The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-24
HE BECAME A PRIEST.
Edward Randall Knowles Ordained in
the Old Catholic Faith.
THE FIRST AMERICAN TO DO so.
He was q Resident OF Providence and a
Graduate Of Brown University who has
Always been Earnestly Devoted to Re-
ligious Work.

Edward Randall Knowles was ordained
priest by Archbishop Joseph Rene vii
atte, an "Old Catholic" in a private
chapel at West Sutton, Mass, on Mon
day. Mr.. Knowles is the first American
to be ordained a priest by prelate of this
order and he will now advance its work.
While Mr.. Knowles, earnest devotion
to religious work is we'll known to his
many friends in PROVIDENCE and Paw
tucket, none of them had any idea that
he was about to be ordained priest.
Mr.. Knowles is 81 years old. and his
early days were spent in PROVIDENCE,
tered Brown in 1877. At this time he was
baptized rs Catholic and evep then be-
gan his career as writer 6f religious
poetry, ana ever since then has been a
frequent contributor to many papers and
has gained fame as poet and n Catholic
writer. Leaving Brown ne took post
graduate course mt Princeton aud OBJ
tanned high honors aud much praise for
his work.
Returning to PROVIDENCE he took up
his residence In n fine home on Pawtucket
avenue and there he aud his wife lived
most happily. AT that time he was taken
with the idea of going on the stage and
lOT Sonc tiIlo uo bbuulcu udFu IN tnuJ
profession, but after the usual trials and
troubles OF young actor he gave up the
stage and confined himself to literature,
having abundant means to crafty his de-
sires. He contributed to the PROVIDENCE
papers as well as many outside the State,
and his articles all were marked with
terse and forcible style peculiar to him.
Later he became deeply interested in
Christian Science and was one of the
leaders of the movement In New England.
OF late years he has lived with his fam
lily near Boston, and has studied and done
much literary work, publishing several
volumes of poems. or the latest volume
OF these the Boston Pilot, Of February
last, says:
"Mr. Knowles verse is imbued with
the spirit OF true Catholicity !; IL has the
simplicity and drectness of the old Latin
hymns, "A quality well shown In the au-
thor's Latin version Of one OF his own
poems. The Conversion Of ST. Angus
tine"
AS priest Of tho old Catholic Church
the Rev. Mr.. Knowles work will be prin-
cipally in Boston aud Worcester,
the number Of persons interested in
the new movement being sufficient to
afford hope that one or more churches
may be established In Massachusetts,
While every Eastern church and rite
except the Coptic, has been for some time
represented In the country by some sms all
flock aud a wandering priest or two, the
only bishop of Eastern ordination has
been the holder OF the Greek zee, resident
most OF the year Mt San Francisco, though
most of his flock Is In Alaska.
Concerning this old Catholic faith many
will remember Father Loyson, or Pere
Hyacinthe as he was better known, who
few years ago preached In PROVIDENCE at
st. Johns aud Grace Churches. lie was
and is the greatest expounder Of the faith
in the world. When an inmate of the
Convent Of the Minerva Ia Rome, even un-
der n pontifical government, IL was
known that he was TO preach, hundreds
upon hundreds of all faiths hocked to
hear him.
aThis church here u distinct from the