ADDRESS AND PRESENTATION TO REV. DR. BERMINGHAM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 134, 26 November 1875, Page 15

ADDRESS AND P RESENTATION TO REV. DR. BERMINGHAM.

(Condensed from the Wagga Wagga 'Advocate.') On Thursday evening, a number of the m embers of the congregation of St. Michael's Koman Catholic Church assembled at the Presbytery, Newtown, fox the purpose of presenting the Rev. Dr. Bermingham with an address and. a purse of sovereigns. The members of the congregation, at the conclusion of the recent Jubilee devotions, desired to mark their sense of the arduous labors of their pastor, and in a few days the splendid gift of 300 sovereigns was readily subscribed. About sixty persons having assembled, it was found necessary to adjourn to the large room of Mr. Hopkins's Eoyal Hotel. Dr. Bermingham having entered the room, Dr. O'Connor, addressing him, said that he had been deputed by the subscribers to the gift to read an address to him, but before doingso he wished to say that, although he had borne a part in, and been present at, the presentation of many testimonials, he had never witnessed such thorough goodwill and whole-heartedness as he had seen in this case. Dr. O'Connor then read the following address, and at its conclusion handed Dr. Bermingham the gift of his flock, enclosed in a tasteful purse of green silk — Dear Db. Bermingham, — We, the members of your congregation, have assembled here to-day to give expression to feelings of friendship and esteem we entertain towards you. "We have witnessed your arduous and incessant labors since you have come amongst us ; your warm-hearted interest in our spiritual and temporal welfare : your ardent zeal in the education of our children. We have been instructed and impressed by your fervid eloquence, and edified by your life and priestly bearing. Under these circumstances, we cannot allow this happy time — the conclusion of the Jubilee — during which your labors reached their climax — to pass, without coming here to tell you how deeply we appreciate your exertions, and to offer you our hearty congratulations on their fruitful results. You have yet great works before you. Already the graceful form of our "beautiful Convent is swelling from yonder hill, and our Church will quickly follow in its wake. But in all your toils be assured that we will be with you to cheer you on, and support you — pastor and people animated by one purpose, one in heart, one in soul, one in effort. Do us the pleasure of accepting this heart-offering, which we affectionately present to you ; and it •will be a source of the greatest gratification to every one of us, if it assist in affording you that relaxation so necessary for your health and future labors. Dr. Berminehani said — My Dear Friends, — It is certainly a most agreeable surprise to me to find myself suddenly surrounded by the affectionate representatives of a noble people in the quiet room of my good landlord, and hurried, this 4th day of November, 1875, into the actual possession of — I may call it — a gold mine ; and yet surely I should not marvel at yoiir munificence. Long since I knew my eyes were daily looking on an exhaustless mine of purer ore exceeding far in value gold or diamond. A mine of holy faith, with all the precious virtues that have their spring and support in that priceless gift of God. I shall, therefore, regard and value your golden present as the pale symbol, and but poor expression of the splendid qualities of head and heart with which you are enriched and ennobled. And, oh ! I do specially prize it as the sterling token of your pure attachment to me, as " The Minister of Christ and the dispenser of the mysteries of God." After Dr. Bermingham concluded a lengthy and beautiful reply, Dr. O'Connor said that he hoped Dr. Bermingham would use their gift so as to give himself that relaxation and repose which he had so well earned by his arduous labour, and not apply it, as he said he would, to parochial purposes. Dr. Bermingham said that there were so many calls for public good, and the sum of money they had so generously given him was so very large, he did not feel justified in applying it to his own •use. If he consented to modify a little his resolution as to the uses to which it should be put, he hoped they would not ask him to do more. He might use a little of it for himself, but he proposed to apply the greater part of it to a parochial work, which was a pressing need—a work which would be a permanent good, and a, source of gratification to them all. F. >r himself, he was satisfied in the proof he had received that he had their esteem and affection. Theart of conversation consists far less in saying much than in drawing out others. He who goes away from your society, pleased with himself and his visit, is perfectly so with you. — La Btuyere. A simple way to make a new pen hold ink is to put it for a second or two in a lighted candle, and then plunge it in the ink while hot. So far from spoiling it, it rather improves Theie is no virtue that adds so noble a charm to the finest traits of beauty, as that which exerts itself in watching over the tranquillity of an aged parent. There are no tears that give so noble a lustre to the cheek of innocence as the tears of filial sorrow.