THE LATE BISHOP GRIME.

New Zealand Tablet, 1 April 1915, Page 43

THE LATE BISHOP GRIME.

To the Editor. ; Sir, — Now that I have witnessed the last sad rites in connection with the consigning of the mortal remains of our late beloved Bishop to their earthly resting place within the beautiful Cathedral of Christchurch, permit me to make a reference by way of correction and addition to the accounts given of his early days. In the reports of the Christcnurch Press and Lyttelton Times , just shortly after his death, in your issue of the 18th inst., and, again, yesterday by his Grace the Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington, in his beautiful panegyric, it was recorded that the deceased prelate was ordained (to the priesthood) by Dr. Whelan in London. I respectfully suggest that this referred to his receiving subdeaconship or deaconship. It may surprise you to know that I was a pupil at St. Mary’s College, Dundalk, Ireland, when he came there as a professor, and he was then only Rev. Mr. Grimes (not Father), and one of my teachers. I have in my possession to-day, after all these years, the medal presented to me by his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. McGettigan, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, on the occasion of being trainbearer to his Grace at an ordination ceremony held in the Chapel of St. Mary’s, Dundalk, when the late Bishop (Dr. Grimes) was raised to the dignity of the priesthood, and I hold the distinctive honor of having served his first Mass (he following day. This fact was publicly acknowledged by the late Bishop on the occasion of my presenting him with an illuminated address, when he visited this portion -of his diocese a good many years ago, and also on a certain occasion when, entertaining his guests at dinner in Christchurch, he said You cannot guess whom I saw in the Cathedral this morning?’ He was remarkable for his discernment of people in a congregation. He answered his question by' stating that he saw in my person the boy, who served his first Mass at. St. Mary’s Dundalk. He told me this himself. 1 hope, Sir, that you or anybody else will not think f write this in any egotistical spirit, unless to a pardonable extent on account of my privilege, but I would'be sorry to think that the cherished memory of this event for the past 46 years proved to be * But a dream of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from a heat-oppressed brain.’ .1 mention it more on account of the deep and sincere friendship with which he regarded my parents ami family during all these long years, corresponding with them, and never failing to call on them whenever he went to Europe, and visited Dublin ; for the many kindnesses received by myself at his hands, as well' as giving me the opportunity of expressing my heartfelt grief at his death. ‘Oh, memory, fond memory! When all things change we fly to thee; We bid thee bring us back again The thoughts, the friends, we loved so well, E’en our sorrow, time endears, Breathe upon us thy magic spell !’ I am, etc., Jas. McCormack. Oxford, Canterbury, March 25.