The Portland daily press., 1875-11-11
BISHOP BACON.
Dedication of the Bacon Tablet Mt the Ca.
thedraI-Address of Father Keegan.

The first annual requiem mass in memory of
Bishop Bacon was celebrated yesterday morning
at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
A very large congregation assembled to pay a
tribute OF affectionate regard to the memory of
their beloved prelate, who had so often minis
tered at the altar.
The organ loft and chancel were draped in
black. A catafalque was erected upon dais,
placed directly in front.:of the chancel, and COW
cred with heavy velvet pail, bearing large
white cross in the centre. Tall candles, in
massive silver candlesticks, stood on either side
of the catafalque, while semi-circe of gas
jets was erected over the centre of the casket
At the foot of the catafalque were placed the
Episcopal emblems, mitre aud beautiful flo
raj crown.
At 1880 a. m precisely, the long procession
and marched to the chancel, where the Bishop
was led to his throne. Ponti6cal High Mass
was then celebrated. that for the occasion be.
ing the Gregorian Mass. During its observ.
ance candles we're distributed to the clergy, and
the chancel was soon blaze of light The
following were the officers Of tie Mass: Cele-
brant, Right Rev. Bishop Healy; Assistant
Priest, Very Rev. S. E. Barry; Deacon, Rev.
John buddy: Sub.Deacon, Rev. Thos. Walsh;
Thurifer. Rev. j. Powers; Master of Ceremo-
MES, Rev. E. II. O'Callaghau.
The eulogy was pronounced BY the Rev. Will
liam Keegap, Bishop Bacon's successor as pas
tor of the church of the Assumption at Brook
Ign. The text was Ecclesiasticus, chap. "A,
verses II: "Let us now praise men of re-
nown and of our fathers in their generations
The Lord hath wrought great glory through
His magnifcence from the beginning. Such as
have borne rule in the dominion, men of great
power, and endued with their wisdom, showing
forth in the prophets the dignity of the proph-
s se rgn a the Rs0p asd n BY
in most holy words Such as by their skill
sought out musical tunes, and published canti-
Giles of the Scriptures. Rich men in virtue,
lovers of beautifulness; living at peace in their
houses All these have gained glory in their
generations, and were praised in their days."
The speaker paid glowing tribute to the
Bacon. The following incidents, related by the
speaker are of interest:
When speak of the gentleness of his char
aster, do not understand me to mean that he
was faint hearted or cowardy remember an
incident which occurred in the year 1874, which
will illustrate the character of the priest and
man. There was terrible hue and cry raised
against the aggressions Of Popery. Meetings
were held and placards posted in every part Of
Brooklyn. Societies were organized and the pre-
JUDGES OF the people were aroused to the high
est pitch. Finally an evening was appointed to
burn down the churches and wipe us out of ex-
istence The Infatuated mob, armed with every
species of weapon which they could command,
started out upon the work of destruction. They
marched through some of the principal streets,
booting and insulting every catholic who
CHANGED to cross their path. Bishop Bacon
was then young priest and young man, but
with the fortitude of David OF old, he went
forth to meet this modern Goliath He gather
ed around him few poor Catholics. He took
his stand in front of old ST. James and told the
men to remain quiet but firm. LET the mob
come on he said they will 20 that church
time as they imagine. They may have other
work to perform before they get back to their
own homes" The mob approached-they saw
the protectors, our defenders of the church;
they saw that their leader was not to be intimi-
dated-frm and immovable as rock and as
brave as lion; and they quickly reiterated and
st. James was never fred from that day to this.
In 1849 an enemy, stronger than any mob,
attacked our people in Brooklyn. The cholera
was making fearful ravages along the water
front, especially in the Assumption parish.
Then was tested the Christian heIoism of the
Bacon heard confessions Saturday evenings,
walked the streets all night ministering to the
sick apd dying and was at his post at the altar
the next morning to celebrate two masses, and
preach, and give consolation to those who look
ed in vain for consolation outside of his minis
try. He was never fatigued when duty called
him to act He seemed to be endowed with
superhuman strength. Amidst all his cares
and tolls, his heart was ever fixed upon the
sanctuary, which week after week he decorated
hoar1 I'D Until h in
deed might it be said of him, with greater truth
than of any friend have ever known: II have
loved, 0 Lord, the beauty of thy house and the
place where thy glory dwelleth.' He wished
at all times to set forth the grandeur and beau
ty of our faith in the magnifcence of the exse-
rior ceremonies.
OF the bearing of the late Bishop, Father
Keegan observed:
There were some people who looked upon
Bishop Bacon as proud and imperious; but lit
tie did they know of the goodness and kindness
of heart that lay beneath that exterior hauteur.
1t is true he was always diguifed and noble, he
was always the exemplary priest and prelate;
ture, and no mother could feel more keenly the
wants and sorrows of her child than did Bishop
Bacon for those in misery or distress. 1t has
been remarked of one of our American Bsh-
ops, the late Right Reverend DR.. England, that
from the rapidity OF his movements and his I'M
Bishop, but such was the rapidity of the move
ments of Bishop Bacon in the interests of re-
llgion, and such the never-ceasing energy
which he displayed, that he might be Justly
styled not only the Steam Bishop but the Elec-
trio Bishop. No amount of toll and fatigue
could wear him out, when any grand duty or
ceremony had to be performed. have seen
him up all night on the eve of Christmas, COM
pleting the decorations for the great festival,
celebrate three masses and preach next day,
and yet fresh and buoyant when the labor was
ended.