, and finally
riddled the beautiful stained glass windows of the church. For these
damages no compensation was ever made. An Irishman having some dispute
with a native, the latter seized a monkey-wrench that was near, and
killed him. Father MacDonald asked for justice, but the officials
refused to arrest the murderer. Through his wise counsels, the
Catholics, though boiling with indignation, did not retaliate, and, as
it takes two parties to make a fight, the Know-Nothing excitement having
spent itself, soon subsided. But for years, the Irishmen of Manchester
and their brave pastor had to take turns at night to guard the church
buildings from sacrilegious hands.

So far from being frightened at the lawlessness of the mob, Father
MacDonald, at the height of the excitement, announced a daring project.
He would bring nuns to Manchester, and he called a meeting of his
parishioners to devise ways and means. But, for the first and last time,
they strenuously opposed him. "It would be madness. They had frequently
heard their employers say they would never allow a nunnery in the city."
He soon saw that if he waited for encouragement from any quarter his
object would never be accomplished. He built his convent. It was set on
fire when completed, but he was not to be baffled. He repaired the
damages. Though he declined some compensation offered on this occasion,
he was not slow to express his opinion as to the effect such evidences
of New England culture might have on his beloved and most generous
flock. He invited Sisters of Mercy from Providence, R.I., and had the
pleasure of welcoming them, July 16, 1858.

He received them in his own house, which they mistook for their convent.
Great was their surprise when they heard that the handsome pillared
edifice in the next square was theirs. "I will conduct you thither,"
said he; "but first we will visit our Lord in the church." The Rev.
Mother, M. Frances Warde, and the Sisters, admired the exquisite church,
and the extreme neatness and beauty of the altar. "No hand," said he,
"but mine has ever touched that altar. No secular has ever been admitted
within the sanctuary rails even to sweep. I myself sweep the sanctuary,
and attend to the cleanliness of everything that approaches the Blessed
Sacrament. But my work as sole priest here is now so arduous, that I
will resign this sweet and sacred duty to you."

Schools were immediately opened for boys, girls, adults. Night schools
and an