The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-21
FATHER WILLIAMS ADIEU.
He Babe Farewell TO His CONGREGATION
After High Mass.

BE Regretted Leaving, But Felt
Obliged to Respond to Duty's Calls.
Father Donlon, His Successor, Con-
ducts High Mass-Father William
TO Leave For Belmont Wednesday.
A Presentation to the Beloved Pas
tor.
IL is now a certainty that the Rev.
William Mayer will leave Sacred Heart
church in obedience TO the call of Bishop
Had
As Father William stated this morning
to his congregation, "Where duty calls
there you'll find me-"
Several weeks ago Father William re-
ceived letter from the bishop calling him
to the dictatorship Of St. Marys college,
Belmont North Carolina
The sudden call was a shock to the
Pensioners of Sacred Heart. While
they realize that it was a great honor to
Father William, they were indeed 10th
to part with their beloved pastor A
strong petition was sent to Abbot Haid
asking that The call be rescinded and that
the Rev. William Mayer be allowed to re-
/ main as pastor Of the Sacred Heart
| church. But the petition did not avail Of
ALS phLIOSts anu L dblltE W lllldIH Will
| leave here next Wednesday to assume
charge Of the college at Belmont
FATHER WILLIAMS FAREWELL.
High mass was held Yesterday morning
al Sacred Heart church. The crowd was
so largo that the building could hardly ac-
| commodate ali of the worshipers. Fa-
! ther William delivered his farewell ad-
dress, and many fearful eyes were seen in
the large congregation.
i 4
fine effect, Farmers Mass in B fiat. Miss
Barbour sang "Cherubims Ave Marian
with taste and expression.
| Father Patrick Denlon, the successor
! of Father William, conducted the SER
vices. Father William Mayer then de-
| hvered farewell address to his congre-
cation. He said
Six years ago to-day when first stood
| upon these steps, the colored people formed
the larger portion of the congregation.
| To-day wye have two large congregations
one white and one colored-each with its
own church. COD has blessed our com
bined efforts ana crowned our labors with
unexpected success. Six years ago
| Father Oswald whose untiring efforts are
still bearing fruit left me to introduce
myself, perfect stranger, to YOU | now
introduce TO you my successor, the Rev
| Patrick DOnlon. Priests come and gon
continued Father William. I'VE are en-
listed in the army of Christ and as sol
diers we must obey our superior officer.
1 look upon the will of my superior as the
! will of God and therefore | bow in humble
| Submission to his holy will. Although
from the bottom of my heart regret to
| part with you all, yet the Lord has COM
manded and l must obey. What God or
dams is for the best, and l hope this
change will rebound to his greater glory.
HIS LOVE FOR HIS CONGREGATION.
GAS far, as know l have treated every
one kindly. At least / tried to do what
was in my power for both the spiritual
and worldly happiness of all my congre-
| cation.
Il assure you thatI am under lasting OBJ
| legations to you for the kindness and
! affection you have always displayed to-
wards me. l am sincerely thankful to
all, and most especially to the younger
members, for the strenuous efforts made
to retain me as your pastor. hope this
mutual good feeling and fellowship will
always remain unchanged. The memory
| of the happy moments | spent among you
| will be enshrined in my heart forever,
| and neither time nor age can obliterate
that memory. / shall always recall with
! pleasure the recollections of my stay in
Savannah. / hope and trust YOU will
feel and act as kindly towards Father
Patrick as you have towards me. Give
him the same support you gave me, and aid
him in every way to advance the interest
of our little church. Remember me
kindly in your prayers. | shall never for
get you in mine. Thanking you all again,
and hoping that God may bless you, bid
you farewell"
FATHER DoNLoN REPLIES.
Father Patrick Donlon then addressed
the congregation, and spoke in the most
| eulogistic terms of Father Williams
character as priest and as a man.
He had been long acquainted with him,
| and never knew him to return anything
but good for evil. He is a model
priest and monk He urged upon the
congregation the absolute necessity
of their hearty cooperation with
noble work begun and carried on by
Father William.
To say that the parishiOners of Sacred
| Heart church regret to have Father Will
liam leave them is putting it very mildly.
! His congregation is closely attached to
him, and he to them. They realize that
| he has done great work for Sacred Heart
church, and his departure is deeply de-
plored.
Father Patrick Donlon, the successor to
| Father William, comes from St. Marys
college at Belmont, the same institution
to which Father William goes. He is re-
garded as very learned man.
A PRESENTATION TO FATHER WILLIAM.
Father William will leave Wednesday.
Yesterday afternoon he was presented
| with handsome testimonial from the
younger members of his congregation.
| The gift was an elegant silk umbrella
with silver handle having the name of
! the beloved pastor inscribed thereon.
The party of young folks surprised Father
| William at the priests house, and the
! presentation was made by Mr. James Nc
Nally. MIR McNally made a beautiful
| speech, III which he referred with feeling
TO Father Williams past services, and
wish him God-speed il his new home
Father William responded almost in
tears. He regretted to leave, but he had
to obey, He said that he would always
remember his beloved congregation, and
especially would he think of them kindly
when he carried the umbrella to protect
| himself from the mountain dew or rain of
/ North Carolina.
ADISTuRBER OF SLEEP