The Irish standard., 1897-05-01

sermons, but even strangers visiting the
city, and of all religious denominations,
were attracted thither by the fame of
his eloquence, his acknowledged literary
taste, his faculty for composition, and
his mastery arrangement of subjects.
In his sermons all the unitfes were
strictly preserved, while their themes
were conveyed in sentences clear, CO.
gent and convincing. His matter was
only equaled by his graceful action,
thrilling and flexible tones of voice ex-
Quisitely modulated, and emphasized in
a manner difficult to describe. In 1854
he was ordained priest, and attached to
the old cathedral dedicated to st. Louis,
King of France.
Burthened with the care of a very ex-
tensive diocese and number of Catho-
lie congregations daily growing, the
Most Rev. Peter r. Kenrick, already
advanced in years, as also having vast
amount of duty and business to tran
sact, needed an assistant bishop to aid
In the administration of ecclesiastical
affairs. His own earnest recommended
ton to the Sacred Congregation, togeth-
er with the unanimous approval of all
his suffragan bishops, caused the select
ed candidate, Rev. Patrick J. Ryan, to
be accepted by his late Holiness Pope
Plus TX The bulls for his conservation
soon arrived, and on the 14th of April,
1872, this interesting and solemn cere-
mony was accomplished, the Most Rev.
Peter Richard Kenrick officiating and a
vast congregation filing the church.
Soon after his conservation the very
celebrated Irish Dominican preacher.
Father Thomas Burke, arrived in st.
Louis, and during the time of his So
journ there he was the guest of Bishop
Ryan. The greatest attachment sprang
up between both, and it ripened into de-
voted friendship. They became insep-
arabic companions; they appeared to-
gether on the same platforms as rivals
in eloquence, but of style admitting
distinctive varieties. The racy Irish
humor and stories of Father Burke in
his lectures out of the pulpit told with
immense effect before his countrymen
and the citizens of American birth, nor
could Bishop Ryan attempt that vein OF
oratory. But the priests of st. Louis
asked Father Burke's opinion regarding
the sermons of their newly consecrated
bishop, after he had listened to them.
"Well, in good TRUTH" said Father
Burke, when I heard Lacordaire in
Paris thought the whole church could
not produce his equal, but now that I
have heard your good and great assist
ant bishop do not hesitate to state that
as pulpit orator he UNNECESSARILY sur
passes that celebrated preacher of our
order" 1t is almost difficult to say
whether the dogmatic or moral sermons
of Bishop Ryan were most to be adj
mired. Like his cherished friend, Faith
or Burke, Bishop Ryan was always
ready, and he preached or lectured on a
variety of occasions where religion or
charity called him. About the year 1879
the latest of these remarkable dis
courses was delivered. Some years ago,
before a national council of the United
States Prelates assembled at Baltimore,
Bishop Ryan preached grand sermon,
taking as his subject .''The Sanctity of
the Church." On the occasion of OPEN
ing the new and magnificent cathedral
of st. Patrick, New York, during the
summer of 1879, a grand ceremonial was
arranged for the day, and DR.. Ryan was