THE LATE DEAN SMYTH

New Zealand Tablet, 19 October 1916, Page 26

THE LATE DEAN SMYTH

MONTH'S MIND AT CHRISTCHURCH NORTH. .. The Month's Mind for the late Dean Smyth, S.M., Provincial of the Marist Order in New Zealand, was celebrated in St. Mary's, Manchester street, on Wednesday morning, October 11, at 9 o'clock. Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass was celebrated by his Lordship Bishop Brodie. Very Rev. Dean Carew, S.M. (Greymoiith), was assistant priest, Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell, S.M. (Ashburton), deacon, Rev. Father Quinn, S.M. (St. Bede's) subdeacon, Rev. Dr. Kennedy (Methven), master of ceremonies, Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., assistant. Those present in the sanctuary were Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (St. Mary's), Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M. (Timaru), Very Rev. Dean Bowers, S.M. (Geraldine), Rev. Father Aubry, S.M. (Waimate), Rev. Father Graham, S.M. (St. Bede's), Rev. Father Berger, S.M. (St. Bede's), Rev. Father Leen (Lincoln), Rev. Father Cooney (Lyttelton), Rev. Fathers Long, Hanrahan, and O'Hare (Cathedral), Rev. Father O'Connor, S.M., Rev. Father Boyle (Rangiora), Rev. Father Seymour, S.M. (St. Mary's), Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., Rev. Father Peoples, and Captain-Chaplain Segrief, S.M. The paneygric was preached by the Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M. (Timaru), to a very large congregation, from the text—'Be thou faithful until death and I will give thee the crown of life ' (Apoc. ii. 10.) At the request of our beloved Bishop and your zealous and devoted pastor (said the Very Rev. preacher) we are assembled here to-day to do honor to a distinguished ecclesiastic, Dean Smyth, who has been by death lately removed from our midst. We wish to pay a tribute to his sterling worth, to pray for him and to thank God for the graces bestowed on him. Dean Smyth came from a good Irish family which gave many priests and religious to the Church, even in New Zealand. The late Dean Foley, Very Rev. Father Coffey, Adm. of Dunedin, Father Foley, of Oamaru, Father Smyth, of Wellington, were all near relatives of his. He was especially blessed by having a good religious mother, whose great ambition was to have her son a priest consecrated to God. For many years Dean Smyth was a prominent ecclesiastic and well known all over New Zealand. His fellow priests looked upon him as a model priest, and a saintly man. Now that he is gone we may review his life that we may honor his memory and gain inspiration and encouragement from his example. Man sees only the exterior, but God sees the workings of the heart. It is true we can judge, in some way, men from their works —' By their fruits you shall know them.' Judged by this criterion, the late Dean Smyth must have been holy and good all through life. Encouraged by his pious Irish mother, whose ambition it was to see her son a priest, and led on by a holy desire to become a client of Mary the Virgin Mother, he determined to join the Society of Mary, hence we find him very' early in life studying for the priesthood in the colleges of the Marist Fathers. During those years of preparation for the priesthood he was a most painstaking- student, and in all things a model and example for others, as his fellow-studentssome of them still living in this Dominion, —can testify. His great desire as a priest was to make the final sacrifice, and bid goodbye to his country, relatives, and friends to work for God and souls in foreign countries. Thus we see him set sail immediately after his ordination for Louisiana, where he distinguished himself as professor- in Jefferson College, and where he often risked his life in administering the consolations of religion to the faithful who were stricken with that dreaded plague—fever. He was there a fellow-worker with the late Bishop Grimes, of hallowed memory, which, no doubt, induced him to follow the Bishop to this Dominion. Coming to New Zealand, he commenced his missionary career in Hastings, where he remained for a couple of years. Bishop Grimes then asked him to. come to the

Cathedral parish as administrator. But the Christchurch climate not agreeing with him, he returned to his beloved people of Hastings, where he remained from 1888 to 1908, nigh on twenty years. Whilst in charge of this important parish, he proved himself one of the best organisers and most zealous priests in the Dominion. He literally made the parish. When he took charge, buildings and church equipment were in a very raw state. He built good schools and put them in charge of a body of nun's who have been remarkably successful in their work in the interests of the children. He loved the beauty of God's house, and erected a church that, for artistic taste, is one of the gems amongst the churches of the Dominion. Loving Hastings and his people, it was a severe blow to him when he was selected by his religious superiors to take the office of Director of the Seminary of Meeanee,* a position which his piety, learning, and experience fitted him for. The removal of the Seminary to Greenmeadows, and the erection of the new college chapel - there are monuments bearing eloquent testimony to his zeal and energy. He was now called upon to take the highest position in the Order, that of Provincial, an office which he filled with credit to himself and to the benefit of the society to the time of his death. He never entered on anything in a half-hearted manner. His love of God and burning zeal for souls made him throw himself with all his heart ' into whatever enter he undertook. It might well be said of him that ' the zeal of God's house consumed him.' No wonder, then, that his health, which was never robust, gave way under the strain. In his last illness he edified all by his patience, piety, and cheerfulness. He waited for death with the greatest calm and confidence. Dean Smyth is dead. He has laid down his burden and rests from his labors. But he in another sense lives. He lives in the memories of all who knew him. The sweet odor of his good life permeates the atmosphere where he lived. He was the 'sower that went out to sow his seed.' The schools he built will send out numbers of pious and enlightened Catholics year after year. The churches he erected will for many years be rich pastures for the flock of Christ. The Seminary he so well equipped will long be a nursery where holy priests will be trained to take his place and ours. Truly, it may be said of him, ' He is not dead but sleepeth.' And now, whilst we are assembled here to-day to mourn his loss, to admire his works, and to be stimulated by his good example, let us not forget to remember him in our prayers and suffrages. We know that he led a holy life and died a holy death; but if the ; just man falls seven times a day,' he may have some faults to atone. It is, therefore, a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins. Dean Smyth has fought a good fight for God and Holy Church. He kept the faith himself and planted it in the hearts of others. Let us hope and fervently pray that if he is not at present in the full enjoyment of the fruits of his labors he soon will be. Eternal rest grant him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. The music of the Mass was rendered by the choir, and at the conclusion the ' Dead March ' from ' Saul' was played by the organist (Mrs. Cronin).

The appointment is announced of Right Rev. Mgr. Philip R. McDevitt, diocesan superintendent of parish schools of the archdiocese of Philadelphia, as Bishop of Harrisburg, succeeding the late Right Rev. John §W. Shanahan, D.D., who died February 19 last.