments-sOuls
full of love, and good, willing hearts imbnded
with generosity; in Il word, as men of God,
as apostles. Such lives began to attract at
do anywhere, and men began to eXclaim: "Are
these, then, the Catholics of whom we have
heard so many. evil things7 the Papists who
have been depicted to US in colors dark ~
Thus did prejudice begin to yield, but so strong
was it, and so diligently had it been nurtured,
that it could not yield at once.
After M. Cheverus had been in Boston year,
a Protestant ca me to him with the following
remarkable words: Sir, 1 have studied you
closely for a whole year. l have watched all
your steps and observed all your actions, did
not believe that a minister of Your religion
could be n good man. l now voluntarily come
to make you the separation which honor de-
mands. / declare to You that l esteem and
venerate you as the most virtuous man have
ever known" To this first testimony others
were added. The universal confidence M.
Cheverus had inspired soon brought him into
new and varied relations to the people of Bos-
ton. The newspapers began to admit that
Catholics were honorable men and good citi-
zens.
The yellow fever broke out in Boston in the
year 1902, and while it was raging to the ut
most extent, NJ. Cheverus was found every
where devOting himself to the most arduous
labors, administ ering to the wants of the sick
and atfortling consolation to their souls, with
out distinction of creed, class or nationality.
Such noble, self-sacriiicing conduct won for
him the universal esteem and undying love of
the people of Boston. After this he grew still
more into the favor and confidence of Anleri-
cans Of all ranks He enjoyed the esteem and
friendship Of John Adams, and WAS consulted
by members OF the Legislature and the most
distinguished O1HceTS OF Int SrbScruncuI.
In 1SU1 lie began the building of the church
which has since been known as / he old Fran kiln
St. Cathedral. The fist subscription to it
WAS paid by John Adams himself, and a great
maay PrOtcstants followed his example. Thus,
by means of Protestant money, the first Ca
tholc church i'll this part OF the country was
erected, and thus We see how, by the influence
of one mans all conquering virtues, the ad
hcrent, of the most butter bgotry We're moved
to lend their aid to cause they had been
taught to despisc and hate. This church
then the only Catholic place of worship i'll
the Diocese, so that on Sundays and holidays
these devoted people crowded from all parts of
the country round to the little chapel in
Franklin street About this time it was that
NJ. Cheverus was elevated to the episcopacy
but it WAS only by the strongly expressed wish
OF Archbishop Carroll that his reluctance to
assume that high dignity was overcome. He
consecrated Bishop in the Cathedral
Church of Baltimore on All Saints Day, 1910
little more than half century ago.
After his conservation he continued to labor
with even greater industry and zeal to nourish
and to propagate the faith, SO that both by his
preaching and religious works, the Church
made rapid advances. Soon his modest resi-
dence adjoining the Cathedral in Franklin
street was visited not only by Catholics, but
by Professionals of all ranks and stations in life.
Every one among the highest and lowest was
delighted to speak to the holy man, and none
who ever applied for his advice failed to find
in him a counsellor aud a friend. Protestant
ladies' had the greatest confidence in his honor
and in his wisdom, 30 that many of them hest
ID
affairs, and the innermost troubles of their
souls, IN order to receive from him counsel and
comfort. On one occasion a lady who had CON
sulted him said that she could agree with
every thing i'll his religion except the confession
to priest-when he surprised her by telling
her that she had already. of her own free will,
actually made n confession to him, and stated
even more than the Catholic Church requires
i'll such cases. Thus by their own words and
acts they were made to look upon the rcl gion
with favor and learned to know and reaize
tue benefits of those very sacraments, of which
heretofore they thought only to dcspise and
misrepresent.
The shining light of his wisdom and sane.
tity continued to SIZED its eVer-eXtendiug rtye
until bis name endeared to the hriLrtre
Boston, and he became every where kuoSh
true citizen and n benefactor to the No.,
nifty. But the-people little knew I'D :"
they would Ice obliged to part with le.te-
noble deeds they had sAeaEeelK-ge ,.h-"t'
appreciate July. SEQ sas, for a. ~ u he We
aware now France eSEied BostY So",nouiuG
it possessed i'll Bishop CheveX1. snM ue nA1
c,ived il call from his matt 9 T. y u eneev> nien
him back To that countrY AVS beio.>
/ he Lad ..i5 !, poor ds,spisel1 Pr
t,;,., MISS TO Eetseu aesf1sIER,
TIarqndeiet street, between PoSdrls and Lafavrtto
n, ISIS o. deceased persons taken iu OH and