The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-10-28

met any priests to 5urpass tnose Oh thiS uloceso |
in attachment to duty, in aiDgleness OF pur-
pose, in personal virtue in fidelity and obedi- |
ence to the commands of those to whom they |
were commanded to be obedient. Aud II am |
to be permitted to single out someo the clergy |
from ameng their colleagues, surely 1 can
point with peculiar joy to the clergy OF
my own household, who have been NOM |
bers thereof for the pest five years, and from
whom am about to be separated. They have
always deported themselves in a manner be-
coming their sacred calling. They are not
memb bers, as you know of any religious order.
ror are they bound by any special rnles OF
life. There is no community bell to invite
them to their rooms at night no bell TO wake
them from sleep, nor to summon them TO
prayer, nor to the various duties OF the minis
try. And yet l think it would be difficult to
find even in a mon nsstery more exactness of dis
cpline, more fidelity TO duty, than can he found
among the priests Of this Cathedral parish.
day, and find any of theEl absent from the
post of duty When have they ever been
called that they did not answer-either IN heat
or cold, by day or night, and at all times 7 And
il were to lift the veil and reveal to you their
domestic life. could disclose to you spirit OF
affection without familiarity, spirit CT respect
without restraint, and spirit OF order, peace
and brotherly concord which l hope to see
initiated, but dare not hope to see surpassed.
And as for you, brethren OF the laity, you
can bear me witness that have never lndulged
you by vain fiattery, but that l have always
endeavored To propose to you your duty, no
matter how dstasteful 1T might have been TO
flesh and blood. But on the present occasion
l would be doing violence to my own feelings
aud to the deep affection have for you if
did not give pablo expression to my sdmira-
tion for the piety Of many of you, which edt-
fed me for the obedience of all of you, which
consoleu me, and for your spirit OF generosity,
which strengthened my hands. l have never
had occasion to repEoach you for any factioua
opposition, still lees for any manifestations of
a rebellious spirit. l have always ionnd you
ready with heart and hand to second every
effort I propose for the advaucen1ent OF rel-
giou. Oh, my brethren, can truly cay that
the wealth of bishop and priest does poG con-
siat in the wealth Of money boarded up, bus 1t
consists in the affections of the people and ia
that spontaneous generosity which h1ws from
the inuermost heart.
And now q word about III yself in conclusion.
I will not detain You 700 long, for do not feel
able to say much more without giving express
sion to amount of feeling which do NOT
wish to do in public. ! have heen often asked
what ny feelings on leaving the diocese OF
Richmond. OF course / caRno5 be inseDsible
to the unmerited favor conferred upon me- by
the Holy Father in translatipg me to the au-
to the pleasure l will experience in going
among body of learned and cultivated
clergy, such as l will find in Baltimore, and
with many of whom l have the pleasure OF
being acq quain ted. But as no one has sou nded
as much 10 myself the depth OF my own imper-
fections and nothingness. 30 no one can appre-
ciate more than myself the dread responsibility
which I feel in assuming my new charge
Still, brethren, a bishop is but man. He has
a heart and feelings like other men. ind 1t
now difficult, without struggle, to part with
body of clergy my associations with whom
have been SO pleasant; hard to part with those
religious communities which have ever been
ornaments to the diocese; hard to part with
yourselves, whose faces have now become so
familiar. I also find it hard to part with
| friends not of our faith-friends who have
| always mani tested towards me, during my resi-
| dence in Richmond, the kindest of feelings,
| without regard to religion, without re gard TO
oi,I, w Ia
est regret, depart from city to which am
| bound by so many attachments and from
people who have ever been 80 kind to me. You
may imagine the difficulties and palntalness OF
such parting. ask your prayers. L do not
ask you to pray that 1 may have long life or
q short lIfo That is immaterial. But pray
that God may give light TO my understanding,
| strength TO my heart, and rectitude to my will,
In order to fulfil we'll the duties that shall de:
| volve upon me, aad pray that God may eerd
you q bishop according to HIS own near ia
| man of zeal, peJy, energy. feryor an Idislnter'
| estsineAs, who Will cause virtue and religion
| and faith to flourish and bear tpoit throughout
! the length aud breadth of the diocese.
Be snre, my bretnren, will not forget you
Thuuuh parted frorn yea will watch the pro
Qress of religion in>this diocese with yearn'
! ing and auXous>hcsrG Nor shall forget the
| five years of my life spent here IN yonr mids;
years which have been the most composed
| and most happy of my life. L can we'll say,
with ST. Paul, that neither death, nor life
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers. nor
| things present. uOT IiIU 10 W oolhOJ nch N'p0S
| nor any other creature" shall be able to sepe.
| rate me from the love of Richmond. will
alw ays bear you in my heart of hearts. will
be with you in spirit, and will take as much
| interest in the diocese of Richmond as if
were still among you. Remember me- in your
! PRAYERS, and Ge assured l will never forget
| YOU in nine; and 1 beg that God may sepC
dow His choicest blessings upon you"
rFFEcr UPON THE PEOPLE
Tho words OF the distin guished prelate were
listened to with the most profound and ab
sor bed attention, aud produced marked ef
| fect upon his bearers. Many there were
among the cougreg cation who showed visible
signs of strong emotion. Tears flowed freely
| from the old as we'll as the young, the strong
as we'll as the weak. AS he concluded his re
marks and descended from the pulpit, the eyes
| of more than one-halfof the congregation were
| suffused with tears, and numerous sobs of sor
row could have been distinctly heard. DR.
| Gibbons himself, at times during the latte
portion of his diecourse, seemed deeply touch
ed, and his voice became husky with emotion
FINAL LEAvE-TAKINGs.
After the conclusion of Divine services q
the Cathedral, the Episcopal mansion was be
sieped by numerous callers upon Dr. Gibbons
for the purpose of taking final leave of the
| much. beloved and venerated prelate. Thit