Telegram-herald., 1888-05-24
Or FoLEY'S LIFE.
o.s sf Family of High Standing In
BAltimors.

ons or . Family Of High Standing In
BAltimors.
BALTIMORE. Nd. May 23.-Presiding over
the most extensive and most popular
Catholic church of Baltimors. st. Martins.
is = man Of powerful physiqus, fully six
feet tall, with broad shoulders and deep
chest. curling brown hair that 1alls nearly
TO his shoulders, and full, round, smiling
face that indicates the sunny disposition OF
the man. This is Rev. John s. Foley, the
most eminent priest of Baltimore, and we'll
known by Catholic dignitaries here aud in
Rome IS . nan of unusual culture aud Of
great zeal in bis clerical duties. he IL now
81 years old. but Is still picture Of manly
vigor. not thread OF his brown locks hay-
ing siivered.
The Foleys have long been Q family of
high standing in Baltimore, two Of the
brothers now carrying on the extensive
commission house of ID. J. Foley Il Brs.
Tne other two brothers gave themselves TO
the priesthood. and with that end in view
were educated in the American college at
Rome. Here their brilliancy as scholars
attached them 10 those near the Pope. and
IL has since given their word much weight
~ the papal residence.
Returning to this country the brothers
took an active part in the Catholic Church
work ut Bsltimers. the older one taking
charge of the Cathedral. His talent was
well remembered by those IN Rome. and he
was soon after made Bishop of Chicago
where he presided for eighteen years. The
younger brother. who now goes TO Michi-
gan, bad In the meantime been founding .
parish of his own. which re christened st.
Martins. This was developed slowly, but
very surely, for the Foleys are the most
| popular divines OF Baltimore. He was soon
able TO build handsome church, and this
| was reinforced by schools. seminaries and
other institutions, until now the belongings
| OF ST. Martins church are the most sxten-
| sive and most valuable in this old Catholic
| city.
FIR. Foley has distinguished himself
| mainly as being a hard-working priest, and
| as one devoted to the interests OF his par
| ish and Jealous to expand il. His sermons
are models of practical force rather than Of
eloquence. although he is regarded rs elo-
| quenE at times. But one of his chief charms
is as q conversationalist. and as such he
| has established q reputation among the
| Southeastern clergy. De is not only bril-
liant talker, but bis conversation abounds
| in wit, repartee and sdroit ssllie. which
would do credit to that other great wit
divine. Rev. Sydney Smith.
Although q scholar of extensive research,
Rev. DIR. Foley has seldom stepped into the
field of literature. He 10 literary in tastes,
however. and next to his church and parish
he is most at home in his library with his
books. In the recent pIensry council he
| took q prominent part, and ne has also been
| conspicuous figure at other prominent
Catholic gatherings. Should DR.. Foley
accept the summons to Michigan it cannot
be without sense of great regret at leaving,
at this late year in his life, the home where
ne was born and has lived for 81 yesrs, and
where be sees about him the extensive con-
gregation and institutions which he ha.
1 crszeed