The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 99

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 99

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

All the conditions environing his early life, from bis birth onward, naturally led to the adoption by him of an intellec- tual pursuit, and to forming and developing him into the broad, strong, earnest, hard-working, intellectual and Chris- tian man he is known to be.

His whole family had a bent for the higher callings and duties of life. His father was a country merchant in Trim, but also discharged the functions of a civil engineer and sur- veyor. His mother was possessed of fine executive ability and strong intellect-both possessed in large degree by Father Malone. She died only recently, at the age of ninety- four years, with unimpaired faculties. It is said of her that she was the wise counsellor of the country people through- out a wide circuit. One of his brothers now follows, in the old town, his father's profession as an engineer; and another has been a leading physician in Brooklyn for many years. (

At an early age, the subject of this sketch was entered as a student of mathematics and classics in the Academy of Prof. Matthew Carroll, a non-Catholic, and a Fellow of Trinity College. This gentleman was one of the most accomplished and erudite instructors of youth of that day. If results may be taken as determining fitness, the successful careers of his

then pupils serve to clearly prove that he was admirably qualified in his vocation.

These pupils were divided as to religious opinions and creeds. Many of the Catholics entered professional life; some became missionaries in the colonies of Great Britain; one is still Bursar in the College of Maynooth. Of the non- Catholics, several achieved distinction in the civil service of Great Britain, in India; and one, Dr. James Hanhury, was recently Chief of the Medical Staff with the English army in Egypt.

Of his term at this Academy, and of his observations and experiences at this period of his life, Father Malone has im- pressively written in a letter to a friend :

"My early life was toned by association with non-Catho- lics. The kindliest feeling was cultivated among people who followed different religious beliefs. The Catholic priest and tlie Protestant minister walked arm-in-arm through the pub- lic streets of the town. No doubt such an example was a powerful agency for harmony and peace. Its influence, on both sides, was calculated to destroy prejudice and inspire confidence among citizens of the same nationality. To this I lovingly turn as the school that has fitted me for the proper appreciation of what citizens owe each other in America, where religion is left as au individual interest which no one has the right to interfere with."

All the good of those days that touched him found in him a heartily sympathetic and responsive subject for its influ- ence. The impressions then made upon him were deep and abiding. Nurtured by such parents, aided by his happy asso- ciations, he formed habits and purposes, and made for lum- self an ideal, neither of which has ever been abandoned. On the contrary, each has been strengthened and confirmed

Sylvester Malone

1051

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

with his growth. His preliminary preparation and experi- ence had made him ready to accept the opportunity soon to be offered to him for entering the priesthood.

In 1838, Rev. Andrew Byrne, Pastor of St. James' Catholic Church in the city of New York, was in Ireland, seeking young men desirous of entering the Catholic priesthood, for the American Mission. This priest, a few years later, was elevated to the new Bishopric of Little Rock, Arkansas; and died during the war, regretting the sad state of the country he loved so much. With him, young Malone, then in his seventeenth year, sailed for the United States, land- ing in Philadelphia. The first acquaintance he made there was with a friend of his companion, Bishop Kenrick, who, later on, was transferred to Baltimore, created Archbishop of that See, and thereby Primate of America. From Phil- adelphia, Sylvester soon came to New York. He was at once presented to Archbishop Hughes, and, by his advice, entered the temporary seminary at Le Fargeville, Jeffer- son county, N. Y. After one year's study there, he entered St. John's Seminary, Fordham, where he completed his course of studies and, on August 15th, 1844, was ordained a priest of the diocese of New York by its present Arch- bishop, His Eminence Cardinal McCloskey, who was then coadjutor to Bishop Hughes. This was the first ordina- tion of a priest by him, and Father Malone claims the honor of having been the first priest so ordained. Immediately after his ordination, Father Malone was sent on the mission in Williamsburgh, where he has ever since remained.

Into the then scattered village of Williamsburgh, having a population of only ten thousand, of whom not more than five hundred were Catholics, if, in fact, there were so many, Father Malone came on a Saturday night in September fol- lowing.

There and then was begun in reality the sacred work to which his life had been devoted, and immersed in which it was to be filled out. And who shall say that he was not well equipped for it ? He was robust in constitution and health, imbued with piety, zealous in purpose-that purpose being of the loftiest-untiringly industrious, admirable in energy, wholly self-reliant, resolute, well-educated, studious and in- tellectually well balanced.

Quickly perceptive, judicially calm and searching in all his mental processes, he at once apprehended the nature and range of the duties devolving upon him, and correctly esti- mated the difficulties to be overcome. How onerous the former, how grave the latter, can be discerned at this time only by those of his flock who can recollect the events of that period, and who remember the humble little parish church of St. Mary's and its young Pastor.

His first sermon was almost prophetic of what was to be the most controlling influence in his life. Of that sermon, Father Malone in his farewell address to his people, on May 29, A. D. 1881, prior to his departure for Europe, said:

"The first sermon I preached, as I remember, was on char- ity, its principles and teachings; and I have tried to make this virtue the star guiding me in my course of life, as I was called to minister to not only the physical wants of depend- ent members in society; but still more to be charitable iu word and thought, to those who were not seen to worship at the same altar with me."

How completely the prophecy has been fulfilled. St. Mary's parish comprised all the territory bounded by Hallet's Cove on the north, Middle Village on the east, Myrtle ave. on the south, and the East River on the west. From these remote points Catholics found their way to the services of the church in the little wooden building surrounded by the graves of their kindred, at North 8th and 2d st., almost the northerly line of Old Williamsburgh. The old church

building has been razed, but the church-yard, with its memorial stones testifying to that past and dead genera- tion, is still a landmark.

To these points, too, toiled Father Malone in his ministra- tions to the sick and dying; for in those days, he had no assistant in the care of the parish.

Those were busy days for him. When he took charge of St. Mary's, it was burdened by a debt of $2,300. Father Malone immediately set himself to the payment of it, and in two years he rejoiced with his people in having paid off the entire sum.

Meantime, there had been a gradual and steady increase in the number of worshipers at St. Mary's, but not till his people had been freed from the oppression of the debt, would he permit his mind to dwell on the project of build- ing a new church edifice, and in the Thirteenth Ward. Nor did he, until the way before him seemed to be reasonably favorable for its successful execution.

Ways and means were subjects of serious consideration for him. In the address already referred to he spoke thus:

"It was then only we conceived the idea of a new church; but to accomplish this in a Ward, where as yet none of the Catholic people seemed to have found homes, was thought by many a rash undertaking. It was my judgment that the location was well selected and convenient for the Catholics of the 14th, as well as those of the 13th Ward, which were the only settled sections of Williamsburgh."

He did not advert to the fact that the land for the new church was not obtained without difficulty. Anti-Catholic prejudice was feverish and aggressive in its assertion, and the proposal to erect a Catholic Church in the 13th Ward, was unfavorably considered by the holders of that prejudice. But land was purchased; the title to it secured by a friend of the church and Pastor, and on a day, bright in the memories of Father Malone, and those of his old flock who survive (May 11th, A. D. 1847), the corner-stone of the present Saints Peter and Paul's Church, was laid by Arch- bishop Hughes. The superstructure was speedily forwarded to completion, and one year later was dedicated by the same prelate.

In the address, already quoted, Father Malone said further:

"I may here state that we never collected a cent to help us in our then great undertaking, save only from the people who were immediately benefited by the erection of the church."

It was the first church built in the diocese of New York, in the Gothic order of architecture. The architect was Mr. J. J. Kelly.

For five years, from 1844 to 1849, Father Malone had la- bored unceasingly. A period of rest came to his labor that almost proved final. In the latter year, in the discharge of his duty, he attended a woman, from whom he contracted a virulent disease, that carried him far within the shadow of death. There is almost cynical irony in what followed. The woman was soon after murdered by her husband, and for it he was executed. Scarcely convalescent, Father Malone was prostrated by cholera; the scourge of ship fever at- tacked his weakened system; and finally he was burned out of house and home, losing in the fire his library, manu- scripts, and the whole of his worldly possessions.

He had been ten years ordained; had removed the debt of the old church, erected the new one, the parochial school, and the handsome pastoral residence; had inaugurated the Academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph; established a church library; organized a literary association of the young men of his parish, many of whom have become prominent and successful in professional and business life, and had gathered around him a large and loving congregation, when, in 1854, he visited Europe; chiefly to witness the grand assem-

1052

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

bly of the Bishops of the whole world, then convened at Rome, by the late Pope Pius IX., to proclaim the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and to be present at the making of the proclamation.

During his absence in Europe, political and religious prejudices became much embittered in Williamsburgh, as elsewhere, and induced acts of physical violence. In No- vember of that year, a mob attacked the church and en- deavored to destroy it by fire, or to wreck it. It was saved by the prompt and resolute action of the civic and military authorities, who guarded it for several days, and until the danger to it had passed, almost as much from personal re- gard for Father Malone, who had already made his impress as a good citizen, as from convictions of duty.

Returning in 1855, Father Malone bent himself anew to his work, but the next few following years were un- marked by any event of special significance in his pas- torate.

It was not until the dreadful coming of the Rebellion that his power and energy were fully put forth and wrought with. During the dark days and years of its continuance, no man did more in his place, and of his ability, to contrib- ute to the maintenance of the Union and the success of its arms. By voice and pen in his daily mingling with the people; from the pulpit; from the platform; every where that opportu- nity afforded, he declared for the cause of the nation, cheered and encouraged the loyal, reproved and discouraged the dis- loyal. Heaided largely in the success of the Sanitary Fair for the soldiers in field and hospital, and donated one-quarter of his small salary to the fund for soldiers' wives and children. When rumor came, on that memorable April Saturday after- noon, that rebels were about to fire on Sumter, the flag that symbolized the unity of the nation was, by his direction, thrown to the breeze from the spire of Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, and astonished the eyes of early church-goers next morning. It was the first flag displayed on a church in the United States at the beginning of the long struggle, and was afterwards carried to the front hy Williamsburgh men.

With an eloquent address, citizens presented to Father Malone a flag to replace it. This one, often afterwards, from the spire of Sts. Peter and Paul's, signaled victory to the people-never more welcomely than on the 1st day of Jan- uary, A. D. 1863. All the previous night had been passed in anxious waiting for news of the result of the three days' fight- ing at Murfreesboro. It came at last through the dark and stormy morning of that day, and the flag went up to its place with fervent gratitude to God, in symbol that the nation had won, what Father Malone believes the philosopher in history will find to have been, the most radically decisive battle of the war. It was in symbol also that African slavery in the United States went to its death on that day, and that four millions of freemen had been raised out of that death. .

At the close of the war, Father Malone, being in need of re- spite from his arduous duties, made a journey through the South with his friend, Rev. Thomas Farrell, of St. Josepli's Church, New York, since deceased. He fully studied the condition of affairs there, and expressed his views on it in able letters, then published. After his return from the South, he resumed his active work in the care of his parish, and continued it with all his old-time vigor and ability until, in 1881, he was compelled to take entire rest, and seek change of scene and climate. The necessity for his doing so had long been manifest-he was overworn-but he yielded to it reluctantly, and only under the imperative orders of his physician. In taking leave of his people, in his farowell ad- dress before quoted, he stated some of the results of his labors in his thirty-seven years' pastorate. Ten thousand discourses

(he might have added hundreds of addresses on civic occa- sions); eighteen thousand baptisms; three thousand five hun- dred marriages; half a million penitents prepared for com- munion; five thousand applicants prepared for confirmation and first communion; one thousand converts; all debt on the church and parochial school paid, and the debt on the paro- chial house and St. Joseph's Academy reduced to a small sum.

Referring to Catholic growth and expansion in the interim, particularly alluding to four churches that had been built, he continued:

" And twelve churches besides, where the English tongue is spoken by Priests and people. All these find good support on territory where I stood alone, the representative of Catho- lic interests in the early years of my ministry. Within the same area there has sprung up seven other churches, in which the language spoken by a thrifty and hard-working race is that of Fatherland."

He paid high tribute in his eloquent address to his non- Catholic fellow citizens, and to his adopted country; tenderly advised his deeply-moved congregations, and concluded in these words:

" And finally, may you live in charity with all your fellow citizens; though you have necessarily to differ with many in religious belief, and may or may not agree in your judg- ments of men, and in those questions that are constantly oc- curring in civil life. There is one thing which will ever dis- tinguish you-charity-loving God above all things, and loving your neighbor for Christ's sake."

He had come to them thirty-seven years before in the sign of charity, and in that sign he departed. A few days later he sailed. His tour was an extended one, embracing Eng- land, Ireland, Scotland, Continental Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land. Letters from his Bishop, Cardinal McCloskey, the United States Secretary, and other leading men, brought him into intimate association with our ministers, diplomats, and the leading men abroad, and his reception was as cor- dial and enjoyable as it was deserving, in all his journey- ings.

Probably no incident or experience of, or in them all, so much affected him, or will be so enduring to his memory, as will be that of the celebration by him of mass on Mount Cal- vary. He returned to his people early in September, 1882, and again took up his work. His welcome home by the whole community was earnest and grateful. His first ad- dress indicated that he had looked on in Europe and else- where with intelligent appreciation of men and events. Here it may be remarked, that he made voluminous notes of ob- servation and comment on both, and that he may hereafter arrange them for use and reference. They may well be es- teemed, by those who know him, as valuable.

This address was in part a criticism on the separation abroad of priests and people. He deplored it, and argued for a more close identification of the clergy with the every-day life of the people everywhere.

The address provoked some adverse criticism, and gave lim an opportunity to restate his position with greater cm- phasis.

Sincerely believing in the people, he argues that their ad- vancement will lift the clergy to a higher place. Banquets were tendered to him. The leading newspapers contained warm expressions of affectionate regard. Extracts from one of these will suffice to express the tone of all:

"Upon all occasions in the pulpit he has enforced strongly the brotherhood of man as man, and the sacred duty of obe- dience to law and public-spirited citizenship. He is sincerely attached to his adopted country, and no voice during the re- bellion was more patriotic than his. No word ever uttered by him has ever given offence to Protestants, many of whom are to be found occasionally among his Sunday congregation, drawn thither by esteem for the man. . . . In days liks

1053

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

our own, when there has been so much ecclesiastical disturb- ance in many of the countries of Europe, it is refreshing to find an irreproachable priest, who has consistently exhibited in his own career the true modus vivendi between Church and State. His has been the loyal and spiritual Catholicism, which has characterized 90 many illustrious American Catholics. Like the late Archbishop Bayley, he has always been recognised by Americans as thoroughly in accord with the fundamental principles of the Republic. 'Handsome is that handsome does,' is his estimate of human con- duct; and he would neither detract from virtue, because he found it in those of a different belief, nor white- wash crime because it was done by those of his own reli- gion."

Never a self-seeker, Father Malone has not sought prefer- ment to higher office in the church, but has serenely abided in his sphere as a parish priest with the people he has guided from infancy to mature age, and they are very dear to him.

In May, 1852, at the age of thirty-one, he attended the First Plenary Council of the Church in the United States, at Baltimore. On the suggestion of Archbishop Hughes, he was appointed Theologian in that council to Bishop Reynolds, then Bishop of Charleston, S. C. Later, he prepared and de- livered the address to Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn, on be- half of the priests of his diocese, accompanying the pre- sentation to him of a purse to defray his expenses, on the oc- casion of his first visit to Rome. In 1866, he attended the Second Plenary Council, held at Baltimore, as Theologian to the same Bishop.

On the 30th of October, 1878, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Loughlin, he prepared and pre- eented the address of congratulation to him of the priests of Brooklyn on the event. Though brief, it contained an inter- esting and permanently valuable view of the growth of the church in its spiritual and material interests in the diocese, and was an eloquent testimony to the Bishop's administra- tion. He has been for many years a member of his Bishop's council.

In politics, Father Malone has been a member of the Re- publican party since its organization, and has given to it hearty support. He never acted with the Democratic party. His love for his kind, his eagerness for human progress, would not permit acceptance by him of its policy or methods. These were uncongenial to him, and in his view obnoxious to just principles of government, and therefore dangerous to the well-being of the nation.

His affection for his native land has caused him to take ac- tive interest in the movement by the Land League to amelio- rate her condition.

The following extract from one of his addresses from the pulpit, in reference to it, will serve alike to define his position on this point, and his clear, strong style:

"A people have the right to inhabit their own land, and to inherit all the benefits and happiness of living which may come to them in it. When this is denied to a people, every one should give his aid to them in putting off the misgovern- ment which allows and continues such a condition of affairs. On that account I am with the present Land League move- ment. I believe in it and look upon it as the most promising movement that has yet stirred the thoughts of men every- where for justice to that land. But I go no further than the agitation of the Land League question on its merits. Those who counsel and call for an uprising with arms are not those who seek the proper and most effective way to arouse the people to the justice of the questions embodied in the Land League movement. Be wary of those people. Agitate the question on its merits, and the great press of the country will make known the justice of the cause, and move a speedy rectification of the wrongs. Whatever is done, be careful that you do nothing to interfere with your line of duty as citizens of America. Exaggerated statements and exagger- ated threats only prove detrimental to your positions as citi- zens and detrimental to the cause you would see advanced.

" I have no word of approbation for any movement that contemplates an appeal to armed force. Agitate the ques- tion, create a moral sympathy for the oppressed of Ireland, and your movement will accomplish what an appeal to force would not-success.

" We here in America must not do anything which will bring this country into complications with a friendly govern- ment; and we must ignore those who hope by fire-crackers to make a stand against cannon, rifles, and all the improved implements of destruction in the hands of a strong govern- ment. When we become citizens of this great country- Frenchmen, Germans, Spaniards and Irishmen-we swear allegiance to it, and for it we must ever be ready, even against the country we have left, to fight, and fight to con- quer."

In physique, Father Malone is of full average height and corpulent. He has a large, symmetrical head, and a strong face that in repose is very grave, but lights up on occasion with rare brightness. Dignified in manner, without being austere, he has in large measure the faculty of putting one at ease.

He is a close student and keeps in line with the leading thought and thinkers of the day. A thinker in the best sense, superficial men have no use for him. He has a very complete working library. There is not a book in it for show, and he knows his books as old friends.

Being a man of refined and cultivated tastes, he is, as may well be expected, a patron of the arts, and he is at once a generous and discriminating one. He has always caused a high standard of excellence to be maintained in the musical services of Sts. Peter and Paul's; and is a warm admirer of fine painting and sculpture which he studies with critical acumen and appreciation.

In private life he is genial, unostentatious, simple and tem- perate. To one who should know him there, it would not be difficult to believe of him, as he has stated, that retirement would be more congenial to his natural and acquired habits.

The worn and weary priest has always found in his house a place of rest and bountiful hospitality. To young men he has freely given with a parent's generosity and tenderness. His beneficence has helped forward many such in their chosen pursuits, more especially to the priesthood. To the unfortunate, the dependent, the shiftless and the weak, he is as a loving brother, a strong staff, a wise helper and a merci- ful chider; and he can be, to the wilfully corrupt, the sternly reproving judge. There is no weakness in his gentleness- no hardness in his resoluteness-no mere obstinacy. All true himself, he has a wide-reaching detestation of shams. His pulpit addresses are wholly extemporaneous. In them all mere display of rhetoric is studiously avoided. Uttered with definite aim and objects, they are practical, rich in pregnant suggestion, argumentative and logical; but they are always attractive, persuasive, and hold closely the attention of his hearers, so rife are they with the genius of his person- ality, fine manhood and true priestly character.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 99

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345