The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-15

service and gave the absolution-read the same beautiful service that is recited throughout the world alike over prelate, parish priest, prince and pauper.
 The bishop delivered a short, but tender and fitting discourse from the text: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: year. sayeth the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them"
 The Discourse.
 The speaker said in part:
 We are assembled today to pay our last tribute of respect and love to one who for years stood among you as an exemplar and guide He has been fa- ther and friend to multitudes who now wish to pay their last tribute of love and veneration. He was a priest of God-and what is it to be a priest? priest is a man chosen by God to labor among the people and draw them to His service. To his priests he has spoken those blessed words: You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.
 NO kngly power, no power this earth can give can compare to the power im- parted to a priest at his ordination. What holiness, what sanctity, does not the priestly life require? The lives of priests should ever shine before men in all holi- ness and purity. They should not only be incorruptibe, but should lead others to God The priest labors in season and out of season for the good of his people. He consecreates his whole life to Gods ser vice When his superiors find in him those qualities which fit him for the sacred min istry, what a joy 1t is for him to ascend the altar and offer there the adorable sac rifce of the mass. What a noble career it is-to labor among the people to lead souls to God, to console the poor and afflicted.
 "The beloved pastor whose mortal re- mains now lie before you labored faith fully. He was a good, holy. noble priest. Thrty-eght years he had stood before the altar Think of it, thirty eight years he had hat in the confessional and spoken words of encouragement and given abso- lution to the pentitent; think of the num- Der of children he has baptised. and of the number over whose remains he has said the last words of consolation. He labored faithfully, knowing that 1t was Gods will
 "Thirty-eight years he spent in the ministry, laboring for God. working for his people. During those thirty eight years he built nine churches to the glory of God.
 NOWs Father MtuIeT ndS gone rom us. Dear brethren, do not forget him now. He has been a true. faithful sold fer of Jesus Christ. He labored to the end, and now that he is gone from you, l earnestly beseech you to follow him with your prayers Brethren, l ask you who have been so much benefited by his labor and his sacrifice to remember your pastor, and ask Almighty God to give him grace and show mercy"
 To the Grave.
 The Knights of Columbus attended the funeral services.
 The cortege from the church to the grave was one of the most imposing ever seen in Birmingham. Along the route of the procession nearly all the stores were closed as a mark of respect to the dead priest.
 At the cemetery Bishop Allen and the clergy chanted prayers and the Bishop gave the last absolution. In filling up the grave the Bishop threw in the first spade full, the Abbott threw in the second spade full and then each priest in turn. accord Ing to seniority, dropped in a little earth earth to earth, ashes to ashes.
 Dean Meurer was one of the most highly esteemed priests of Alabama and many tear was dropped over his bier. His memory will long be kept green and all the faithful will pray for the repose of his soul