USA > Maryland > A Century of Growth [electronic resource] or, the history of the Church in Western Maryland > Part 12
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Father Walter was a strong soul in a weak body, a man of piety and ardent zeal. His life was grandly successful in this, that he became a saint himself. As a student, he lived in close union with God; as a priest, that union became more and more intimate, but he knew very little of the world, and he knew very little of the passions which rule the world. On that account he was often misunderstood by the best people, and was often disappointed where he hoped to do most good. Through his strong will and pure soul, his character was lofty, yet, on account of his delicate body, his ability could never be great.
" But his memory, like some holy light, Kept alive in our hearts, will improve them ; For worth shall look fairer and truth more bright, When we think how he lived but to love them. And, as fresher flowers the sod perfume, Where buried saints are lying, So our hearts shall borrow a sweetening bloom From the image he left there in dying."
The century closes with the Rev. Thomas E. Lyons in charge of Westernport. Father Lyons is a Balti- morean by birth. September 10, 1876, he was en- rolled at St. Charles' College, where he graduated with a certificate of high distinction in June, 1883. He was ordained priest by His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, at Christmas, 1888, and appointed assistant at the Church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, of Baltimore.
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He was soon promoted to the pastorate of St. Peter's Church, Hancock, in Washington County. Since his coming to Westernport, he has succeeded in paying off the debt which rested on the congregation; he has also erected a handsome, large and comfortable residence, for which his congregation and successors will have good reason to be grateful.
Father Lyons is a gentleman of high attainments. At college, on account of these attainments, he was elected class president, and graduated at the head of his class; the same conspicuous talents characterized his seminary studies. In disposition, he is genial, kindly, hospitable and warm-hearted. As a priest, he has never cultivated the art of popularity; in fact, he avoids and contemns it. The same tendency shows itself in his preaching; he makes very little effort to please, and generally avoids the impassioned style of oratory, but when his theme is great and he summons all his resources, his eloquence is lofty and commanding. In sound, original thought, and in dis- cernment and precision in the choice of words to express his thoughts, Father Lyons is a model worthy of imitation. His intellect is luminous and vigorous, his reasoning close and exhaustive; in the knowledge of books and the knowledge of men, he has no superior among the junior clergy of the archdiocese, and very few equals.
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ARTICLE IX.
ST. GABRIEL'S CHURCH, BARTON.
The town of Barton lies in a deep valley, princi- pally on the west bank of the George's Creek. It is situated midway between Lonaconing and Western- port. The name comes from Barton, in England, the home of the Shaw family, who first settled there. The prosperity of the town is totally dependent on the coal industry. In the past, the "big veins" were worked exclusively; the future of the town must depend largely on the "small veins."
Barton had no history prior to 1850; and three years later there were not more than five dwellings there, two of which were farm-houses and three log- shanties. The "Swanton " mine was the first opened in the vicinity; afterwards, in quick succession, fol- lowed the "Caledonia," " Barton," "Piedmont " and " Potomac " mines. With the opening of each mine, more miners and tradesmen rushed there, and Barton quickly became a large town, throbbing with life and prosperity.
The first settlers were Scotch and English. In 1854, Patrick Cadden, a true-hearted Irishman, made his . appearance, and his coming was the beginning of the history of the Church in Barton.
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The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was first celebrated at the house of Mr. Cadden. Here those pioneer priests of the George's Creek, Fathers Slattery and O'Reilly, came to minister to the wants of the few Catholic immigrants. In a very short time, the little parish was organized, and a small but neat frame church was erected on the high ground, which is now the spacious and beautiful Cemetery of St. Gabriel. A more picturesque location than that of St. Gabriel's Church would indeed be hard to find-the limpid George's Creek, winding around at the front, behind a high, wooded hill, and all around pure mountain air, laden with health-giving aroma of rich vegetation.
The Barton parish is a daughter of St. Mary's, Lonaconing. The same priests that attended Lona- coning attended Barton until it became strong enough to battle for itself. The Redemptorist Fathers paid occasional visits to the little town from 1856 to 1860. Father O'Reilly, of Frostburg, was very much attached to Barton, and a well-remembered remark of his, "that no matter where the devil was during the week, he was sure to turn up in Barton on Sunday," gives a picture of what Barton was about 1860. "Work was plentiful, wages high and whiskey twenty-five cents a gallon."
Father O'Reilly did not seem to look upon Barton as a very promising field in his day, although he labored zealously. to wrestle with Satan in what he considered Satan's stronghold. The whole truth is, the Barton Settlement was a rather strange mixture
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of Scotch, English, Welsh, Irish and American elements, thrown together by chance, each element retaining its inherited prejudices. The Catholics were few in num- ber, relying, for spiritual aid, on priests who visited them a couple of times a month. The priest would . say Low Mass and hurry off to the next station; the sermons generally took the form of scolding, so that it could be truly , said that "during the week the priest was invisible, and on Sunday incomprehensible." It must be said, to the credit of Barton, that, while Father O'Reilly may have formed too low an estimate of what has since become a good parish, the people formed a very high estimate of his priestly character. The impression he left on the people was "that, as a priest, he was an angel; as a man, he was very cross."
From 1863 to 1866, the Redemptorist Fathers of Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, Cumberland, paid occa- sional visits to Barton. Father Eberhardt is the best remembered of these visitors, and his fame rests on his peculiar pronunciation of certain English words. He was a German, and, according to tradition, he always said "Let us bray" instead of "Let us pray."
In the year 1866, the Rev. Carmelite Fathers of Cumberland took charge of St. Gabriel's Church. The parish had increased at this time to about six hun- dred souls, and it became necessary to build a new and much larger church. The parish was in charge of Father Philipp, and, as a consequence, he must bear all the blame of the location of the new St.
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Gabriel's Church. The church is well built, and so well planned that every foot of space within its walls is utilized. It has a marble altar and two small wooden side altars, but the location of the church is to be regretted. The town of Barton is surrounded by hills, any one of which would have afforded a picturesque location for the church buildings, but, instead of choosing such a location, Father Philipp selected for his church the flattest, marshiest and most prosaic site that he could possibly find. The new church was built in 1867. Father Philipp is very kindly remembered by the Barton congregation as an earnest priest, very zealous in the performance of his duties.
Fathers De Wulf and O'Sullivan attended Barton, as a mission of Westernport, until 1871. During these years the debt remaining on the church was paid.
In 1871, the Barton parish was blessed by the coming of the Rev. James O'Brien. For four years Father O'Brien faithfully attended the congregation as a mission of Lonaconing. We may form some notion of the hardships undergone by this good priest in his zeal to do what was really work enough for two men. He was obliged to say Mass Sunday after Sunday in both churches, and drive, fasting, over a rough road of four country miles.
Father O'Brien mnade many improvements. He purchased the bell and beautified the church property. He is remembered in Barton with sentiments of re- spect and veneration. His preaching was well liked;
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it habitually took the form of familiar instruction on some dogma of the Church or some duty of the Christian life. In his dealings with the people, he is said to have been "a matter-of-fact man, always considerate and kindly." Father O'Brien is now pastor of St. Peter's Church, Washington City.
In January, 1875, Barton fell into the hands of Rev. William Mahony, the first resident pastor. Father Mahony was really an exceptional character. He was a truly religious man, saying Mass devoutly every day. He was a man of piety, in a sense, a man of extraordinary piety. In the recitation of his Office, he was as regular as clockwork. He would no more think of neglecting his Rosary than his Breviary, and, in his duties to his people, he was self-sacrificing in the extreme. At the sick-bed no priest could be kinder; he was, however, of a highly sensitive tempera- ment, readily taking offense, but humbly apologizing the next moment, and making full reparation as soon as possible. He was an impulsive man, and, like most impulsive men, woefully lacking in tact. He was a zealous priest, but the fire of his zeal burned unevenly. He was one of the most brilliant lights that ever shone on the Church of Western Maryland, but his light was erratic.
William Mahony entered St. Charles' College from Cumberland, Md., November 3, 1852, and graduated, having gone through the full classical course in the remarkably short space of four years. He was or- dained priest at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, by
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His Grace, Archbishop Kenrick, in 1860. During his seminary course of four years, young Mahony's bril- liancy of intellect impressed itself on the minds of all his professors. As a seminarian, however, he had practically two reputations, both bordering on the ex- treme: at one time he was looked upon as the St. Aloysius of the community; at another, he was on the verge of expulsion from the house. His career in the priesthood was very similar to his career as a seminarian. "Ubi bene nemo melius, ubi male nemo pejus." Father Mahony came to Barton from Westernport.
The year 1874 was drawing to a close with the Rev. Fathers O'Sullivan and Mahony, two able priests, two strong men, in the positions of pastor and assist- ant at Westernport, with a number of outlying mis- sions under their charge. Father Mahony, although the older priest by eight years, was in the position of subordinate. He was a stronger man than the pastor ; he was a more brilliant and more magnetic man than the pastor. As a preacher, he was probably without an equal in the diocese; as a man of learning, he was at least the equal of Father O'Sullivan-he had as much head as his pastor and a great deal more heart. But Father O'Sullivan had a remarkable prudence, which Father Mahony notoriously lacked; this accounts for their respective positions in relation to each other. They were, of course, the very best of friends, but this did not prevent them from indulging their powers of argumentation. Discussion is excellent for the mental faculties, but not always so for the temper;
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it fortunately sharpens the powers of reasoning, and unfortunately sharpens the temper. Fathers O'Sullivan and Mahony had different views on many subjects, as men, and sometimes clashed in a friendly way even as priests.
Here we must ask our readers to kindly pardon a digression. It is a silly mistake to suppose, as some ill-informed non-Catholics do, that in the Catholic Church everything is restricted to cut-and-dry defi- nition. The truth is, there is no class of men in the world freer to think their own thoughts and give expression to their own views than priests. Of course, where it is a question of revealed truth, loyalty to that truth is not merely a religious duty, but a logical necessity; accordingly, when it is once settled that God, who can neither deceive nor be deceived, has said something, discussion must cease on that subject. But, concerning that broad field of unsettled questions in history, science, dogmatic and moral theology, prin- ciples of conduct and the extent of their application, there is left a vast scope for original thought and dis- cussion. For instance, our Blessed Lord declared, " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself." It is, therefore, the teaching of faith that the Christian must mortify himself-that he must place certain restraints on the lower appetites; but what about the extent or limit of those restraints ? It is generally known that this question became a common topic of discussion between Fathers O'Sullivan and Mahony. Father O'Sullivan, on account of his extraordinary
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zeal in the cause of Catholic sobriety, had come to be the recognized apostle of total abstinence in Alle- gany County. Father Mahony held that total absti- nence was rigorism. Both were learned theologians, and both had excellent reasons for their respective opinions. Father Mahony would argue that the use of intoxicating drinks is not in itself a sin for the person who is in no danger of going to excess; that where there is danger of excess, drink is only the occasion of sin, and, of course, when drink becomes the occasion of sin, it must be avoided under pain of mortal sin. Father O'Sullivan would argue that where there was so much excessive drinking as existed at that time in the mining regions, he was justified in concluding that in nearly every case use meant abuse, and a drink meant a drunk; that though temperance was the virtue, total abstinence was the heroic degree of the virtue. Father Mahony was back like a flash on the argument, "the heroic de- gree of virtue; " "for, since heroism is by its nature rare, it would be unreasonable to expect a whole county to become heroes."
Canon law was another bone of dissension. Father Mahony was the author of a learned volume, entitled, Jura Sacerdotum Vindicata. The work, no doubt, pos- sessed some merit. It was written in Latin, and gave evidence that its author possessed uncommon facility in wielding that difficult language. Father O'Sullivan was of opinion that, although Father Mahony's canon law was, as a general rule, correct, nevertheless, the
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spirit in which the book was written merited censure. Father Mahony held that the American hierarchy were using their power arbitrarily-"Hoc volo sic jubeo, sit pro ratione voluntas." Father O'Sullivan held that bishops have never been so arbitrary in dealing with their priests as priests are habitually in dealing with their people; that these, rather than those, follow- "Hoc volo, sic jubeo, sit pro ratione voluntas."
Thus, these two brilliant dialecticians would argue these questions, and others, day after day. They both finally concluded that logic is not enough for the settling of all questions, because there may be suf- ficient reason on both sides for an indefinite debate. They at last decided to separate, and thus Father Mahony became Barton's first resident pastor.
With the approbation of His Grace, Archbishop Bayley, Father Mahony began and quickly completed the new pastoral residence. He remained in Barton two years. His sensitive and impulsive temperament often got him in trouble with his ecclesiastical superiors as well as with his congregation. After leaving Barton at his own request, Archbishop Bayley gave him a letter of recommendation and a "roving charter to go where he liked, stay as long as he liked, and re- turn home when he got ready." He died about eight years ago, as a priest in good standing, at Denver, Colorado.
To appreciate justly Father Mahony and his work is no easy task. Few priests have been so extravagantly praised ; few priests have been so extravagantly blamed.
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" Perhaps both were wrong-were madmen ; And we trust, at the judgment day, When God sifts the good from the bad men, There will be something more to say."
The Rev. Matthew A. Fenne was appointed pastor of Barton towards the beginning of 1877. Father Fenne studied his classics under the Benedictine Fathers; his seminary course was made under the direction of the Sulpitians, in Baltimore. He was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. Dr. Becker, Bishop of Wilmington, at the Christmas ordinations of 1876, and Barton was his first appointment. When he took possession of his parish, Father Fenne could hardly say, "Funes mihi ceciderunt in praeclaris;" his predecessor had gone away sub nube, and the young . priest found himself in by no means an enviable position. He proved, nevertheless, by his prudence, that he was the right man in the right place, and his pastorate was accordingly fruitful. A young man was once sent to Socrates to learn eloquence. On being introduced to the philosopher, Socrates asked double fees. "Why charge me double?" said the young man. "Because," answered the philosopher, "I wish to teach you two sciences-the one when to be silent, and the other how to speak." Father Fenne was placed in a position where the first part of Socratic eloquence was a necessity. His success was immediate and continuous; he at once won the esteem of his congregation, and found that they were
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not only willing but eager to assist him in all his undertakings. He remained two years in charge of St. Gabriel's Church, and when he was called away, his whole congregation felt that his going was a real loss.
Father Fenne has a singularly vigorous and well- balanced mind, of wonderful clearness ; he is an accom- plished gentleman, blessed with a high grade of talent. He is a scholar, well informed in theology and history, a musician of refined taste; he possesses a well- modulated, pleasing voice. As a linguist, he speaks German fluently, and is well read in German literature. He is still well remembered as a bright and con- spicuous ornament of the Church of Western Maryland. At present Father Fenne is pastor of Govanstown.
The Rev. John T. McCall was successor to Father Fenne. He came to Barton towards the end of 1878, and remained until August, 1881. His pastorate was about equally honorable to himself and profitable to the congregation. Father McCall is at present located in Baltimore.
In September, 1881, Barton became a mission of Westernport; the sick calls were attended by Rev. Michael J. Brennan, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered every Sunday by one of the Capuchin Fathers of the Cumberland monastery.
In January, 1882, Rev. Peter M. Manning took possession of the parish, and remained, faithfully attending his flock, until he was promoted to St. Mary's Church, Lonaconing, in June, 1884. The
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worthy successor of Father Manning was the Rev James P. Carey, who remained at the helm for one year.
Father Carey entered St. Charles' College from Balti- more City, September 1, 1861. His college record shows that he possessed a remarkable aptitude for classical learning, as he completed the full course in four years.
Father Carey was ordained priest by His Grace, Archbishop Spalding, in 1866. Although a man far beyond the ordinary in general erudition, his tastes may be said to be pre-eminently literary. Besides being a finished English scholar, he is well read in Irish, French and German literature, all of which tongues he speaks with wonderful facility. He is a poet of refined and delicate tastes and a perfect master of English versification. In 1881, he published a volume of poems, which received favorable comment from critics, and even enviable encomiums from literary artists. His longest and best known poem, entitled "Laudes Virtutis," is a thoroughly Catholic dissertation on the beauty of virtue, abounding in rich thoughts, so sweetly sung as to awaken the deepest and noblest emotions. "A Christmas Legend " is one of his best narrative poems. In this poem, the author conducts the Three Wise Men from the East to Bethlehem's lowly stable. With a charming poetic grace, he intro- duces Herod, permits the dark-hearted king to see a grand opportunity to become the protector of the Christ-King; Herod neglects his opportunity, and at
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once disappears from the poem. The Wise Men, on the contrary, grasp the opportunity offered, correspond with God's grace,
"And forth they sing a hymn of praise In Simeon's grateful strain, To magnify His works and ways Who comes o'er souls to reign. No more they ask, when journeying far, Which way salvation lies ; The Light Divine of Jacob's Star Is their eternal prize."
One short poem, entitled "Singing, He Died," is a perfect little gem. It has been very much admired for its sweetness. Here are the first lines :
"Oh, sing for me the air I loved When youth and strength were mine ; That air which oft my solace proved Will soothe my life's decline. "Twill lift my soul from earthly scenes, 'Twill ease my spirit's pain, And wing my thoughts, as treasured dreams, To childhood's days again."
A poet is always a power; a truly Catholic poet is always a blessing. When Father Faber made known to the poet Wordsworth that he contemplated taking Orders, the poet remarked, "I do not say you are wrong, but England loses a poet." Father Faber, as a priest, did not lose the poetic gift and creative
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faculty with which God endowed him; his hymns have done for God's children a good beyond the power of human intellect to reckon. Father Carey's poems are as Catholic, and even as priestly, as Father Faber's; there is not one line in his works unworthy of his priestly character. We may say of them what a great authority has said of the poetic works of a brother priest: "They are the expression of a pure heart and enlightened mind; they are the inner thoughts of a man of God; they are the music of a soul highly and delicately strung, over whom every wave of grace sweeps in harmony and awakens love, and in whom love seeks fitting words for the yearning of the heart."
In January, 1886, the Rev. Stephen J. Clarke came to Barton as pastor. He improved the church property and organized a parochial school, under the care of lay teachers. In April, 1890, Father Clarke was removed to Frostburg, to be succeeded by Rev. Thomas E. Gallagher.
Father Gallagher is by birth a Baltimorean. He grew up in old St. Joseph's parish, which has given many devoted priests to the archdiocese. As a pupil of the parochial school, his mental endowments and upright character attracted the attention of the eagle- eyed Dr. Chapelle, who at the time- was pastor of St. Joseph's Church. In September, 1878, young Gallagher was enrolled at St. Charles' College. He was one of the youngest students in the community, and, on account of his extreme youth, was quartered in the small division. His talents could not long remain
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hidden, and a most brilliant career was soon prophesied for the gifted, dark-haired boy from St. Joseph's. It is worthy of note that the learned Dr. Chapelle, one of the ablest priests of Baltimore, at present Arch-
REV. STEPHEN J. CLARKE.
bishop of New Orleans, and delegate apostolic to the Philippine Islands, asserted that " he considered young Master Gallagher one of the most gifted and promising youths he had met." In this the erudite Doctor demonstrated that he possessed a deep and accurate
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insight into boy nature, because, six years later, June, 1884, when class honors were being distributed, the dark-haired boy from St. Joseph's was about as near the top of the ladder as it was possible for a boy to climb. The same high order of talent was evident all through his semi- nary course. In four years he became Bach- elor of Arts, Master of Arts and Bachelor of Theology. Father Gal- lagher was ordained priest by His Emi- nence, Cardinal Gib- bons, in October, 1889, and at once entered upon a post-graduate course of study in the new. Catholic Univer- sity at Washington. He has the enviable REV. THOMAS E. GALLAGHER. distinction of being the first Maryland priest enrolled in the Catholic University. Dr. Chapelle was at that time pastor of St. Matthew's Church, Washington, and a member of the Board of Directors of the University, but he still remembered his St. Joseph's altar boy, now a brilliant young priest.
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