Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-07

HUNUII WLlVlUIII Vi
FATHER STAFFORD
Continued from First Page.)
since been attuned TO the music of a
higher and holier invitation.
Toward the Altar of God.
Go forth out of thy country said
God to him as 10 Abraham of old. and
from thy kindred and out of thy fathers
mouse. and come into the land that l will
show thee. Forthwith he turned his back
upon the world and it's allurements. and
set his face steadfastly toward the altar
of God. On certain morning he came
into the presence of the Most High and
accepted God for the portion of his in
heritance and His cup. 1t Is not neces-
sary on an occasion like this to speak Of
God had endowed him. For nearly four
teen years he has gone in and out before
you. During that time he was your
father and your friend He was your
counselor in the time of doubt and your
strong support in the hour of affection
Each one of you has felt the touch of
his personal magnetism. Each one of
you has experienced the thrill of his
his heart to yours, freighted with the
sacramental power which religion alone
can impart. all dripping with tokens of
heavenly benedictions. But even as we
speak a. voice seems to come stealing
up from the grave, All flesh is grass
s she iield i"e glory '"ere0' as the mower Oh
But what is this strain of hope. al
most of joy. that breathes through the
Catholic service. Brethren. l would not
have you ignorant of them that sleep,
says st. Paul. that you be not sad. as
those who have no hope, for as Jesus died
and rose again. even them who have slept
through Jesus God will bring with Him.
This truth is the basis of our Catholic
hopes. This truth it is which dispels the
gloom of an occasion like this. a good
and devoted priest is dead In virtue of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Great
High Priest. he will rise again and God
will give to him life refreshment and
everlasting peace for which his soul de-
sired
Tribute by Cardinal Gibbons.
Cardinal Gibbons offered the final
prayer for the repose of the soul of Dr.
Stafford. and he chose the occasion to pay
high tribute to the memory of the de-
ceased. In part he said:
OHeT you COHuOlenCeS upon the 0edtn
of your beloved pastor You have, indeed.
sustained a great loss. God was pleased
to endow DR.. Stafford with many gifts.
He was possessed of marvellous memory
and a clear and beautiful diction, and his
sermons not only reached your minds,
but touched your hearts.
But it is not for these things alone
that we honor his memory today. but be-
cause ne was a priest of the most high
God. He might not have had any of
these gifts and yet as a minister of the
gospel he should be venerated. How eX-
allied was that man who day after day.
week after week and year after year held
out to you the blessed message of peace.
The home of Father Stafford was the
mecca for people from all over the land,
and none left empty-handed.
The cardinal also spoke of the great
love which Dr. Stafford bore toward men,
bers of his household, and of the love
which he received in turn from the
younger members of the ministry who
were associated with him.
At the conclusion of his remarks Car
dinal Gibbons pronounced the closing
prayer of the requiem mass, and the
filed past the casket for a last glimpse
of the face of the deceas ed before it was
covered from mortal view for all time.
Names of Pallbearers.
The honorary pallbearers were Judge
L L.
ular Council, ST. Vincent de Paurs Socie-
ty; Thomas X. Gallaher, vice president
Patrick j. Brennan. treasurer; George F.
Hardin, president of St. Peters Confer
ence: James +. Shea. president of Carroll
Institute; Henry w. Sohon, NJ A. Mess.
vice president of the Catholic Knights of
America: John Ebert of the St. Aloysius
Branch, Knights of Columbus of America
Hugh r. Harvey, president of Division No.
I oil ~.
Dolar of No. .: DR.. ]. J. Slattery of No.
3: John j. Brosnan of No. 4; Joseph D.
Sullivan of No. ): Thomas p. O'Dean of
No. 8; Daniel NJ Stanton of No. Z: James
S. Easily Smith. grand knight, Washing
ton Council, Knights of Columbus: DR..
w. E. Pairo of Keane Council; George r.
Kolb of Carroll Council: Vincent A.
Sheehy of Spalding Council: Thomas J..
Donovan of Potomac Council; Francis r.
Sheehy District president of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians: Patrick ]. Haltigan.
state deputy. Knights of Columbus
Patrick r. Moran, national director
Ancient Order of Hibernians: Joseph T..
Ralph, assistant director of the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing; N. F. Shea
and Nj. /. Weller, members of the board
of directors OF st. Josephs Orphan Asy-
lum. and John S. Larcombe and Upton
Ridenour. directors of st. Vincent's Or
phan Asylum.
The active pallbearers were Rev. Will
Baltimore: Rev. c. F. Thomas of ST.
AIMS. Baltimore: Rev. John Boland of
St. Plus, Baltimore; Rev. William A.
Reardon of St. Peters, Baltimore; Rev.
John T. Whelan of St. Mary. Star of the
Sea. Baltimore: Rev. James +. Donohue
of st. Patrick's Baltimore: Rev. Thomas
S. Dolan of Laurel Md: Rev. Walter
Caughy of ST. Stephens Church; Rev.
Father Himmell, s. j., of ST. Aloysius
Church: Rev T O'Rourke, Q. P, of ST.
Dominic's Church; Rev. p. d. O'Connell
of st. Vincent de Paurs. Church; Rev.
Paul Griffith of St. Augustine's Church;
Rev. James O'Brien of st. Peters
Church. and Rev. ]. d. MARI of the I'M
maculate Conception, all of this city.
Borne From the Church.
After the notes of the benediction had
borne from it's position before the high
altar to the hearse. preceded by the hon.
orary pallbea:ers and followed by AGO.
lytes, the clergy, and the Catholic Socie-
ties of the District of Columbia, compris-
ing the Society of st. Vincent de Paul, the
knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order
of HibernianS, the Catholic knights of
America and others. under Patrick J.
Haltigan as marshal On either side,
from the church to the street. stood the
guard of honor. with uncovered heads and
tear-dimmed eyes. while the pelting rain
beat down upon them mercilessly.
The streets north, south, east and west
were lined with a vast thrOng OF men,
women and children. who were unable to
gain admission to the overcrowded church,