Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-18
BISHOP GROSS FAREWELL
PASTOR LATTER 70 THE
PEOPLE OF HIS OLD SEE.

of Oregon, late Bishop of the Roman
Catholic Diocese Of Georgia, to the
churches in his Old see. was read by The
Very Rev. Edward Canerty Nicar-C'cn-
eral and Administrator Of the Diocese, at
early mass at the Cathedral yesterday
morning, and by Rev. Father McNally,
Secretary in charge Of tie Cathedral, at
the II O'Clock mass. 1t was also read at
the celebration OF mass IN st. Fatr'ck's
Church bv the pastor Rev. Father
C,Hara and by Rev. Father Oswald MOOs-
muller, pastor Of the Church OF the Sa-
cred Heart
TIE reading of the letter
produced marked impression upon all
who heard il, and a number If copies
were distributed among the laity, by
whom the utterances of their beloved
Bishop WIN doubtless be treasured.
the letter was received by the Vicar
General in pamphlet form TOO late 10 be
sent to the churches at Macon, Augusta,
Atlanta and other points in the
diocese IN time for reading
yesterday. A copy was obtained by
the News and is given below. II Will be
read with interest bv the public generally,
and especially by the people Of savannah,
where Bishop Gross has labOred zealously
for the past twelve years.
Dearly bfIored brethren Of me c1ergy AMI Iai'y
al the di0c4se IF Stcannat:
Great surely was your surprise, and mine
even greater. when 10 was anppunced lhat the
SOVEREIGN ponti6 hsd nominated me 10 the
Archbishopric of Oregon.
Morung quietly aud unOstcntatiOuly IN
Georlia, mi having every reason 10 be con
tented With the Jealous and beloved Clergy
and the dear people entrusted 10 me, han no
thought OF work i'm the far West, or that one
so obscure as mvse was noticed outside OF
my di0cesc. As it is "a most important event
and one full of mat grave consequences TO
mvsel' and many others, ! feared TO trust my
own lights aGd Judgment. l, therefore. nave
consulted man holy and learned persons
whose unbiased u0Cment might guide me. !
have cauGidly laid before them my own views
an submitted them 10 their examination.
But what is the chief aid IN life, holy prayer,
have not omitted, a my request. many holy
persons have PRAYED God Tor many days tnaJ
His divine majesty might through the all
powerful intt recession of His ever Blessed
Mother, grant me the grace to know ana do
what is pleasing i'm His eyes on this important
occasion. And now must say that the unanl-
nous advice of those whom have consulted,
some Of whom I'll with lustre exalted positions
in the Church Of God, is that ! should go 10
the wide field OF missionary labor rendered
me IN the great West. think that II would
be unbecomng in me not TO follow their al.
vice. In announcing to you. dearly beloved
brethren. that deem II my duty TO accept Ihe
position SO unexpectedly offered me, must
address a few words to you.
When / came 10 Georgia twelve wears ago
kindness and reverence with which you re-
ceived me. During the twelve years of my
episc0pate in Georgia | have Travelled FREE
quently in every section OF the immense diO-
cese. and everywhere the same love, kindness
and reverence have always Welcom ed me.
Twelve years Of residence, and the building
OF the Cathedral the orphanagee the in-
firm aries and other works have not dlmmed,
but increased the brightness Of your hearty
good VIII for your Bishop.
/ gladly avail myself Of this occasion TO
~ l. es..Na -N.s.
me by so many non Catholics in Georgia
While ! have ALWAYS spoken most earnestly
aud unhnchlngiy the truths of the Catholic
faith. the natural candOr of the noble people
OF Georgia has extended to me the grea est
kindness and courtesy. Many of Georges
noble sons are my personal friends ana l
thank the people for their great and constant
courtesy To me. w Ords ran me, however, 10
tell you adequately, my dearly beloved
brethren Of the household of the faith, how
greatly appreciate all the love and rever-
ence which the noble clergy and lalty OF the
diocese have layished on me during the twelve
years OF my episcopate IN your midst.
Ii The Cathedral, the orphanages and so
many other works for The glory Of God have
been erected, | must attribute the success,
after God and the iutercessiOn Of the Blessed
Virgin, to your faithful Observance Of the
great maxim Of oneaience to the authorities
OF Holy nurch. Your hearty Observance Of
IN maxim is the real secret of the success
when attended our measures. In our days
the fact that obedience, cheerful and hearty
-
ton of success, Is much forgotten. The best
equipped army ana the bravest battaliOns
VIII effect nothing, If wanting in strict obe-
dience TO the commander in chief. The
staunchest ship viii fail. n its sailors are i'm
rebellion against their captain. But while
unity and obedience are essential elements of
success in secular affairs they stand on
higher plane IN the Cathollc church. W q nave
The consolation TO know that our ecclesas-
teal superior- are the ambassadors and repre-
sentatives OF God TO us in things spiri tual.
We hear His voice. His commands. through
them. To be children Of obedience has been
the very characteristic Of Coos faithful SER
wants from the beginning To revolt against
authority. T. refuse obedience. has been IN all
ages the great brand distinguishing the fol-
lowers OF that demon who was the first 10 say:
"N0n SERVANT" and vino would rather reign
II hell than serve In heaven. IL was the want
OF obedience which brought SIN ana death INTO
the world. And in the long history OF the
Jewish people, whenever evils beleu them
II WIS always the result OF their DISC
withdraw from the milo, sweet gov
erument OF Him who has such Infinite claims
On our loving obedience. we cannot expect
success, we must experience misfortune.
"Without me ye can do uothing' Except
the Lord buId the house they labor IN vain
teat build il. Except the Lord keep the city,
Rae Watchcth Ia vain who keepeth H." With
bod we can do al things, and without hiGi,
nothing. Hence we iiad many plans support
ed 10y all possible human aids come 20 moth
ing, while the greatest effects that the world
Has Ever Witnessed nave UttN accomplished
by means absolutely unprOYided with hum IN
assistance and whose solitary support was in
obedience to Gods commands.
And SO It will ever be. The obedient man
shall speak Of victories. Consequently not 50
much from the fact that unity and obedience
naturally lead 10 success, but from the higher
truth that the Church Is the work OF God ever
dwelling IN her, directing, guiding and aiding
her In her commands. and always ultimately
leading her on 10 victory: and, therefore. in
yielding a hearty obedience TO the legitimate
authorities Of the Church, we hear Him and
musthaye His a.l-important assistance.
Such were the views that ] always incul-
Gated and your profound adoption of them
q has been the secret OF Gods blessing 10 az
ford- me greatest pleasure TO bear testimony
Z 10 this great unity aud most cheerful Ohedi-
ence OF the most esteemed clergy ami laity 70
the Bishop dur ng the twelve years OF my
episcopaie. Even In certain cases, where my
views differed greatly from tie opinions of
some. We / 10 my great edilcauon seen
them yield their own 70 support the measures
Of their Bishop.
let me ask YOU 10 show the same love,
devotion, respect and obedience 20 him whom
Divine Providence will send You as my sue
cesar iu the See of savannah. He viii come
ikcWlec the ambassador Of Christ. and viii
doubtless be Au ADLER and holier man than
your humble servant.
Aud you, my dtvoIc ed priests OF this diocese,
nv fellow iuburerH bearing the heat and bur
den 90 The day, can ! ever forget The many
proofs ui sincere and most hearty love which
tNu have constantly manifested 10 mpf A. Is