The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-29
Life of James Cardinal gibbons.


BY Allen S. VIII. A. NJ. Lift. D.
John Murphy Company. of Baltimore.
Nd. publishers. $500 net
The author OF an extended biography
of Cardinal Gibbons writes in his
foreword: 1T seems not inappropri-
ate on the occasion of the Cardinals
nftieth anniversary az priest and his
twenty-iifth anniversary as Cardinal TO
pause and survey, when lie is seventy
seven years old. the broad outlines Of
MS career. No comprehensive attempt
mas been made up to this time TO toll
the story OF the Cardinals life, crowd
Cd as 1t has BEEN. with events not
only OF deep Significance to the world.
put or absorbing Interest. These con-
slderations, and the peculiar appropri-
hteness OF the double jubilee, have
emboldencd me to enlbarg on the rath-
er hazardous task of trying to write q
biography while the subject OF 1t Is
yet living. In the preparation of the
book have been specially solicitors
10 obtain accuracy. Unverlfed state
ments have been rejected and / have
wholly discarded unconnrmed tradI-
tion and "reminiscences" The bio
Sraphy, beginning with the Cardinals
birth in Baltimore, Md. on July 20.
1874, describes his early family life
and schooling, the death OF his father
and the return of Mrs. Gibbons and
her children from Westport Ireland.
where the last days of the husband and
father were spent, to New Orleans.
La. The future Cardinal. as his bio
srapher points out gave up the pro-
mise of business career in New Or
leans for the priesthood and. in the
summer of 1855. left that city for Bal
timore and began his collegiate train
Ing at St. Charles College, Ellicott
City. Md. The second stage OF his
course was finished at st. Mary's Semi
nary in Baltimore, and he was ordained
priest by Archbishop Renrick. June 80,
1871. M
The chapters OF the biography go on
to describe the paBtorate OF st. Bird
gets during the War Between the
States. the dangers and difficulties en-
countercd by the young priest in his
ministrations at Fort McHenry, and the
prophetic sermon preached by him on
the night OF L!ncoln's assassination.
They tell of his appointment as Vicar
Apostolic OF North Carolina when the
war ended and of the rapid growth OF
the Catholic Church In the vicariate
under his charge.
The death OF Archbishop McGill IN
Richmond in January of 1872. says Mr..
satile activity of Bishop Gibbo ns. who
was Installed as tho head OF the Rich
mond diocese, October 10. 1872, by
Archbishop Bayley. OF the Baltimore
Cathedral He remained in Richmond
until October -. 1877, when "his fell
low-citizers OF Richmond. without dis
tinction OF religious belief. viewed his
departure with regret"
HIS biography from this time on has
to do with his work as Archbishop of
Baltimore. his being made Cardinal on
June 80. 1856. the early years of his
cardinalate, his organization in Bal;!-
more OF celebration in honor of the
centennial OF the eierarchy. his ed
vice against direct rela lions between
the Vatican and the government 1T
Washington. HIS appeal to Congress
for n continuance OF government ap-
propria lions to Catholic Indian schools
his attitude against foreign national
ism in the American church. his pray
or at the dedication OF the great fair
IA Chicago. his EFFORTS TO prevent the
Spanish American War. his influence In
bringing about the suppression of the
Louisiana lottery. and in promoting
the election OF Pope Plus ", his SYM
patty with French Catholics: with his
extensive travels. his opposition to d.
rorce and other social evils. his writ
inss, his health and habits. the cele-
bration Of his golden jubilee as priest
and silver Jubilee as member OF the
Sacred College. on June 6. 1911.
The last chapter deals with a sum-
mary OF his labors and pays a Just and
eloquent tribute to the conspicuous
accomplishments Of the Cardinal, which
have attracted the attention OF the
world But. says Mr.. VIII. in clos
Ing, the Cardinal has been first of all
the priest. laboring for the salvation
Of souls and never relaxing his self
discipline in the school Of piety. With
him religion has been a real thing
the greatest reality OF iife-and he
has ever chung close to the rigorous
sulpician code he learned at the semi
nary. although engaged in manifold
labors that have left an indelible
stamp upon the fabric of contemporary
history"
The book Is all the more valu-
able, because during this year Cardinal
Gibbons name has been much in the
thoughts and upon the lips of fellow
Americans. upon whom and his natrcc
land he has reflected so much honor
The biography which treats Of his
labors and their influence for good, Is
just tribute to truly good and great
man and church dIgnitary. known and
beloved in the United States and other
countries where his fame has gone
abroad.
The biography is splendidly written.