The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-14
AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE FATHER
ASHFIELD
st. Peters Church Crowded to Overflow
ing-The Touching Sermon OF Father
Veale-Blshop Rademaoher and Other
Distinguished Clergymen Present.

The funeral services at St. Peters
Catholic Church yesterday morning over
he remains OF the late Father Ashfeld
we're among the most notable in the history
II the religious world of Memphis. Long
before the appointed hour, o'clock am,
he church ediiice was filed, and seats
we're not to be had outside OF those in
'front.' reserved for religious societies,
Hundreds Of people failed to secure adj
the large church being filled to
It's utmost capacity, the three aislcs lead
ing down to the altar railing being closely |
packed by people standing, Even the
space around the doors OF the sacred edi-
flee and the pavement in front remained |
crowded during the service, the most in
tense interest being felt by all in the service
for the dead and martyred priest. A
squad OF policemen detailed TO keep order |
had us much as They could do to keep
back the pressing crowd long after the
church had been filed. Near the collin
which held the romains of the good Faith
or Ashheld seats were provided for the
st. Dominic's Union, Holy Name Society
Of St. Peters Church and the Holy Name
Society OF st. Bridgid's Parish. At o
o'clock the organ pcaed forth and the
choir sang the "Neni Jesu" as the priests
entered the church from the sacristy as
follows
The Very Rev Joseph Radcmachcr Bishop OF
The Rov. Father Nnllcluy PRIOR Of 81 Louis Der
tmnds Convent, Of Louisville, NY
The Rev. Father Bo1mcr, Sub'prur OF 81 Louis
Bcrtrauds Convent, Of Louisville, Ky.
Tho Rev. William walsh, Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Rev. 4. G. Abbott Jackson, Tom.
The Rev. futhcr Joseph, south Nashville, Tenn.
The Rev Father rcipcc, Nashville TOMB
The Rev Father LoWcry, ktOkuk, In.
The Rev. Father Foppe, Holly springs. Miss
Tho Rev Father Friucrs q r. r., Memphis.
The Rev Father Clement, q. = r., Memphis.
The Rev. Father Ncac. Memphis
The Rev. Father Moran, q. 4 Memphis.
The Rev Father Edelcn, or, Memphis.
The Rcv. Father Dunn, o. T., Memphis
The Christian Brothers were represented
by Brother Maurelian, President Brother
Anthony, Brother llerachlin aud Brother
lrcnis Phillip, and they took their seats in
front OF the altar OF the Blessed Virgin.
The vcstmenis worn by the priests wcrc
of the most striking and picturesque char
acier, aud represented the different orders
prcscnt. Franciscan and Dominican aud
secular clergy Bishop Rademaoher ant in
| state on The left OF the altar, and the sol
emn high mass was intoned and chantcd
| by the attending priests. the cclcbrant be-
ing tho Rev. Father Nallelcy, Prior OF 81.
Loui, Bertrunds Convent, Louisville, the
Rev. Father Bloomer, deacon, aud the
Rev. Father Moran. sub-deacon, the rs
Z ...s..,t ,..3.ata a.fttt, ~ uaplying
from the altar railing the church ~
sented A most impressive and attractive
appearancc. There was an up.urncd
sea OF iaces. aud even the organ lot
was occupied by a crowd, every point
of vantage being secured. On each ant
every face an expression OF sympathy o
sorrow could be plainly traced aud decT
emotion prevailed In every breast Th'
solemn stiffness, the twinkling lights o
the wax candles, the bier, the incense
The chanting OF the sacred mass ior tin
dead, the rise and swell Of the organ an,
the sweet singing Of the choir, all made al
a scene ut once impressive and mournlul
The congregation was not wholly made al
of proplo OF Catholic faith, there wcr
scores there who belonged 10 oihc
r churches and faiths, and those who bc
longcd 10 no church and had no faith, bu
they represented the great sympatheti
, heart Of humanity which is always read
/, 10 respond ~ calls OF this character.
After the reading OF the first gospel, III
Row Father John Ncalc, pastor OF n. Pai
ricks Church, assembled the pulpit and d'
liyercd the discourse. taking as his les
Ecclcsiasles vii, 81, %, 80, which speak {
j. the honor due to God and the homage
= be paid to priests OF His church 10y maj
The reverend speaker said II was on occ
sion consecrated aud dedicated 10 the eve
living sentiments OF charity. We Ia,
u come 10 perform the last r.ics over M
q ble brother and worthy citizen. lie vi
n A priest, and the priest Is the other CHRIS
"a the dispenser Of the mysteries ~ Go
;, Here from this pulpit, whore only IN
Sunday lac cloquently spoke, / look dow
" upon his dear, dead lace.
y II "a a fearful and ineiIacoable siai
n upon the community that man OF Go
a man loved by all who had the subliu
priyilcrc Of his friendship, should be- ASST
s.natcd in his own house, In his room al
in bed.
N lei us turn from his death 10 his rccOr
Forty.eight years ago he was born ~ NJ
Jersey, Of good, pious and religious y.
n ents lie grew 10 manhood, entorial
OF inc. interesting, and with mind capal
N. az the highest knowledge. Ills moth
Thought 10 make him a minister Of &c
he and hp entered college for that purpose.
~ AT the breaking out Of the war matte
al vent against the college and forced
e. close. lie looked around In the great g
ms of Washington 30 find position huihl
10 him. lie secured q place In the
,r. partmcnt OF science. This he retained
several years.
,ct some thirteen years ago lac began
Ild have doubts regarding his religious bell
-, and after some ycars he was led 20 inqu
what claims the Catholic Church had NJ
,ps INN. lie felt ~ " that church Ind sol
nj thing In storc for him. lilo wont u
on prirst. and having become satisfied I
NO Inc Catholic Church was the one most
culnted 10 bring him poarc, lac becam'
md noble child Of The Catholic Church.
re. becoming acquainted with the y
zen | Dominican fathers nj Washington, q
H.. sent him 10 the bishop In Kentucky, n
some five wears ago, he became pr
iye lilo Vns scnt 10 New York as an assist
use In 81. Ninccnts Church.
inc Two wears ago II seemed good 10 n
mo him 10 Memphis. | need not speak OF
,,,c record since | have only to go 30 the
h. wnys and highways and among the poe
lind the name of Father Ashiiold
iln1oncd i'm words Of living FIRE. lie III
IN. lie shield Of his noble aud generous
son around the young mon oi the chu
aho uYounr men, you tall us OF Father
g,ll. Won have seen him in all his PHI
Cherish his memory. lie was priest
lays vi,hal he was human. Perhaps In
4 n ,,,nniro,nnt Judgment Of God sonnet