Obituary

Although (says the Cork Examiner of May 21) it was knows to his lay frianda and to his reverend brethren in the diocese of Cloyno that the Rev. T. Higgins had been in very delicate health for a considerable time, yet the announcement of hia death was to most of them a surprise. For more than a year be had been obliged to relinquish missionary work in consequenoa of the infirm state of his health, and had spent his time exclusively in preparing his soul for the summons of death that he felt was nigh, and that came to him in the quiet seclusion of the Mercy Hospital at Cork on last Tnesday morning. More than twenty years ago, after a successful collegiate coarse, he received the order of priesthood, and was appointed to the curacy of Bally vourney, whence be was transferred to Kilbrio, and subsequently to Fermoy. In each and all of these missions be devoted himself with zeal and untiring assiduity to the duties of his sacred calling, and gained for himself the affection and veneration of the people and the ap* probation of his superiors. Daring his curacy in Fermoy the Very Rev. W, Coleuoan, Vicar-General of Donedin, in New Zealand, came to thia country to seek for priests who would be willing to take part in missionary work in the Antipodes where the harvest was great and the labourers were few. Animated with Seal for the extension of God's kingdom upon earth and for the salvation of souls, Father Higgins asked and obtained permission from his own bishop to serve for a feW years in the distant diocese of Dunedin. He was appointed pastor of Inveroargill, the most southern district of the New Zealand group ; and in that remote leoaiity he actively exerted himself in promoting the glory of his Divine Master and in securing the salvation of his flock, as the commendatory letters he receifed from the Bishop of Dunedin testify, On his return to his native diocese, the Most Rev. Dr. McCarthy appointed him to the curacy of Buttevant, bat failing health compelled him to ask for a less laborious mission, and his Had and considerate bishop gratified his wish by replacing him in the curacy of Kilbrin. There he found himself again with the friends of his early priesthood, and amongst a people whom he greatly esteemed ; and there he worked, " like a good soldier of Christ," until sickness forced him to give over his labour in the vineyard of the Lord. His remains, accompanied by a very large concourse of friends, were brought from Cork to Oarrigtwohill on Thursday. Yesterday morning a Solemn Office and Mass were offered for the repose of his soul in the handsome church of St. Mary's Carrigtwohill, beside whose walls his body now lies interred.