The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-03

addresses Of sIr. Riley, Mr.. Boncnherger
and Mr.. Iiandian, one representing the
parish OF st. Marys, another the con-
aregation OF 81. Aiphonsus, and still an
other the laity OF the diocese OF West
Virginia at large. l am sure that those
who were privileged to hear those ad-
dresses were more than pleased ut the
handsome manner in which those gen
tlemen acquitted themselves of the
task entrusted TO them as representa-
tiyes Of our Catholic liity. Personally
i owe debt of gratitude for the com
pliments bestowed upon me in those
addresses, debt of gratitude to those
who so enthusiastically applauded the
utterance OF those compliments, ana
debt Of gratitude to all you who have
taken part in these demonstrations IN
honor OF my silver jubilee.
'If the labors OF live and twenty
years in the sacred ministry had worn
deeper lines inmyface, and had brought
to snowy whiteness my once jet black
hair, the honors heaped upon me to-
day would be enough to wipe out those
lines and recolor those silver locks. l
will not say that this outpouring Of
filial affection on the part OF my good
people, will make me Young again-for
| do not mean to acknowledge that lam
an old man, and crabbiness is not al
WAYS a sign OF advancing years. laugh
ter Twenty-Five years seems O long
time, but when those years are III the
shadow OF the background, they seem
but short span.
"When look back TO that second day
of July, 1866, /. seems to me but rs yes
terday. How little did my well-wishers
OF that day dream that l would live to
celebrate my silver jubilee. AT that
time was considered lit subject for
consumption, and some even thought
that the fell disease had already made
inroads on my system. Though l think
have done my share of talking in the
past twenty-five years, my lungs arc not
gone vet. Laughter do not doubt
that / owe this boon to the extensive
exercise forced upon me during the con
tinuance OF my pastoral charge OF the
parish OF Harper's Ferry. 4ly voice is
now better and stronger than ever
hoped it would become. make these
remarks for the benefit Of the younger
clergy like Father Fitzpatrick lpolnt
ing 10 the venerable Father Fit,-
patrick and causing considerable
laughter, who spend so many hours IN
the saddle, exposed to the heat OF sum
mer and the cold OF winter.
When / first took charge ofmy parish
OF Harper's Ferry, all around me were
sad memorials Of the long fratricidal
strife. The churches ut Wirches or and
at Berkeley Springs were implicitly de-
stroyed and had 10 be built anew, Other
churches were sally in want OF repairs.
The scattered sheep OF that poor flock
were striving 10 recover from the blight
ing effects OF that long and sangninHrv.
contest. Those nine long years en- ailcl
many hardships, but were attenueai
with many consultations. The spirit OF
genuine faith was everywhere. Wher-
ever could gather n knot of listeners,
whether it was in the court house, u
warehouse, or under the forest trees,
there was delight in explaining to
them the sanctifying and cnnobling
teachings of holy faith. , The flock was
poor in this worlds goods, but rich in
works OF faith, and l have cherish,
ed and will ever cherish fond
remembrances and warm affection for
those devoted people whom | had under
my spiritual charge for nine years.
"The sixteen years OF my sacerdotal
and episcopal life among YOU. fellow
Catholics, is like an open book. l am
sure your well known modesty would
wish to check what am about
to say. / am satisfied with you,
although / may scold you sometimes,
often directly, frequently indirectly, by
proxy. [Langhter. Ii is true that
ours is not one of those populous
dioceses, like some we have in this
country, and yet, when | look over the
ground and see what has been accom-
plished by the devoted priests and peo-
pie In these sixteen years, am amazed.
Thirty churches have been built in that
period. Ny FIRST work was to have re.
built the church OF st. Mary's, which
had burnt down. The old church OF
st. Alphonsus was torn down, and there
WINS erected the noble pile, which has
taken its place. So at Weston. and at
Huntington, in Marshall, in Preston,
in Lewis, and in Doddridge countries,
and in many other places.
So lar us / can Judge, the spiritual in
tercsts OF the diocese have been salts
factorily attended to, as far rs was pos
sible. Thanks be to God that the
priests OF this diocese are so faithful
and devoted. There are more inviting
fields than the mountain stretches OF
West Virginia, but truer hearts, that
are moro loyal to God and country, are
nowhere found than among the Catho.
lies in the diocese OF Wheeling. Hear!
Hear!
i trust, my dear friends, that it may
be permitted INC to spend the remain
der Of my days among you. | wasmuch
pleased this morning, when 1t was init
mated, by O visitor from another do
Ccse, that / might be called to other
fields OF labor, was much pleased that
the intimation was resented by my
clergy. l trust the prayers, which
know have gone up feryently from
many hearts to-day have been answered
and that we may meet again to cele'
brate my golden jubilee.
This has been TO me day OF pleasure
and intcnsest Joy. | have received the
congratulations OF the little ones of my
flock, and from their beaming faces
knew that their little hearts were al
aglow with love and devotion. Among
ali the honors that have been shown mt
there is none ! more highly prize than
this testimony OF the affection OF the
children. have received the cOngrat'
ulations Of the clergy, and yours, and
this immense lnassof myfcllow citizens
mainly Catholic, but intermingled with
those OF different faith, shows what
| von wish IN nxpress to me. | have re.