The morning times., 1895-09-22

MKr. McMa non.
the Evangelist, and here Father Mcmahon
laid the foundation of his future vast fortune
by purchasing at a low figure large tract
of land near what is now Riverside Park,
and other lots adjacent 10 Fifth avenue
and the present site of the great New York
Cathedral and of the famous Vanderbilt
palaces. Father McMahon was pastor of
st. Johns for over twent y-five years, and
was greatly beloved by his people, who
always found in him q wise consellOr and
a generous friend.
His management was tempered by kind
ness and justice, and when he turned his
parish over to Archbishop McCloskey in
1876 he left his affairs in most flourish
ing financial condition. The parish Of
st. Johns having been taken in by the
new cathedral. the archbishop appointed
this able priest pastor OF st. Andrews,
most important charge, as the church
was heavily in debt and its resources very
scant. The same success attended all
Father McMahOn's efforts, and his specu-
lations in real estate have increased So rap
idly that he had become one of the wealth
lest clcrgymcn in the United States.
In 1890, at the advanced age OF seventy
six, Father Mcmahon decided to give up
the active life of a pastor and spend his
declining years at the seat of Catholic
learning near Washington. He there
fore made the magnificent donation of
nearly all his fortune. S400 900, to Bishop
Keane, asking in return only a quiet re-
treat for the evening of his life. He has
lived since that time at-ihe university, the
simple, unostentatious life Of fervent
priest and devoted scholar.
Almost every day since work was be-
gun on the great hail which will make
his name famous in the centuries TO come
Father Mcmahon has been an interested
observer of its progress. Although in his
eIghtieth year, he is a great pedestrian, and
is familiar figure in the numerous couD-
try walks surrounding the university
grounds.
As scholar Father Mcmahon has a
brilliant record. In Is4S he published
an entirely new version of the New Testa-
ment. founded on Challoner's version OF
the old Douay He has also edited critical
works Of great ability, notably the Hay
dock Bible, published in 1875. He has
devoted considerable time and study to
the Hebrew language, and his researches
are of the utmost Importance in TINS
branch. To quote the words of Bishop
Keane, in speaking of the venerable bene-
factor of his institution, ''be is not only our
edification in priestly virtues, but our
spur in scholarly research and accuracy"
Music is especially the solace of Father
McMahon's life. He is fully versed in the
ecclesiastical masters, and has revised
many selections OF church music. BE
is very proficient in the manufacture OF
musical Instruments, and has patented
several improvements in the modern church
organ. In his apartments at the university
Father McMahon has quite collection of
musical Instruments, and lie can be heard
practising sometimes hours at a time.
He is particularly fond OF Moore's melodies,
which he performs with great sweetness
and pathos.
MADE him MoNSIGNOR.
On November 30, 1894, his Holiness
Pope Leo XIII, wishing to confer some
particular honor on this generous priest,
made him monsignor, or member of his
household. The Pope bestowed the title
through his ablegate. Monsjgnor Sa-
TOLL, who gave sumptuous dinner at his
residence on I street. Cardinal Gibbons,
Bishop Keane and the entire faculty of
the Catholic University were present on
this auspicious occasion. and the Papal
delegate made a very beautiful address.
praisng the zeal and generosity of this
venerable priest. Monsignor Mcmahon
will be one of the most notable persona ges
in the notable assemblage gathered to
witness the dedication OF the hall on octo-
ber /, and after the official precedent
always accorded the Cardinal and the
Papal delegate, he will be the guest of
honor on that occasion.
1t is noteworthy of this venerable man
that twice during his active priesthood
when his church was destroyed by fire
he rebuilt it out of his own means. The
fortune which he has So lavished on good
works is the result of wise investment
of his patrimony and the emnluments OF
his literary labors and patent rights
While ever giving from his funds. again
and again they have been returned to
him hundred fold.
ABOUT INSTRUCTORS
A better idea of the courses Of the uni
versty can be had by some biographical
mention of the men who are to conduct
them than by noting the dry list of studies
The array of talent is imposing, including
as it does some of the most notable names
among the school men + the world
DR.. PACE.
Rev Edward A. Pace dean of the new
faculty, is one OF the youngest members
OF this distinguished body Of teachers. DR..
Pace was born in Staarke, Fla, ON July 3,
1861 He attended the public schools un-
til his sixteenth year, when he entered
st. Charles College, in Ellicott City, Nd.
In 1880 the president o the college, recog-
nizing the superior talents of this young
seminarian, sent him to Rome tn pursue
his studies in higher philosophy and the
Ology. Five years alterward he entered
the famous theological seminary at Lou
vain, Belgium, where he took the degree
of ID. d.
Being from his earliest years interested
in the newly-developed science of psy-
chology, DR.. Pace determined to make
this branch a subject of especial research,
and with this object in view he became a
member of the Academy of Experimental
Psychology at the University Of Leipsig.
In 1889 he took the degree of Phi D.,
graduating with the highest honors of