Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-12

this section. As Catholicism is always in
creasing the few grew TO scores. They had no
place to worship; neither had they a priest
They soon found place where they could offer
the divine sacrifice of the mass. A church was
erected remember it was mere shell and
on the day of the dedication it was not entirely
completed. Service was held in it once or
twice month. The Bishop of the diocese soon
had cause to appoint pastor to the church.
There were no young priests in the diocese that
had the qualifications except John Tuigg. He
was sent here, and In a short time had mag
niicent church established.
Throughout his long career in this city his
conduct has received the sanction of every
prelate under whom he has labored. AT last
he was appointed one of the dignataries of the
church. 1 need not expatiate on his works.
They are all around us and bear
silent testimony to what he has done.
Some people claim that his greatest work was
in the building of the church, because it is in
many respects superior to many of the cathe-
drals IN this country. Others say the parsonage
was his greatest work, others say the school,
others point to the great convent building he
erected, others point to his success as bishop,
but do not agree with any of them. His great
est work was in the manner he accepted the
vacancy in the bishopric at Pittsburg. When
it was offered him he hesitated on account of
the great enterprises his predecessors had gone
into and ran the diocese heavily in debt. He
took the place IN the firm belief that the voice
of Pope Plus TX was the voice of his Lord. He
was about having financial matters arranged in
excellent shape when he was stricken with
palsy.
HIS GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT
The spirit he inculcated in favor Of psrochial
schools was a magnificent thing. When he
came here there were but four Catholic schools
in Western Pennsylvania. There were in the
city of Pittsburg two English and two German
schools. He saw that in order to save the
Catholic people he must begin with the chill.
dren. If he must have agood. practical Catholic
congregation he must begin at the root and
build it up. He succeeded admirably ana set
the example to other clergymen. do not say
that the present parochial schools are the con.
sequence of the example of John Tuigg, but
do say that the example he set to others must
have had its effect The schools here were
built owing 20 the influence he exercised by
being pastor of St Johns congregation. The
cry has been raised that the priests only are
pushing the establishment of parochial schools.
This is wrong You remember only few
months ago, at convention OF l2ymen IN
Cleveland with which the clergy had nothing
to do @ resolution was passed urging the insti-
tuition of parochial schools wherever it was
possible. Neither you nor anyone else need
say that the bishops and priests only are inter.
ested in Catholic schools. 1t is said, "Let
Catholics alone, and there will be no trouble
about the parochiaI schools" If we let them
alone they would never trouble themselves
about coming to hear mass or about eating flesh
meat on Fridays. Let Protestants alone, and
they will not come to prayer meetings.
The duty incumbent on priests in regard to
the public school matter is plain enough. Our
Lord said, Go teach all nations. Teach them
religion. to be good Christians and save their
souls That was the motto of Father Tuigg
and he never forgot it. From the time he left
mis- home it was constantly before him. in the
seminary, as assistant priest as sindependentpas-
tor and when he became prelate. Those who
knew him best loved him most He might
hos hoo iod dro1 huf ho
preferred to lie where he baptized people;
where he prepared them for the battle with the
world.
THE CLOSING RITES.
After the sermon the bishops went upon
the platform and took seats around the body,
the Cardinal and Archbishops taking their
places at the lower end of the catafalque.
Each bishop in turn took the censer and
sprinkled holy water over the body. The
Kyrle Eleison was chanted and the absolu-
ton ended the ceremonies.
The clergy then retired, and the people in
the church were given an opportunity to
view the remains. The procession around
the catafalque was preceded by the Sisters
of Mercy and Sisters of Charity.
For over an nour there was a steady stream
past the bier. Hundreds of those who came
with tears in their eyes stopped to kiss the
ring on his cold finger. After everybody
had taken a last look the remains were
placed in a cssket, and a hearse, drawn by
TOUR coal black horses, conveyed them to the
grave.
AN UEFALTERING ATTENDANCE.
Notwithstanding the mud, which was in
most places three and four inches deep,
about 5000 people marched in the funeral
procession to the cemetery.
All the Catholic societies, fire department,
city officials, commissioners, etc., walked
through the mud and rain 10 pay their last
tribute to the worth of the late Bishop. The
young women's and girls sodalities also
turned out, wearing their badges. There
were about 100 conveyances of ali kinds that
followed the hearse to the grave.
The pall-bearers were:
DR.. Christy, Frank McClain, Arthur Dunn
Frederick Ball, John Shenk, George Strife
John OToOle, James Gallon, John O'Neil A.
]. Henderson, E. T. 0'Freil and James Brown.
The Catholics of Altoonaare loud in their
praise of the action of Mayor Fulton, who
issued proclamation asking the merchants
and others to close the places of business
between II and o'clock. The proclama-
ton was generally observed.