The New York herald., 1873-10-05
A FATHER FOR THE POOR.

Conf rm alton OF Catholic Children by
Archbishop McClosley the school
ship Mercury and Randan's and Harris
Islands.
The work OF charity towards the poor so long
performed almost exclusively by the Church has IN
the latter days been undertaken by the State, with
the avowed object, so far as youthful paupers are
concerned. or training them to become the inhe-
ritors OF the liberties and privileges she has 10
bcstow. But the members of the Church stll enter
the hospitals and almshouses Of the State
twhen they are permitted to do so)
and bring up the little ones In
the way OF truth and justice. From the time when
RandalI's Island and Hart's Island became homes
for the suffering poor, the priests and the members
OF the ST. Vincent de Paul Society have regularly
visited the children and adults thereon Sunday
after Sunday, preaching and teaching. Hence &c
comes that every year there 200 persons, on an
average prepared for First Communion or for the
Sacrament OF Confirmation. Yesterday being the
day appointed for the confirmation OF the little
ones at eight O'Clock the boat Minnahanonck
started from the foot OF Twenty-sixth street nav-
ing on board the Most Reverend Archolshop
McCloskey, the Rev. Father Duranquet, . j., cnap-
lam OF Hart's Island and the schoolship Mercury
the Rev. Father Genes S. j., chaplain OF Randails
Island, and Fathers Farrely Lake, Mcdowell ana
Flynn; Commissioner Lynch, OF the Board OF Eml-
grafton Commissioner Nicholson, Dr. Anderson,
Messrs Dolan Manning ana Psrer Island tnev
proceeded TO the building used as church, wherein
were assembled the Catholic boys and girls Tnere
were sxty-siN boys twenty-one girls and twenty
two adults to be confirmed. The venerable Arch
bishop. arrayed in the appropriate vestments, ad-
dressed them substantially as foliows:-
THE ARCHBISHoP's ADDRESS.
glad, my dear children to meet You all here
Sn o 6 ase a oe pn are
day privilege and favor that you never had before
ceive the sacrament OF confrmafon you VII obtain
slowed upon You, and you cannot again become pos
sessed Of Them in the same manner because The saeEs
ing this you receive the Holy Ghost in order
o aaf jesus yHuc % The Holy % enrich
hearts and souls and to sanety you by His divine pres
treasures valuable than gold and silver and pre-
world the the unading treasures Of heaven
4 a s The to 70 secure
OF eternal glory ana 9 mat me me
biissnl end you require grace and strength This life
constant conhet with the enemies OF our salvation.
vices and 6asphemy and YOU exposed ali the dan
n the spirit a 70 yeo e this rnns 70 IN
soul Within sf sP pfafs ao s sanas
dwell! within my soul and sustain me in AL my Trials; f
You during life and never orsske until you condnct
me to the abode of the blessed hereafter"
Then the children advanced one by one, and the
imposition OF hands took place. The scene was an
impressive one. The sun broke in upon the little
worshippers,, and they seemed as happy y, as as
If they had been set upon thrones. with
one acclaim, during the ceremony, they sang
the hymn Come holy Ghost sena down those
beams.n The ceremony concluded, the Archbishop
was invited 10 review regiment consisting OF
boys. The lads performed several creditable
evoutions, marching with flies and drums. One
OF them in the name OF his fellow
soldiers, welcomed the Archbishop to the
island, which he acknowledged in his
usual graceful manner. The visitors then
accompanied the Archbishop to the schoolshp
Mercury They were received on board by Captain
Grard and his officers and Mr.. John O'Nen, the
SChOOlShlD
fifty boys then taken from the vessel to Hart's
Island, where there were
THIRTY MORE BOYS AND SIX ADULTS
to be confirmed. When they had filed into the
temporary chapel the Archbishop addressed them
also with much the same tone and kindly Affection
ate manner in which he had previously spoken.
When the sacrament had been conferred, Father
Duranquet concluded the ceremonies with PRAYER
and catechism, the boys acquitting themselves
very credit ABLY.