The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-01-28

i'm the city of Philadelphia on the 4tb of
November, 1909. In his childhood his
family moved from Philadelphia to Bards-
town,Ky. Tho mind of the future Preiate,
from his earliest years, was Of medita-
tive and aacetic bias, and led him in early
manhood to examine, with that logical
closeness which was his distinctive trait,
tho evidences of the Christian religion.
The result was the conviction of Catholic
truth. Grace was added to tho other gifts
of the Holy Ghost, and in due time, the
peopbyte knelt at the Altar of Christ to
make his profession of Faith in the One,
Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. He
completed his studies in the humanities
and philosophy at the College at Bards-
town; passed from the portals of school
teachers and fellows for sterling character,
astute mind, and academical attainments,
and embarked in the study of law. at
Bardst0wn. He was admitted to the bar,
Practiced at New Orleans, was pushing his
way successfully, and felt the radiance of
hected on his path, when the tastes of the
world, Whose honors he had begun to enjoy.
deserted his bosom, and he resolved to
take up his cross and follow his Divine
Master, in order to lead the more perfect
life. Often in after years, We have heard
him use in his discourses the momentous
words OF Holy Writ: Z" What doth it profit
a man to gain the soholc ,corld and lose his
oscn soul ?" and on his lips they ever SEEM
cd to be fraught with q peculiar meaning.
The inner consciousness of the preacher
was aroused, the eloquence of action in
formed his face, and sounded in his sharp
earnest voice, and all in such manner that
every body felt ut once he was thoroughly
in earnest about his religion. and loved it
better than everything in the world be-
sides.
He was entered at st. Mary's Seminary
In this city, where lie passed about two
years in theological studies, and returned
to Kentucky, leaving name in Baltimore
for ripe attainments and exemplary piety.
He was ordained at Bardstown, June 18th,
1880, by Bishop David, and sometime
thereafter went to Rome, where he contin-
ned, under the shadow of st. Peters, to en-
large the fold of his information, and add
to the already extensive range Of his nc
quirements. He spoke Latin, French and
italian huently, and was conversant in
other tongues. Several times during his
long and eminent ministry he visited Eu-
rope, and passed considerable period at
Romes where his piety and learning, and
reputation as an effective and logical
preacher, conspired to win him many warm
friends and admirers. Returning, after his
fret trip abroad, he entered on missionary
duties ut BardstOwn as the contemporary
and powerful co-laborer of the Rev. Martin
John Spalding, the present distinguished
Primate of the American Church. MANY
pleasing and edifying "reminiscences of the
two young priests are preserved in the
chronicles of that day in Kentucky, telling
how these Levites of the Church, with
Others. bent their apostolical energies to
tho task of renewing the religious face of
the earth in the West. Now VIC find Fa-
Their McGill alternating with Father Spald-
ing in giving famous course of conferen-
ces in the Cathedral at Bardstown, infusing
now zeal among the faithful, gathering
many errant children into the true Fold,
into which God had vouchsafed mercifully
70 lead his own wandering steps; to-day
administering the last Rites of the Holy
Church to a. soul departing, tomorrow
Whispering messages OF hope and pardon
IN the penitent's ear, and again dedicating
his pen to the service of truth, translatipg
Audin's famous Life of Calvin, with schol.
arly elegance and salutary effect, or con-
Quoting the editorial department of the
Catholic Advocate at Bardstown, and stamp
ing the impress of his teeming mind on its
coiamns. He was one of the chief editors
OF this excellent and able paper during
several years. In 1850 Father McGili,
then pastor at Lexington, was elevated to
the Hierarchy by Pope Plus IX., and was
c0nsecrated Bishop at Bardstown, by the
present Archbishop ofSt. Louis, Most Rev.
=. X. Kenrick, on the 10th of November.
After the division of the diocese of Virginia
into two Sees, one at Richmond and tho
IL.
McGill was appointed by the Holy See to
preside over the Diocese of Richmond. He |
arrived there on the 9th of December, and
1t this post he passed the last twenty one
years of his life, laboring with all his
wonted devotion for the welfare and safety
II souls, and enriching our theological
literature with various contributions, the
principal of which is his able and exhaus-
i've work " Our Faith, the Victory," vol
me Of singular merit and value, on account
& its admirable exposition of the moral and
truths of she Church. The do
csc of Richmond has prospered under his
barge, and although the Catholic popula-
ion Of Virginia is small and the number of
he clergy not yet great, both have grown
nd been multiplied very much during the .
eceased Prelate's occupation of the See of /
richmond, and every means at his COM "a
nand has been utilized and turned to the
est account. Hia bereaved and afflicted {
'hurches are to-day weeping over their ,
'reas loss, clergy and laity and indeed |
SSrge numbers not in communion with the G
inorcn. are feeling common tribulation q
-ior hishOp McGill was in every respect a
0M9fH@ei0 man. He Waa nilior 0f J.