academy for the higher studies followed. On account of the
superior instruction given in this institution, it has always been well
patronized by the best Protestant families in New Hampshire. Indeed, the
success of the Sisters of Mercy in this stronghold of Puritanism has
been phenomenal. During Father MacDonald's incumbency, Catholics
increased from a few despised aliens to more than half the population of
Manchester. He was never obliged to ask them for money; they gave him
all he needed. He never failed to meet his engagements; and in one way
or another every coin he handled went to God's church or God's poor. He
laid up nothing for himself. He had the most exalted ideas of the
priesthood, and he carried them out to the letter in his daily life.
Thousands of young men have been enrolled in his sodalities. As an
example to them, he totally abstained from tobacco and from intoxicating
drink. St. John's Total Abstinence Society was the pride of his heart.
One of his "Sodality Boys," Right Rev. Denis Bradley, became first
bishop of Manchester, and many have become zealous priests. From the
girls' schools and the sodalities, too, many religious vocations have
sprung, and the number of converts under instruction is always very
large. This worthy priest brought free Catholic education within the
reach of every Catholic in his adopted city. As soon as he finished one
good work he began another, and splendid churches, convents, schools,
orphanage, hospital, home for old ladies, etc., remain as monuments of
his zeal. These institutions are not excelled in the country. They are
all administered by the Sisters of Mercy, to whom he was a most generous
benefactor.

During the forty-one years of Father MacDonald's life in Manchester, he
never took a vacation but one, which his bishop compelled him to take.
He was so methodical in the distribution of his time that it was said he
did the work of six priests, and did it well. He knew every member of
his flock, and was to all friend and father as well as priest, their
refuge in every emergency. Every day he studied some point of theology,
visited his schools and other institutions, and went the rounds of his
sick and poor. Every home had its allotted duty, and grave, indeed,
should be the reasons that could induce him to deviate one iota from his
ordinary routine. His charities were unbounded, yet given with
discrimination, nor did his left hand know what his right hand gave.
With the