BX 4705 .B838 M1230 DISCOURSE ON THE RIGHT REVEREND SIMON GABRIEL BRUT-E, ON THE Bight ReTerend Simon Gabriel Drat.e, D. D, BISHOP OF VINCENNES, PRONOUNCED IN MT." ST. MARY'S CHURCH, AUGUST 19th, 1859, ON THE OCCASION OF A SOLEMN SER,VI.CE. " . � . � FOR THE REP9SE OF HIS SOUL. Reyerend John McVafrrey, '" SUPERIOR OF THE SEMIN4RY AND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE OJ!' EMMITSBURG: .: M'tLEAN, DUl'1I0RN AND TROXEL ;rRIN'l'EHS1 18S9� .. To the Students oj Mt. It. Mar!l. Seminary and CoiiegeJ iI� Dua FaŒNDSJ- .- . AT your requeSt I have consentéd to the publication ôf the follo*.: iurdiscourse: to you I dedicate it. You havetbougbt it meet, that ISOme trlbuta:' C)frerpect to the memory of :BiebÓpBaVT-B dbbuJd proceèd from an institution,' whieb he 10 long supported and adomed by his learning, talents and virtues, Your solicitude in this regard indicates the best feelings and is honorable to )our character. My discourse was not 'indeed prepared with such a view. It WU hastily thrown to¡ether, almost entirely in tbe course of a single night, for the edification of those, wbo atténded the solemn &erVicè on the following day. Although SODle weeks bave since elapsed, I bave not found leisure to do much more tbaDadd sOme ineideats to the imperfect sketch of Iliahop Brut-e'� life and usure myself, �y obtaining the testimouy of others, of the accuracy of all my itatements. I inscribe this discourse to yoù with the cheering hope, that you will aJway. ilDitate the virtuee, whieb you 80 much admired. With heart, good wishee for your suecess in your laudable pursuits, and fof tour happmess in time and eternity J I am Your aft"eetlonate friend, J'0iÍN MoCAFFREt. ::ßX4-705 ..:ß��� t'\ \ 23d 1793�O Wisdom hath delivered from sorrow them that attend upon her. She conducted the just through the right ways, and showed him the kingdom of God and gave him the knowledge uf holy things i made him honorable in labors and accomplished his labors.ë * Wisdom, Chapter X, Verses 9th and 10th. If there is something melancholy, there is also something beau. tiful in the spectacle before me. Yoù lhave come together' in obe­ dience to the best feelings of the heart, as well as to the voice of religion. - It is in the true spirit of christian charity, that you 'lifer up united prayers to God, in behalf of one, whose memory this congregation and this neighborhood must ever cherish and bold in veneration, For if the best endowments of mind and heart may claim our admlration ; if lllustrlous examples of virtue and piety merit our tributes of respect ; if the most active zeal �11(1 benevolence exerted in our favor demand the expression ot' QUI" gratitude; then do we owe the fullest homage of" our admira­ tion, reverence and gratitude to the. memory of Bishop Brut-e. But what to him now' are the feeble tributes" which we may offe� to his memory? Will the voice of panegyrlc reach his distant grave and pierce the hollow chambers of the ear, that is closed tq every sound, until the Archangel's. trumpet shall awaken all the dead ( Will any honors we can pay him, light up a single smile M the eye, which isdarkened by the cold mists of death? Ah! i�· Religion came not to our aid; if with bel' lamp of truth she did not show us, that charlty stops not at the gl�ave, and that tite. souls even or the fr'iends of God may need am} can he benefited by our pl�ay��s; g.t'l�titud� herself would be powerless. Vain would be tll·e tender, yet �enel�ous feelings, that swell the burst-, ing heart, when the hand or death robs us of a friend, a benefac-, tor, or some cherished object of the purest affections. N()thin� would be left us, but useless regrets, unavailing sighs or impioua murmurs a�ainst the unrelenting decrees of a mysterious Provi-, denee, But religion seeks not to stifle these irrepressible emo-, t\oIlS. She em�l().rs and. directs them, She ealista the sym{ll\, tbies or the living in behalt or the dead. She ennseerates tbeir mourning, by purifying their ROrrO\V of its selfishness. She teaches grierto ,find a comforter in charity. She turns the groans of lamentation into the whispered prayers of faith and piety. Among my hearers, there are those, who owe to the zeal of Mr. Brut-e their conversion to the Holy Catholic Church: there are many. who learned from him to walk in the paths of virtue and christian perfection: there are widows and orphans, who, in their distress. found a sure relief in his benevolence: there are the poor and Jmmble, to whom he was always a friend and Cath­ er: there are Cew indeed, who have not, in some way or other profited by his ardent charity, and the shining example, which he set of every christian virtue, Do they truly wish to prove their heartfelt gratitude? Our holy faith teaches them how to do it. Let them pray for their benefactor: let them unite in the of­ fering of the holy sacriñce Cor his departed spirit. While we thus endeavor to acquit ourselves of a great debt of gratitude, the jmage oC this holy man \\ ill occupy ,.ur minds: And, as he was an instrument in the hands of God to bring us many blessings, while he lived] so will the remembrance of his virtues be profi­ table to us, now that he is dead. For his bright example, how­ ever imperfectly exhibited, will not only have a tendency to loothc"our sorrow for his loss; but it cannot fail to instruct and edify us-inciting us, as I trust in God it may, to "bo imitators of him, as he was or Christ." Simon Gabriel Brut-e was born at Rennes, in the province or Little Brittany in France, on the 20th day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand, s�ven hundred and seventy-nine. His father was a gentleman of wealth and respectability, who held the office of Director of the royal domains in Brittany. and died in seventeen hundred and eighty-six. The fortunes of his family Welte soon scattered by the storms of the French Revolu .. tlon, and bis mother was reduced to the necessity of keeping a printing office and a book store for the support of her' children. Tbe first care of these virtuous parents was to b.·¡ng up their Ron in the fp.al' and love of God: they were equally zealous to culti­ vate by n proper education those native talents, which soon gave promise of a brllliant career, He acquitted in boyhood and youth hablts of study, or of close and patient mental application, whicb he retained through life. In spite oC that modesty, which prevent. II ed hlm from ever speaking in his own praise, I could Iearn from a long and intimate acquaintance with him, and from the testi­ mony of others, that, in the public schools of his native city, he was distinguished and eminently successful. His after life prov­ ed it. His mind was too rich in treasures -of classic lore, too amply furnished from the arrnourles of science, for him to have been a dull or careless student. Whether he conversed with a friend, or lectured to a class, or heralded the message of salva­ tion from the pulpit; the evidences of profound knowledge, as wen as of remarkable genius, incessantly Hashed before you, 'Vhatever he once read or studied, he remembered. Even in the Iast years of his life, when his attention seemed to be absorbed in theology and the other branches of ecclesiastical learning, he recited with ease all the fables of La fontaine, entire scenes of Racine and Corneille and the f nest passages of other French writers or of the Latin poets. Though less familiar with the Greek classics, he had read them with advantage as well as plea­ sure, and turned to good account his knowledge of their language ) in the study of the Greek fathers of the Church. At one time he had it in view to enter the French Polytechnic school, and, for­ this reason, he pursued a very extensive course of mathematical science. Subsequently he had the best opportunities in the medi­ cal school of Paris of penetrating deeply into the mysteries of' Chemistry and N atural Philosophy. He improved them with his usual diligence. While he devoted himself to severer studies, he gave some share of attention to music and drawing¡ and in tite latter of these accomplishments he attaifted a proficiency which in after years was a source of pleasure and advantage tu. himself and a means, which he often happily employed, for the Imrpose of interesting and instructing others, His studies were interrupted by the revolutionary troubles and he spent about two. years in his mother's printing establishment, during which he learned and practised the business of a compositor. It would ap,� pear, that he was led to this, much less by inclination, than by the reverses, which his family had sustained and the dangers of the times. Accordingly we soon find him in a sphere better suit ... ed to his tastes and intellectual habits. In the year seventeen hundred and ninety-niue, the twentieth of his age, he entered the medical school of Paris, where for three years he attended the lectures of the first masters of the age.. In selecting an employ-, • ment tor lire, he was guided by a slncere desire or o�eyin� th, divine will and doing good to men, aud he looked forward to the. medical l)l'ofcRRion, as one, in which he might consecrate his tal­ ents and knowledge to noble and philanthropic uses. Titis choice nee made had the effect, much less of narrowing the rallgn of hi. studies,than of givinq them a definite aim and stimulating his ex- 'ertions t? the utmost. From hls own particular sphere of intel � Iectual labor, he surveyed the w!�ul� circle oC the sciences ; and he saw, that each reñected light on all the others, while all with uni­ form consent showed forth the powel- and majesty, the wisdom and the goodness of the "Father of lights," from whom all knowl­ edge emanates and to whom all the glory of it should al ways be referred. \VHfl the ardour therefore of an enthusiastic votary or . truth, he courted useful information, wherever it was to be found, But what is most important for us and especially for the youth­ tul portion of my auditory to observe, is this: that while he zeal­ .lus1y devoted hirnself to the pursuit of knowledge. he was equally and still more zealous in the pursuit of vlrtuc ; while he flloepa r ed himself by laborious study tu render service to his fellow-men, 11e never forgot that higher' service, which he owed to Goel. His �irtuous parents, and especially his mO,thcr·,-a woman of admira­ �le characterv-c-a parent equally enlightened and affectionate, .... had Inspired his heart in childhood with sentiments of tender piety, She hall built all her hopes of his usefulness and happiness on the only sure foundation of' rellgion, She had taught him in times, which tried the seuls of Çhi"istians� to be al ways ready to lay down his lire fmo the faith,-to shed his blood, ir necessary, fol' tbc love of God'. You are aware, that France was then, by her own terrific example, teaching the world a great mora! and reli­ gious lesson. Her revolutionary rulers had proscrlbed Chrís­ iianity and made inftdelity 8:",1 impiety the law of the land, His­ tory has told you the horrors, that ensued. "laiJe this ut;lhappy country was deluged with the blood of he .. best and noblest sons ;, while the cross was torn from its elevation and trampled in the dust; while churches were pillaged and. desecrated and the faith­ ful obliged, as the primitive martyrs, to meet in silence and dark­ ness, at the risk or their Ihres, fol' the celebration of the divine mysteries; while the priests, who had not been exiled 01- guillo­ tined. were hunted as wild beasts, shot down in the. flelds, hung. 1� �h.e lamp �osts or reserved Ior the slow tortures and s,olc�n� biockeries of judicial murder; the prisons were every wilerë crowded with those, who were too noble-minded to conceal or ab': jure their faith: and these heroic sufferers were refused the con­ solations of religion, or could receive them only from such, as were willing to stake their Íives upon the charitable mission. Si .. mon Gabriel Brut-e, then but a boy of tendel- years; with a full knowledge of the risk he ran, and with his fond mother's hearty consent, was employed to convey the blessed sacrament to the prisoners in his native town of Rennes. In the disguise of a ba­ ker's boy, protected only by his innocence and premature diacre­ tion, or rather by his good angel, who fondly bore him company on such el'l'ands,--he supplied the victims of persecution, not only. with that bread, which nourishes the body, but with the bread of angels-the fond which gives life to the soul. He made his own :first communion in the parish ChUl�ch of St. Germain, in 1791, and the scenes of horrible impiety and bloody persecution, which hé witnessed soon afterwards, but confirmed his faith and animated his piety" He saw amI shared the apprehension, the alarm, the secrecy and danger, witÍl wl.ich God was worshipped and his mys­ teries dispensed to the faitilfui % He saw, and as we havê noticed, he sympathised with heroic confessors imprisoned and exposed td death for their attachment to Reiigion: lIe saw the sanctity of the cloisture sacrilegiously invaded and helpless nuns, who had hoped to spend their days in retirement and prayer, cast out upon a heartless \vorld by ferocious monsters, who professed to be the friends of liberty and humanity. Besaw tile procession of vene- . rabIe priests and heard them chanting in solemn harmony the 'Miserere' and 'De profundis,' as they marched, â noble band or martyrs, from the tribunal 'ot' injustice to the place of execution: lÍe saw numbers of innocent victims of every class Jed as lambs to the slaughter, because of their unwavering allegiance to tho faith "once delivered to the saints." 'Thus familiar in his early years with the elevating spectacle or Religion triumphant over' suffel'ing and death, his soul was nerved for heroic deeds of vir- . tue and he understood and felt in lis full force the exclamation or St. Paul: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger Z or persecution? or the sword? *. * * * * in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath Joyed us." (*,) Bui � Rom. C. VIII. V 35 and 37. '8 &Teater trials yet awaited him, Though trained to pièty betÍinef and accustomed to regard religion as a pearl above all price; though even in the very morning or life Ile had girded bimself for mortal conñlct, with a courage not unworthy of the martyr's crown: . yf.t had he need of all the deep impressions graved upon his sou), and of no ordinary strength of mind, and of a fortitude" 'Which Heaven onJy could. bestow, to pass with principles unshak­ en and piety unimpaired tftrougb· the medical schools of the French Capitol. Jnñdelltj' sat on the professorial chairs, which 'Were then indeed "tbe chairs of pestilence;" and impiety reigned amoríg the licentious students, who received Instruction from them. Tbc lecturers, such Olen as La marck, Fourcroy and Pinel, never lost an opportunity of venting a sophism or a sneer against religion: the auditors never applauded 80 heartily, as when these poisoned shafts were flung amongst them. The bold .. est Atbeism am} the grossest materialism were studiously profess­ ed; and it was assumed as an established truth, that death is an .. nlhllation and that man, like the beasts. of nie field, huing no God and no accountability, should have neither hopes nor fears beyond tite grave. Yet 'there was a'noble band of youths, who would not bow down to the idols, which impious men had erected; but, like the children of Israel in the fiel"y furnace, passed un .. scathed through the midst of the flames. "For the angel of the Lord walked with them, and the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, liar did them any harm." (-) Need I say, that 'the subject of tbis discourse was of their number? that he could neither be entangled in the meshes of infidel sophistry, nor drlven from the profession and practice of his faith by the sneers of pro­ ligate fellow-students, nor decoyed' into 'Vice by theil"¡}ersuasiom. and example l On the contrai-Y, be was the advocate of good morals and deCender oC religion, among those who scoffed both at morals and religion: be was a model of piety, where piety wu lD'ost ,unfasbionable and to a weak and coward mind would bave appeàred DO longer respectable. Bis zeal Cor the honor oC God and the lntereste of truth would not permit &lim to be always si­ lent, when both were attacked; and with the christian portion or the medical students he entered into a plan of defence, wbich wu "ultimately attended with success. When the infidel sneer Or' · sophíem oC the professor was received by others with applaus." ." .·l)anj�1 m, c. 50th V.. � it .fheY expressed moderately but tirmly their r disapprobation, 'j_-'he ablest of their number selected for his thesis a subject allied to some great question in N atur-al Theology and offered a troj. umphant refutation of the materialism and other false but favorito theories of their teachers. The gauntlet thus boldly Hung down was not taken up' by the Professors, and the author of the thesis, wit hout challenge or objection, won the highest honors, 'I'hese contests at length attracted the vigilant attention or the govern­ l'fient; and a hint thrown out in the columns of its official organ, that the First Consul, who believed religion the essential basis of society aud was laboring to re-establish it, could not without dis­ JlIleasUl'e learn, that it was exposed to be assailed and insulted in the public schools, had the effect of confining the lecturers to their appropriate themes. AssUI:edly it was by keeping a strict guard over his passions and not without the graee of God communica­ ted through its regular channels, fervent prayer and the frequent r-eception of the sacraments, that this virtuous youth preserved himself from 'the prevalent contagion, and by a prudent b�t inde­ pendent course, triumphed over the difficulties Qf his situation. He acquired therefore a rich fund of useful knowledge ft�om' tb�' teaching of men, who.though distinguished fur eminent genius and vast research, yet in the pride of their hearts would not acknowl­ edge the supremacy of God, nor refer to him the honor of the g'ifts, which had been lavished' on them; but he acquired none or· tùeir baleful and demoralizing scepticism, On. thé contrary, 'he saw more dearly the evidences of'truth by observing how dark-, cued and deformed the noblest minds became, 'Y.�l�tî 'its Iight no.' longer beamed on them: ubeçaus.e,u to r.el!re_a.t one of his favorita (\uotat\ons from St. Paul, "when they kn� God, they did not 1;\o\'\£y \Ù\ll as Gotl, noe gave thanks'; but became vain i,1l their. 'thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkeued : for professing themselves to be wise, they became foóls.'J� He perceived better, than ever, amid the dismal Reen,es, of impiety, which he was com� pelled to witness, the loveliness of virtue and the beauty of holi-, . ness and the calm but sweet satisfaction of- alife of Christian l}�cty. Alr'eall-y then, that Wisdom, "which delivereth from sor- " )'OW them that attend upon her, conducted him through right ways, and showed him the Kingdom of God;" For often 'i" " these times of trial had he raised his' soul to heaven and b.r��.tlh ��� Ist Ep. Rom. Ist Chap. V. 21 and ��.'. / @ •. .. 18 rd the spirit of that beautiful prayer of Solomon: "Got1 or m! fathers and Lord of mercy, :if * * thy wisdom. which knoweth thy works, which then also was present, when thou madest tho world and knew what was agreeable to thy eyes and what was �jght in thy commandments,-send her out of thy holy Braven. and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me and Iabor with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thec."=I(: How impressive should his example be to the young and ardent, but too often the unwise student, Let such remember, that he whom I pt'opos� as a model and of whom I speak with knowledge derived from long and intimate acquaintance was not the conse crated minister of God, 1101' yet the secluded ecclesiastic aspil'illg to a place before the holy altai', at the period in his history, to which I have referred. He was living in the midst of the world, qualifying himself fol' a secular profession, and beset with more than the ordinary dangers of youth, Indeed there was every �hing, that could seduce him from the service of God and the care of sanctifying his soul. There was tite ardent ami \"i.�f)t'ou3 pur .. suit of science, with hundreds of emulous cutnpetitora ; there was the bustle and the giùdy dissipation uf the gayrst capital in the world; there was the tumult and enthusiastic excitement of Patois, while the star of N apoleon was in the ascendant. and tho tidings of victory after victory flushed anti almost maddened the youthful minds of France, With infidel teachers and impiolls and libertine fellow students, his ears tingled incessantly with the echoes of irreligious sophistry and blasphemy, while he could scarcely avert his eyes from the contagious spectacle of "icc and proñigncy, Yet he retained his innocence and his I'rligion. Ho was virtuous, pious, exemplary. How then should they blush, who with CVCI'y thing around them pointing to reli:;ion and piety, complain of the difflcultics of practising their chl'i�tiall duties and leading virtuous lives! How little steadiness of principle 01' sta­ bility of character must they have! H()\\� slight the temptations, compared with those which Ito overcame, that are suíllcieut to make them traitors alike tu cunscicnce anti to God! Anti what shall be thought of their "ain pretences and excuses, when at tho day of judgment such examples as his shall l'ise up to condemn thesn anti put the miserable sophistry of their passions to c\ crlast , Ing shame! -t � Wisdom, Ch. 9, V. 9 and 10. tt TIle subject of our discourse had studied with ardour and su�i t�ss, and he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in the year 180� with the highest honors of the school. Among twelve hundred fellow students, and I know not how many competitors, the ñrst place was accorded to him by the impartial voice of his pr()fçs� sors.' They proudly complimented and encouraged their distin­ guished pupil j and all hi� friends predicted a brilliant Career in . the. profession, which he had chosen and the knowledge of which. he had so honorably mastered: But God ha� ordained otherwise] Returnlng to his native city, he gave the benefit of his advice and attendance gratuitously to the poor of that place, while lie remain';' erl there; but he never sought to establish himself in the practice of medicine. . Yet ,he did not relinquish the profession in disgust; He always honoredit, as one of 'the noblest, to which a highly­ gifted and philanthropic man can devote himself. When a priest and even when elevated to the Episcopacy, he acknowledged; on all proper occasions, his attachment tú a profession, to 'which he still felt himself linked by marly pleasing associations and by flÍlÖ, remembrance of years of honorable study. Delightful .as his conversation was to all, and to .rñen of science in particular, it was peculiarly So to the student or to the practitioner and profes­ sor of medical science. They often expressed, their astonish­ ment, that, after the lapse of twenty or thirty years, engrossed by pursuits of a very different order; he retained so perfect and minute a knowledge of all, that hehad studied in his youth, under the great masters of the, French Capitol. If, then he turned 'his' thoughts to) a higher: calling, it was front the purest motives and not without intimations. of the divine will. ms tried fidelity to his Creator in the days of ,his youth': his fer ... vent prayers and ardent love of God and bhal'ity towards men, bis holy eagerness to purify and strengthen and enrich his soul bY frequently and worthily approaching the' sacraments or' pen­ ance and the Eucharist, were regarded' by h{s heavenly father with smiles of divine complacency; and he was rewarded �ith a vocation to a state of greater perfection and more abundant bles­ sings. Sensible of the awful importance of a right decision in · such a case, he reflected maturely, invoked the light of heaven, took the advice of a prudent director and then, obedient to the di. vine voice within, he entered. the S·eminary of St. 'Sulpitius at Paris, a candidate forthe holy priesthood- You have regarded' l.im as an example for youthfol students in the world : from thi�' moment he becomes the model of those, who belong to the Sane­ tuary. - lr he has been pions and edifying in the lively and dan­ gerous scelles, through which he has passed. he is much moro zealous (or the sublime virtues of his holy vocation, in the retire • . ment to which God bas called him. Ir he sought, with ardour and unremíttíng toil, for secular knowledge, while he destined himself for a secular profession; with still greater ardour ami more unremitting toil, even with a holy enthusiasm and in tho true spirit of patient, self.denying labor, docs he pursue that knowledge which ought to adorn the ecclesiastical profession, It is thus 8nly he could have acquired those immense stores of erudition; which for &0 many years caused him to be consulted by men of letters, br learned ecclesiastics, eveu by the highest dignitaries of the church ínthese United States, as a sort of ora .. ele ,or a living library of sacred erudition, Besides those trea, . Bures oC knowledge, which he' bore away from his earlier studies, lE the childr�n oC Israel carried the spoils of Egypt into tho Holy Land; he became intimately conversant, (more sc) perhaps than any other Blan this country has ever seen.) with the wl'iting� oC the Father oC the €hurcb and the primitive SOUI'CPS of Ecclc ... slastlcal History. He turned his attention to the Hebrew Ian ... guage, in consequence of its importance in relation to the sur red ecriptures, which were now his constant study. Scholastic the , ologt he acquired thoroughly, and he grew familiae wit h all th., great defenders and ornaments of religion in every age. Hence tbere were few subjects indeed, on which he was not able, when consulted, to throw a strong light, no matter what drpth nf rc­ search or extent of reading' the understanding of thrill required, Now it is true, that he was' always a student; that however ar­ duous and' manifold hi-s duties, he always found leisure to extend the circle of his acquirements; that no man ever husbanded more eareCully the precious girt of Nrne, andnone, in any walk nf life, could have evinced a greater enthusiasm fUl" knowlcdge : Yet assuredly, lf he had not laid the foundations of his ecclesiastical learning both deep and strong, while he studied in a Seminary � he Rever could have reared upon them that solid and mugniflcent edifice, which so long commanded the admiration of all that be­ held its towering height and the goodly proportiona of its stn�t;__. tan'l. Btrt we would entertain a very erroneous npinion or his occu,: ]lation at this period, did we imagine. that learning, however Uö­ ble or' holy, was his chief pursuit. His gl'eat object, and thàt tn which every thing else was subservient, was his sancâflcation, His studies were all carrted on at the foot of the cross ; and like St. Paul, he sought "to know nothing, but Jesus Chris] and him crucified." (1) His constant care, was 'so to discipline himself, that he might truly and perseveringly "deny hirnself and take up his cross arid follow." (2) his meek and patient redeemer, His m'Dst ardent desire was, that "Christ might dwell by faith in his heart, and that being rooted and founded in CJlar'ity, he might be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is' the breadth and length and height and depth ;' to know also the char-i .. ty of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge." CS)· His occupa­ tion therefore was not 'only nor chiefly study: _ it was prnyer : it was meditating on holy things, "a conversatlon in Ilea ven" with We Saints and the King of Saints and Angels: it was dcdicatin� himself unreservedly to the service of God, and offel'ing Iris heart with all its affections; as l á holo caust on the altar of divine love. It was a constant striving to conform, himself in 'all things to the image of Christ: it was, Efor> heknew we�l the vanity and hollow ... ness of all pretensions to contemplative' piety, not founded on hu­ mility and confirmed by self-denying praètice.) it was implicit __ obedience tú the directions of his superiors, and the prompt und willing discharge, before God and, as an offering: to' Gód" of. c\"cr-y duty, which they assignee} to him .. . If he c�t�cl1Î's:d nleehi.ldren 'of some p�l"ish in the .dt'y" it '��. In the spirit of our blessed redeemer, when he said: "Suff�í. Iittle children to come unto me, and'forbilftheffi'n:ot; Lhr of such is the kingdom of Heaven ;" (4) if entrusted with the dcansin$; , and decorating of the sanctuary, he Iulñlledtlre duty wit]¡ those sentiments, which led IYoly David to exclaim: ��Hn\V Jovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts r my sr�ul longetlt and füintet!a for tire courts of the Lord: - Better is one day in thy house ahova thousands:" (5) if called upon to; mins-tc." as, an assiHtant to the priest at the altar;' he felt hirnself honored by the sa;crNl, ti ignity of the office: he stood before the-victim _ offered up to God in the holy sacrifice, as if ·hestobd by.the cross of Calvary, with'Mary L 1Bt éor�' 2d C.,:2d- V.' 2. Matthew XVI. 24 .: "'3.' Enhes 'G 3d V· 17 rs, .. .. •• ,. •. , G .. 194 4. St. Matth. G. 19, V. 14� 5. Ps .. 83/ ' , • �tagclatcn. ana the beloved disciple and Mary, the Mother ot Jesus; and lie retired saying' within himself: "How terrible j� this place ! this is no other but the house of God and the gate uf Heaven." (1) Thus for five years did he spend his time in retire .. ment, devoted to sacred study and pious exercises, living in a numerous community, respected and beloved alike by equals and supcrlors and giving an example nf the humility, simplicity and obedience, which should always characterise the young eccleslas .. tie. Thus did he "choose to he an abject in the house of his God ;" and as "the sparrow findeth herself a house, and the tur .. tle a nest for herself, where she may lay her young;" so did he find hirnself a humc even by "thy altar-s, O Lord of hosts !" and there having in his heart disposed to ascend by steps, he went from virtue tu virtue, (2) "having thy word for a lamp to his feet and a light to his paths;" (3) and taking "the LOI'd for the por­ tinn of his inheritance and of his chalice." (4) In titis manner lie prepared himself for the gl'rat end, at which he aimed-tlal" worthy reception of the holy ortler of priesthood, Hc knew its sublime dignity and becoming holiness: he foresaw and armed hirnself fagainst its dangers. How often he repeated to himself and to others that saying of St. Chrysostom : "the priest is another Chriat." How beautifully and feelingly he developed the lessons conveyed to the clergy even more than to the laity in those words of Sto Paul : "Let a man so look UpOll us as the ministers of Christ and the dispenser's of the mysteries ol' Goel." (5) How eloquently he would describe the peculiar prerogative» and happiness of the holy and edifying priest, "the faithful dis­ pl'lIser,"-thc true "mall of God!" And with what profound feeling he would wccp over that scene of sadder ruin and desola­ tion, than any which Jeremias has lamented-e-the beauty of holi ... ness departed from 'the sanctuaryç--iits lights extingllish('d,-it!'t stately columns, once its sh'rllgth and ornament, fallen, broken and dishouored.c=stumbling-blocks to them, who would enter into the house of God! With such conceptions of the sublime digllity (lilt] awful responsibility of the sacerdotal profession, he received the ordination and entered OH the duties of a minister of Christ, 'This tuok place un the feast of the most holy 'Tr-inity, in the ycav 1 S08. Ren.ark able events arc Ilot to he )ook('d fOI' in the retired l. Urn. C. XXHn. V. 17. 2. P;::. L\XXIlI. :J. Ps, CXVIlI. V. 105. 4. Ps, 15. 5, Cor. C. IV. V. I, 15 Ilfe or a pious ecclesiastical student. Y�t an occasion arose fbr. the exhibition of a marked trait in his character, A friend of' bis and form�r fellow·�tudent had fallen unde�' the suspicion or the imperial gover·ument. He was deprived of 'his liberty and threatened with loss of life •. Deeply interested in his behalf and convinced of his innocence, Mr. Bru-te sought in vain to have Ms case revised. As alast resource, he prepared a memorial t� the Emperor; and for l'fant of a better. opportunity ,to present it, he seized one, which he �h()ught was' offered him,' while se'[Ovtng. mass 'in the imperial Chapel. When mass was ended, he flew from the sanctuary, in the hope of anticipating the Emperor, as Ile hastily retired by a private passage. Failing in tile attempt, he flung l'ais memorial before him ; but here too he was foiled by the rapidity of Bonaparte's motions and carne near heiug. bayn .. netted by the gens d'armes in attendance, .The imprudent b()ld� ness of. the seminarian, which might indeed paye beeil; attended with serious consequences, was censured by his superiors; but the devoted fidelity of the friend was admired by 'all. , After his ordination, Mr., Br�-t� became a memben.of the so"! clety of St. Sulpitius, Ue believed it to'he, ÙU� will of his hea­ venly master, that he should consecrate his talents to, the impur;' tant labor of educating aspirants to the holy ministry. He' knew 'what great services thissocietyhad nenderer] to religion in .. France and he saw in it illustrlous models of every'p,riestiy quality, 0(\ its members he ever afterwards sn·oke in terms of sincere attach­ ment a��d profound respect, He' entertained a peculiar venera- -, -Ó; !," , tion f(w the superior General, the Abb-e Emery-a man, whom' even N apoleon, havingtï-ied in vain to b�nd his inflexible integ; rity to his own despotic will, ) was compelled to admire for hi, conscientious [irmnesa and unaffected pik�ty';�and l,�e used h�\ say, that he had never met with any one.. in, whose character' all the virtues were so happily blended,' all the gond. qualities of�, mind and heart so well proportioned and- ��" nicely halanced, An early proof was, gÎ\ten of the regard in which the talents ot�'" the. young. priest were held, Soon after he I�ad taken ·h�ly. qr; ders, he was offered the appointment of assistant chaplain t� the.� Emperor.. He declined. the offerand, inobedi�-nce to his msh.op� repaired to the Seminary of Rennes, where he was immediately. f.:pp.ointed Professor of Theology, an office, which he filled, with, "qual honor and ability until he .embarked für America in �IWI. � . ,:t ' .... . � �. � .' I \. '. .••. -Óv Ó ''::' .... ', f, 'c • .. 16 ,ßUBnnCl" or 1810. in companywith 1\'11'. Flaget, the present ven­ e-rable and saintly Bishop of Bardstown. The voice of his SU� l)(�l'¡OI'S was to him the voice of God: and dearly as he loved his couutrv. Lis friends, his fond relatives and that admirable mother, �vho fi;'st taught him to place all his hopes in heaven and love.{! to mark his ¡wogrcss from virtue to virtue aud from step to step in the holy ministry, until he stood in the very presence of the '.God of Gods in Sion ;�' still, without a moment's hesitation, he broke these chet-ished ties and, in the spirit of the Apostles, 'wellt forth to preach the gospel in a far' oft" foreign land. He arr-ived in the United States on tile 9th of August 1810 and im .. mediately joined his brethren of the Sulpitian Society at Balti­ more. He was Professor of Philosophy in St. Mary's College, unti! the i sth of December' 1815, when he was chosen President, The College under his government advanced in reputation. Before his elevation to the presidency, he took an active part in ,. illdicating its character and the religious belief of its prnfes­ nors against certain cbal'ges, hrought forward by the Presbytery uf Baltimore in a "Pastol'al Letter" and reiterated, though not fnlstained, ill a "Befeuce of the Pastoral." In a spiritual Dia­ �oglle, pn>gnant with wit and lear-ning, he. exposed to merited contempt the blunùcl'ing misrepresentations and declamatory virulence of the assailants of St. Mary's, He proved his zeal and charity at this period by speudinj; his vacations in missiona­ l'y excursions to places, where the Catholics liad not the benefit of a resident pastor. 'l'he confidence of Ids worthy associates was manifested by the post which they assigned him: 1101' was lIe less respected and beloved by Archbishnp Carroll, whose long and honorable course of eminent services to 'l'cligion and his fountl'y was now dru wing to its close. Accustomed as Mr. l�l'ut-e "as to the splendor', which surrounds the high ecclesias­ tical dignitaries of Europe, he found something inexpressibly �wble and affecting in the humble circumstances, the simple dig­ vity of manners and apostolic labors of this venerable prelate. ] il June 1818 he rrsigned his office in the College at Baltimore �lnd r-emoved to I�.H. S1. Mary's, From this peTiod until his elc­ yation to the Episcopacy, our own institution and OUl' own neigh; �)(}I'hood became the theatre of bis talents and virtncs : and here, fompat'ativdy hid from the gaze of the world, he found room fOl;, '�he exercise of them all. His duties were multiplied and various, �. . .� 17 and required to discharge them well no ordinary share of zeal, industry and versatility of powers. He was confessor to the Sis­ ters of Charity and for many years pastor of the congregation or Emmitsburg. while he frequently exercised in this congregation ROIne of the most arduous functions of the holy ministry. In one l�cclesiastical Seminary, he lectured on sacred scripture and was pt'OfCSSOl' of Theology and of Moral Philosophy. In the college, he taught at different times N atural Philosophy and various other" branches. 'I'rue greatness dignifies whatever sphere it moves in. n is genius and learni ng were conspicuous, when they expatiated tlll'ongh the palace-halls of the Queen of Scicnces.L-Divinity e they werte Ilot less admirable, when they descended to the humble task of teaching youth Gcogntphy or explaining the little cate­ ctüsm to children. As Paul planted and Apollo watered, but God ga\'c the increase; (1) so, having the immediate direction of the ecclesiastical students and the chief care of instructi ng them, he nurtured with pious solicitude and zeal the growing seminary. which the venet'ablc Mr. Dubois had devoted all his energie« to plant and rear: and tho labors of both were rewarded by H ea .. yen with ahundant fruits. His cheerful piety, amiable manners and lively interest in the welfare of hi,s pupils, were sure to win their heads: his eminent holiness of life secured not only respect but veneration. His exhortations to virtue ant} piety could scarcely fail of effect; because he recommended only what he practised himself. No standard of christian or priestly excel .. Ience, to which he pointed, could appear too high; since he was himself a living instance of its attainment. If forgetful of this Earth he al ways pointed and allured to Heaven, he also lead tho way. His piety was most tender and affectionate; and he show­ ed clearly by his example what it is to love God with one's v/hola heart and whole soul and with all the powers of one's mind. III all things he was a model to those subject to his direction, His hours of sleep were few, and long before the morning's dawn he arose to converse with his God and give to him the first fruits of the day. During these early meditations, his soul, absorbed in heavenly contemplation and intimate union with its Creator, was. largely visited with the refreshing' dews of divine grace: and when he approached the altar and offered up the holy sncriflce; his heart, already full to overflowing, was always overpowered t. Cor. C. III. V, G. 18 Pl mingled emotions uf reverential awe aml gl'a1itude and love" and often found rei icf in copious tears. Il e descended to the d is� charge of his ordinary duties; but, like Moses, he bore the marks of converse with his God, and, as words of heavenly wisdom fell from his tongue, you could readily fancy, that his 1 ips, like those of Isaias, had been touched by the seraph with til' jug coals uf fire from the altar, His time was all divided between pl'ayer and labor. He loved so well "the beauty of the house of the Lord, and the place, where his glory dwclleth," (1) that he would spend whole hours kneeling before the blessed sacrament; and eventu­ ally he made it a rule, whenever it was practicable to recite the divine office in this holy presence. Thither ho would repair on returning from a long journey during the rigoul's of' wi ntc r , and until he hall satisfied this devotion, no persuasions could induce him to attend to his personal comfort ; at other times, unless he was engaged in active duties, you would find him ill tite midst of his splendid library, surrounded by the writings of the Fath­ ers and Doctors of the church, and whatever besides is most rare and valuable in science and literature, pursuing l�is devoted stu- 04 dies with intense application and wonderful activity of mind, 01' committing to papcl' for the benefit of others tue results of lai!'!, profound investigations. His recreation was but variety of labnr, 'Vhell his wearied mind demanded its turn of relaxation, the most arduous bodily toil succccdcd : and this round uf exertions mental and C(�11)o r cal was kept up with an elasticity or spirits and activity uf mind truly surprising, Aller a .iOUI'IU·Y of Iilty miles performed on foot ¡II a single day, hook ill hand, pl'ayill.�; and reading by turns, unrl scarcely stopping' to take the simpl« relection that nature required, he would meet his Iricnds in tile evening with a freshness of spirits and gaiety of conversation, which could not be surpassed, If us a pastor he had made au appointment, no obstacle could hinder him from h.cepillg- it. 'l'he mountain torrent SWOUèll v v ith wintry rains auil overflowing its banks could nut stop him, Jf other means of crossing it WCI'O not at hand, he plunged into its f.·t'l'zinf) t.dc and amid ruasses of floating icc swam to the opposite shure, No sacriüce 0[* comfor ï or necessary J'l'pO!jC, neither hunger 1101' thirst, IlOI" summcrs beats nur winter's colds could check his enthusiastic zeal 01' causo ilil1l to fail in punctuality to his engagement. Dut his chari,ty �. Ps. !,?:j. lU to,vards the poo� was perhaps the most edifying trait in his cJuH.4A¡ :teter. tt did not consist in merely pitying their miseries and exhorting others to roleive them. He, was in the habit df visiting them hl person, arid in his own hands He bore iH� assistance which they needed and lie Was able to procure them,-thus Iíte, rally "reeding the hungry and clothing the naked." His benevo'­ Ience was irtgenious in obtaining nieansfor its exercise, l\'Ia�ny á time he stripped himself of garments rlecessáry to' his own com., fort, to bestow, them on some shiv�ring victim ..of poverty � But 11e seemed to d�ljght in sufferi�g himself, thâi he' might alleviate the sufferîngs oC others. Ingratitude on their part but inflamed Ms charity the more. The bigot, who drove .him from his door' by day, could not prevent him frdm liring'in'g clothes and provi­ sions to his needy family by night. Howeëer careful hé IÎlig'ht be to conceal his extraordinary good \Vorks, die general tenor and Efpírit of his conduct could riot lie hidden from the young ecclesl-i astics, whom he taught by-word a�d example; ;;,' ., '. ' '. «Ó, As a Professor' of theology, hë excelled tMef1y iri tw6 fh'fngs�� à: vast erudition, which left, notMng unexplored, an4, a singular! .power of gerierâlising, which enabled hlm to' g"l'asp His whole" subject and handle it with ea�e by bringing all i�s' details under a · few grand prinèiplès, In exhibiti�ng and sUIJ)?drting these' princi .. ples he put forth al(hÎs' strengt�. Afte� adducing the evidences which bis extensive reading readily furnished, elucidating it by .�is Iuminous explanations, and a11plying the logical test's' with éautious judgment and impartial rigoni', his excursiëë mind hroúght in à rlch' and almost gorgeo'us profusion of analogies and illustrations from every part of the wide domains. of human: knowledge. Thus qualified fo,r the task of directing-and instruct­ ihg éccleslastics, he was able to 'render immense services to .re ... )igion'. Time win not permit me tó unfold the proo£� of his use.; .' fülness inthis r'egard: but there is scarcely a diocese inthis country, which is not indebted, (some of them very largely in­ debted.)' to his' zeal, prety and learning a�d his great success in communicating his own spirit and knowledge to those whose cc .. : clesiastical educatloïï he directed. 'If many w'orthy arid' highly useful misslonaries have gone forth' from Mt. St. Màry's,tp bear' the blessings of religion to. tlïosé, who had them' not before 01" Were but HI-provided' with them ;'. it is under God' owing- in a' great degree to Mr. Bru-te,' If the bold assailants of our fai'�l, 20 11ate been made to repent their temerity by its able defenders, nó' small proportion of these issued from the school, and "'(,'l'e armoi] fOI' the defence by the learning of Bishop Ilru-tc. Ir Mt, St. Mary's has contributed more than her quota both of priests dis­ tinguished for zeal, piety and eloquence and or the Bishops, who in one portion of the church adorn the mitre by their lcnrninjr, talents and vlrtue ; who can wonder, marvel at this. W}IO knows aught of the transcendant genius, the deep erudition, the é\POS­ tolic spirit and ùl'jght example of ßisJJOP B ru-te ? Let us turn to other spheres, in which he labored with equal devotion and similar success, He was for many ycurs the spir­ itual director of the Sisters of Charity, at St. Joseph's in ou ('" vicinity, and the main auxiliary of Mr. Dubois, under whose supcrlorship, the sisterhood arose from the humblest b('gil1nill,�g to a state of prosperous maturity. It was Mr. Bru-te's arduous and responsible task to strengthen the vocation. foster the piety, enlighten and confirm the virtue and fan into a burning flame tile charity both of the novices and professed Sisters, He and the venerable superior were both men of God: to God they recom­ mended all their undertakings, trusting 111 him alone fol' success ; and his grace was with them and his blessing ou thch- labors, Look abroad and behold the fruits of their zeal in the charitable institutions, which adorn the land and avert from it the �u�grl' or Heaven. The helpless m'phan has found a mother to feed and clothe and comfort its distress, and teach its infant tongue tu lisp the blessed name of J esus. The raving maniac is soothed and calmed and readily yields obedience to the sweet voice of lu-a­ venly charity. 'The destitute sick enter the public hospital or' infirmary assured of having a tender nurse, whose soft tone's . shall charm away the Imins of disease or cause them to be pa .. tieutly borne, for the love of their suílcring Saviour, W'llrn pestilence stalks through the land and friends aud neighbors flee from the house of infection, aud "they that \\(\I"t� IINlI' stand afar off," (1) charity leads her humble tlalightcl's there, IcarIcssly to inhale the breath or contagion am) to he the servants ul' those, who else would have none to keep thern : nut! there arc augcls of mercy bending O\'Cl' the bedside of the d)' ing, who, while they wipe away from the sunken brow the clammy sweat of death, fix the dimmed eye on the f,ign of salvation aud turn its ('xpil'ing glance to Heaven, U ndcr God ,cc arc iudcbtctl-c-lunuunlty, 91 ëharlty, religíon isin no slight degree indebted ror these blessed results to the ardent zeal of Bishop Dubois and Bishop Bru-te, Let the pious congregration of Emmitsburg tell how fruitful were the labors of their beloved pastor. Let this whole neigh .. hoi-hood attest the happy effects of his missionary toils, his In­ structions, his prayers, his unquenchable charity. '''here is the 1)001' man's cottage, that he has not entered as a messenger of peace and mercy? Who was sick and he did not visit and com­ fort him? Who was in want, and he did not afford him, poor though he was himself and al ways wished to be,--some charita ... hle relief? What road was there so rough, what weather so in­ clement, what night so dark, that he would not fly on foot and alone to minister the sweet consolations of religiou ? Did scan .. dals arise? How his soul burned within Mm, until the scandal was extinguished and the evil remedied! Were neighbor's at enmity? I have seen him cowering under the fury of a winte r - storm, and pelted with driving sleet and snow, as he returned a considerable distance from the blessed work of reconciliation, I t was the anniversary of that day, on which our Saviour died to make OU1' peace with God. But who can recount the innumera­ ble instances of his' disinterested zeal, his burning charity, his heroic self-denial i How many of his virtuous deeds-s-how many acts of benevolence, now known to none but God, will be brought to light before the assembled universe on the great day, where everyone shall receive his proper retribution ! of his ex ... traordinary piety and holiness I need say nothing to this congre .. gr'ation: for, though his was eminently ha life hidden with Christ in God," (1 )J'ct the flame of divine love, that glowed in his breast, was too strong and bright to he concealed; and much more than he desired, "did his light shine before men, so that see" ing his good works they glorified their 'Father, who is in Hea­ Yen." (2) When you beheld him at this altar offering up the spotless lamb, that takes away the sins of the world, you knew, that you beheld indeed the "man of God,' the worthy "minister" of Christ" and faithful "dispenser of the mysteries of God."­ 'Vhen he proclaimed to you the truths of the gospel, you were sure, that you listened to the message of Heaven. Even those, who could not understand him, because of his imperfect pronun .. dation of our language, often went away deeply moved and edi-. 1. Col. 3,3. 2. l\Iatth. 51 16# ,f.ed; although theY,tould not account for this effect nor explain \ 'it otherwise, than tiy Raying, that he appeared to them, not as a \.' .. man, but a�. an angel, speaking to th�ir souls i� the name and by ) the authority of God. But for those, who dut umlerstand him well, what à rich spiritual repast was afforded by Jais elofJuence­ for he was eloquent in spite of his defects of idiom and pronuncia­ tion! How pleased were they to hang upon his accents! How did they love to follow the eagle flights of his genius! How soon did their faith shake off its heavy slumbers, as conscience from the üeep abysses of the heart responded to his bold appeals, and the smallest spark of charlty rose into á consuming flame, and hope gl'ew strong within them and began to fix a steady look on Hea­ '·en! And how much more eloquent in the causè of virtue than éloquence Itself' was the powerful pleading of his example! Oh, my beloved brethren! if much shall be requlrerl of them to whom much is given, (1) (and we arc assureû of this by the ora­ eles of (livine truth.) what a fearful account shall they have to render; on whom the blessings of such il. man's ministry shall have been lavished in vain! and on the other hand, to indulge a more cheering sentiment ho\v great should be your gratitude to God, who sent his favored servant to this portion of his vineyard and left him so long among you; so that you have been in a man­ ner brought up in' faith and piety at his feet. al�d llave looked up to him, ás be moved in your midst doing good to all, not as to one , bf this world, but almost as to a superior being descended on It mission of mercy and love nnd caring only to allure and win you back to that Heaven, which rle l'('garc1ed and taught you to regard ils your true country and your on1y home. But tho time arrived when this "burning anel shining Iight" was to be placed on the goldcn candlestick of the A postlcs, A l1ishop was required for Vihccnnes.-one worthy to be the first occupant of a newly erected sec; and the eye of the distant Fath­ él' o( all the Faithful, piercing the obscurity of our mountain soli .. tude, rested on the distinguished qualifications of Mr. Bru-te­ i know that he would gladly have avoided this appointment. I know that he would have preferred om' humble retirement to any post nf ilOn'or,-I need not add of emolument, for that he ever dis­ ûalncd as unworthy of a priest. A splendid episcopacy he \'VOU lei undoubtedly have declined. But to make new sacrifices,-tfl . l. Luke 12, '18. 93 take cp his lot in poverty, and privation among entire strangens=-, to go far' from whatever was dear to him on Earth,-to be an instrument in the hands of Providence. for spreading the gla{� tidings of salvation and pausing God's name to be honored in the rising West, and to 4S� his influence iuhls mother country to pro� cure misslonaries and other means fQr carrying on the work o� redemption in the land of· his adoption---this l�i� spirit of selr� denial; his zeal, his charity would nqt penllit him to refuse, In any case it would have been .�' trial to his conscience to have ex­ ercised even the right· of respectful remonstrance, when . the visible head of Christ's church had spoken, , He dared not d(� so, when that voice called upon him to make so many sacrifices and endure so much. He therefore: bowed his head to a thorny mitre and i�l the fall of 18S1 proceeded towards his distant dio1 cese� He left �s; but he never forgot his beloved mountain.' Twice 11'1 revisited .us. Twice his fond looks wandered over" this, cherished spot, 'wllosß .very �ame was endeared to him by his �endel� tlevotinn to the mother of God � where every object wore the charm of old familiarity, and where he had hoped to spend the quiet evening of his da:y�� .and, when his sun 'of life had set, �o mingle his remains with those qf former frlends, who seemed to await him ill their peacefulmountain ·graves," The firsttime he was on his .retum from Europe. He ���� stood amid th� ¡'1I� ins and' resurrection .of the Eternal city � he had received the -�lessing pr the common father �f the Christian worl.i .\f!l,l,he had peen Iwno{eq with marks of his peculiar esteem and favol�� W ith i nexpressihle emotions nf thankful ness �n,4. j(�r; Ile had offered 'up the victim or salvation in .tll,e Eucharistic fiacpifi?e o� the tombs of the Apostles: H� had also scanned with the eye of· �enius and cultivated taste the noble productions o(at�,cient am( modern art, plunged into. the labyrinths of Rome's great libraries, and by the evidences of his enligl�te'1C(l c�u'¡¡)sity and L.H'ofoun«( ¿l'lldition,�s w�H as Ohlis virtuous simplicity o'r m.á�?lCrS" wo,u th� �dmiration. �� the flrst s.cho�,a'·f? of the a��,-lf 'such' ITlen �\f\ 'Cardinal Angelo Maii and Cardinal· Mezzofanti. At Yienna he had been ushe'r�(Í in'to pa,iac��:,'co�t't�(f by 'tl�e gr:eat, '�he h�a[:n� �d and the pious, treated with marked i'espect, by the impel'i�t. family. He had also revisited for the I�st time his own hbeaut(¡ ful France,' and there he had found himself encircled by atf�,(,4.". f¡onate relati res and devoted' friends, honored lJy the noble and \. '" ", ' '. � ", • \ •• .', .' " . � , . , ,¡.. . .;__ t,¡, powerful and admired by all :-and it was año ... all this-all thls, which he had l .. ft without a sigh. that he returned to his beloved Mountain and left it with a sigh, that he could not again bUI'Y himself in its peaceful ObSCUl'ity.· He was consecrated Bishop in the Cathedral of St. Louis on the feast of St. Simeon and St. J ude, and accompanied by the venerable Bishop of Bardstown and his former pupil, the Bishol' of Cincinnati, he took possession of his Episcopal see on tho fifth of November following. At Vinconnes he found himself in the most trying circumstances. He was a stranger, poor and alone. Ile saw around him little more than the wrecks of the Catholic faith and dicipliue of the OJ ¡ginaL settlers, LookillI; abroad he beheld indeed an immense field fOl· labor; but tho ground was almost unbroken. Every thing was to be commcnc­ ed and all was tn be effected by himself. Destitute as he was of every human means of success, he applied with courage to his allotted task. and while he freely exposed himself to "the heat and burthen of the day," he prayed with fervor and confidence to the "Lord of the harvest, that he would send laborers into hi.i I harvest." (1) In less than eight months he hall travelled mCH'O ! than a thousand miles on horseback, ove.' roads almost impracti­ cable; had visited every part of his extrusive diocese and was as familial' with the minutest circumstances l'(\gal'ùing its missions and those uf the west in general, as if the whole or his valuahlc life had been devoted to them exclusi "ely. He then pl"ocecdcd tt) Europe to procure the SUCCOUI'� which he needed. How he was there received, you have heard ; and you may still better judgo from the successful issue of his visit. 1\I0l'C than twenty mis­ sionarics accompanied him on his return : and he obtained From the chnrity of our Catholic brethren in the old world, considera­ ble resources for establishing schools, building churches, found .. ing an asylum for destitute orphans, and ceJclu'atin,; the holy mysteries with becoming' dignity. (2) His previous rcsidcnco 1. Matthew 9. 38. 2. As he crossed tho Atlantic nine times, and Euch occasions always elicited ne� proofs of his characteristic virtues, I shall give the words of an eye witness of his conduct, who accompanied him on his last voyage. "�uthinrr could sur .. po.ss.his kindness and attention to all during the voyage from Euro;. He had obtained a special permission from his Holiness to celebrate mass on hoard the vessel; but the paSS80'e wag so tempestuous, that we could rarely enjoy that consolation. Wc had thirty days continued storm, part of the time tile helm at Vi�cennM, though br·ief, had made so favorable Ill) impl'e8c sion on the mindsof all, that, on his return from Europe, he was g'I'eeted by the citizens of all. denominations, with every pos­ sible mark of esteem and respect, Now comme.reed a new se­ ries of labors. 'I'here was 110 station in his diocese, .. which he didnot visitrepeatedly. At home he wad at once the Bishop, the pastor of the Congregration, the Professor of Theology, tho father of his family, (for so he always designated his Ecclesias­ tics.) the benefactor of the poor.and the affectionate friend of all. I n a short time he had opened a College" established at his own expense a free school. which is attended by from seventy to .eigh­ iy pupils, and founded another fi>l" gil'l� together with an orphan asylum, under the superintendance of the Sisters o( Charity, In order to carry Oil these various schemes of beneficence and actuated by a spir-it or humility and self .. denial, he submitted to many pri varions, which his declining health could Hl sustain, The Bishop, eier'gy, Seminarians and scholar'S ¿r the College oc� cupied the same house, took their meals in the same refectory and in e\'e,'y respect constituted but: one family, 'Ile reserved no privileges to himself: 'he would have no advantages QI" comforts, which he could not share with all. I His Iahors were so multifa­ rious and burthensome, that they would scarcely be credible tu those, who did not know his wonderful .activity of mind and powers of endurance. In. addition to t1,0 occupations, I hava, already mentioned, he tau,;ht Ti'�eology in hiaSeminary, .gave lessons in French in ont) of his Academi�s, furnishëd a large. amount of histeclcal anti antiquarianinformation too the literary lashed" dead lights up and the. sea breaking tremendously oyer the ship, at every, instant. We 'Vete, nearly all ve�y unwell. The good Bishop alone was calm", CiS when seated in hisown library,-;sharing all the inconveniences of'a protract; - �d voyage and bad accommodations.e-neglecting himselfand at�tending with un-. wearied solicitude to the wants of-every one. Night and day was he beside the berths of those, whom sickness rendered incapable of assisting themselvea-e-, Even the pOOJ deck passengers (most ofthem Dutch) had a large share 'of his, good offices, Amidst all this, 'he found time to write a great deal, prepared 8.� immensequantity of'matter for his European; correspondence, and held from, time to time the most interesting and instructive .conversationa onthe political and religious state of America" and particularly Oll the field of our future laborso,. The most minute, circumstances regarding t,h.e Western missions were familiae to him. His comprehensivemind grasped the whole at a single glance and llis; habits of analysis aided hl' a, po�verful, m��prY 'ena��edI,}e;'" áiùI apply to:hhn thé splen-' did eulogy, \V hick \\ e read of. thát great man, in tli'e�ftftiet1l' ¿h,ap'·"" tel' of Ecclesiasticus,' "He shone hl his days" äs the inórfiitig stár ita tné midst ót {,¡" cloud ; and as the moon at, the flin, and as the sun when ir shineth; so' did he shinéin the temple of �'od.' Andasthé rain- , how giving light In the lwight douds, and asthe ñower óf roses' hl" the days or tñ'� spl'ing ;. and as theIilles, that are ort;tlie lírink M' the water ; and as the sweet-smellîngIrankiùcensë.irî the .. timè C)r sumrner : arttl as a bright fit'e' and frankineerísé but-ollig rh tllè' fiï-e :" as a massy vessel or gold adoméd with' �V'e.r'y 'lwecious" stone :. as an olive .. tree bli(Ming, forth; arid. � cypress¡·ti-t'cé rear-" ing itself- Oll high, when He put on .the robe ()f glory and \Va�)' , clothed with the perfection of- power.' Wllen he went nI"- to the: holy altar, he honored Hie vesture of holiness r asid w hen Ue� tookthe portions out uf the hands oC- the priests,' he 'himself stoocF hy the altar. 'And about him wasthe ring of his brethren :-' and! a� the cedar planted on mount Líbanus, and as branches of' L)al-� 1.' 2 Cor. 12� 15. 2.' Ph�lip C. 3, Vs: 13 alld',14;' ' �s tr�t�, (hey stood rnund about him, and RH the snns oC .:\nron iri their glol'Y • * * * And finishing his service on the altar. to honor the off(."ring nf the most High Kin:;" he stretched forth' his hand to make a libation" anrl offered of the blood of tho gl'apr. :It * * * Then all the people tr);�cthrr made haste and fell down to the earth, upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High. * * e * Then coming down, he liftet} up his hands over' all the rongrr­ gl'ation of the children of ISI'ad, to give glory to GOlI with his lips and to glory in his name.' (1) Death, which could be no unwelcome visiter to one whose thoughts, hopes and affections all centred in a better world, found him full-handed of go(){I works and longing only "to be dissolved and to be with Chi-ist." (£) I nvincibly patient and rc .. iligned under' the severest suflhing, full of tender piety, calm. collected' and brightly exhihiting his charactcrlstic virtues to tho last, he set a beautiful example of the manner, in which a Chr'is­ tian should prepare himself to run his final l'arc, and win tho' erown of a glorious immortality. As }üs strength diminished, his devotion increased. He sought no allcv iafiou for his suffer­ ings: on the contrary he was eager still to labor and endure, in the two field-view nf doing good to others and resembling more 'his crucified Saviour. W hen unable to walk or stand, he would at least sit up and write to any, whom he couhl hope to hcnefl; hy his correspnndcnce j and to those around him. he would speak on pious subjects, such' as the love of God, conformity to his holy will, or devotion to the Blessed Vil'gin, with the tinct inn of a saint and the ardour of a seraph. nut six hours before Ili� death, he wrote with his own hand, anrl not \\ ithout much diffi, eulty and pain, several moving letters to per�()ns, ,,110 had un­ fortunately abandoned the practice or their faith, and to "hom he wished to make this dJ in� appeal in behalf of their souls, "hile the portals of Eternity were closing upon him. These last pre .. ' cious days or his life were tJIUS e ntircly taken 1!P in works or Charity, in instructing, t'dirJ ¡JIg and fonsolinp; those, who were with him, and in intimate and affcctionnte rnrnmuninn with hi� GOf1, whom he hoped soon "to see face to face" and to 10\"0 am} enjoy forever. Ile preferred often to he Irrt alo nc, that l-e mi�J¡� the more freely inclulf:c his piow� fcellngs, �JlJ rar tl.is end 1l1.' l.. Eœlesiam.icu.s C. W. �. PhD. l. � ,,'oble] allow nn one' to watch by him át, njght� until �is mot:tal agony had begun. When his frientls affectionately .si}tlght ,id know what they could do to relieve his suffel'jng�. he would an­ swer them by pointing out sorne passa:�e of sacred s�'Hpture, or' chapter of JÏle,Fol1owing of Chr-ist. �vhich he �lesjl'ed them to' read to him; oí- by asking them to say some prayers for his happy death. Nfl agonies o(pain COUll} extort fNlInhini a single ,ex,;; pression .,f 'distress. "Thé \\'ili of God hr. "don,e"-,,'as the' constant language ,nf his lips, as. it was thé à,bidingi sentiment ,of • hls heart. When pf.£1paring tn receive fhe holy Viaticum, he wroteto us in the ta'u:¢ \spir·¡tnf $�intly hùmilit)', ,l'eqne�titlg, the prayer's of our Semif¡�ry �nd of the' Si�tèl'h()f)t1 and.' beggit')J� par .. ' don for whatever offenceor ha(1 examplehe h�(tev9r, gi�en to ,any one at either ;n�titntiQ�: A (e,* days before his di��olution; thd strengt h of his nattira11y vi'gorous .constitutien r�Hiedlot· atime, and his physician promised him at least. a t�ml;or�J'S, ,r,�dlrel'y : he told the physician he. ,wits mistaken, arnl, whether.he knew it, supernaturally or otherwisevnamét] tfié�,exá�t time 9f hi¡;; �p. proachhrg departuré, 'II� gä\'c' hiÎnsrJf"the orders for- pre:l!ài'in� his, grave and .as calmly directed tho m()(� nf, ,RcpuJture, ani) p,l;O..l per- rites to be ,observé(t; as if -he .'v�s (n!4c,hal'gir�g an o'rdinarf duty. On the Rl.lt'Urng.of "th�' ¡l�,y,befo"Q l�is (h\!lth� he rem;a�,fH',(I to the C}el·gyu�án,. who;' aUe'¥l£le(l· ,I�m - w ¡'fh ltlÍ�vea'l"Ïcd �óncitude' and affection ¡ '�Iny dèar ,child, I have U,I;è wlH�It1 (,l¡t.y�yrtta st�r with you�to-lßorro'\V, wiHr God)" ,'fo 'anqtJáer pi(H1S fdf'rt'd ha used these simple lJut�Xp)"("RSj.1C words, '"".1,. am !5oi1�lMme/;, }leaven was indeed his howe:' fle, had aht,ay,�' !{') r'cga-('(led' it � therewas his treasure.: his heartwas there : hé' had �V(H- 'l;mlit·;�1 to be with G�(l and "see ]üm,1 8'S l'le' i'�q"�� and now' thé: dO()(I,Or bis Father's. hQô�'e was ,op�Yling to, Mm, and ,&i)grls"w(e�e 'onthQ wing tomeet hi's"deparfint; ,spk-it ��d cOlldudii'ff.tni�s: placeaf J'Mt. He' WàR' happy fhcrefofe' amid th,e' "ang��.,'a.,nd ferrOl!s or death; for he trusted that he was but g��'ng horne, .' Afltet' h(ly� ing received the last' sá(.',J·am('ntR� Ile (L¡,·C'cted the de'paJ't.i1tg .pnay 1 ersto be recited, which {l(fanswet�ed .(ltwout�y and':,fcl,·v.e'ñtl,y' (fntil' ,. , tlrelast, amt then on lite ,ttJor,n�ng,nf the i6th,hf.J'Ine, n:t halr.pas,t,' one o'clock, he calmly «tid f;\v,eetr, Lsurre'n,lcrqrl his'·'J� .. inl info thet !lanc]'s uf his ére�t(}r�. "Ofl bo�, Hp't;'ccio,!s ;10 t¡h�sig,h()f the �,(H'�l IR the �ath of Ius samts r' GI) How dl,ff�Nmt .frenn the last .mo- i. Pt 115jr, . , rncnts or the 11001' deluded worldling-of the sinner tremhling ow' the confines or"this life, which he is loath to quit, and of Etc�l'lUty', whir h hl' justly dreads to enter. But blessed arc the dr-arl, who clic in the Lord. From henceforth 110W, saith, the spirit, that they may l'ès! from their Iabors ; Ior their works follow them. (1) His death was deplored as a genrral calamity. lie was rspe­ dally lamented by the poor, the widow and orphan. 'ilte peo­ )')Ie of Yiucenues felt, that they hall lost a public benefactor, His own flock both clergy and laity, bewailed, as well they might,. t'he death of such a pastor. All with one accord mourned for the scholar, thé philanthropist and the saint. Crowds of persons of every rank, and of all denominations.visited liis cOI'pse and as­ sistcd at the ceremonies of his burial. 'l'he Mayor (\1)(1 civil au­ thoritics and learned societies of Vincennes passed resolutions to' �ittl'll(l his funeral, 'l'lac whole population poured forth to ac­ company in solemn silence, his honored remains to their last rest­ ¡ug place on earth. 'I'ruusccndunt virtue never dies; TIIC gl'a\Tc but gi-.es it S3.; crcrlness and invests it with a bl'ighter halo. The true cluistian character acquires beauty from the touch of death. We see' )ICW charms and feel ali interest surpassing what we Iclt before.' ,,, e would wish to k now the steps, lJy which such a man became all that lac was. I have very imperfectly sketched the history of 1\11'. Bru-te's life: the �tcps 01' process, by which lac reached 80' lligh ml eminence of hnliuvss; can, 1 think, be very briefly stated; Ile was faithful through life to every duty, obedient to ('\'CI'y iu­ t iniatiun of the divine will, careful to husband and make the lrcs t use of CH'I'y grace. which he received, Bad it been otherwise; had he )'iddl'd 10 the temptations, which encompassed Ids y outh ; or IIl'glectt'ù his goldeil opportunities of intcllcrtunl, 1lIOI'ai and religious improvcuu-ut, ur failed to "stil' up the gl'i\�e, \\ Iairh was in him;" (1) how dillereut would bave beeil his lot and that of i nu nu.erablc souls, fot, \\ hose sal vatiou, he was a e hoscn i nstru­ Wl'1I t ¡JI t IIc hands of God! How mall)', as nohly p;irtrd as be, and destined to a career of l\(lual Ul'IICJiCCUCl', have Iulh-u, sadly rallen 1'1'0111 their I¡¡gil estate, "to walk in the counsel of tile un.�odl)', to staud in tile way of siuncrsaud sit in the (hail' of pestilellce." Lut he was that "blessed mau, whose delight is ill the law of l�(jd; "Lo ll1ulitatl's Oll that llOl�' law buth da)' ami JIÏ,!)ht, and i, A. pcc, 11. ia 2, �d Tim, 1,0, who is like a tree planted by the rnnnin,� waters, which keeps its . Ieaf verdant and brings forth its fruit in due season: all whatso­ -ever he rlocth, prospers." (1) It was thll�_ my bretlu-en.s--for hal, lowed WOI'<]S alone can describe tite g'l'()wth of such a character ; it was thus that he became "a burning and shining light" in tho dUl'ch uf fiod.-a living evidence of the beauty. holiness anrl truth of our religion. I speak rcílccti ngly: for [ know that his example hrollg'ht many. who wandered they knew not where, in­ to the foltJ of Catholic unity. By its fruits ill hi-n they knewhis religion: for' his virtues were the gC'n1linc Qff.;;pring nf his faith. He hut prar tiserl what he believed and taught. . As a Xavier', a Vincent of Paul, a Fenelon 01' a Cheverus, he lived up to tho standard of hi� creed, and his actions but embodied its spirit. No,', my brethren, did his faith rest on insufficient grollfl(ls. He had stud jed the sacred sc I'j ptu res, as few men have ever sttulietl them. He had the leisure, the knowledge, the intellectual habits, the ardour- of investigation necessary to succeed in such a study. There was no day, ou which he (lid not pN'IJ�C and revolve in mind a considcrahlc portion of the sacred volume. He had read it in the lan,�lIa.�es of the (wiginal text. as well as in the morlern l'el'sions. It was a farnrite occupation.c--a constant (lrli.t;ht. And he ù.I'ought to this study the �r'eatest purity and singl�nes� of mint}, together with an unusual docility or heart and the spir'it of fe l'Ven t prnj-cr, r ou, w 110 knew Il im. can attest this: II is whole l�Ce is the evidence of it. With the history of l�eligh)n 11,01 was Ilot Jess familiar, Day and night f(�l� nearly forty years, thi" was the subject of his researches and meditations. He was' al ... ways surrounded by the needful documcnte : and the vast libra­ ries of European Capitols had opened their treasures to his inves, ti,;ations. If a thorough knowledge of ancient monuments anti rccm-ds could aught avail in the search fol' truth; he did not wallt this means of Hilding it. Nor was he by any means a stl'anger, to the �\I'gum(,llts of those, who reject the doctr-ines, which he hehl. 'l'flcI'e is no system of religious opinions, with tile \vt'�tings of whose ablest defenders he was notconversant. M OI'C than nuco llave I known him both to surprise and enlighten tile zealous sec­ tary by opening before him the works of the fuuntler of his 1'0- )igious denomination, 01' by pointing out in his confession of faiOt some assertion which had before escaf)ed his attention. Ir tl�e{\ l, Ps,l. the belief or a Catholic could rest on any lower foundation thft1\ the divine authority duly exhibited ; if it could !Je based on indi­ vidual opinion, most c�\Iliflllly and maturely formed, by exercis­ jn�� faculties of minrl or' the laigh�st order on all the evidence, that belongs to the subject ; it might be said of 1\1 r. Hru-te's convictlons, that such WRR their foundation. Rut faith is tito gift of God, Re\reah\cí truth is a sacred deposit, which its hea­ veuly author laas committed to the custody of his church, having, sealed it with the marks of divinity and promised to guai-fi ¡ t with a preserving; puwer, ngainst which the gates of Hell simi I l1ever'lll'c\'ail." (1) The result therefore Hf Mr. lll'u-te's varied. readlng and immense researches, was, not tito fm'mation of any )leculial'system of npinions ; it was flot indifference cn- scepti­ cism : it was not to set his mind adrift Oil the ocean of uncer­ tainty, liable .. to be tossed to anti fro by every wind uf rloctrine." (2) nut it was a firm and unshaken belief in the divine revela­ tion or a perfect suhruission of his mind to the truths b r uugll� dOWlI from Heaven by the son of Godand preached by his Apos .. 1 It's. and a devoted attachment to the authority of the church, which has preserved and transmitted them, and which fOl'this: very purpose Gqd himself built on the rock and girded with hili own infallibility, which he commissioned its pastors to teach by his autho¡'ity;anu with his promise or divine assistance alluations, to the cnnsummation of agcs. (5) Hence w hen he became him­ self a pastor uf the ChUI'CIa, he taught "as nue ha\·in.; autlrnrjty ;" Ilot as olle broaching new opinions, but as the herald uf iuuuuta­ bic truth. 11\ the defence uJ his faith he would cll(:�cl"'ully havo encuuutercd martyrdom, To communicate its blessing's tu his �odl()w.llH.'Il, he left his country, Friends awl family, exerted all his energies fUI' more than thirty years, courted iumuucrable hardships and prlvatious, exhausted lais stl'cngth and ultimatelv sacrificed his life; f(JI' he died. as you have seen, a victim tu hi"s heroic chari ty, lie has dcpartcd , but his good works remain: he yct lives ln the fruits of his laburs : his services to I·cli.�i()n in tlai:; countr-y cau IlC\'CI' Le fUI'guUt'll. llishl)p Bru-te is IW more ; hut his vir­ tues have survivcd : his bl'ight example shines steadily beflute yOUI' view ami claims your imitatinn, If you truly I'C\'Cl'e his, memory, follow that cxaiuple ; if you would honor his virtues¿ �'. MatÙl, 16, 18. 2. Ephes, 4, 14. 3, MatLh.�, 10 and 20, 33 practice them yourselves ; if you feel gratitude for his zéal ana 'charity, forget not his lessons; despise not the exhortations and entreaties, which lac SC) often addressed to you. If you would prove to him that grtatituùe, pray fur him: even he may need your prayers; and should he not, your charity will not go unre­ warded. But, my Beloved Brethren, be careful to draw from the consideration of his life the instruction, it is calculated to convey. Learn from him how to estimate at its true value the "supernal prize, for which we run." Learn from him, that they who are in earnest about the salvation of their souls, do not lead an idle, tepid or effeminate, mach less a vitious life. Learn from him, what kind of violence the Kingdom of Heaven suffers, and who are' "the violent, that bear it away." (t) Learn from him. "to deny yourselves and take up your cross and follow" your (li­ vine leader. Learn from his example to love God above all things, with your whole heart and mind and strength and your neighbour as yourself"; to be zealous for every good work, mer­ ciful to the poor, charitable to all, and to seek your own sanctifi­ cation in an things, by doing every thing for the sake of God and in conformity to his holy will. It is thus, my Brethren, we are admonished by inspired wisdom to "remember our prelates, who have spoken to us the word of God; and considering the end or their conversation, to imitate their' faith:" (2) and the same in .. spired wisdom has assured- us, that he who "feeds the flock or Christ" entrusted to him, "amI takes good care thereof, not by constraint, but willing1y awarding to God: not for the sake or filthy IUCI'C, but voluntarily; nor as domineering over the cler­ gy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heartj when the Prince of pastors shall appear, shall receive a never Cadin, crown of glory." (s) l. :Matthew 11, �2. 2. Heh, 13. 7. a. 1st Pet. 5. t. S, 4. DATE DUE GAYLORD #3522PI Printed in USA