THE LATE ARCHBISHOP STEINS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3995, 18 October 1881, Page 3

THE LATE ARCHBISHOP STEINS.

The Sydney Freeman gives the following particulars concerning the life and labours of the deceased prelate which will^rove of interest to our readers: —Archbishop Steins was born in Amsterdam on the Ist July, 1810, and was therefore, at the time of his death, 71 years of age. fie received his early education at the school of a Franciscan Father at St Acheul, Amiens, France. Later on he studied at one of the schools conducted by the Jesuit Fathers, in Fribourg, in Switzerland. He then made a tour through the principal countries of Europe, and entered the Order of the Society of Jesus at the age of 22, and shortly after asked permission to be appointed to a mission in Borneo which was then vacant. He received the consent of the Father General of his Order, and immediately set-out for Borne with a view to making arrangements for his appointment. On the 29th June, 1861, the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, the subject of this notice was consecrated Bishop, and was shortly after appointed to the charge of the important diocese of Bombay. In this capacity he distinguished himself in a marked degree. He had special difficulties to contend against, but, notwithstanding, he fought against them well and successfully. His labors in the cause of Christian education were very great. By his exertions was built a magnificent college, dedicated to St. Francis de Sales. The Governor of the place, having promised to contribute as much as the illustrious Bishop could raise by his own efforts, Dr Steins worked indefatigably for the noble object. He succeeded in raising from the members of all denominations, Catholics, Mohammedans, and in fact members of every shade of religious belief, to whom he had by his noble and Christian qualities endeared himself, such an enormous amount that the Governor was more than astonished. The result was, a magnificent edifice was constructed —one of the finest of its kind in the world and dedicated, as,we stated before, to St. Francis de Sales. In the year 1867 the worthy bishop was transferred to the vacant Archbishopric of Calcutta, where he remained till the year 1878. Here he displayed th<£ same zeal in matters of religion, an*dT the propagation of the Catholic faith among the natives, the same lively interest in the Catholic education of the young that characterised his labours in Bombay.

On his returning from Calcutta an accident befel the worthy prelate. He fell, and, apparently, slightly hurt himself. On examination, however, it was found that his health had been more seriously impaired than was at first supposed. He returned to Europe to prepare for eternity. His end was, however, not come. He improved in health, and after a tour he felt able to resume duty. He went to Borne to ascertain what arrangements couid be made for his appointment to another See. It was at that time the bishopric of Auckland, New Zealand, was vacant. The position was offered to Dr Steins and he accepted it. He set sail almost immediately for the scene of his new labours. He soon won the hearts of the members of his flock ; he was greatly pleased with both the priests and people entrusted to his care, and the same apostolic labours that he had so successfully carried on elsewhere, he continued in New Zealand. But the enormous strain upon his mind, and the loDg years of mental and physical labour, had their effect. In June, 1880, the most reverend gentleman's health became impaired. The attack daily became more serious, until finally he was ordered by his" medical advisers to visit Europe. On his way thither he came to Sydney, and remained at St. Kilda House, where, becoming worse, it was found impossible for him to proceed further. All that was possible to do to alleviate his sufferings was done by the Jesuit Fathers of the city, but, notwithstanding, he breathed his last on Wednesday morning, the 7th inst.