Donahoe's Magazine, Volume 15, No. 4, April, 1886

President Cleveland has expressed himself emphatically in favor of the enforcement of the eight-hour law in the government departments. He is reported to have said, with reference to the subject, that it ill became a government to evade the spirit and the letter of its own enactments.

The Right Rev. Stephen V. Ryan, Bishop of Buffalo, has gone on a health visit to Florida. There is not, probably, in the whole United States, a more beloved bishop, than this modest, hard working and most heavenly-minded spiritual father. Despite the heavy cares of an extensive diocese, Bishop Ryan has found time to make some valuable contributions to doctrinal and ascetic literature. His great work, "The Apostolic Succession," which has gone through several editions, is a standard authority on that important question. Bishop Ryan is a Pennsylvanian (Canadian by birth), of direct Irish descent; of a family whose very name is a synonym of piety and patriotism. Before he was made bishop, he was a prominent member of the Congregation of the Vincentians, better known in America as the Lazarist Fathers.

The Venerable Rector of the Irish College at Rome, celebrated, on New Year's Day, his 86th birthday. High Mass was pontificated in the Church of St. Agatha, attached to the college, by the Archbishop of Cincinnati, U. S. A., after which Bishop Kirby entertained at dinner Cardinal Howard, the Archbishop of Cincinnati, the Bishops of Galloway, Argyll and the Isles, and Davenport, U. S. A., Mgr. Stonor, Abbot Smith, O. S. B., the Rectors of the Foreign Colleges, the Priors of the National Institutes, the Very Rev. Father Lockhart, Mgr. O'Bryen, and several other dignitaries. The Holy Father sent his congratulations and apostolic benediction, in honor of this anniversary of his old and highly valued friend.

The veteran leader of the Centre Party in Germany, Dr. Windthorst, has completed his seventy-fourth year. Like so many aged Ministers and leaders of political parties, the "little excellency" is as full of energy and strength as the youngest of his followers. We heartily join our fellow Catholics in Germany in wishing their distinguished chief many years of health and strength in which to continue to labor for the good cause.

The Rev. Dr. Ullathorne, Lord Bishop of Birmingham, England, will enter his eightieth year on the 7th of May next, and we find it suggested in a Sydney contemporary that his work as a pioneer Australian priest should be commemorated on that occasion by a presentation from the Catholics of Australia. In an address his Eminence Cardinal Moran describes his Lordship as "the living link of the present with the past."

The Rev. James Keegan, of St. Louis, Mo., is a contributor of graceful poems and interesting prose sketches to Donahoe's Magazine, The Current and other publications. He is also an enthusiast in the movement for the study of the Irish language, and is well versed in the ancient literature of Ireland. At a late meeting of the council of the Gaelic Union, in Dublin, Mr. John Fleming, editor of the Gaelic Journal, presiding, a letter from Father Keegan was read, in which he remitted $5, and promised to contribute the same sum monthly, and challenged all Irish clergymen, lawyers and other professional men, who take any interest in their native country, to contribute towards the journal fund initiated by him.

Notices of Recent Publications

Thomas B. Noonan & Co., Boston

CATHOLIC Directory for the Archdiocese of Boston, and the Order of the Forty Hours Devotion, A. D. 1886.

This little book gives the churches, churches building, chapels and stations, secular and regular priests, students in philosophy and theology, seminaries, colleges, etc. The number of scholars in Catholic schools is stated to be 20,000. The population is put down at 350,000.

P. O'Shea, New York

TALES of Truth and Trust. By Lady Georgiana Fullerton. Price, 75 cents.

ROSEMARY: A Tale of the Fire in London. By Lady Georgiana Fullerton. Price 75 cents.

Everything from the pen of Lady Fullerton is sure to find readers. Those who have not read these books should furnish their libraries with copies of them.

Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Ia.,

THE Lepers of Molokai. By Charles Warren Stoddard. Price, 10 cents.

Those who wish to read the history of the poor creatures afflicted with the dread disease of leprosy should get this book. The author graphically describes the terrible scenes as enacted in this lazor-house. It is sad and yet not sad to state that the Rev. Father Damien, the self-sacrificing priest, who, for more than twelve years past, has ministered to the unfortunate lepers in the solitary island of Molokai – their pastor, companion, and friend – has at last fallen a victim to the most dreadful of all scourges. A death awaits him as fearful to contemplate as that which every day confronts those stricken outcasts of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He fears it not, but there is a touch of pathos in the request with which he closes a letter announcing his fate: "Pray for your afflicted friend, and recommend him and his unhappy flock to all servants of our Lord."

All of the above books may be obtained of Messrs. Noonan & Co., as well as of the publishers

MISCELLANEOUS

Pope Leo XIII. to the Rev. Dr. Moriarty. – The following letter from Rome, written by order of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XII., has been received by the Rev. Dr. J. J. Moriarty, pastor of St. John the Evangelist's church of Syracuse, N. Y.:

    Rome, Feb. 7, 1886.

Dear and Reverend Father:

I had a long audience with the Holy Father last evening. He was delighted to hear of your zeal and your works. He accepted with the greatest benevolence your latest work, "The Keys of the Kingdom," several pages of which I translated for him, while he held in his hands your beautiful presentation copy. You may imagine the good impression it made upon him. Whilst admiring your beautiful book, he charged me to tell you how highly he appreciates your gift and that he blesses, with the most ample benediction, you, your flock, your societies and your works, encouraging you to continue your labors so useful to the church. You may publish this benediction with the words as related.

Yours most affectionately,

    Grasseli, Archbishop of Golossi.

To the Rev. J. J. Moriarty, doctor of laws and pastor of St. John the Evangelist's church, Syracuse, N. Y.

Vient de Paraitre. – Approuve par Mgr. l'evêque de Rochester et Mgr. l'archevêque de Baltimore, et publie avec l'Imprimatur de Mgr. l'archevêque de New York. Un Catechisme de doctrine Chretienne. Prepare et ordonne par le Troisième Concile Generale de Baltimore. Traduit et' publie par l'autorite ecclesiastique. Par 100, $3.00. Un Abrege du Catechisme de Doctrine Chretienne. Prepare et ordonne par le Troisième Concile Generale de Baltimore. Par 100, $2.00. Benziger Brothers, New York, Cincinnati and St. Louis.

Robert Emmet. – The 108th anniversary of the birth of Robert Emmet was appropriately observed in various parts of the country. In Boston and vicinity meetings were held in commemoration of the event. In Faneuil Hall, Mayor O'Brien presided at a very enthusiastic gathering.

Obituary

"After life's fitful fever they sleep well."

CARDINAL

The late Cardinal M'Cabe. – The first anniversary of the interment of his eminence Cardinal M'Cabe (who died in Dublin on the 11th of February, 1885), an Office and Pontifical High Mass were solemnized for the repose of the soul of the deceased Prince of the Church at the Cathedral, Marlborough Street. The Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin, a large number of other dignitaries, and over two hundred priests, assisted at the solemnities.

A cablegram from Rome, date of the 2d, announces the death that day of Cardinal Jacobini. The deceased dignitary was born April 25, 1825, and was created cardinal Nov. 10, 1884. He should not be confounded with Cardinal Luigi Jacobini, papal secretary of state.

BISHOP

Rt. Rev. Peter Joseph Baltes, second Bishop of Alton, Ill., died on Monday morning, February 15th. The deceased prelate had been ill for some time from congestion and inflammation of the liver. Bishop Baltes was born at Ensheim, Bavaria, April 7, 1827, came to the United States in 1833, was ordained, March 21, 1853, and consecrated, January 23, 1870. May he rest in peace.

PRIESTS

We regret to announce the death of the Abbé Henri de Ségrave, which took place at Nemours, in France, on January 25th. Father de Ségrave, who was the last member of the branch of the old Irish family of the Ségraves of Cabra, near Dublin, was cure of Nemours and canon of Sens in the diocese of Meaux. His grandfather had emigrated to France during the last century, was naturalized in that country, and rose to the rank of Colonel in the Guard of the unfortunate Louis XVI. The abbé was born at Fontainbleau, but, though his mother was French, he was always very proud of his Irish descent. He was a devoted priest, and spent his life and fortune in the service of his ministry. The church at Nemours was beautifully restored by him, and he repurchased the property belonging to it which had been confiscated during the revolution.

Rev. J. B. McNally, late Rector of Chattanooga, Tenn., died at his old home in Ireland. He resigned his charge early last summer, and went to Ireland to endeavor to recruit his health, but, alas! he was doomed never to return to his first mission. He was a native of County Londonderry, and made his ecclesiastical studies in the Missionary College of All Hallows, Dublin, where he was ordained in 1876 for the diocese of Nashville. On the death of the lamented Rev. P. Ragan, during the yellow fever of 1878, Father McNally was appointed to succeed him. He served in Chattanooga until his health failed, when, as it seems, he went home to die. He was a well-read, genial, and very efficient priest, and acted as temporary Administrator of Nashville after Rt. Rev. Bp. Feehan's promotion to Chicago.

Rev. Father Tabaret, principal of the Ottawa University, Canada, died suddenly Feb. 28, immediately after having said grace, while dining with the faculty. He was one of the oldest theologians of the Church, and recently received from the Pope the pallium and degree of doctor of divinity.

The Rev. Joseph F. S. Gallagher, pastor of the Church of the Holy Name, Cleveland, Ohio, and for twenty-one years one of the most prominent priests of that diocese, died of pneumonia at the age of forty-nine years, on January 30.

Rev. Joseph Keller, S. J., assistant for the English-speaking Jesuits, died at Fiesoli, Italy, on February 4th. Father Keller was a prelate of great talent and well known in the United States. He was formerly Provincial of the Jesuit Order for the Province of Maryland. He held the position of Rector of the great Woodstock Seminary, where he displayed marked talent. He also filled the position of Rector of the St. Louis University, Mo., was sent to Rome as deputy at the election of the General of the Order, which resulted in the unanimous choice of Very Rev. Anthony Anderledy as General Superior of the Society of Jesus, with headquarters at Fiesoli. Here Father Keller was elected to the responsible position of Adjutant-General for the English-speaking Provinces.

The Rev. James B. Donegan, pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Marlboro, Mass., died on February 26. Father Donegan was one of the best known priests in New England. He was born in County Longford, Ireland, about forty-eight years ago. He received his clerical education at All Hallows' College, Dublin. He came to America some twenty years ago, and had served as curate in Taunton, and in the Cathedral and St. James Church, Boston. Deceased went to Marlboro in April, 1876, and he had resided there ever since, having served on the Board of School Committee for about nine years, filling this position at the time of his death. Father Donegan was a zealous priest, and was beloved by all who knew him. He was an ardent advocate of the cause of Ireland. The funeral services were held on Monday, March 1, at his late pastorate in Marlboro, and were attended by the archbishop, large numbers of the Rev. clergy, and by a large congregation. The remains were interred in the cemetery at Marlboro. May he rest in peace!

BROTHERS

On Tuesday, February 23d, there passed through Philadelphia, en route for Montreal, Canada, the body of the Rev. Brother Stanislaus, who died at the Christian Brothers' Normal School, Ammendale, Md., on the 18th of February. Although but thirty-three years of age, Brother Stanislaus had filled into this small compass the deeds of a long life. Born in Montreal, he possessed the characteristic activity and intellectual grasp of the Northern mind. Much mental labor shattered his never overstrong constitution. Brother Stanislaus was quite an adept in the field of literature; as a teacher he had no compeer in Canada; he was, in addition to these, an expert geologist, having made a thorough study of the science while directing the scientific department of the Brothers' Academy, Quebec. He is a great loss to the Canadian Province, as he filled for the last three years the position of Inspector-General of the Schools.

Benoit Robert, or Brother Facile, the founder of the Christian Brothers' schools in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, and other cities in this country, died in Marseilles on April 2, 1877. He desired to be buried in the land in which he had labored so long and well. After the lapse of nine years his desire is to be complied with. His body will arrive on the next French steamer, and a permit for its transfer to Amawalk, Westchester County, New York State, has been obtained. Brother Facile lacked but a fortnight of being seventy-seven years of age when he died. He was born in Cublize, France, and became a Brother before he attained his majority. He came to America in 1848. He was a friend and assistant of Archbishop Hughes.

Brother John Augustine Grace, who died at the Christian Brothers' Novitiate, Marino, Clontarf, Ire., on January 25th, in his 86th year and the sixty-third of his religious profession, was one of the foremost educators of the century. He entered the congregation of the Christian Brothers, founded in Ireland by his eminent countryman, Edmund Ignatius Rice, at Waterford, in 1823. Thenceforth, throughout his long life, he filled many important positions in the various Houses of the Brotherhood in Ireland and England, everywhere inculcating in the minds of his young charges an unswerving devotion to the cause of Ireland and the Church. Among his eminent friends may be named Daniel O'Connell, Father Mathew, G. Griffin, Lord O'Hagan, Dr. Murray, Dr. MacHale, the two Irish Cardinals, as well as the most gifted of the patriotic spirits that gave our country so great a name from 1843 to 1848.

SISTER

The first member of the Community of the Sisters of the Holy Family of San Francisco, Cal., has gone to her reward. Sister Mary Magdalen Javett died at the Day Home on Hayes Street, on the 28th ult., of consumption, to which she had been a martyr for many months. The deceased Religious was a native of Ireland, and came from a family notable for its practical Catholic faith. From her earliest years she was always deeply devoted to her religious duties, and was among the first five novices received into the Order by Very Rev. J. Prendergast, its founder.

LAY PEOPLE

We regret to have to announce the death, at Sydney, New South Wales, of Mr. William Dargan Gray, M. D., brother of Mr. E. Dwyer Gray, M. P.