The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-01

Collins only looks little wesried on sat
urday morning, and before the day closes
she is not only about her ordinary avoca-
tions, but her natural gayety and cheerful-
ness Of disposition manifest themselves
without restraint.
Pastoral Letter Of the ut. Raw W. Il. Gross b. D.,
Bishop Of Savannah, Ga!
To the Clergy and Laity Of the Diocsssa
Venerable Brethren and Clergy. and belored chill
dren Of the Laity, grace to you end peace from
God our Father, and from tho Lord Jesus
Christ:
Great was my surprise, yea, great fear
and trembling como upon me, when q. few
months ago learned that had been NOM
mated as the successor Of that truly vene.
his eutire aock, 10 compellsa BY bad health
to resign his charge Of this diooese. Very
sublime 10 the Office of Bishop; and no man
taketh to himself the honor, but ho that Is
called by God. For the Bishop must at
tend to the flock in which the Holy Ghost
has placed him to rule the church Of God.
He must feed the sheep committed to bis
care with the food Of solid instruction, in
season and out ofseason. He must be able
and willing at all times to show the way TO
| heaven, and as q good shepherd, to guard
against that wicked spirit, who, Ike q
roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom
he may devour. Initiating the Divine Fa-
pered with q gentieness inspired BY charity,
reprove them for their faults, and at the
same time encourage the timid struggling
to break the letters of sin. The souls COM
mitted to his charge are children of God by
holy baptism, and are destined to become
one day the companions of bright angels in
heaven. They are SO dear and precious in
the eyes Of the most Holy Trinity, that the
Father gave His only Begottou Son; the
Eternal Word, became man. and gave His
blood as O ransom and the Holy Ghost
descends into these souls for their sauctifl-
cation. Great, therefore, 10 the account
which the Bishop viii have TO render, to
fided.
Unwearying vigilance therefore, ardent
zeal, aud unbounded charity, guided by
wisdom and prudence, must be the cbarac-
teristics of the Bishop. But conscious of
my infirmities, never for one moment did I
suspect even that my obscure and lowly
name was thought of in connection with a
dignity SO sublime, a burden SO heavy. Hap
by and contented is the venerable Congrega-
ton of missionaries, founded by the illustri
GUS Doctor of the Church, st. Alphonsas,
and in which had passed SO many pleas
ant years; / had looked for no higher favor
than to pass the remainder of my days in
the sacred seclusion of the cloister. You
can, therefore, better imagine, than can
describe, what were my fears when the en-
tirely unlocked for dignity was imposed
upon me; but it is Gods will. He who
delights in usiog lowly and weak instru-
ments for His wonderful works, that all
the world may recognize that it is the Hand
of God, and not man, has been pleased to
try than mans. For the Vicar of Christ,
select me for an Office filter to angels minis
our glorious Pope Plus has spoken, and in
his command We must recognize the adera-
BILE will of God.
And in this reflection 1 am filled with
confidence. For it is God who has chosen
me-, not I who have chosen the sublime
Office. Without God We can do nothing,
but with Him We can do all things. For
as jonas was reproved and punished, when
from . sense of unworthiness he fed from
the grave charge given him by God, so, my
brethren, it would be wrong in me to be de |
jected and cast down, now that know |
through the voice of the Sovereign Pontiff |
that 1 should undertake the duties Of such /
grave responsibility.
For He who called q David from his lit
tie sheep-Eoid to WELD 90 admirably the
sceptre Of Israel, and summoned the Apos-
les frem their fshing nets to the stupend-
,us work of converting pagan world,
will, now that He Gale me to rule tbis vast
diocese, give me all that is necessary to
render my reign replete with blessings for
my people. Confiding, therefore, in God,
whose voice obey, and Trusting in the in
of.the Immaculate Virgin, the
mother of those souls for whom Her Son
shed His blood, 1 undertake the ardnOus
duty of laboring for your salvation. Yes,
my dearly beloved brethren, your salvation,
your welfare shall henceforth be the only |
object of my lsbors and of my life.
In the exercise of my ministry, shall
take Him for my model Who, though the |
Lsrd and Master, yet could truly say that
He came TO serve and not to be served. |
Like this Divine model OF Pastors, / shall |
regard no service too lew or mehiaI, where |
the welfare of my flock is concerned. He
who received the greatest sinners with all |
sweetness and tenderness, and deigned to |
interrupt His grave discourse that little
children might approach to Him in sweet |
has taught me in what man ner
| shall receive all WHO approach me. And |
as the Good Shepherd spared Himself no
fatigue, and made every sacrifice, even TO
Tie shedding of the last drop of His blood,
20 my brethren, to promote your salvation,
shall spare myself no fatigue, nor hest
ate-to make any sacrifice.
l am consoled, my brethren, when re-
1ect on your good will, your zeal for reli-