The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-31
The Very Rev. Richard s. Baker, D. D.

This distinguished divine breathcd his last
at II O'Clock yesterday morning, at the parochial
residence Of St. Mary's Church, in Wentworth
| street. "a
DR.. Baker was born on the 9th June, 1906, oil
Protestant parents, in the County OF Kilkenny,
Ireland. After the death Of his father, his mother
became Catholic, and, While young man, DR..
Baker also ioined that church. He arrived In this
city in 1877, several years after the erection OF
Charleston into distinct ana independent see
under Bishop John England. 1t was his intention
TO follow some mercantile pursuit, but, upon max
ing the acquaintance of Bishop England, lie deter
mined to prepare for the priesthood. lie accord
ingly studied theology in Bishop England's SEM
mary, and was ordained priest by that renowned
ecclesiastic. Upon his ordination. be became as
sistant pastor Of ST. Johns and ST Finbars Cattle
dral. in Friend street, where he remained until
| July 3, lS47, when he was called to succeed the
Rev. DR.. Lynch, now Bishop of Charleston, as
pastor of St. Mary's Church. He frequently ac-
companied Bishop England on his missions
through North Carolina, and for short time dis
charged the duties Of officiating priest at New
BERN in that State. He was constituted Vicar
General under Bishop England, and, upon the
demise of that lamented preate, was made ad-
ministrator of thA diocese. lie served the press
for several years asseditor OF the Roman Catholic
Miscellany OF Charleston, in which position he
defended ably and well the cause Of religion and
morality.
As pulpit orator he enjoyed high reputation
with his own flock, and however modest ana
unassuming, he could not confine within the mar
row bounds oGlis own fold fame which WIDEN
cd with every new display Of fervid eloquencc,
until it was recognized and known wherever
learning, sincerity and ardent zeal arc respected
or loved
The sad, ,ye. pleasant duty of preparing last
ing tribute to the memory of the deceased, must
bc remitted to the care of others who knew him
longer and more intimately than ourselves. And
yet all who knew him, fcf never so short time,
learned something to ADMIRE. There was an clio.
quehce in his long life, pathos in the last scenes
of the sad evenful history, more touching than
words OF ours could be. The laborious and pains
taking student, the earnest and ardent priest, the
frugal simple and kindly man, the orator whose
keen Damascus blade never rusted, though sealed
by disease to the scabbard-aftcr an useful and
upright life Of more than three score years, sleeps
the sleep CT the just. The pain and suffering OF
many months is over and forgotten, and he who
so often solaced the grief of the heartbroGen
mother, directed Alright the footsteps of the way
ward child, confirmed the doubling and strength
ened the weak, is now himself at rest.
THE FUNERAL.
The mortal remains Of DR.. Baker, dressed In the
sacerdotal robes in which he was ordained forty
years ago. were carried yesterday evening TO st.
Mary's Church, ITasel street, where they will lie
in state until tomorrow, when the interment will
take place. The clergy and vestry OF the five
Catholic Churches, walking In procession, accom-
panied the remains to st. Mary's Church, and
were followed by two or three thol said persons.
The church was draped in black for the occasion,
and upon the arrival Of the procession the vcs-
pers for the dead were sung.
A requiem High Mass for the repose OF the soul
OF the deceased will take place at O'Clock to-
morrow morning, at St. Mary's Church, immedi-
ately after which the body will be lowered to its
last resting place. The clergy, and the friends
andacqualntances OF the deceased, are invited to
be present.