The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-12-12
LIrrTR PROM vIcKsBURs, MISS.
vroxsauRG, Dec. 9th, 1875.


thereof, Vicksburg still gathers vigor in it,
a quetude and freshened lustre from the lapse
Of time. '------
When l visited you, some two or three years
ego. remember distinctly to have stated
among other things, that Vicksbarg at that
period, had many inequalities to be smoothed
over, hills to be laid low, and valleys to be
filled up.
Since that time we have been exceedingly |
active and, indeed, have accomplished much IN
the improvement of ocr little burg ph5sically
and morally. But Notwithstanding all our
energy and many successful efforts, we
have still, as good pastors tell us, many
ineq ualities to be smoothed over, while our
visitors all concur in informing us that we have
vet many bills to be laid low and many deep
valleys to be filled up.
This, no doubt, appears somewhat dis
couragiug, and might perhaps have the effect
of disheartening us had We chiefly to rely upon
our own resources, but we have had, and still
have a fountain gushing from that eternal
rock, upon whose summit God has built his
immortal Church, and the waters thereof are
the waters of eternal life. Besides the never
ceasiug interest evinced in our behalf by our
holy religious, we have had this year the bless
ings of Jubilee, together with the fruits OF
mission more thoroughly successful than any
Vicksburg had ever before witnessed. Upon
this particular occasion circumstances rendered
it absolutely necessary that something of the
kind be done at Vicksburg, in order to exalt
| the Catholics of this district to view of the
dignity and Importance attached to the we'll
making of Jubilee. Many of the copgrega-
! ton had virtually fallen away from their
| duties and others were fast following in their
| footsteps. 1t was, therefore under this pecu-
| liar condition of things that Rev. P. l.. Nc
Evoy, a secular priest of st. Louis, ascended
| the pulpit of St. Paul's Church on the l4th OF
November, to begin o mission of some fifteen
DAYS duration. The chief characteristics which
gave to this mission its great success were the
ability, the gentleness, and the indefatigable
labor of him by whom it was, with the blessings
of God, PRINCIPALLY conducted.
Father McEvoy is a man possessing to q
great degree power of oratoEy as searching
as it is convincing, and as rare as 1T II
eloquent. He combines with q chaste dictior
a strictly forensical expression, and the whole
is embellished with q soft Irish accent tha
, carries one back instinctively to the greer
bills and dales of Ireland and to the bosom of
people rare in talent and rich in genius. In tn
, church as to be found in attendance, at tn
morning and the evening sermon, whateye
there was of intelligence and learning of a.
. denominations. Old and young, and gay an
= grave, were there; schsmaSics and skeptic'
deists and atheists, listened, and those tina
, were not converted were at least enlightene
" id heart and mind. Many stray sheep foun
{! their way back into the fold, and many strang
ones found their way into it and many q see
J.. was sown in the hearts Of the wayward whic
may one day germinate and grow into
- ripened harvest. The whole concluded with
Solemn High Mass. The s9blimity of Il
= ceremonies, together with the grandeur CT II
music of the great masters OF sacred song, q
contributed to make it one of the most stirrir
and impressive occasions ever witnessed
Vcksburg.
a. But n word more before conclude. We ha
- here three well beloved priests, in whose ju
-, praise l would drop a kindly tribute-Ve
~ Rev. F. K Leray, Rev John II. McMauus a.
" Rev. +. C. Bohmert.
They have been with long, through da
, of adversity aud days of joy. They ha
made their mild Influence felt in all circl
~ and often in dark days they have caus
80 "hope to spring from gentle words where OF
49,, griefs were strewn." They have watched o'
'ha us with tho tenderness of mother, and
by their ability priests of God, and th
-. steadfastuess shepherds tending tocks
49, hill and in glen. Long be their days in
%, land of the living! May their heavenly Gro
-, be as bright as their virtues are on earth, 6
may their memories ever be cherished fon
' and lovingly in the hearts of those they Il
-, best!
As l conclude this letter l deem it nc
worthy to mention the arrival of our grea
- loved Bishop, Right Rev. w. II. Elder.
- energetic labor and uutring zeal for the g
of souls brings him again to our midst.
S some weeks past he has been visiting
-. scattered missions the river above
90 point, and although laboring night and da!
NV, those arduous duties, his zeal will permit
to know no fatigue. lie will remain will
oN1 until after the Feast of the Immaculate c
''0O ception to administer confirmation to the m