Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-29

that it is not, and with what full hands
he has gone to meet his master and
what a glorious account he can give of
stewardship? For with the zeal and
energy, and self sacrifice and devotion
with which he labored for the saliva
ton of his people-can he not even
say in the words of his divine master:
II thank thee, Oh Father, that / have
finished the work thou gavest me to
do; that | have lost none of those
whom thou gavest me to keep"
Not a Brilliant Man.
Father Flood was not a brilliant
man; nor had he any pretentions to
that which he was not He was sim
pie, earnest priest He did not reach
the goal of his ambition with
out much difficulty and many
severe trials of his consistency.
When he did reach it he saw
before him but one way, and that lit
up with the light of duty. and he did
his best to walk in it. God blessed his
efforts by rendering his labors in the
holy ministry exceedingly fruitful.
He was blessed with untiring zeal
in the work to which he had conse-
Grated his life, and unfiinching fidel-
ity to the demands of his sacred call
ing The salvation of his people their
souls and the souls of their children
were dear to him as the apple of his
eye, and make bold to say that he is
a martyr today.
His relations with his superiors and
his brethren in the ministry were most
happy, and the presence of the vicar
general of the diocese as the bishops
representative, and this large mum
Der of clergy, attest the respect and
affection with which they regard him
AS their pastor his people loved him
and they crowd round his bier to show
their love and devotion for him.
He Was Charitable.
He was charitable and kind hearted
and true and faithful friend, and fol
favor granted him his gratitude was
never ending. His devotion to the
Immaculate Mother of God was tender
in the extreme. His rosary was His
inseparable companion. He loved the
sacred heart of his Divine Master, ant
as a pledge of that love, he gave tt
this beautiful church the name of the
Sacred Heart" He died on the feast
of his patron saint, the great Bernard
whose name he gave to the church al
Millersburg.
He is gone, may God bless his ashes
To those of his immediate household
who survive him, we can but extend
our sympathy. We cannot repair theil
loss. To her who has for so man,
years been part of his life, the sud
den breaking of that happy associa
ton is indeed rude shock. But Coo
tempers the wind to the shorn lamb
and He will sustain her in this trial
and the memory of her sainted broth
er will be her constant solace, for it i
an honored memory.
A Sublime Thought.
All, how great it is to end lif
spent in loving God oneself, and il
leading others to love him-The lif
of a good priest. Into that moment ar
crowded ample consolation for the tri
ais. apprehensions, struggles, fear
and sorrow of the. past, always tn
store of good priest; confidence an
hope in the confidence of the Master
whom he has faithfully served; brigh
anticipation of and ardent longing 70
the crown which awaits him. He Il
mented and he wept, for such was tn
masters legacy, but the sweet waitin
for the promise Il will see you agar
and your heart will rejoice and you
joy no man will take from you,' no,
ends in happy fulfillment.