THE RETIREMENT OF THE IRISH PRIMATE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 9

THE RETIREMENT OF THE IRISH PRIMATE.

AN EPISCOPATE OF 44 YEARS. The retirement of tlio Most Rev. William Alexander, Archbishop of Armagh, and Primate of All Ireland, which takes effect on tho first of February, thus bringing to a close ail episcopate of forty-four years, is a noteworthy event in current Church history (sa t \s the "Church Times"). l'W Irish Churchmen arc better or more favourably known throughout tho Anglican Communion than the Irish Primate. .Horn in Deny, in his father's rectory, and ordained for that diocese, of which ho afterwards became Bishop, his whole sixty-four years of ministerial work have been spent in Ireland, the last fifteen as Primate. Having been, for a time, Dean of Emly,. North and South have alike an interest in his brilliant career. Educated at Tollbridge and Oxford, England had her share in his making, and right well he repaid>it—by his Hampton Lectures and Special Sermons, his share in the Speaker's Commentary, hir, "Witness of tho Psalms to Christ," his "Leading Ideas of.tho Gospels," and his sacred poetry. Scrupulously respecting the convictions of others, and, over sedulously careful to avoid oven the semblance of offeree by a Christian courtesy and charm of manner which never failed to impress all who had the honour of being brought in contact with him, ho yet was a man of strong convictions and outspoken views, but his admirable sincerity and transparent honesty of purpose wore such as to command the respect of foes quite as surely as they secured the love of friends. It was, therefore, natural that when the Papal Legato visited Armagh to consecrate tlio Roman Cathedral, among those with whom lie exchanged visits, was tlio grand old man, head of (lie Irish Church. In Armagh the feeling that some special and permanent memorial of his work and Primacy should be erected has taken form, and it is proposed that the scheme upon which the venerable Primate had set his heart, but which, until quite recently, was besot. with seemingly insuperable difficulties, should now be forthwith carried out. A site lias been secured oil the summit of St. Patrick's Hill, and facing the ancient cathedral, and hero it is proposed to erect a Church House and Synod Mall, to be called The Primate Alexander Synod Ilall. In this way it is felt that his Grace's desire, as oxpressed in his last Synodic.il address, will be accomplished, and a suitable memorial of his work provided,-