The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-10-10
The Late Rt. Rev. A. M. Martin. Bishop
of Natchitoches.

We naQ last week to record the death OF o
Jealous and holy prelate, the Rt. Rev.
Augustus NJ. Martin, first Bishop of Natchi-
toches. But whilst we mournfully deplore
his loss, We cannot but rejoice in the Lord
when we contemplate the life and labors of
this great servant of God.
From This infancy to his death, he was
especially formed by Providence in order
to accomplish the good work for which he
was destined. In his youth he WAS as re-
markable for his talent, as for his prudence
and virtue.
At the early age of % years, he was deem
ed worthy by the Cardinal Prince of Croi,
to be made Superior Of the Royal College
of st. Denis.
Everything in this young priest seemed
to prom Use brilliant and successful future.
Ennobied by his birth, as he was descended
from an old and illustrious family in Brit
tany he was yet more distinguished for
his learning and virtuous gifts.
Having performed with success in France,
the many onerous and responsible duties
imposed upon him filled with zeal for the
glory of God and salvation of souls, he re-
solves, at the age of So, in the year 1889, to
abandon his country in order to devote his
life to the rude labors of an American mis-
sionary. Though already honorary Canon
of Rennes he does not hesitate to sacrifice
what the world admires, in order to listen
to the call of Divine grace. He commenced
his Apostolic labors in Indiana, and for six
years he was ever active in the work of his
mission.
Stations many miles apart had to be Wis
tied (; the poor and neglected little ones of
Christ had to be instructed. The Catholic
country had to be consoled and strengthen
ed, and the refined, elegant and learned
French priest forgot all his past life and
associations, and cheerfully performed this
difficult task, for he knew and felt that his
mission was a mission of love.
His prudence, zeal, and activity, did not
pass unnoticed SO we see him appointed
at this time Vicar G eneral and Administra-
tor of the Dioces of Vincennes. The severe
climate of Indiana was too much for his
now failing health, and he was forced for a
time to return to France, to repair his con-
stitution, broken down by labor and fati-
que. His stay, however, in France, was
very short, as he loDged to return to the
mission to which he felt he was called by
God. He now sought more genial climate
for his labors, and Louisiana was blessed
by the works of his ministry,
For three years he exercised the ministry
at Baton Rouge, where his name ia still
cherished with feelings of gratitude and
love. He looked upon himself as the ser
want of all, and he never hesitated to per-
form the most painful duties, even though
called upon at the most unreasonable hours
His kindness and amiabiity won the hearts
of his people, and he effected wonders
among them. They were anxious that
he should live and die there but
Providence willed it otherwise. In 1s49
he was sent by Archbishop Blanc with the
powers of Vicar General to Natchitoches,
in order to evangelize that portion of Louis.
lana which afterwards became his diocese
Here his prudence and zeal became so we'll
known to his superiors, that he was chosen
by his Holiness Plus TX, first Bishop of
Natchitoches, July %, 1853.
On the Both of November of the same
year he was consecrated in New Orleans by
Archbishop Blanc, assisted by Bishop
PORTER, of Mobile, and Bishop Vaudeville,
of Natchez. 1t would be hard, almost i'm
possible, to give detailed account of his
lebors as Bishop during the last % years.
He found his diocese destitH:e of almost
everything necessary to a successful mis-
sion. He had neither priests, schools, nor
converts.
But Bishop Martin was not to be dis
couraged by difficulties be returned to
France from time to time in order to secure
pious Leyites from Brittany as remarkable
for it's religion and spirit of faith as for
it's loyalty and heroism-nor was he disap-
pointed, rs the history of the diocese can
testify. We have only to refer to Shreve-
port, where some of these heroic prieste
rushed to the relief of their plague stricken