The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-17

of Christ had placed him. His spirit revolted against the greed which had made most men slaves in this world. With his charac- teristic humor he commented on the avarice of the many, within as well as without the fold, who never could bring themselves to make a will because of their re- pugnance for setting down the customary clauses each of which begins with the traditional words: "I give" It mattered little in his own case whether he made such a document or not because he was determined that himself and not another would dispose of everything which Providence had placed in his hands.
 CHERISHED COUNSEL
 OF OLD FRIENDS
 His simplicity of life kept him within the social sphere of his own household so that his at tractive personality was scarcely known to any except his inti- mates. Those iii whom he con- fided in the beginning were still retained as counsellors because he was so tolerant of human limitations that nothing less than malice in the recipient of his confidence could alienate his kjndnncc and nnneid ftnn Iic directness in speech left no no diplomacy but the yea and nay approved by His Divine Mas ter.
 When it was my good fortune his residence three months ago as he was about to take his aft ernoon walk and he hastened to put aside coat and hat so as to receive me with the hospitality which always was manifest to those who came, I insisted that it be my privilege to accompany him over the route which he had followed almost daily since the very day of his conservation. At each> corner from Sigourney to Oxford, Oxford to Elizabeth Park, and back home along Asy- lum Avenue, he would pause to recall some little incident of the long ago or greet the policeman busy with the supervision of the children just released from school. No lessening of interest in the welfare of his flock, no in- difference to the cause of truth, no lack of concern for the future of his country which he loved next to God, could be detected in the conversation which was car ried on during the period of an hour and a quarter as we walked. AWAITED COMING OF
 DIVINE BRIDEGROOM
 Since that happy day when all seemed SO promising, a rapid sequence of events indicated that his cup was full, his task of skilled workmanship was finished and he was ready to present himself for the final approval of the Divine Master whom he had served so faithfully. The passing of one whom he had ad- mired and loved within the circle of his own family led him to the hospital rather than to the sane tuary to unite with those who mourned before the altar. The call of the Sovereign Pontiff took away his immediate companion in labor to the high office of bishop in a neighboring diocese. At the same time he had the con- solation of receiving word from the great Shepherd of Christen- dom that his burdens would be frightened in the response made to his appeal of months before for the appointment of his de- voted auxiliary to take over the care of the diocese. Having thus set his house in order for the coming of the Divine Bridegroom he passed his last Lent, his final Holy Week in preparation for the day of death which is the portal through which all must pass into the Kingdom of Light. While the echo of the Easter alleluia still fingered he closed his eyes to this world to open them in the realms of eternal life. For we know. if our earthly house of habitation be dissolved, that we have a build ing of God, a house. not made with hands, eternal in heaven" (II Cor. V, D.
 MAY PERPETUAL LIGHT
 SHINE UPON HIM
 May his careful study to present himself approved unto God be the lesson learned at his bier by priest and people. May the workmanship of which he needest not to be ashamed be our challenge to emulate his de- votion to the cause of Christ. May his handling of the word of truth stimulate each of us to share with all the world the gift of faith. May hk precious soul be the object of our prayerful solicitude during this great transition. May perpetual light shine upon him now and forever.