A FAMOUS IRISH PRIEST.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 233, 19 October 1877, Page 17

A FAMOUS IRISH PRIEST.

The English papers inform us of the death at the comparatively early age of fif ty-seven, of one of the best known, best loved, most learned, and zealous priests of the English mission— the Very Rev. William Gordon Todd, D.D., Canon of Southwark. He died July 24th, at St. Mary's Orphanage, Blackheath, an admirable institution, of which he •was the founder, and to the support and permanent establishment of which he devoted the best years of a truly noble life. Canon Todd was one of that illustrious band who crossed over from Anglicanism to the Catholic faith at the time when what is known as the Tractarian movement was rife. He, like so many of his companions, was an Anglican clergyman of high standing and great promise. He was unlike most of them, however, in his nationality. He was an Irishman, and a member of one of the most distinguished, as it always continued to be one. of the most intensely Protestant families of Dublin. One brother, James Henthorne Todd, who died about eight or nine years ago, was a scholar and writer of world- wide reputation, even though he attempted to prove St. Patrick to have been a Protestant — a theory that, however ingeniously put, it is needless to say found few adherents even among Protestants. Another brother, Robert Bentley Todd, was equally distinguished in another walk of life. As a physician he stood at the head of his profession in London, was appointed to King's College Hospital, and really died a victim to the hard work which his fame entailed. As a writer on physiology, he is, if we mistake not, to-day a standard authority. The subject of this brief sketch was, we "believe, the only convert to Catholicity in his family. After having passed through Trinity College with distinguished honours, he entered the ministry, where a brilliant career awaited him. He had all that could commend him to man. He had learning, eloquence, knowledge, social position, enthusiasm, a singular power of winning hearts to him and keeping them, a large and tender heart, a sympathetic nature, and a presence full of beauty, grace, and dignity. It is not singular that such a man became a Catholic, and having become a Catholic that he became a priest. His conversion was completed while in Rome, and to his last hour he retained a peculiar affection and devotion for the Holy Father. His career in the priesthood to the sanctity [and greatness of which his life was a constant testimony, covered twenty -four years. Of those twenty-four years there was probably not one day wasted snuX if on? may judge, humanly, tfc measure of good, works, sacrifice,

and prayer which he has bomc with him to God must indeed be full to the brim and running over. — Catholic Review.