y, an entire absence of human respect, burning zeal for God's
glory, and life-long efforts to promote it. He feared no man and sought
the favor of none, and his noble independence of character won him the
admiration of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His death was
universally deplored as the greatest calamity that ever befell
Manchester. Among the Protestant ministers who eulogized him in their
sermons, August 30, was Rev. Dr. Spalding, who thanked God for raising
up a man whose life was remarkable "for its large consecration to Church
and people, for its high earnestness, its sacrifices and unselfishness,
its purity and truthfulness. God grant unto us all," he continued, "a
desire to imitate this life in its devotion to others, and its trust in
Him."

As a preacher, Father MacDonald was rather solid than brilliant. In
manner, he was somewhat blunt. He conversed pleasantly and sensibly; but
people given to gossip or foolish talk soon learned to steer clear of
him. Hospitality was with him a Christian duty. If he heard that some
ecclesiastic was at the hotel--and he heard everything--he would at once
go for him, and place his own neat, comfortable house at his disposal.
"Many a time," he would say, "has a young priest acquired a taste for
card-playing by spending but one night in a hotel." So fearful was he of
the least thing that might disedify the weaklings of his flock, that,
when the writer knew him, he was accustomed to send to Boston for altar
wine. "If I buy it here," he said, "some poor fellows will think I don't
practise what I preach. They will want stimulants as well as I. Even the
people who sell will never think of altar wine." Father MacDonald had a
great love for the South. Its material advancement gave him pleasure,
but his chief interest lay in its spiritual progress. Six years ago, the
writer met him after an interval of sixteen years. After the usual
greetings, he began to question: "Now, tell me, how is religion in New
Orleans? Are the priests zealous? Have you a live bishop? Are the public
institutions well attended by priests and religious? But, above and
before all else, are your Catholic children all in Catholic schools? And
have you superior schools, so that children will have no excuse for
going to the godless schools? How are the Masses attended? Are the
people well instructed? Do many lead lives of piety?" He was then in his
sixty-seventh year, rather broken from incessant labors, but