Year: 1877

might have bequeathed to his successor a
load Of debt which would have paralyzed
his usefulness and crushed his heart. Rut
no! He paid Us he went along. He left few
rents to be mended; few debts to be paid,
few differences to overcome, and few. scan-
daIs to heal. He left a diocese without ln-
cumbrance. He was man to be Justly
proud of-one whose memory. will ever
be revered. He went downtto hisgrave
leaving character without stain or re-
proach. - a.L. ;, !"


Il was fortunate ior.4this diocese that
Bishop McGill presided over it's destinies
for upwards Of twenty years, Tor he stamped
his character upon the older clergy who had
the happiness Of observing bis edifying lie
and OF being associated with him in the min
istry. 1t is very gratifying to me on this the
first and last occasion to speak In LerHs oi
praise of the priests Of this diocese. totner
priests, indeed, have met ,WapsRaVe a
greater reputation for learning ksHI nDlisneu
manners, and who may have 4DeeI more
conYersant with the eanons.. or .renheu
society; but taken as body never met
any priests to surpass those OF this dlocese
In attachment to duty, in singleness OF pur-
pose, in personal virtue, in fidelity ana oDe-
dience to the commands OF those to whom
they were I'D Dc OUEulculs 4Ahu IL "H> ~
be permitted to single out some OF the
clergy from among their colleagues,
surely I can point with peculiar JOY to
the clergy OF my own household, Who
have been members thereof for the past
five wears, and from whom l am now
about to be separated. They have always
deported themselves in manner becoming
their sacred calling. They are not members
as YOU know, of any religious order, nor
are they bound by any special rules OF lie.
There is no communicated to invite them
to their rooms at night; no bell to wake
them from sleep, nor to summon them 10
PRAYER nor to the various duties OF the
ministry. Aud yet think it would be dill
ficut to find even in monastery more cN-
actness OF discipline, more fidelity TO
duty, than can be found among the
priests of this Cathedral parish. When
did YOU ever come to church, on
any day, and find any OF them abb
sent from the post Of duty? When
have they ever been called that they dld
not answer-either in heat or cold, py
day or night, and at all times! And II
were to lift the veil and reveal to you their
domestic life, I could disclose to you asplrlt
of affection without familiarity; spirit OF
respect without restraint, and spirit OF or
der, peace, and brotherly concord, Whlch
hope to see initiated, but dare not nope 10
see surpassed.


And as for you, brethren Of the laity, you
can bear me witness that have never in
dulced YOU by vain flattery, but that.I have
always endeavored to propose to you your
duty, no matter how diStasteful it might have
been to flesh and blood. But on the pres
ent occasion I would be doing violence 70
nv own feelings and to the deep affection
have for you if I did not give public eX-
preston to my admiration for the piety OF
many OF you, which edited me; for the
obedience OF all OF you, which consoed
me, and for your spirit OF generosity, which
strengthened my hands. have never had
occasion to reproach you for any factious
opposition, still less for any manifestations
of rebelious spirit. I have always
found you ready with heart and hand
to second every effort / proposed for the
advancement OF religion. Oh, my breth-
rem, I can truly say that the wealth OF
bishop and priest does not consist in the
wealth of money boarded up, but it consists
in the affections Of the people and in that
spontaneous generosity which flows from
the innermost heart.


And now word about myself in con-
clusion. will not detain you too
long, lOl uO llOb lCGi aOtS W soy
much more without giving express
sion to an amount OF feeling which
I do not wish to do In public. 1 have
been often asked what are my. feelings on
leaving the diocese OF Richmond. OF course
I cannot be insensibe to the unmeritcd Ia
vor conferred upon me By the Holy Father
in translating ME to the ancient see Of Baltl-
more, nor can be insensible to the pleasure
will experience in going among L
body of learned and cultivated cler.
gy, such as | will find in Baltimore,
and with many OF whom / have the
pleasure OF being acquainted. But as no
one has sounded as much as myself the depth
OF my own imperfections and nothingness,
80 No one can appreciate more than myself
the dread responsibility which / feel in as
suming my new charge. Still, brethren.
bishop is but man. lie has 4 heart and
feelings like other men. / find it now diff
cult, without struggle, to part with body
OF clergy my associations with whom have
been so pleasant; hard to part with those
religious communities which have ever
been ornaments to the diocese; hard to
part with yourselves, whose faces have
now become so familiar. I also lind
it hard to part with friends not OF our faith
fri.nds who have always manifested towards
me during my residence in Richmond the
kindest OF feelings, without regard to rcli-
gion, without regard to faith. cannot,
therefore, without the deepest regret, de-
part from city to which am bound by so
many attachments, and from people who
have ever been so kind to me. You may
imagine the difficulties and painfulness
OF such q parting. I ask your prayers.
T do not ask you to pray that
may have a long life or short life. That
is immaterial. But pray that God may give
light to my understanding, strength to my
heart, and rectitudc to my will, in order to
fulfil we'll the duties that shall deyolye upon
me, and pray that God may send you a
bishop according to his own heart-a man


OF zeal, piety, energy, fervor, and disin-
| terestedness, who will cause virtue and re-
licion and faith to flourish and bear fruit


throughout the length and breadth OF the


diocese.
Be sure, my brethren, will not forget


you. Though parted from you will watch


the progress of religion in this diocese with


a vearnlns and anxious heart. Nor shall L


forget the five years Of my life spent here in


your midst-years which have been the


most composed and the most happy OF my


life. [ can we'll say, with St. Paul, g that


neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor prin-


cipalilies, nor powers, nor things present,


nor things to come, nor depth, nor any


other creature" shall be able to separate me


from the love OF Richmond. I will always


bear YOU in my heart Of hearts. will be


With YOU in spirit, and will take as much


interest in the diocese OF Richmond as II


were still among you. Remember me in


your prayers, and be assured I will never
forget you in mine; and l beg that God


NAV send down his choicest blessing upon