The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-08
GIFT OF HIS CONGREGATION.
,,cther william Mayer Presented a
Purse of cold.

Purse of cold.
In the school hail of the Sacred Heart
,-.,,rch on Habersham street. Rev. Faith
-. william Mayer was last night present.
nurse of gold by the members of
sis p,rish. Father William. as he is
'4s..tfonately called, will leave Thursday
- take charge of a church in Richmond,
Va and Father Aloysius Hanlon will
.,i,s charge of the Sacred Heart parish.
Tho presentation was made by Col. Jor
,,o F.. Brooks, who spoke of the deep
rseret with which the congregation of
,1a church parts with the priest.
reverend Father" said Col. Books,
.,.,pr friends have gathered here to-
-iobt for the purpose of bidding you
Jewell and godspeed in the new
.nhare of duty that has been assigned to
NV, NV YOUR Superior. 1t is not my pur-
80 to embarrass you by fulsome Gu
,-, nor to express in eXtravasant terms
he feelings of those whom l represent.
w., lpow full we'll that if your wishes
nsra respected there would be no public
1roonstration, for to one of your retir-
trr and simple disposition such displays
@ most trying But we have felt
Vat something is due to the love and af-
ss.tion that has been the outgrowth of
.bt many years of association with you
,s our pastor and friend, and, therefore,
NJ, have asked you to meet us here to-
NIGHT and to accept of our onering which
ue make with the hope that 1t viii ex-
moss in a feeble way, our regret at this
rartirg. which it is not our province to
eriticise. because as loyal children of
Nother Church We must accept the de-
stsion of our superiors, knowing that it
g dictated by "a conscientious Regard for
nb,t is considered to be for the welfare
nj the whole, even though it brings sor-
rou and a sense of loss, to the smaller
number
"While doing so, however, we feel
That we cannot refrain from expressing
N YOU our regret that scuh a decision
has been made, severing, as 1T does, our
relations with you, and we want you to
lie with YOU a full assurance of our
love. our sincere sorrow at parting with
vou and our earnest prayers that the
cood God whom you have served so
zealously and faithfully, may, in his
mercy. protect you and prosper your un-
dertakings, and that your new field of
work may bring you, as we are sure it
will when they learn to know you, many
friends and earnest supporters.
ACCEPT then of this purse, which is
not large CllOuSn " PAOPNilS NNPASSs' ~
lis intrinsic value, the depths of our
,ferton. though the metal of which its
contents is composed may typify the
nurtv of your love for your people. May
God bless you, Reverend Father, and
give US the pleasure of seeing you often
aoain. and in response to the request
which you made in church this morning,
". promise you, knowing that you would
och it in preference to many things that
deavor to do our full duty by your
successor, so that we may prove to him
that our words tonight are not merely
liz service, and that your labors with US
have not been in vain, but have borne
good and lasting fruit.
For the little children who have been
the especial object of your loving care, l
beg to offer their prayers for the welfare
and happiness of the friend who has so
well gained the love of their little hearts.
We know that you value most highly
their love, and surely no better tribute
could be paid to any man than to say
that he has won as our loved father has,
the unselish, pure and tender love of
these little ones, so dear in the sight of
Him, in whose sacred cause he has la
bored so well. Again, dear father we bid
you a loving farewell, and beg that you
will always remember in your prayers the
people of your old parish and the many
friends whom you are leaving in Savan-
nah"
Father William replied briefly, stating
his deep regret at having to leave those
whom he loved so well, and, as he had
stated in church in the morning, "the
less said the better" Father William
said when a mans heart is full to over
lowing, he cannot speak, and my heart
Is now full to overlooking. l can only
reiterate and say that l have a host OF
friends in Savannah. When I was sent
from Pennsylvania to Richmond 1 felt
very sad. and an old gentleman told me
never mind, you will find friends where
ever you 60" l have certainly found
them in Savannah, and 1 feel as if 1 was
leaving my own family. 1 will never
nave as many friends again. l have been
attached to you and you have been at
tached to me, and, while obeyng orders
by leaving, l will not forget you, and
VIII always pray for you and be with
you in spirit
As to the purse 1 know not what to
say, l expressed to you in church this
morning my idea of Savannah's charita-
Die people giving their last penny, and
trust God will reward you for IT. You
nave so many demands. the
o,pHans' the poor, the church
al charitable institutions to call
upon you for support and you have al
Ways shown your willingness to respond,
ana may God reward you for it. l have
your good will. and this needs no other
1eSumonal However, l assure you of
my appreciation of your contribution. and
VIII dispose of it in manner known
20 uod alone. Accept then, deer friends.
INe assurance of my best wishes, and that
viii remember you every day at the
o''aI' ana may God hear my prayers and
may God reward you. I will not bid you
soo"-ny tonight. as l expect to see
gou al at the orphans picnic at Tybee on
esaay' but TO those whom 1 may not
see now bid farewell"