The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-05-11

by his pious parents took deep root In his soHl
naturally grave and reflective, and while endear'
ing himself to his teachers by his docile obedience
and quick parts, he won the love and resnect OF
his fellow students by his charity, simplicity and
earnest plety. His progress in his studies was
commensurate to the high talents God had given
him, and he was early distinguished as lngust,
historian and geographer Indeed, twas his eX'
cessiye devotion to his books that first preyed on
a naturally strong constitution and laid the foun'
dation of the insdous disease Consumption
which finally carried him off, Having terminated
his classical and philosophical studies at St
Lous's, Mr.. Mofitt visited st. Michael's College
| Toronto during the vacation Of 1872, and on the
| Doth of September Of the same year. was admitted
a novice into the community Of st. Basil by Father
Vincent. In the exercises of the novitate, the
virtues which had marked the days Of his boy
hood, found ample room for developing them
selves and while avoiding ostentatious display
his ready obedience, fervent plety, and fraternal
| charity gained him the esteem and confidence OF
all around him. On the termination Of his novice
ship, he was named teacher Of one of the junior
classes, his careful management OF which, Joined
to his gentle but firm discipline, pointed him out
to his Superior as one well worthy Of graver
charge. In consequence Of this, he was the fol-
lowing year promoted TO professorship In the
| classical course where his zeal and devotedness
became more conspicuous from the enlarged
| sphere of his duties He spared no pains TO ad'
vance the interests of his class, and they In turn
recognizing his personal worth and self-sacrihcing
spirit, looked up to him as master of whom they
had indeed reason TO be proud. During the last
| few months, his health had been gradually fail
Ing but even those Of his confreres who were the
most intimate with him did not suspect his real
condition; for he hardly ever referred to It, still
less was he heard to utter the least complaint.
Just three weeks before his death he modesty in
tmated to the Superior that the labors OF the class
room were beyond his present strength, and
begged to be relieved Of duty for while asking
permission to return for season, to the milder
climate OF his native State. This request was
readily granted but ere he could make prepara'
ton for his departure God who disposes all things
for the best sent him the illness which proved to
be the ending of his earthly pilgrimage, His sick
ness, short as II was unexpected was borne with
patience and resignation such as are rarely wit
messed.
II was only on Saturday. the lst ult, up to which
time he was thought to be progressing satslac' |
torily, that all unfavorable change was observed |
Immediately in addition to the skilliul physician
of the college, another eminent practitioner was
summoned, but towards evening 1t became ap'
parent that Mr. Mofiius hours on earth were iew'
On the morning of Passion Sunday he received
for the last time the Holy Communion, and When'
towards the end of the day II was feared he would
not pass the night, the last solemn rights OF the
Church were administered, and at MS own re-
quest he was permitted to make his religious pro-
fession as a member of the congregation OF ST.
Basil. Just two hours afterwards, while the pro
fessors and students were singing Vespers' whlch
they heartily offered up for their suffering irlehd
he entered On his agony which terminated at The
very moment of the Benediction ofthe Most Holy
Sacrament.
Alta few minutes after nine o'clock Mr., MOtftt
calmly and without pain resigned his pure soul
into the hands of his Creator.
The funeral took place from the College Church
Wednesday, the 9th ult High Mass was sung for
the dead by the Rev. Father Walsh, with Rev. P,
O'Donohoe besides the Very Rev. Father Vincent,
Superior of the College, Rev. Fathers Irachon and
Mulcahy, in all eighteen clergymen.
The funeral procession consisted of the reverend
clergy, professors and students of the College and
friends of St. Miehaels the pail. l.beareTs being six
Of his fellow professors. The chief mournerS were
the parents of the deceased, his youngest brother
who was present at his death, with Rev. Father
Walsh and Father o Dcnohoe, hislife-long friends
On arriving at the cemetery the remains were
Inferred in the college plot, by the side Ofh two
,rothers in religion, who had preceded him in
ieath; and as the last look was taken at the de-
cending coffin, we could not help reading Oh the S
creme countenances of all present that they re-
.ized in the case of their departed friend how
blessed are the dead who die in the Lord" y !
They rest from their labors for their works follow
hem"