The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-04-19
LAST FAREWELLS.
A Reception to Bishop
Montgomery.
The New Bishop to Leave This
Evening Bearing With Him Good
Wishes and a Check.

Twenty or more of the leading gentle
men of the Catholic church of this city met
in the residence of the clergy of st. Mary s
Cathedral last evening to say farewell to
Bishop Montgomery. 1t was said to be
reception, but the fOrmality of such an
event was entirely lacking. and the CON-
ing departure of the popular priest cast
au air of regret. and sorrow over the pro-
ceedipgs.
Judge Robert Tobin spoke first to the
gentlemen present, and with a few words
introduced John 81. Burnett. MIR. Bur-
nett held in his hand an engrosse address
which he read. Ii was a kindly testmO-
NAL of the esteem AID affection which
Bishop Montgomery has earned for him
self during his stay of fourteen years in
this city. 1t referred also to Bishop
Montgomery's energy and courage in the
cause OF the church, and predicted that
the thorough knowledge of the people of
this State, and the respect and honor which
they bear for him will enable him to fill
his new position with credit to hims elf
and to the church. In conclusion Mr.. Bur-
nett begged Bishop Montgomery to accept
practical expression of esteem. which
but family co nveys an idea of the regard"
III IL q 10 bCIus duG dc Dc (OHCiuucQ
be handed Bis hop Montgomery check for
$500.
That part of the reception was one for
which the good priest was hardly pre-
pared, and as he rose to express his
thanks the applause with which he was
greeted served but to embarrass him the
more. He thanked the gentlemen, in a
few simple words, and then, seemingly
INN la6 nv nf fhn anaor,
he spoke of his coming departure.
when leave here" he said, II leave
my friends and | will take up my residence
in place where. if | receive half the kind
ness and consideration which / received
here, | will feel that | am most fortunate.
This expression of esteem is very crafty
ing to me. for priest needs encourage
ment in his work. as every other man does,
but / guess ii is the priest and
not the man which prompts the
gift-the faith OF the Catholic people
of this city expressed to me a prizes. of
the church. | have lived very happily
among you and with the clergy OF this
city. and what l have accomplished and
what am | owe to the two masters under
whom | have served so long (referring to
Archbishops Alemany and Riordan). l
have learned to obey. and | simply obeyed
their orders. OF the home life which /
shall leave'-Bishop Montgomery's eyes
grew dim. Il cannot speak of it,: be
faltered, and with his head bowed low
upon his breast he sat down abruptly.
| AS abruptly as Bishop Montgomery had
| taken his seat Archbishop Riordan rose TO
speak. 81 had intended to remain SILENT"
| he said. "for the subject is too tender a
one with me and | feared to speak upon
it. / wish 10 thank you. however. for
| h0noTlng him, for in so doing you give
pleasure to me. Since his retirement TO
convent in Spain my honored predecessor
| had written regularly to me, up to the
| time of his death, and in every letter he
would write: Take care of Father Mont
gomery. He will some day become loyal
and able collaboration with YOU" have
always found him williDg-almost too
willing-worker. and at times l have
| thought be worked almost tou hard.
| During his ten years with me not
! cloud of word or even thought has come
between US, and in all these years there
was but one secret between u.s. did not
| tell him until the last moment of the tele-
gram from Rome appointing him q
Bishop. He has worked faithfully and
energeIieally here, and when the
time came to appoint coadlu-
| tor to the Bishop of Los Angeles
| knew there was no one who would fill the
position as he could. lie does not know,
! and ii is perhaps better so, the grievous
responsibility which will henceforth rest
upon him. His days Of happiness end to-
morrow. his days of care ana trouble will
! begin" During his words Archbishop
RIordan's voice broke more than once. but
ne finished brayely with glowing tribute
to his friends prospects. The gentlemen
present then adjourned to The dining-room
OH Father Kirby's invitation and for the
last time sat down to table with Bishop
Montgomery.
The Bishop will leave this evening for
Los Angeles. he will go alone.
The $500 purse was made up among tn e
Catholic societies of this city and the prom
inent member of the church. Those of
the laity who were present at the recep-
ton last evening were:
Judge Robert j. Tobin. George r. B.
Hayes, J. NJ. Burnett. L. p. Riordan. j. j.
Mahoney. w. 4. Wilson. E. Bradley. II.
Doyle, James O'Brien, James w. Smith,
L. j. WEIGH. Ed E. Hill. Z. j. LIE Breton.
Michael Flood, p F. Butler. NJ. c. Has
set,. T.. j. kierce. j. Thomas, Thomas r.
Bannerman, c. C. Terrill. Patrick Lynch,
A. H. Lough borough and Martin O'Dea.
A nun Der of the clergy were also present.