Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-09-13

we shall hearken to the admonition
which you addressed to us last Sun
day, namely. to be one in sentiment
and action with the learned and dis
tinguished priest who has been APP
pointed your successor, and prove by
our conduct in the future as citizens
and Catholics, that your unwearying
exertions for our spiritual and tempo
raj benefit have borne good fruit
among us. Then, in bidding you,
Rev. Father, an affectionate farewell,
we fervently hope that you may be
spared many years to labor for the
salvation Of souls; that you will often
remember your Pensioners Of Alpe-
ma when serving at the altar Of God,
and that you will please accept the
accompanying gifts as a slight me-
mento of the esteem in which your
memory will ever be cherished by
your spiritual children in Alpena.
AT the conclusion of the address
Mr.. D'Aigle, in behalf of Father Do
mans many friends, presented to the
reverend gentleman handsome gold
headed cane, valued at $50, and a
purse containing $3.50, as a token of
the esteem in which he was held by
his many friends in Alpena.
Father DOMAIN feelingly responded ;
he was grateful for this token of es-
TEEN; twas an unexpected yet very
pleasant surprise to him; the cane
would serve ms token to remind him
of the appreciation of the congrega-
ton over which he had presided the
past few years, and to continually re-
mind him of the four very pleasant
years he had passed in Alpena, and
also of the strong ties of love that ex
listed between him and the congrega-
ton. and the warm friends he had
made while in A pena.
At the conclusion of Father Do
mans remarks, the following poem,
which was composed by James Nc
Namara, was read by that gentleman
Viye Vale.
Respectfully inscribed to Rev. Father DOMAIN on
the eve of his departure from Alpena.
Oft in a lifetime we may gather round
The pleasant hearth of some dear friend, topay
Our final tribute 90 the one who bound
Our hearts as one beneath his gentle sway.
Oftimes tits death who waves the victcr's palm,
Who 'refts the diamond of its brilliant ray
Who leaves the erstwhie pleasant face so calm
Who takes the soul, and leaves to us-the clay.
The many friends who gather here tonight,
To give our worthy priest fond farewell,
Have little wish 10 court the Sable knight,
Or e'er entce him from his StyPian cell.
when first thou landed on Alpena soil
Rude were the structures that thine eye beheld.
But by thy zeal and never ceasing toll,
wondrous hange is wrought upon the old.
Five years have near clapsed-how short they seem,
Since thor, dear Father vast ordaineA our guide
How well thou hast succ edel, Is We deem,
To thee as well as us, a source of pride.
Five years of toil-thy labor is not lost,
Not even if one soul was backward turned
From out the sea of sin, where billow-tost
The poorost mariner Gods araces spurned.
Grandly thy work stands forth-no idle show,
But emblemntc of the Jealous priest;
Though young among the Eucharist Guard, l trow,
Thy works will not be reckoned as the least
We feel our loss, but as it is decread
That sterling worth greater need shall gain
Why should reluctance paint hearts with grief,
Because we feel the parting gives pain.
Thou priest of Cod endowed with holy grace,
Thou who hast been our father and our friend,
Thou whose large heart provides tor us place,
Heaven grant our mutual love may never end
We look with longing on thy priestly robe,
The garb none but Gods chosen few may wear;
But while we dwell on this terrestrial globe
We may not hope such Joys as thine 20 share.
o thou whose fingers touch the sacred host
Whose lips proclaim the blessed words of Christ,
Whose poverty has ever been thy boast,
Deem not that thou our love has sacrificed.
For in this world, kind father and true friend
Our love for thee shall never know an end.