telegraph wires and tore up the railway; nevertheless, the authorities in Melbourne were apprised of this daring outrage, and despatched a large force to the locality. The bushrangers, taken by surprise, threw themselves into the village hotel, which they defended against the besiegers for the greater part of the day. Father Gibney, who happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time, hastened to the scene of strife, so that the services of a priest might not be wanting, if required. At an early stage of the conflict he endeavoured to advance through the open and exert his influence with the besieged bushrangers to induce them to surrender, and thereby avert further bloodshed. He was confident that even such desperadoes would not fire on a priest; but the officers in command thought differently, and declined to allow him to place his life in jeopardy. When, however, late in the afternoon the hotel was seen to be in flames, the brave priest refused to be kept back any longer, and rushed to the burning building in the hope of being able to administer the last sacraments of the Church to any of the surviving bushrangers within. He was watched with eager and breathless attention as he crossed the open space in front of the outlaws' citadel, the general fear being that he would be shot down before he reached the house. A cheer went up from the excited spectators as they saw him rush through the flames into the interior of the hotel, and a number of them were emboldened to follow in his footsteps. When Father Gibney got within the blazing building, he saw the bodies of the bushrangers lying on the floor, having apparently preferred to shoot themselves or each other rather than fall into the hands of the authorities. He had just time to touch their bodies, and ascertain that they were lifeless, before the advancing flames compelled him to beat a hasty retreat in order to save his own life. The courage and intrepidity displayed by Father Gibney on this occasion won universal admiration, and the news of his elevation to the mitre was received with cordial approval by the press and the public of all the colonies." This shows that the Bishop is an earnest and fearless follower of the faith, and is not afraid to endanger his life in the service of his Master.
Little more remains to be added. Bishop Gibney's work will leave a lasting mark on the history of Western Australia. A simple, earnest man; he toils eagerly, at all hours, for his fellows. Of kindly disposition and generous nature, he has widespread popularity, and is loved, not only by his own people, but by all who know his goodness throughout the colony. He watches over his flock as carefully and zealously as the shepherd tends his sheep, and he leads them to the good pasture land, where their souls may fatten. Guided by such altruistic spirits as he, it is no wonder that the Roman Catholic Church becomes a great power in the land.
BISHOP RILEY, D.D.
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Photo by BISHOP RILEY, D.D. Elliot & Fry. |
IN every nook and corner of the civilised world Society leaps toward the infinite realm of freedom. Unconsciously and unerringly leavening and universal sentiments of brotherhood are permeating mankind. What fifty years ago was termed impossible, is now attained, and narrow dogma, or petty jealousy, is being superseded by an all-powerful catholic spirit. Every man has a soul, every man has a right to his opinion, and every man, either in moral suasion or bodily vigour, is a potent factor in the world. Remove him before his time, says Carlyle, and there would be a vacuum. Justice is no longer a class, it is for all, and soon, we hope, it will be applied with unwavering impartiality. There is a levelling down and a levelling up, and the peer is being infected with democratic sentiment almost as readily as the peasant.
The Churches, as tokens of change in moral conception, present an example of advancement which is typical of everything else in the world's economy. Liberality and freedom and noble ideals are key-notes of their work, while clergymen and laymen now recognise that Churches may be made of very practical advantage in ways other than in their special sphere. In short, their sphere is being widened, and is tending to an embrace of all things.
In Australia, a phase of democratic sentiment encourages ministers of religion to assist the people in quite new ways, and their duties are expanding in consequence. The advice of reverend gentlemen is now being asked in some centres on political, municipal, and commercial matters, besides the more altruistic ones. If all these phases are to be taken as indications, it would difficult to estimate how universal and noble and potent the Church may yet become. Stead, the enthusiast, prophesies an early branching, which would make the Church an inn and a theatre, a friendly and a debating society, a refuge where men may go at any and all times.
Potent has been the influence of the Church of England over
