Evening journal., 1908-01-21

1t was Victor Hugo who said in his
autobiography that death was the end
OF something" When on January 18th.
the Rev. Thomas B. Donovan, Superior
of st. Joseph's Society of Negro Mis-
sions died. there left this world a man
whose individual eminence secreted by
an unmatchable humility, whose like
as priest, counsellor, father. friend,--
is hardly findable in the large circle
of the Roman Catholic priesthood.
If death then is really the end Of
something the Rev. ThomasB. Donovan
was in the natural essence Of mankind
the fulfilling power Of principle COM
plemented with every generalization
and componency that marks the
especial individual man above other
men. Born and reared in a life that
tempted him to move In realms OF COM
merclalism and the craft of politco-
intrigue. and which would have fed the
ambition of a less spirited man and
propelled him on through the eddies of
self-apotheosis this man turned his
back for life that demands for all
those who would follow it truthfully,
honestly and purely the severest meas
ures-a life, the leading of which kills
tc the death. but which garners up for
all those who labor in the vineyard of
the selected. a crownine whose shining
reflects the very light of heayen-the
priesthood. The Rev. Thomas b..
Donovan implied every essential of his
calling. He was honest. truthful. pious,
prayerful, a lover Of souls, humble. un-
ambitious. devoted to his high Office a
catechist Of real merit. man Of un-
usual financial and executive ability,
above all a true apostle of the meek
and lowly Nazarene who would have
all men that follow MIN to subjugate
themselves to the yoke of poverty, pur~
ity and obedience.
When from the South came that
Macedonian cry he enlisted under tho
banner for the Southern crusade, will
ingly. joyfully, lovingly, devotedly, and
the compact into which he entered be-
tween himself and his Maker, the world
at large knows how we'll and sincerely
he kept it and fulfilled It.. The loving
evidences of his zeal and iabors are
left behind in monuments more last
ing than bronze" Churches, colleges,
converts. II any man believed in the
reformation and salvation of the negro
it was he. He believed even in the
darkest moments of despair when UP
late at nights toiling, planning, schem-
ing. devising ways and means for bet
tering the tasks Of his missionaries
''his boys on tho MISSION" as he was
won't to call them. When all the
neither and upper worlds were at rest
this man toiled because he believed as
mis- Master had said and as the
prophets of old had done, Work as tn,
Night Weareth On" His tours on this
missions were to him a work Of love
as he liRed nothing better than to bring
back from the South reports OF ths
missions irregardless OF their scope oi
success. In everything, whether he wal
about his Fathers business or leisur.
ing, his interest was unfiagging; hil
sincerity fullsome and honest. To thl
smallest boy Of the college. TO thG
dignihed rhetorician ne was ever kind
courteous, advice giving and homes
father To the seminarians, who's,
closer contact to things theologic lifts
them higher in proportion TO the col
legians. he was ever asking about theli
welfare. their health and their studies
When called away from the college OF
business appertaining 10 ST. Joseph.
Society, the collegians would long fol
his return. long for his sunny smile
his jovial talks. his presence even. Thl
same might be said OF his leaving the
seminary TO fulfill his duties as prizes
and superior Of the society.
BY his death the priesthood has los
a man whose faculties for good were
unfathomable and one of it's tru,
apostolic souls. who knew but tw'
things in his Efe-to work and TO pray
who boasted not of the depths to which
he could go in philosophy and theology
but who raised his hands at the dali,
sacrifice as a simple priest, in all tina
this name implies: a man who lived IN
the world. but was not OF the worls
worldly; ST. Joseph's Society a leade
and exemplar; whose like may neve
be seen again; a priest who tried to b.
"all IN all things to all mem" whose yer,
existence was the society of which IN
was susperior; who lived for the socict,
absolutely and resolutely: and the negro
one OF their greatest friends in th'
Roman Catholic Church. who believed
in them. who pitied them, who prayed