ST. BATHAN'S. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 126, 1 October 1875, Page 9

ST. BATHAN'S. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

It is with deep regret that I have to chronicle the death of ' Mr. Edmund Purton, of St. Bathan's, which took place at 5 o'clock on Thursday morning, 23rd September. The late Mr. Edmund Purfcon was born May, 1838, at Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, England, and at a very early age destined to study for the priesthood. He was first at s?edgeley Park School, near Wolverhampton ; then for a few years at the English Benedictine College, Douai ; and subsequently, and for many years, at St. Cuthbcrt's College, Ushaw, Durham : in all of which he took first honors-. After the completion of his theological course, he suffered severely for some time from disease of the eyes, which resulted in the total loss of sight of one, and permanent weakness of the other, thus debarring him from attaining the 'dignity of the priesthood. In 1870 ho came to St. Bathan's, Olago, where, until within a, few days of his death, he worked as a miner, and was distinguished among'his fellow-workmen for his industry and persevering regard for the interests of his employers. The influence he exercised by his example and kindly warnings in the cause of temperance, morality, and religion, together with his genial disposition, will cause his death to be deeply regretted by all who came within the range of his acquaintance. Tho complaint of which he died was pneumonia. He was only ill a few days, and his death took all by surprise. The deceased was interred on Saturday, tho 25th instant, and the funeral was a tended by all in St. Bathan's, and by many from the surrounding districts. On Sunday, Father Walsh, in asking the congregation at St. Bathan's to pray for the repose of Mr. Purton's soul, said : "That ho (Mr. Purton) had died fiobly aud bravely. Ho had banished from his mind all idea of the world. He had turned hii whole thoughts to heaven, and calmly awaited the moment when he would appear before his God. 'As a man lives, so shall he die/ Edmund Purton had lived an cxaruplary life — at least, as far a 6 he (Father Walsh) knew from what he himself had seen, and' from what they all had told him ; and having lived an examplary life, his death was edifying. — R. I. P."

The Catholic Union of Great Britain, of which the Duke of Norfolk is President, lias doubled its numbers during the past year. The noble Duke attributes this fact to the attacks made on tlie Church during the course of the year by Mr. Gladstone.