Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-07-28
CARDINAL GIBBONS
This Beloved Catholic Pfelate
is Seventy Five Years
Old To-day.
One Of the Most Modest and Unassum
ing Of Men, and Dearly Beloved
by the People of All
Glasses.

Baltimore, Nd, July 23.-Apparent-
" in unimpaired health and as strong
AS he vas twenty years ago Cardinal
Gibbons today reached his seventy
fifth birthday anniversary. In ac-
cordance with the rules and traditions
of the Roman Catholic hierarchy the
event was not made the occasion of
any especial celebration OF observ-
ance of q public nature. but hundreds
Of letters and kilograms Of eongratu-
lAtion from distinguished persons in
all parts of the country bore witness
to the fact that the venerable primate
OF the Roman Catholic Church in the
United States has many friends and
admirers throughout the land. who
did not fail to remember this memora-
Bile day in the life of the Cardinal.
Cardinal Gibbons was born in Bal
timore, OF Irish parents, on July %,
1884. While he was still a boy James
Gibbons was taken to Ireland by his
father, where he received the elements
Of a liberal education. On his return
to America ne entered st. Charles
College, Maryland, from which he
graduated with distinction in 1857. He
then entered st. Mary's Seminary,
Baltimore, and after the usual course
of philosophy and theology was or
dained a priest on June 6, 1861, by
the late Archbishop Kendrick. He
Immediately entered upon the duties
of his calling, serving first as assist
| ant to the late Rev. James Dolan, rec
tor of St. Patrick's Church and after
| ward as the pastor of ST. Bridget's
| Church, Canton.
A few years after his transfer to
St ,Bridget's he was elected by the
late Archbishop Spalding as his pri-
yate secretary, and on August 16,
1868, was consecrated at the Cathe-
dral Bishop of Adramythum in Parti-
bus Infidelium and vicar apostolic of
North Carolina. He remained four
years in North Carolina and displayed
such remarkable administrative abili-
ties that on the death of Bishop Nc
Gill he was translated to Richmond.
Va, where he vas installed bishop by
the late Archbishop Bayley on Octo
Der 20, 1872.
His administration in Richmond
was marked by an almost immediate
revival of religious interest and by
practical results Of the most in,por-
tant character. In the course of five
years several new churches were
erected, and st. Peters Cathedral
Male Academy and Parochial School
was founded. By his energy also st
Joseph's Female Orphan Asylum was
enlarged, a parochial school for boys
and girls was established at Peters
burg, and one at Portsmouth fol-
girls.
On May 20, 1877, he was appointed
coadjutor with the right OF succession
to the late Archbishop James Roose-
welt Bayley, of Baltimore. He was in
stalled archbishop at the Cathedral
February 10, 1878. On March II, 1887
he received the red hat of the Cardi-
nalate from Pope Leo XIII, having
previously been invested with the in
sigma of the Office at the Baltimore
Cathedral. On May Is of the same
year he took possession of his titular
church in Rome and, when he re-
turned from Rome on June II, 1887
he was welcomed in Baltimore by one
Of the largest and most enthusiastic
public demonstrations ever witnessed
in that city.
Cardinal Gibbons was one of the
founders of the Catholic University
and is its chancellor. His influence
at the Vatican has always been great
and, it is said that his representations
have been the cause of the Pope's
famous encyclicals on the labor ques-
ton relative to popular government
in the United States. As an author
Cardinal Gibbons holds a high rank
. in the literature of his church, an6
lis Faith Of Our Fathers is regard
ed by eminent scholars and divines o
every creed as a masterpiece Of logic
and literary attainment. With all his
learning and attachments Cardina.
Gibbons is one Of the most modest ant
unassuming of men and dearly be
Fl loved not only by the priests in his
:. charge, but by the people of al
classes, who venerate him for hi.
kindness, charity and truly democrat
tc afability.