The Irish standard., 1909-07-03

nothing OF that kind" was his reply.
"If did it would not be the truth"
He went to the cashier and got his
money. That evening he received a
note to come back again and go to
work, with a suggestion that if he kept
out of Mr.. Stewards way for two or
three days it would be just as we'll.
He remained there for two years and
resigned to become sexton OF the
Church of the Immaculate Conception,
In East Fourteenth street. AS he went
about the streets, Mr.. Therry found
that the tendency toward profanity was
constantly growing, and he thought
that, lay1nan though he was, he would
do something to prevent it. He gath
cred the first small Society in the par
ish Of st. Xavier where in 1854 the
Organization was formally founded
Its growth was at first very slow, and
after two years he reorganized it in the
parish Of the Church of the Immacu-
late Conception, to which his spiritual
adviser. Father Kean, had gone as rec
tor Mr.. Therry lived in Avenue A,
near Fourteenth street, and he did not
hesitate when he could do so with dig
nifty to speak to men whom he had
heard swearing. There was in the
neighborhood of his home a shop
where stucco work and house decora-
tfons were made. Mr.. Therry went
there frequently, for once he came very
near taking up that trade. When a
workman dropped a plaster board or
a tool he usually launched forth into
a torrent of profanity. Mr.. Therry, in
a tactful way, reasoned with them and
induced many Of them to join his So
ciety.
Although he did not make any great
effort apparently to obtain riches he
prospered in material way, and as
sexton and undertaken he accumulated
snug fortune, on which he retired at
the age of thirty-nine years. He felt
that he had all the money he needed.
and he determined to devote the bal
ance of his life to the cause of religion
and of education. His competence he
invested in real estate. which rapidly
increased in value. and although he had
many poor persons dependent upon
him and gave others free rent, his hold
fngs increased to a substantial fortune.
After the Holy Name Society had OBJ
tanned substantial footing. it was
carried on by the Domnicans, who
have extended its influence with every
year. Mr.. Therry modestly Withdrew
from active participation in its coun-
ellis and many. indeed, who have long
been affiliated with the Organization
did not even know who it's founder was.
The Society took part as the years
passed by in parades in the centennia!
celebration and in the professions in
this city in commemoration of national
affairs of Importance. The greatest
showing ever made by the Society was
probably at the Centenary exercises OF
the founding of the Arch diocese OF
New York, when thousands of young
men and boys passed by the Cathedral
in review under the banners OF the
Holy Name. The unseen influence ot the
Snoiefs- q wild
extending in many directions. From
many pulpts of the church high praise
has been spoken of The unassun1ire
founder. Scarcely less interested in his
religious work was Mr. Therry in the
welfare OF the schools. He was a
member OF the board of education, a
local trustee and for thirty years un-
der many administrations and irrespec-
tive Of politics he served as school in.
spector without pay. If there was any.
thing which he could think of to ad-
vance the interests of the educatio
system of New York he did it glad.
ly. and no amount Of labor on his par
did he consider too much.
Many Of the old teachers and prin
cipfs now retired bear witness to tn,
unself1sh devotion of Stephen Their,
to the schools of New York. Often whe,
there were disputes in matters of ad
ministration he was called in as arbi
ter. and the Justice of the decisions wa
proverbial. His time was taken u,
IN such affairs until the last three o
four years brought on such inf1rmitie
that he was not able to 20 about a
much as he had done. His death wa
calm and peaceful. His last reoues
was that he might. have the yellow bi
of paper on which was written his vo,
of conservation. 1t was taken frcr
its frame and placed in his hand, ant
| grasping what he was wont to cali hi
passport to Heaven, he passed ava
from earth.
BISHOP J. B. COTTER