Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-23


 one felt 1t moro keenly than he. He was carrying heavy burden of the sorrows of others.
 My last interview with Father Slocum was made few weeks ago Being in Waterbury and learning that he had recently been out of doors, l called at his residence. When he came Into the parlor wal impressed with the change that had taken place. The virile look had given way to an expression of feeble ness. He seemed twenty years older than when had last seen him. There was but little remaining of the overhowing yicacity of other days. Ills words were not sad, but something in his tone made me feel that life seemed more ser ious to him than of old. Not that he was Respondent, for he spoke quite hopefully of his physical con dition, explaining in detail how the physicians had been misled. And then he passed readily to other mat ters. He revealed his old-time in. terest in books by telling how he had secured. while In Washington, sev- eral volumes of the library of the late Senator Hawley, including the senator's set of the Waterbury his tory, He expressed his satisfaction with the great success of the sub scription for the Catholic hospital, mentioning with special pleasure the gift he had just received from that friend of all good causes down in Naugatuck. And then, by an easy transition, he passed to that larger work of philanthropy and social ser vice which is enlisting all the churches to-day, and the need of which is becoming more and more deeply felt in this selfish world. l listened quietly, and was presently gratified to find him touching on the delicate subject of cooperation and Christian brotherhood. And 1t was with no uncertain sound that he con demned the folly of those who per petuate harmful antagonism, who re- fuse to adapt themselves to the needs of to-day, who under the influence of ancient prejudices stir up hate and turn their back upon grand op- portunities of usefulness. It seem- ed to me sort of farewell message, and 1t stirred my heart to think that It's keynote was so entirely in harmony with that gospel of brother hood which We hear in our Protest ant churches to-day. Brotherhood was the thought upon which he laid stress-this the one key that would unlock the problems of our time. Such was his mood-his deep and abiding conviction rather-as I rose to say goodby-"sorrowing, like the friends of St Paul long ago, that I should see his face no more. "
 When men like Father Slocum die the loss falls not upon one circle or one church only, whether it be mar row or broad, but upon all the churches and upon the whole com munity. And the example not for the priesthood only to which he belonged, but for all of use as We journey on- ward. And while we remember him and follow his good example, won- der if we may not do more. He be- lieved, with all who cherish the same faith, in praying for the dead. It was, if I mistake not, Protestant poet who responded to this belief in these noble words: Somewhere thou livest and hast need
 of him:
 Somewhere thy soul sees higher
 heights to climb; And somewhere still there may be n, valleys dim
 That thou must pass to reach the
 hills sublime.
 Then, all the more because thou
 canst not hear
 Poor human words of blessing, will
 pray
 0 true, brave heart! God bless thee,
 where soe'er
 In his great universe thou art to-
 day!"
 Whether we think of our departed friend as in valleys dim" or on "the hills sublime" if our hearts prompt us to such petitioning, surely we need not refrain; we are only giving that of which he spoke a wider range.
 Others Who Speak Kindly.