Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-08-02

he was well received by the sons of the
Pilgrims, especially so at Roxbury by
| Elliott, who was also devoted to the cause
of the Indians.
In 1858 Father Bigot resumed labors on
the Kennebec, and Father Thury, cele-
brated for his learning and zeal, came
also from Quebec, and under the protec-
! to-, IT tl1o ppr0n 81 Cceti-n did riH,i,er
noble work on the Penobscot. At the
same time Father Simon, Recollect, had
| charge of mission at Medoktek near the
mouth of the st. Johns river.
But disputes arose between the English
and French in regard to the rights of do
MAN, and the resulting wars made mis-
sionary work extremely hazardous as well
as difficult Still the work went bravely
on, and with gratifying results.
| Famous among the missionaries of this
period stands the name of Father Sebas-
tian Rale. He was at Norridgewock in
1896 He accompanied the Indians in
their various excursions, sharing their
hardships, hunting, fishing and the like.
And tent which formed their chapel
was borne with them, like to the custom
of the children of Israel of old. In 1903 a
war arose between England and France
which involved the colonies and their
allies. New England passed law con-
demning Catholic missionaries to i'm
prisonment for life; neyert heless this
same New England sought to use the
welI-known influence of the missionaries
with the Indians to induce the Abnaki to
be neutral in the war. Naturally the
French missionaries refused to weaken
the cause of their countrymen and assist
their avowed enemies. This caused the
missionaries to be more especially an OBJ
ject of hatred to the English, and the blood
of Father Rale in particular, was deter
| minedly sought. A reward was offered for
his head bribery of Indians was tried, and
several expeditions of armed men sur
prised the village while the braves were
absent; but all in vain; the priest whom
they sought still lived. However, they
did succeed in profaning, robbing, and
burning his church. Among the stolen
articles was Father Rales Abnaki die
tionary, a monument of many years hard
| study and labor. This is now q valued
possession of Harvard college, and is the
most authoritative work of the kind in
existence. 1t is the simplest and best
proof of the scholarly attainments of its
author.
Even the Indians now urged the brave
| priest to forsake his post among them
and to fly to Canada, when they observed
the persistence of the English in seeking
to destroy him. But his reply to them
shows he character of the man.
MY measures are taken, said he. "God
has committed this flock to my care, and
will share its lot-too happy, if permitted
to sacrifice my life for it. And he re-
manned, for he was true shepherd, not
told, 'giveth his life for his flock. But
the hireling ieeth, because he is a
hireling."
BY the peace of Utreet, 1713, Maine be-
came English territory, and the Indians
! of Norridgewock sent a deputation to
! Boston to obtain WOrkmen to rebuild
their church, destroyed in one of the
expeditions meant to capture their priest.
1 The governor offered gratis al! the assist
anee needed. provided they would dismiss
Father Rale and accept minister of his
choosing But the offer was Indignantly
refused and the red men returned to find
aid from Frenchmen at Quebec. Another
expedition to capture Father Rale, even
in time of peace, WAS organized by
Colonel West brook in 1722 1t numbered
$50 men, and selected he hunting season.
Yet they succeeded only in damaging and
pillaging and burning. The priest re
manned, but his church was ashes The
good priest was now in danger of starva-
tion till aid came from Quebec. The re-
suit of this was another war, for the
Indians were reused to desperation by the
outrage. Perseverance generally accom-
plishes its object. SO in this case. On
the 23d of August, 1924, band of English
and Mohawk Indians surprised and We're
about to destroy the village of the
Abnaki. But Father Rale perceived the
danger to his people. Knowing that his
life was the object sought, he resolved to
sacrifice himself that Others might be
spared. He fastened to The open square,
as well his intirmities would permit
(for he had become lame by fall in the
pursuit of his duty. There he stood in
plain view beneath the mission cross.
And there the defenceless and lame old
hero stood as target for the vi hole at
lacking party. Seven chiefs, true to the
last stood by him, and perished with
him. They were his bodyguard, and
went with him as deputation from their
kings. The body of the priest was fairly
ridded with bullets; and even after
death it was hacked, maltreeted, and
stripped of its clothing. Then began the
same programme of profaning and rob
bling and burning. The church was
entered, he altar riiied. the sacred Host
ard consecrated vessels profaned. Final
ly the church was burned, and the vii
lage, this time, destroyed; and thus once
more, in the confines of Maine, the silent
remains of a martyr rested At the foot Of
the silent cross of the King of martyrs,
while the grouping pines i'll grim silence
stood as watching guard
After the whites had departed the
Indians who had escaped returned, and
reverently buried the remains of their
faithful pastor on the spot where once
stood the altar at which he had SO often
offered for them sacrifice and given them
counsel.
The grave remained unmarked until
Bishop Fenwick in after years raised a
monument on the spot III his honor.
This event took place on Aug, 20, 1888,
l09 years after the death of the noble old
man.
Wars and oppression did sad havoc
among the missions till the opening of
the revolutionary war, yet he Indians OF
Maine, even though bereft of pastors,
had preserved the faith and teaching of
Catholicity. On espousing the cause of
the Federals, they implored that pastors
might be sent them. The authorities at
Boston would be glad to comply with the
request but were unable. Thus, by the
designs of Providence, it came to pass
that the very men who had prosecuted
the priests would now be glad to have
them at their disposal, that they might
satisfy the demands OF the Appealing red
men.
However, in 1911, The Rev. john Chew
erus, 4 priest than stationed al Boston,
but since weI-knoWn to fame as he first
Bishop of Boston, and later Cardinal