The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-02

celebrated for the first time in the Bluff
City on a week day in 1889 at the resi-
dence, No. SO Adams street, still occupied
by the venerable widow Of Mr.. Eugene
Mageveny. On this occasion only four
persons besides the Rev, Father Stokes,
the celebrant, were present. In lS4l,
when the entire Catholic population OF the
city numbered ten souls, the Rev. NJ. Nc
Aleer became the first resident pastor OF
Memphis, and the lot now occupied by
stately ediiice was purchased from the
Overton estate for $780, This sum, with
the exception Of 500, was contributed
by the non-Catholic residents OF the town.
Encouraged by the charitable disposition
OF the community, so conspicuous even in
our day, Father McAlecr erected in 1912 q
plain brick church 70x30 feet, fronting on
Third street Soon aiterward he left Mem
phis and died ut st. Columbus church In
New York city, Of which he had been
pastor for thirty years. The welfare OF the
Catholics Of Memphis was then intrusted
20 the Order OF st. Dominic, which has an
back to the thirteenth century.
| Few, indeed, are really aware OF the
depth and extent Of the obligation they
owe 10
THE DOMINICAN FATHERS
for their pioneer work in Ohio, Kentucky
and Tennessee. They were the first
Catholic missionaries to penetrate the
forests OF these States and establish per-
manont ioothold for their religion. The
mother house, 81. Roses convent, was es-
tablished in 1906 at Springfield Ky,
from whence went forth missionary bands
10 accomplish wonders, not only in min
istcring TO the spiritual necessities Of
Catholics, but also In developing the
States named by encouraging immigration
and making them kown 10 the old IA well
M the new world. No men ever had bet
ter opportunities TO acquire fame and
wealth, had they wished TO abandon
their sacred calling for the political arena,
other walks OF professional life on the
tempting fields Of speculation. They 70.
mind las OF that wonderful Ulysses, who
had, when occasion presented itself "a very
pardonablc desire TO hear the siren song
about which 80 many sad stories had been
told In times past. Being tied 10 the mast
OF his ship, his ears were charmed
by sounds that none had heard unframed
but himself and thus, wise man that he
was, ho rcapcd the harvest Of anothcr's
sowing, and was able 10 garner wisdom
from other mems experience. In like
manner these fearless missionaries, bound
firmly by their triple vow 10 the rule OF
~. Augustine aud the constitution OF the
American order. safely passed many q
81 Ill.
that had stolen away heart and brain from
men less wise and sincere than they.
Doubtless they sometimes realized the un-
stintod force Of the temptation, even per-
haps felt their heartstrings culver, and n
passionate longing, which they knew was
madness, TO break the bonds that held
them. But
TiE RULE WAS FIRM,
and the cords wcro strong, ~ that they
quietly accomplished their work, and IN,
enchanting strains Of worldly allurcmcnt,
died away or became merely harmless,
memories Of their chcckcrcd and un.
selfish lives.
Such wcrc tho men who, in 1876
through the zeal Of the iirst bishop Of
Tennessee, the It, Rev. Il. l.. Miles, q. T.,
who, like the two lint bishops Of New
York, was a Dominican, established the
yicamtc oi st. Peters Father !. :. ALE.
many, q. T., for many years archbishop
Of San Francisco, was the tirst pastor. and
was assisted In his labors by the Rev. T.
G.. Grace, who became bishop Of st. Paul
Mimi, Ia 1854. Father j. II. Clarkson
who won the affection and ycncution o
oil the citizens oi Memphis, was the see
ond pastor. lie died oi cholera, August
1919. Since that date ten Dominican
priests have died nj II. Peters, nine u
whom were victims Of the yellow foyer.
rms PRESENT ELruANr CHURCH,
liSX50 feet, not including the transcpts. IL
one 1T the purcst gems oi Gothic architect
urc In this country. II was begun In 1885
and solcmnly dedicated in 1868, the ser
mon being preached 10y the illustrioui
Archbishop Spaldng. Four altars, an
5000 organ aud other ornaments uf utili.
~ grace the interior Of this sublime cdi
lice. 4 costly statue Of the Blessed Nir
gin, irum Italy, surmounts her altar. III,
lie size hrunc crucihX, In the left tran
sept, WIS sent from France by gcncrou
Protestant gentleman ol Memphis. Thu
In striking contrast the ever cndurin.
magnificent, "lichold from hcncciurth al
generations shall call me blessed" lSt
Luke 49, and the gloom oi Calvary ar
brought together. the one showing the In
finite power aud mercy Ut Tod in the snl
walton Of the world ~ much ~ the other
l.. 4. AsurELp.