The Irish standard., 1899-06-24
At tho Funeral 1t Was Produced
Around HislBier.
SUCCESSFUL FRENCH MISSIONARY
Apostolic Work inLthe ,.Wilds of
British Columbia.

Bishop Duricu died in British Colum
bla last week, says a Vancouver CORE
spondent OF the Chicago Tribune. Seven
thousand Indians witnessed the passion
play at his funeral. This is as the Bishop
would have wished. If the famous Ro-
man Catholic missionary could have
looked down on his own obscquics his
great soul would have enjoyed unuttcr-
able peace and consolation. His life
story will explain why Bishop Duricu
used novel means in converting the In
dlans to Christianity, and those who
have not studied the British Columbia
redman around his roaring campfire and
at his own ranchcrcc may be shocked
when they read for the first time OF the
methods OF the dead prelatc TO win In
dian converts for the church. Be that
as 1t may, where Bishop Durcu con-
vertcd thousands, missionaries OF other
denominations were forced to be content
with hundreds or scores. Picture les
sons was Bishop Duricu's plan. While
Episcopalians and Mcthodists were
preaching to Indians in the good, old
fashioned way, Bishop Durieu was ap-
peallng TO them through the eye rather
than the ear. The history OF the Indian
tribes is written by carved pictures on
the totem poles OF the chiefs: then why.
II Fl, a.. l..
Christ and his redemption OF the race
be portrayed i'll a somewhat similar
manner. Upon this idea the great mis-
sionary established stations throughout
the province, and. while schools were
started for the education OF children in
all branches. pictures and plays were the
means used in converting the Indians
TO Christianity and teaching them the
lessons OF the Bible
The Savior's life was taken as a basis
for all actions, moral, religious, and So
clal. and it soon became saving in
British Columbia among miners and
loggcrs that the word of Duricu In
dian was as good rs his bond. The mis-
sions grew into big families and there
were few bad Indians among them.
When young buck was caught stealing
or drinking. or Il maiden had erred. it
was the indian mission castigator who
publicly whipped the culprit. This plan
worked SO well towards the desired end
that the authorities decided not to inter-
fcrc with the good Bishops unique plan
OF controlling the moral life OF his con-
verts. 1t must be admitted, however,
that there was a huttcr of excitement
and alarm in certain church circles when
Bishop Durieu caused to be announced
that on certain date he would have
the passion play enacted at central
point on the coast by Indians trained
for the purpose. The great modern
teacher judged that the pictures of
Christ's suffering represented by actors
chosen from among their own people
would directly appeal to the Indians far
more eloqucntly than any human
tongue.
When the passion play did take place
it caused a sensation, but the authorities
certainly raised no objection. Twenty
five thousand Indians attended, only
few thousands OF whom were Christians.
Before the figure OF Christ was taken
from the cross, however, there was al
most a universal conversion to Christi
anity, not by ones or twos or dozens,
but en- masse. So large was the crowd
of applicants who desired administration
of the sacrament that many days did not
suffice to accommodate them, and there
was SO much praying for the souls of
loved ones taken away in the darkness
OF heathendom that the capacity of the
poor Bishop and his hard working as
sociates was taxed to the utmost.
The Roman Catholic Church seems to
have picked its men for mission work
here, which accounts in large measure
for the churchs success. Bishop Durieu
was an example OF this. His was a
striking fgure-tall straight as an ar
row, countenance bronzed by continu-
Gus exposure to the elements. Wearing
a long, flowing beard, he was unique
object of reverence to the short, squat
figured, smooth faced Indians of the
coast. Bishop Durieu was fearless to
a fault. A hundred times in early days,
among savage tribes in the wilds of
British Columbia, when cannibalistic
tendencies had not yet disappeared,