Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-24
CARDINAL aiBBoss.


HOW ne Prayed ana Preached In
North Carolina baptist Meeting.
The Rev. Edward McSweeny writes
as follows to the New York Sun:
The Bible says something against
"praising a man during life," yet il may
be well to do it occasionally. One feels
almost angry with disappointment at
the ignorance in which we are kept Of
some who were (if we Judge by their
post mortem eulogies) best Of all worth
knowing. Witness Bishop Spalding's
panegyric of the late president Of Notre
Dame. Why didn't he tell us all that in
timer SO propose to say a word in
praise of Cardinal Gibbons. He de-
clined in advance the $4,000 proposed
to be raised for him on occasion of his
coming jubilee. Whatever his motive,
i think he is to be thanked for thus
helping TO abolish this vulgar custom Of
purse raising, SO likely to cause the
crime of Matchmaking on the part of
those who gather the money, and the
loss OF self-respect In those who at times
submit against their judgment, their will
or even their conscience, to the de-
mand. Apart from this, judge should
never take presents. The lay people
may be allowed 20 raise purses if they
do IL in decent manner, for ii is their
way OF showing attachment, but it has
a very bad effect on priests. a. to the
recipient, it ruins his independence.
Chains are chains, even il they be made
OF gold. The manner is, IL seems to ME,
relic of times when forced contribu-
tons used to be levied and kings, &C.,
had no fixed salaries. Such state of
thingsis happily passed away. Justnow
it does well enough for the Pope, who
has at present no regular income, but
even in his case matchmaking should be
avoided by secrecy as to the amount of
ones offering. II is also perfectly
proper In the case of priest deprived
tor one or other cause Of his ordinary
means Of support. The cardinal shows
tact by declining the purse in advance,
and thus nipping those evils in the bud.
Tact and prudence are indeed character
istic of him, but above all are his mental
breadth and Observation-Disclosures. Let me
give you an instance:
II was on sick call in a North Caro-
lima town." said the cardinal, address.
ing the graduates at the EmnitSburg
Convent. ut was Saturday night The
only Catholics in the place were the
lady whom | had come to see, and her
newborn child, just received into the
church. What was to do on the NOR
row. The difficulty was met by my
host, the lady's husband, himself u
member of the Baptist denomination.
Father said he, our preacher is
away to-day. Would you have the
kindness to conduct services for us p
II consented and went to the Baptist
meeting house. Did say mass for
themy Oh, no, my children. stepped
| upon the platform, was introduced by
| the gentleman already mentioned, and,
selecting hymn l thought appropriate,
read it aloud, and requested the choir
and congregation to read it. After that
/ recited the. Lords Prayer, and then
choosing a portion of the gospel from
the Bible l found on the stand, l
| preached to them such explanation and
comment as seemed necessary and use
full for the instruction and spiritual adj
vantage Of my hearers. The sermon
over, the collection was taken up in the
regular style, another hymn was sung,
and dismissed the congregation with
the usual benediction."
Let the reader gather up all the ele-
ments of these pictures. How exquisite
the contrast This is one of the 70
elders who assisted the Supreme Pontiff
in ruling the people of God. He is
speaking to simple girls just budding
into womanhood. A few years ago he
was the poor, democratic, itinerant mis-.
sionary, Apostolic Vicar, for all that, in
the old North State, getting nearer and
closer to the people, following the ex-
ample of Bishop England, Cardinal
Cheverus and other apostles OF ouI
country. Is it any wonder that God
took him out of this obscurity and set
him up to enlighten, guide and bless the
whole American church? To be, like
Cardinal Persico, one of his associates
on those Carolina missions, and the an
ticipator at Savannah in 1879 Of the
Poughkeepsie school plan, true ponti
fex, able and willing to bridge over the
chasms that used to yawn, and still oc
casionally cape, between those who be
long to the body of the church and those
who are hers in spirit onlyp
Does not the image of st. Paul rise
up before you as he "entered into the
synagogue of the jews" and agar
"stood in the midst of the Areopagus? p
Acts XVII.
Such are the men whom Leo thu
Peacemaker chooses for his supreme
council. No, he is not my bishop, .
course.