GOLDEN JUBILEE OP THE MOST REV. DR. MURPHY. ARCHBISHOP OF TASMANIA

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 29, 13 November 1896, Page 23

GOLDEN JUBILEE OP THE MOST REV. DR. MURPHY. ARCHBISHOP OF TASMANIA

A UNIQUE CELEBRATION

On Sunday. October '2~>. one ot the most interesting and s,,U. U in events in the history ot the Catholic Church in AusLral.isi.i took place at St. Mary"-, Cathedral. Hobart. the occasion being the celebration of the goMeu jubilee of the venerable Archbishop ot Tasmania. It is not necessary tor lls to give a detailed account ot Dr. Murphy's career, a most admirable review of his life and work being embodied in the Cardinal's sermon, which we give below in r.rti nso. It will be sufficient to say that he was ordained priest in 1838, and consecrated bishop in ISKJ. and that troin the tune ot his ordination to the celebration of his golden jubilee as a bishop his life has been one continued iound of -works of i.uth and labours of love.'' Preparations tor the unique occasion had been m progress for some time past, and the ceremonies were carried out on an unusually grand and imposing scale. Long before the time appointed tor the commencement of the Solemn Pontifical Mass ot thanksgiving, the Cathedral was crowded to the doors. The Governor and Viscountess (iormanston, judges. Cabinet ministers. Members of Parliament, and distinguished representatives ot every section ot the community were among those present, while Cardinal Moran. the Archbishop of Melbourne, and a number of prelates from other parts of Australia, also attended. At a quarter past Id o'clock a procession, consisting of acolytes, priests, bishops, archbishops, and the Cardinal-Archbishop left the Archbishop's residence and entered the Cathedral through the main entrance. As the procession filed up the nave of the church the choir, numbering about 70 voices, sang with fine effect " Ecce sacerdos magnus."' The Most Rev. Dr. Corbett, Bishop of Sale, sang the Mass. the Very Rev. Dean Beechinor being assistant priest, and Fathers Henneberry and M. J. Beechinor being deacon and sub-deacon. Fathers Kelsh and O'Reilly were masters of ceremonies. The choir rendered Weber's Mass in G. and the whole of the music was executed in a superb style, evincing artistic skill and caretul rehearsal all round. THE CAKDINAT/a DISCOUKtai:. At the conclusion of the Mass his Eminence Cardinal Moran ascended the pulpit and delivered the occasional sermon. He 3aid :—: — In the eulogy of Simon, the High Priest, in the Book of Ecclesiastieus, we read the following words • " In his life he propped up the house and in his days ho fortified the temple. By him aNo the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the toniplo. He took care of his nation and delivered it from destruction. He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full. And as the sun when it shineth. so did he shine in the temple of God, And as the

rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the Spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet-smelling frankincense in the time of Summer. When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness. And the people in prayer besought the Lord, the Most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected. Then. coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the children of the congregation of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips and to glory in Hi.s name. And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth. May He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever." (Ecclcsiasticus i., 1 . 2.5.) Dearly Beloved in Christ, — A Jubilee Feast is one of joy and thanksgiving. To-day the clergy and faithful people of Tasmania, rejoicing, assemble round the altar to pour out their hearts in gratitude to the Most High in that the life of your beloved chief pastor has been prolonged to keep the Jubilee Feast of his Episcopate, and bishops and priests from afar have come to be associated with you in your joy. It is meet that you should thus celebrate this .1 übilee I- 1 east. In days of old the command was given by God to the chosen people to keep each :><>th year as one of jubilee, when peace and rejoicing were to overspread the land. The echo of that rejoicing has never ceased from age to age to resound throughout Christendom. It is only a few years since such a feast of joy was gloriously celebrated by the illustrious Pontiff, Leo XIII. Fifty years had passed since the sacred unction was poured upon his consecrated brow, and the whole Catholic world intoned its Te Deums of thanksgiving, offering their filial gifts, and the genuine enthusiasm and universal rejoicing which that Feast evoked became a manifestation of the Divine Spirit of unity in the bonds of peace that ever quickens Holy Church. THE LESSONS OF FIFTY YEARS. Let us endeavour for a moment to realise what means this Episcopate of fifty years .' What lessons does it teach, what blessings does it bring home to us ? It is to the bishop that the faithful instinctively look that they may partake of the plentitude of the bless] n» sot the Gospel of Christ. They desire to find in his words and in his daily life the model of the holiness and of the perfection of virtue to which they may aspire. On his consecration day, 50 years ago. your Archbishop was reminded that by word and example he should instruct his flock and lead them in the heavenward course. He was commanded in the name of Holy Church to be affable to the poor, to the strangers, to all in need. He was to sanctify himself m order to sanctify his people. He was to guard as a priceless treasure the traditions of the Faith, and to preserve as more precious than lite itsoll the lessons of Divine Truth committed to his care. Ho was to render to St. Peter and his Sec the reverence and obedience due to the Vicar on earth of our Blessed Lord, to maintain unbroken the religious bonds of unity, and to hand on the inheritance ot the teaching of Our Saviour, consigned to the Apostles and their successors to be the light of the world till the end of time. For ."in years all this duty has been faithfully discharged by him in whose Jubilee Feast we rejoice. Clergy and iaithful have iound in him the piety which perfects and purities and elevates those whom he instructs. They have seen how his daily life rcflectid on his flock the radiance ot holiness, how through his sacred ministry the unction oi heavenly blessings has been poured out upon the -mils ot many weary exiles, and how by word and example he lias imparted to his faithful people the strength and courage they stood in need ot to pursue their pilgrimage in peace. Seeing all tins. ]•, it not meet that you should assemble around the altar to"-day with thanksgiving, and that all should be ot one heart whilst uniting to celebrate this joyous least of your venerable Archbishop's (rolden Jubilee ' Till; AKCUUIbHOI ) "b liIHTH AND BOYHOOD. Born on the ISth of June. ISI.->, at Belmont. a few miles from ll.uidon. in the County of Cork, the very day on which the victory ot the allied armies at Waterloo restored tranquillity to Europe, the birth of the child Daniel Murphy was regarded by his friends as a presage of peace and of blessing, a presage which his whole afterhtu career was destined to more than realise. The larents of the iuturu Archbishop were remarkable tor their religious spirit in many ways, and their piety could not tail to bring a blessing on their offspring. In the true heroism ot the faith they gave abundant prooi ot the invincible devotion -which is so characteristic of the Irish race. They in a special way cherished and cultivated the Irish language. It was not only that they loved it as their native tongue, and that they cherished it as a language, which for sweetness ot melody, and copiousness of words, and vigour of expression yields the palm to no other language ot ancient or modern times ; but. above all, they loved it and cherished it as the language of the nation's piety, the language of their prayer and taith. If the Irish race passed unscathed through three centuries of persecution, that result, humanly speaking, is in no small measure to be attributed to the use of the Celtic tongue. Again, they were remarkable for boundless generosity to the poor, and in particular to those who were known as Poor Scholars. These most deserving students were ever sure to find at Belmont a home ot shelter with their daily food, as well as a hearty welcome and an inexhaustible store of genuine Catholic charity. The family was known as a sacerdotal family. Descended, as Daniel's parents were, from the old chieftains of Erin", it was not in such worldly nobility that they set their pride. They regarded as their highest and most prized merit that the sons and daughters of their wide circle of friends had been called as priests and nuns to minister faithfully to Christ in the sanctuary or the cloister. They were remarkable, moreover, for munificence to the House of God. In the period of persecution the old churches of Erin had been plundered and desecrated. For many a long day it was only on the mountains or in the woods, or in mud cabins in the town*, that the Holy Sacrifice could be ottered up. With the dawn ot a new era of peace, Ireland's sons sought to erect some becoming sanctuaries of religion, and the parish in which the future Arch-

bishop was born was indebted almost solely to his father's munificence for the beautiful parochial church which adorned it. THK STUDENT IX MAYMOOTII. In 1831 we found Daniel Murphy in his Kith year aspiring to the sanctuary, and at the head of the diocesan candidates entering the National College ot St. Patrick at Maynooth. to pursue there the higher studies- of philosophy and theology. That National College may justly be styled an enduring monument of Ireland's triumph over three centuries of persecution. It was- founded a hundred years ago at a time when the penal laws had begun to melt away before the spreading sunshine of civil and religious freedom, and throughout this century of its growth it has every day boon developed more and more, as a chief centre of the nation's patriotism as well as of her religious life. It is something of which Ireland may be justlyproud that this National College possesses the grandest church of any collegiate institute in Christendom, and a larger number of ecclesiastical students under the sole guidance of her bishops, and with an admirable staff of prolessors and educational equipments as regards material resources, which can nowhere be surpassed. Every friend of religion throughout the world must have rejoiced at reading the account of the proceedings which last year marked the centenary celebration oi the foundation ot this college. When we see forty bishops and two Cardinals assembled there, with <>2"> students and loon priests amid all the religious surroundings which such a solemn occasion could inspire, who could doubt that the Irish Church has risen resplendent with renewed glory from the tomb to which her enemies would have consigned her. and that the golden age of St. Patrick and St. Columbkille has returned once more to shed its blessings over the land .' IKELAXD AXD THE AUSTRALIAN MISSION. In IS3S the youthful Levite was promoted to the priesthood, and it may truly be said that this period of his ordination marks the beginning ot a new missionary era in the annals of Ireland. It was the preceding year that the Vicar-General of our own Australia, then known as New Holland, accompanied by a zealous priest. Father Francis Murphy, who was destined to be in after times the first Bishop of Adelaide, visited Maynooth College. They came in search of ecclesiastics who would volunteer to minister to the then sadlydestitute faithful at the Antipodes, and their visit was well repaid. The whole body of students would have volunteered if circumstances had so permitted. Our young Daniel was one of the first who offered himselt tor the arduous mission, but as his Bishop refused to grant his sanction, the obedient Levite accepted the decision as the voice of Gol. A chord had now been touched which was destined to vibrate throughout the length and breadth of the land, and in the ways of God its results were to be tar more world -embracing than the particular mission whose claims had been advocated. In the year 183 S. the summons to the missionary field again resounded through the halls of the National College. The Right Rev. Dr. Carew. one of its distinguished protestors, had just then been appointed Coadjutor of the Vicar- Apostolic of Madras, and he appealed to the students to equip a battalion of zealous missionaries to accompany him. Here, again. Australia may be said to have had some part in shaping the won lerful designs of Providence. When a new life was being infused by the Holy See into the Indian missions, the first person chosen as Vicar- Apostolic of Madras was none other than John Rede Folding, w ho was destined to be our own pioneer Bishop, and who was tor so many years the great ornament ot the Australian Church. It was when he declined the onerous charge, that the Right Rev. Dr. O'Connor, ot the Irish Augustnnan Order, was. m ]h:M. appointed Vicar-Apostolic ot Madras. He entered on his work with all the ze.il ot an Apostle, but at the time ot which we speak his health had already begun to tail, and he plainly recognised that other vigorous hands were needed to garner the spiritual harvest of that mission field. No wonder, indeed, it would be so. To carry on the work ot religion in the vast dioce-e entrusted to him. sou miles in length by (i( mi in breadth, he had only two Irish Augustinian Fathers and two native priests to ;M-t him. ANSWCUINU THi: CALL I'HOM INDIA. Dr. Carow was admirably suited for (he task, and almost fioin the outset the whole administration ot the \.ist diocese was left entirely in his hands. His character has been sketched by one who knew him for many years and was associated w It li him in guiding the destinies ot the Church in India. "He possessed all those endowments ot grace and nature required to make a great prelate, ability . learning, eloquence, zeal, indomitable courage in undertaking great works, a deeply-religious spirit, a large heart, combined with a most amiable disposition, and refined manners which charmed all who had the privilege ot knowing him." The invitation which he addressed to the students ot Maynooth met with a most generous response. Again Daniel Murphy is foremost among the volunteers, ana this time his request to be allowed to enter on the foreign mission-field is granted. In a few months. Dr. Carew. with six priests and five students, renewing- the missionary bunds ot twelve, so tamed in the golden ages of Ireland s faith, set sail from the Irish coasts to the distant shores ot South India. It was not only that a battalion ot zealous \\ oikinen now entered on the missionfield, but. as I ha\e said, the missionary spirit thus evoked throughout Ireland was destined to achieve the grandest results. The extreme bigots, who hated everything Catholic, became alarmed. They would quench the missionary ardour ot the Irish students. Complaint* were made to the effect that the subsidy granted by Government to Maynooth tor Irish purposes was turned aside into foreign missionary channels. To appease the storm there was no alternative. An order was issued to the students that henceforth their thoughts should be directed .solely to Ireland and that the foreign mission-field was interdicted to them. It was vain, however to attempt to suppress the grand missionary spirit that was now abroad. THE ORIGIN OV ALL HALLOWS.' COLLKUL. Zealous men stirred up by God availed of the opportunity to devise an institution wholly devoted to missionary enterprise, and,

as a result, that grand seminary known as All Hallows' Missionary College was founded, which in 50 years has sent no fewer than 2000 priests to aid in the various missions scattered throughout the world. With no less ardour, the like missionary spirit was cultivated in the other ecclesiastical colleges of Ireland, and once more the apostolate of nations which had won so bright an aureole for Ireland in the ages of faith became the proud heritage of the Irish Church. The missionary spirit was the same, and yet how different was the field in which it was to achieve its triumphs. In those early ages Ireland's missionaries were destined to confront the rude barbarians who had trampled to the dust the civilisation of the Roman world, and as St. Bernard has so beautifully expressed it, Erin"* learned and holy sons issued forth in swarms " like bees from the hive"' to diffuse throughout the desolate regions of Europe those blessings of Christian life in which their native land so largely participated. In latter times both priests and people, missionaries and emigrants, have become Apostles of the Cross, and, as a rule, it is not among barbarian nations that their lot is cast, but among the met civilised races of the modern world, in colonies and commonwealths and kingdoms in which, through selfishness and pride or through indifference and hereby, the light of the faith has become dim if not entirely extinct. THE RENEWAL OV IRELAND'S APOSTOLATE. How different, too. was the school in which those missionaries were equipped tor their grand apostolate. In olden days the missionaries went forth from an Island of Saints whose green hills and smiling valleys were decked with schools and shrines and sanctuaries that won for Erin immortal fame. In the renewal of her apostolate it is in the school of martyrdom that her people are disciplined for their glorious mission, and it is too often from desecrated shrines and ruined altars at home that priests and people go forth to erect grand monuments of piety and religion in distant lands. May we not with all confidence predict that no less brilliant and no less enduring shall be the peerless crown of glory won for their native land by the missionaries from the school of martyrs, than was that of old won by her sons who went forth from the school of sages and saints. THE MISSION FIELD OF INDIA. Hyderabad, with its immense territory. 9000 square miles in extent, fertilised by the waters of the Indus, was assigned to our young missionary as the theatre of his zeal. The city of Hyderabad whicli gave its name to the whole territory was the residence of the Nizam, one of the native nominally independent sovereigns. At the distance of a few miles there was the important British military station of Secunderabad. where a considerable number of Irish soldiers were generally to be found, and yet in all the district there was yet no Catholic priest, no church, no centre for Catholic piety ; whatever may have been Catholicin former times had been usurped by the Ooanese schismatics. The young missionary was not disheartened. The greater the difficulties the greater was the earnestness with which he entered on his work. From the very outset of his mission he appears to have adopted the principle which has continued to be his rule of action throughout every stag-e of his career, to allow nothing to disturb his own joy of heart, and to spread around him as far and as wide as possible the blessings of happiness and contentment. The Irish soldiers responded with promptness and energy to his devoted zeal. A church and presbytery and school were soon erected, and many of the natives became docile to the sweet yoke ot Christ. A SOLITARY WOHKEU. There was one difficulty which beset his ministry in those days and which would ha\e sufficed to dishearten a less sacrificing missionary. He was completely cut off from communication with his l)i other missionaries. The nearest priest was KM) miles distant, anil there was no available means to make .such a journey except on toot or in a palanquin. Hence, tor the first two years of his missionary work he had not the consolation of seeing a brother priest. Nothing, how e\er, could discourage him. He put himself in the hands of Providence, and accepted this and every other privation in a wholehearted spirit ot sacrifice, the better to bring down the blessings of heaven on those among w horn he ministered. It may truly be said th.it a new religious hte was now awakened throughout India. Dr. ( '.irow. in I Ml. was translated to the See ot Calcutta, and the Right He\ . John Fennel ly was appointed Bishop and Vicar- Apostolic of Madras. For fifteen years this zealous Bishop continued to guide the destinies of that important Church, and his brother, Right Rev. Stephen Fennelly, followed in his footsteps. When he. too, was summoned to his reward, the Right Rev. Dr. Colgan took up the reins ot (Joverninent. and the progress of the Faith may be judged by the fact that Madras is now an Arohiepi.scopal See. and Dr. Colgan, as its first Archbishop, with prudence and wisdom watches over the nock of Christ. A YOT'NO lUMIOr. At the request of the Yiear-Apostolie. Right Rev. John Fennelly, our missionary. Daniel Murphy, was chosen by Pope Gregory the ltith. in is I."), to be Coadjutor-Bishop, retaining at the same time the special charge oi the Hyderabad district. It was on St. Patrick's Day. in Is Hi. that the briefs ot his appointment were handed to him. Hi w .is overwhelmed w ith --alutary dread at the announcement that the burden of the Episcopate was thus assigned to him, and he hastened to Rome to plead his youth and inexperience that he might be exempted from it. In the meantime Gregory the ltith had gone to hea\en. and l'ius llth was summoned as successor of St. Peter to rule Holy Church. The Indian missionary, at an audience ot the newly -appointed Pontiff, urged his plea to be freed from the Episcopate. With his characteristic playfulness, the great Pontiff replied : " The voice ot the Church has made you a bishop, and the same Aoice of the Church has made me a young Pope. We mu*.t obey. Let the will of God be accomplished." The fervent missionary at once acquiesced in the decision ot the Chief Pastor of souls. The Sacred Congregation of Propaganda had resolved, however, to erect Ihdtr.ib.id into a di-'tinct vioariate, and thus it was

no longer as Coadjutor but as first Vicar-Apostolic of Hyderabad that Dr. Murphy was consecrated to the Episcopate office. THE CONSECRATION IN KINSALK. The 11th of October, 184(1, will long be memorable in the annals of Kinsale. that picturesque township in the County ot Cork, where the newly-appointed Viear-Apostolie's brother was then parish priest. On that day the Right Rev. Dr John Murphy. Bishop of Cork, assisted by the Bishops of Lini< rick and Kerry, imposed hands with solemn rite on our Archbishop, and it is t lie 50th anniversary of that consecration ceremony t nat \\" now cehbrate. It deserve* to be remembered that it was the sune Bishop who, many years before, had administered to the young soldier ot Christ the Sacrament of Confirmation who now promoted him to the Episcopate, and adorned him with the crown ot the priesthood. Accompanied by a band of truly-zealous priests, the Vicar- Apostolic sails once more for India. Four of these missionaries were companions of my youth in the Irish College of Rome, and one of them was destined in after years, as Bishop of Bathurst. to become a pillar of the Faith in our Australian Church. DIFFICULTIES WITH THE SCHISM \TICS. Dr. Murphy in a short time became familiar with the Hindoostanee and other languages of South India, but, furthermore, he made a special study of the Arabic that thus he might be able to appeal to the Koran in the original text when treating with the Mahommedans, who were the most numerous and the most embittered enemies of the Faith. Convinced by his reasoning and overcome by his gentleness, not a few leading men amongst them renounced their errors and embraced the truth. Several of the Goanese schismatics were also reconciled to the Church. It was not easy to avoid entanglement with those schismatics, possessed as they were of the old religious endowments and patronised, moreover, as they not unfrequently were, by the anti-Catholic officials of the British Government. One fact may be mentioned which well illustrates the singular difficulties in connection with those schismatics that from time to time troubled the Church in India in those days. The 84th Royal Irish Regiment, stationed at Secunderabad, erected at its sole expense a beautiful small wooden chapel for its own devotions, fully equipped with altars and all the requisites for Holy Mass. It was so constructed that it might easily be taken to pieces and transferred elsewhere, being intended for the use of that Catholic regiment. It happened that a native regiment, in which there was a considerable number of Goanese schismatics was moved to Secunderbad. The schismatical clergyman applied to the military authorities to be allowed the use of this chapel for their religious exercises. The matter being referred to the Vicar-Apostolic, it was fully explained by him that as the chaplain referred to was a schismatic the desired permission could not be granted. Nevertheless, the military authorities forwarded the desired order to the schismatic regiment granting their request. They accordingly marched to the chapel with their chaplain at their head, but the Royal Irish Regiment refused to admit them. THE IRISH SOLDIERS' CHAPEL. An imperative mandate was at once issued transferring the keys of the chapel to the schismatic priest. So tar. the victory was with the schismatics, but when next day they marched to celebrate Mass in the coveted chapel, the chapel had mysteriously disappeared, and not a vestige of it could anywhere be found. Needless to say. the Royal Irish had taken the matter into their own hands, and had resolved that their loved chapel would not be desecrated by schismatical rites. They had acted in what appeared to them a commonsense way of taking their church to pieces, and reserving it for future use. The military authorities were in a rage. The VicarApostolic and his chaplain must have been in the plot, they said, and punishment for insubordination must be inflicted on them. The dismantling of the chapel was branded as a gross and unparalleled outrage. An order from the Governor in Council at Madras was soon published, banishing the chaplain from the military lines, which was practically to exile him from the country. The VicarApostolic, too, was to be excluded from the cantonment ot Secunderabad. and a request was addressed to the British Resident at Hyderabad that the Ni/.am would be urged to recognise the wisdom of those proceedings and banish the Vicar- Apostolic from his territory. General Fraser. who was at this time the representative of her Majesty the Queen at the Nizam's court, was a brave and experienced officer, and he resolved to be guided in the course ot action by the interests of the empire and not by the bigotry of the Maaras agents. He declined to recommend the suggested course to the Nizam's court. He moreover forwarded to the Supreme Council in Calcutta an official report fully exonerating the Vicar-Apostolic from any fault and commending m the highest terms the beneficent influence which he exercised on all with whom he came in contact throughout the territory ot Hyderabad. A BRAVE OITICEII'S TRIBUTE. The life of General Fraser has been published, and the words which he Used regarding the Vicar-Apostolic deserve to be recorded. Dr. Murphy, he says in one despatch in IS4S, is Vicar-Apostolic of a very large diocese, including Hyderabad, and has been about ten years at this station, " and during the whole of this time I have n»ver heard him spoken of by anyone otherwise than as, a person of the most gentlemanly and conciliatory demeanour, and undeviatingly characterised by the most humble and unassuming deportment." In another letter he writes that Dr. Murphy "is held <> in high respect and regard, as I have reason to know, both at r Rome and by all the bishops and members of his communion in India." and again he attests in ISSI : " I have known Dr. Murphy tor at least ten years, and a man ot milder disposition and temper and of more gentlemanly and unassuming deportment I have never known in my lite." Despite all this it was only after a correspondence extending over three years and after a personal appeal made by the Bishop to the authorities in London in 18.J1, that the military

interdict was raised and that his Lordship was allowed to resume the full exercise of his episcopal functions in Secunderabad. IN THE MIDST Or THE INDIAN MUTINY. The terrible period of the Indian Mutiny brought into bold relief the heroism of the Vicar- Apostolic as a promoter of peace and of everything connected with the be*t interests of his people. It is not a little remarkable that the Archbishop, who is the most prominent figure in our religious ceremony of to-day, and his Excellency, who so worthily represents her Most Gracious Majesty amongst us here in Tasmania, should have both been engaged in their respective spheres- m India in those days, and that both merited the highest official approval for the course which they pursued. If the Euroj)<>ans remained unharmed and peace was preserved throughout all that trying period in the Nizam's territory, that happy result was in no small measure to be attributed to the prudence and foresight and unflinching courage of the then Vicar- Apostolic. MONUMENTS OK SPIRITUAL TOIL. But we must accompany his Lordship to another field of spiritual toil. What, it will be asked, were the results achieved in Hyderabad .' They may be briefly told. When Dr. Murphy arrived in India there was only one solitary chapel on those shores of the Bay of Bengal in communion with the Holy See. There was not a single (latholic( l atholic school, not even one Catholic congregation. At the close of his mission there were in Hyderabad 25 chapels, each with its large congregation, there were schools scattered through the various districts, there was a well-organised asylum for orphans, particularly dear to the heart of the good pastor. There was a flourishing college frequented by Europeans and natives, and, towering in splendour above the buildings of all other denominations, there was a grand Catholic cathedral. But viewing the singular religious change effected, not in Hyderabad alone, but throughout India, still more marvellous were the results achieved by what may be designated the Irish apoi=tolate in India. One of Dr. Carew'i first recommendations to the Holy See was to the effect that new dioceses should be erected, and acting on his suggestion no fewer than fifteen Vicariates Apostolic were within a few years organised. The Goanese schism, which rendered well-nigh impossible the work of the mission in India, received a death blow. The patrons of the schism, whether in Lisbon or in Calcutta, were forced to recognise that the power of truth was superior to any prestige that wealth or court patro-.age could impart, and that the triumph of the Catholic cause was certain. Moreover, the seed of an abundant sp ritual harvest was sown. When the census returns were issued in 1542 the total number of Catholics and schismatics was about KUO,O()U. At the present day the schism is extinct, and the Catholic natives are reckoned at more than two millions. When Dr. O'Connor entered on his missionary career in India in August, IS3.">, there were four Vicars-Apostolic in communion with the Holy See. There are now eight Archbishops with 22 suffragan dioceses. Another result should not be omitted. The British Government became convinced of the sterling worth and sterling honesty of the Irish missionaries. Their patriotism was indomitable, but withal their spirit of sacrifice was such as to overcome every obstacle, and linked with it w as an invincible loyalty to religion and an unswerving fidelity in the discharge oi their duties to the State. TRANSLATED TO TASMANIA. Tasmania now becomes, the theatre of Dr. Murphy's zeal. Worn out l>y more than a quarter of a century* incessant toil beneath India s burning sun. his tailing health compelled him in 1 S(s."> to quit the Hock which he loved so well. Just at that time in the ways ot Ihwne Providence another See awaited him. The Bishop of llob.irt. Right Rev Dr. Willson. had at this very time applied to Homo tor a Coadjutor, and Rome, well aware of the singular merit of -which the Vicar-Apostolic of Hyderabad hail given abundant proof . translated him w ithout dilay to the more genial climate of this priuk'ged See. 'i hi: rucsi nisiiop or hohakt. Dr. Willson. the first Bishop ot Hoh.irt. was a man admirably suited by untiring energy and unflinching courage to guard the interest,-, of religion herein \ery dillicult tunes. Tasmania was in tho--e days a conwet settlement, and terrible were the sufferings and the hardships which awaited the poor convicts at the hands of the heartless and almost irresponsible taskmasters. During the twenty-three years of his episcopate Dr. Willson. with unwearying zeal and unswerving fortitude, watched over the interests of the sufferers. He fought so persistently against their tormentors, and he championed so ably and so persevering ly the claims of justice and philanthropy, that their cause eventually triumphed, and Dr. Willson merited to be lo\od and revered as the father of the convicts and the apostle ot all who were in misery. Almost immediately on the appointment ot a coadjutor he requested to be relieved of the charge ot the See. and in a few months he passed to his reward. His memory is still lovingly cherished throughout Tasmania, and shall long be embalmed m the hearts of those among whom he ministered. THE NEW HlhHOI". From the very outset Providence watched over the newlyappointed Bishop and his missionary companions setting out for this chosen field ot their spiritual toil. Their berths were engaged in the steamship London to sail for Tasmania, but the Bishop was obliged to proceed on some business to Paris, and though he made all possible haste, he arrived back only in time to find that the vessel had bet sail. A day or two later it had foundered in the Bay of Biscay and almost all on board perished. Towards the close of April, 18(if>, Dr. Murphy landed at Hobart, and during the thirty years that he has watched over the interests of religion amongst you, he has proved himself a true Angel of Peace, ever intent on the great purpose of his missionary career, to make those whom among his lot was cast partakers of all the happiness and all the blessings that it was in his power to impart. The first words

which he addressed to the clerjry on his arrival in Hobart mark the whole course of his Episcopate ; '• Let me hope that tried in the crucible of an Indian sun I may be deemed worthy of your devoted attachment and zealous co-operation in promoting the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and that 1 shall not fail to correspond with your desire of cherishing- and strengthening fraternal charity among all classes of the community, and union and harmony among ourselves : for the happiness of the Bishop consists in the happiness of the clergy and flock ; and the success ot his labours mainly depends upon the loving concord which should at all times exist between them and each other." THE CHANGES Of THIRTY YEARS. With the many good things accomplished during tho-e thirty years of Dr. Murphy's episcopate in Tasmania you are each one ot you familiar. He found on his arrival in Hobart one religious community of Sisters of Charity zealously and devotedly pursuing their heavenly mission. That community continues still to hold its honourable post, and the Sisters of Charity here toiling amongst you ever earnestly follow in the footsteps of our Blessed Lord. Four other communities have since then been associated with them to aid in the great work of the instruction of youth, to relieve the distress of the poor and to carry on the Divine mission of mercy in lifting up the fallen. There are the nuns of the Presentation Order, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Good Shepherd nuns. In lHt><> there was one convent in the diocese ; there are now fifteen convents, and some of them even in their material structure would be worthy of any diocese in Christendom. A befitting episcopal residence has been completed. The parochial districts ha\e been fully equipped with zealous clergy ; they have their parochial residences, their schools, their churches. The unity that binds together the faithful people with their clergy and the clerjry with their Bishop presents a beautiful picture of the unity so characteristic of the fold of the Divine Redeemer. More than once when flagitious and evil-designing men would stir up a storm ot bigotry, and would outrage the feelings of a devoutly religious people, the Bishop's paternal influence has calmed the tempest and averted the angry disturbance that had menaced the peace and harmony of the citizens. With him genuine patriotism has gone hand in hand with religion. Ever intent on the spiritual welfare of those intrusted to his care, he has never failed to identify himself with those public measures that would promote the interests of hi* adopted country, whilst at the same time he continued to cherish the deepest affection for the well-being of his native land. ST. MARY'S OF HOBART. Need I recall to mind that your beautiful Cathedral of St. Mary's has in a special way engaged the zeal and attentiou of your chief pastor / Its opening for Divine worship was one of the most joyous ceremonies that awaited him on his arrival in the Colony. The erection of the sacred edifice had engaged the energies and the thoughts of Dr. Willson during the greater part of hi* episcopate. An Irish gentleman. Mr. Roderick O'Connor, made the munificent donation of 1 1 <>.()( )0 for a beginning of the great work. It was a thank-offering on his part in return for the blessing ot conversion to the Catholic Faith, and it was his intention t add other gifts in the "iime spirit of munificence. Death, however, cut short those ulterior beneficent designs. Dr. Willson. nothing daunted, carried out the main portion of the cathedral design at a cost of tn.ooo. but he had not the consolation to see the work completed or to take part in the opening ceremonies. On the Ith July, lstiii. Pontifical High Ma«s was celebrated for the first time within its hallowed walls, and the cathedral was solemnly dedicated in the presence ot twenty priests, the largest assemblage ot the «lergy that had as yet been witnessed m Tasmania. All who visited the sacred building were struck by its architectural beauty, and it was the fond ho{>« of Bishop, clergy and faithful people that nothing now remained in regard ot St. Mary's but to gradually carry on to completion the grand work so auspiciously begun. To the great anxiety and sorrow ot all it was soon found that those golden anticipations were not to be realised. It gradually became apparent that the solidity of the work did not correspond to its outward beauty. The pillars that supported the immense mass of the central tower had weak foundations and became out of plumb. From the grand arches, large blocks of «tone fell to the ground. Settlements in the stonework were more and more visible every day. The com iction thus forced stself upon the Catholic citizens and was confirmed at public meeting, that there was no alternative but to take down the whole of the sacred edifice, tower, arches and walls, and to re-erect it anew, following the same plan using the old material. THK Ni;W CATHEDRAL. Here the main diffictilty of expenses remained, but thanks to the devoted energy of one of the clergy, who is still m full vigour amongst you. and than whom none will more heartily rejoice in the jubilee feast ot to-day, this difficulty nas overcome. He set out on a collecting tour, and travelling through every part ot Queen-land and through other districts of Australia, he collected no less than £10.000. The work of reconstruction was energetically carried on, and once more the Bishop had the consolation, in lsM. ot dedicating the sacral edifice and re-opening it to the worship of God. THE JUBILEE COMMEMORATION. I have referred in some detail to this unique cathedral structure, because the Bishop's heart appears to ha\e been set in a special way on carrying out this great work. His clergy and faithful people in the present jubilee celebration would wish to attest by some special gifts the affection which they bear to their chief pastor. But what is the intimation that he makes to them .' It is nothing less than that all jubilee gifts are to be applied to complete this beautiful structure, and to add to the finishing »raoe of St. Marys Cathedral. All this tells us of the spirit of generous sacrifice which is so characteristic ot our illustrious prelate, and ot his love for the beauty of God's sanctuary. But it tells v*. moreo\er. ot hi-, whole- hearted devotedness to the relig ious interests of his people, and his earnest

desire to perpetuate amongst them the blessings and the consolations of religion. He realises that a cathedral arrayed in complete beauty cannot fail to exercise a great influence in developing the religious life, and forming the spiritual character ot those who worship in it. The sacred edifice lifts their hearts nearer to God. whilst, on the other hand, the blessings and graces of heaven are more abundantly poured out upon the fervent worshipper. Tho material building also serves to perpetuate the religious life of the whole flock, reflecting as in a mirror their piety, their generosity, their devotion to the service of God. Thus it is that your beautiful Cathedral of St. Mary's will be an abiding monument commemorating for generations yet unborn the sanctifying influence exercised by Catholic piety among a most favoured people, and tolling of the triumphs achie\ed by religion "under the guidance of a devoted chief pastor, in this which has so often been described in our days as the fairest, and in many ways the most privileged of our Australasian colonies. TASMANIA AND THE COUNCILS 01' THE CHURCH. Dr. Murphy took part in the great Vatican (Ecumenical Council. It was the first time that the voice of Australia was heard in those grand and solemn sessions of the Catholic Church. No fewer than twelve bishops represented Australasia in that august assembly, and it is something of which our vigorous Church may be justly proud that all were of one heart and of one soul in proclaiming those great and consoling truths which shall remain throughout all time the distinctive feature of the Vatican Council. His Lordship took a leading part also in the various Australian Synods, which were held during the period of his episcopacy, in Melbourne in lSG'.t, in Sydney in 1885, and again in 18' Jo. RAISED TO ARCHIEPISCOrAI, DIGNITY. But there is one event which must specially be commemorated. In ISSN many of us were assembled here to celebrate the Jubilee Feast of his Lordship' .s ordination to the priesthood. It, too, was in many ways a joyous celebration, but it became doubly remarkable when it was availed of by the great Pontiff who rules in St. Peter's See to add lustre to this diocese of Hobart and to raise its worthy occupant to the archiepiscopal dignity. Need I recall to your remembrance how congratulations were poured in upon his Grace from all the Australasian colonies ; how his own flock exulted with special joy ; and how those of other denominations took a prominent part in the joyous proceedings, and justly regarded it as an honour shown to themselves that such a dignity was conferred on the Bishop of Hobart > Need I further recall how those festive celebrations were renewed and those joyous acclamations were repeated when in the following year it became my privilege, as delegate of the Holy See, to confer the Sacred Pallium on the illustrious Archbishop whose episcopal jubilee we celebrate to-day ! A KOLDEX r>A<;i; IN OCR HISTORY What conclusion shall I ask you to draw from those words which I have addressed to you ' We keep a joyou* Jubilee Feast. It is seldom that in any Church of Christendom such an episcopal jubilee is celebrated. It is the first time that it finds a place in the golden-letter days of the Church of Australasia. There is something thrilling and joy-inspiring in the very name of jubilee. It is meet that we be all partakers in its rejoicing. It is meet that we all unite in fervent thanksgiving to the Most High for the manifold blessings conferred during those fifty years on the chief pastor of this diocese and through him on the fiock oi Christ among whom he ministered. OUR PRAYL'Ii. It will be our prayer that those blowings may be multiplied upon him, and that tor many long years he may continue to be a model and a guide to his clergy and faithful people and thus enhance his manifold merits in the sight of heaven and of men. We will offer a special prayer that it may be uiven him to carry on towards completion the great work by which he desires to crown his earthly episcopate, by adding to the ornament of God's house, and by bringing to perfection, in htateliness and grandeur, his beautiful Cathedral of St. Mary's in which we are assembled. And may a lull measure of all Divine blessings be bestowed on each of us.