Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-10

1 the institution which stands ct tho
 head of the Catholic educational sys-
 tenn of the United States. t Shall not refer particularly to
 the ecclesiastical college which way
 the object of predilection on tho
 part of him who loved and labored
 for all works tending to the proper
 care of the young? Priests of Hart-
 ford! How often did he speak to
 me of your generous cooperation h
 this institution so dear to his heart!
 How earnestly were visitors invited to spend short time with professors
 and pupils! And in what an inter- ested manner would he speak of everything relating to 1t! What sacrifices did he not make in order that, when the day should como when he would be no longer with us, there would be in the diocese [ coI- lege well equipped and sufficiently endowed, in which the youngest as- pirant to the priesthood might re-
 ceive a complete preparation for tho
 higher seminaries!
 Nor should 1t be thought or said
 that the activity of Bishop Tierney
 was confined to strictly religious
 and charitable matters. He felt
 deep interest in the welfare of his
 city and state. In all public meas
 ures he heartily co-operated; and
 he was recognized always as lead-
 ing member in the community In
 which he lived. For him. however,
 the gospel was his favorite treatise
 on social and political economy. Ho
 realized that the more he fashioned
 his life according to its teachings,
 and enabled others to imbibe It's
 spirit and to obey it's precepts, tho
 greater service he rendered his fel- low citizens. He took a somewhat prominent position in the advocacy of temperance and the 100000 boysN to whom he gave pledge of total abstinence on the solemn day of their confirmation will bear witness for many years to his zeal for the public good and his interest in great moral causes.
 It would seem, dear brethren, that a life thus absorbed in work and with scarcely any relaxation, could not be prolonged almost to the time fixed by the Psalmist. Yet Bishop Tierney began his 10th year toward the end of last month in apparently good health and, as usual, actively engaged. Friends and relatives had already warned him of the dan- ger arising from his intense applica- tion and unceasing labor. But he said to himself, If not to them, m the words of St Francis of Sales: "It is not necessary that I should live: but 1t is necessary that the church should be saved; that sinners should be reconciled to God-that souls should be saved" So he went on with his work, needless of the ad- vice and warning of those who loved him. This, too, must have been sacrifice. For no one had stronger affection or more childlike attach ment to those united to him by ties of blood or common professional work. than the rugged prelate, who could face the greatest difficulties with undaunted courage and endure the hardest labor without a thought of rest. But the end came and came suddenly. It did not find him unprepared. For the life Of faith and prayer which he led made him always ready to meet the Master whom he served so constantly. He was able even to receive the sacra- ments, which, for the highest digni. tary of the church as for the hufa- N blest Catholic within her fold, arc the best preparation for death.
 There Is one word which he would have me speak for him and the only one which he would consid- CT necessary. At the present tfme when we do not fully realize that our bishop Is dead--when- we zee about so many monuments of his zeal and activity-when we recall 70 vividly his holy life and influence for good--it is difficult to convince ourselves that he needs our prayers. But we should ask of him ssto-teAch us the good and right way He would say that on the last day hin N life will not be measured by a hu- man standard, nor compared for judgment with the saints of earth--s but will lie open even in it's most hidden recesses before him, who has said: Be ye perfect, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect. So, to-day. and often, as We call to mind our departed bishop and friend, We shall supplicate for him that rest which was not given to him here on earth, nor can be per- feet unless joined with everlasting We shall ask it in union with the church and in the name of him in whom he believed and hoped -our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen"