Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-05-15
CORRESPONDENTS BETWEEN
AES. FATHER KAN AND HIS
CHILDREN IN CHRIST.
TO THE RIGHT Rev. DIR. J. J. KAHN,
BISHOP OF WHEELING.

TO THE RIGHT Rev. DIR. J. j. KAHN,
BISHOP OF WHEELING.
Very Rev. Sir-In view of your re-
cent elevation to the dignity of the Mi
tire, we, the undersigned members of
your late Congregation at Harper's
Ferry, beg leave to give expression to
our feelings on this suspicious event.
Our emotions are siugularly compound
! ed of grief, satisfaction, and pride. We
feel that your inevitable removal from
MS will entail loss not easily remedied,
tor we but echo the general opinion en-
tertained by men of all religious denom-
nations. in this community when We
say that, while your zeal in the cause of
heaven has been sing9larly fruitful in
good, your talents and learning have
rendered the services Of the Church
more than usually attractive, and com
handed the respect of even indifference
and unbelief
Our sorrow, however, is more than
counterbalanced by the reflection that
our loss is the gain of the Church, and
that your removal from us only gives a
wider field for the exercise of the ex-
traordinary powers with which you are
confessedly endowed, and which were
partially lost to religion while you oc-
cupied the comparatively obscured po-
sition of missionary priest The
Church has again fallen on evil days,
and not even when the heroic Athana-
seus combatted the first great heresy,
and yindicated the Godhead of her Di-
vine founder, or when the ferocious
feuds of Guelpbs aud Ghibelnes obliged
the Pon.iffs to take refuge among the
peaceful shades Of Avignon, did the
tempest rage as it does now around the
"Barque of Peter" The Holy See re-
allies this fact, and inspired as ever by
Divine wisdom, it is not slow in recog-
nizing the clear heads and stout hearts
which the occasion demands, and which,
in pursuance of Gods promise, are new
err lacking, and we reflect with pride
that our beloved pastor has been de-
signated by the infallible Vicar of
Christ as one to whom the helm may
be safely entrusted. With those ming
led feelings We present you with this
expression of our good will, and, as we
pray that your future course may not
belle the glorious promise of your
youth, we beg that you will reciprocate
by invoking for US the blessing of the
God whom you have SO faithfully serv-
ed here, and in whose army you now
take so exalted rank. Trusting that
our mutual good wishes and prayers
may meet the favorable attention. of
heaven,
We remain your ever faithful and
loving Children in Christ.
MY DEAR FRIENDS AND BELOVED
CHILDREN IN CHRIsT-Mine is not an
easy task to put in words what my
heart now feels. Your address with its
accompanying token Of affectionate es-
TEEN, has aroused me to a fuller reali-
cation of my approaching change, and
the sad parting it will entail.
have given the matter much seri-
Gus thought; have often looked ahead
and brought to mind the coming sepa-
ration from my dearly loved flock, and
the pain it was going to infiict. But
as the time draws near for my final de-
parture, feel more keenly the pang of
parting, and whilst thank you-(but
Thank is too cold and formala word,
ONLY use it for want of a better)-whilst
then l thank you from my heart for the
kind affectionate sentiments you ex-
press towards me, | cannot but own
that their very expression has made me
feel very sad. For / am thereby warn
ed how soon the rendipg will come, OF
ties most dear aud sacred-how soon
must for ever leave those among whom
l have spent all the years of my minis
try, and whom / have grown to love
with all fathers affection.
Cheerfully would I still minister to
you, and spend my remaining years
among you, for you have always show
ed me the docility and devotedness,
which gladdens the heart aud stimu-
late the zeal of pastor Of souls.
But God, our Master, has willed it
otherwise, and you and | must bow in
humble submission to His will as ex-
pressed in the voice of His Vicar upon
earth, the Sovereign Pontiff.
Though must now leave my pres
ent home, endeared by SO many pleas
ant memories, shall ever entertain in
my heart the most grateful recollection
and warmest appreciation of your kind
ness and affection, of which your so
handsome and so appropriate gift is the
pledge, as it will be the memento.
That God may bless you with every
good gift is the fervent wish, and shall
be the daily prayer, OF your devoted
friend and father in Thirst.
JOHN J. KAHN,
Bishop Elect. of Wheeling.
Harper's Ferry, May,Gis75.