The Irish standard., 1899-06-24

OAdSSly Ill lllS lace vi ucdtIl prevailed,
and he was spared to end his days peace
fully among friends of his own race.
The following incident shows the
character Of the man. By act of the Ca
madam government an Indian reserve
was con6scated for public uses. The In
dams rebelled and it became whispered
about among them that the young priest,
Durieu, had sold their homes to his
white brethren. Three bucks who had
been converted by Durieu had been
chosen by the chief to kill him.
The young missionary, all unthinking,
was tending his little garden in front OF
his one-roomed cabin, when his would
be slayers arrived. "We have come to
XIII you," said the young bucks, fierce
ly. Without looking up, the young
priest replied:
"What for?"
Because continued the Indians,
somewhat less ferociously, you played
a trick. You sold our homes"
AA@A lliC WlllC ildll lOOkeu up dllu
said: II do not sell or barter. am a
man OF God. am your father in Christ.
am your friend, but if you wish to kill
me am ready" and, letting his hoe
drop, he folded his arms across his
chest and said, Strike" but the fierce
ness had all gone out of the children OF
the forest Before this great mans
bravery and gentlcness their manner
changed and they fell upon their knees
as they had been taught to do and asked
for the young priests blessing.
There was great rejoicing among the
tribe when they learned that the white
man had tried to prevent the confsca-
ton OF their reserve and not to facilitate
it.
And now after forty years service in
the church, and the conversion of thous-
ands OF Indians to Christianity, Bishop
Durieu's labors are ended and all that is
mortal has been laid to rest in a quiet
Indian churchyard, at ST. Mary's Mis-
sion, among the graves OF many whom
he led to Christ during their lifetime.
The closing scene was fitting and ap-
propriate. His deathbed was surround
ed by those who had labored close to
HIM Tor many years, and his funeral
obsequies were more profoundly pictur-
esque and majestically unique than per-
haps could be seen on a similar occa-
sion in any part OF the world.
1t seemed to show the fruition OF his
tireless efforts in the service of the
church and what one man is capable OF
doing for Christianity, who unites brains
and patience with religious zeal, a
strong physique, and devotion to the
church.
For two days Indians swarmed into
St. Marys Mission by the canoe load
and train load. They pitched their tents
near the little chapel and waited for the
funeral train. On its arrival the casket
bearing the remains OF the Bishop was
removed from the hearse at the gate
Leading to hill above the church and
was placed in a partially upright posi-
ton, with the lid removed, that all
might view the form they had learned to
love and reverence. It was then the
church authorities realized for the first
time tina. the 1000 Indians present had
brought actors with them, and that the
passion play was to be enacted as the
last fitting tribute of respect to their be-
loved dead. They did not interfere. The
libra was sung. the great crowd OF
Christian Indians swaying their bodies
together in time to the pathetic strains.
The Indians rose and traied by the bier,
their usually stolid countenanccs bathcd
in tears, while the dead Bishop seemed
quietly conscious of all that was going
on There he rested clothed in the vest
nIents OF the church, his face as natural
as i'll life, his gentle countenance, his
graceful, long flowing beard presenting
an aspect of sublime peace and absolute
rest after his life's long labors had been
ended.
The Indians fell back to the bank OF
the Fraser River, short distance from
the hill, and the actors took their places.
The passion play had started.
An Indian with flowing robes and
crowned with thorns stood before anoth-
or dressed as Pontius Plate. The mimic
Governor motioned the thorn-crowned
figure away and nodded to crowd of
Indians dressed in garments similar to
those worn by the Jews. These 1ndi-
ans burst into shouts of laughter and
cries OF "Crucify him, cruelty him"
They then compelled the robed figure
to drag his way around the hill weighted
with cross. Many times this man fell
down groaning with pretended fatigue,
and those who followed him jeered at
his suffering. The great multitude OF
converted Indians looked on, still and
quiet, as the different stations of the
cross are portrayed, while occasionally
there was muffled sobbing among the
squaws. They were thinking of the
gentle priest who had taught them this
Bible lesson when he was full OF life
and gentle sympathy.
The passion play is progressing. The
Viroin Marv &c Dortraved running tou.