John Machale - Archbishop Of Tuam - His Life, Times, And Correspondence Book

PREFACE.THE name of JOHN MAC HALE, Archbishop of Tuam, L is one deservedly dear to living Irishmen and it is the hope of the Author that the LIFE he has undertaken to write may help to make that name still more dear to the entire r i s h race for generations to come. If absolute devotion to his country, and the most precious services rendered to his countrymen, during a public career extending over 67 years, constitute a claim to national gratitude, then ought Ireland and her sons be grateful, deeply and everlastingly grateful, to the prelate and patriot whom they fondly loved to call JOHN OF TUAXI. Life-long devotion, however, and most faithful ser ice, are not the only titles which he has to the affection of his countrymen. The virtues which adorned the private life and shone in the public conduct of the great Archbishop of the West are such as to challenge both admiration and veneration. Those rho only knew the Archbishop fro111 his writings, from his unceasing struggle with the men rho misgoverned or misrepresented Ireland, or from his fearless advocacy of Irelands right to self-government and full political JUSTICEm, ay have conceived but an imperfect notion of his character. A superficial observer, seeing that the Prelates long life was, apparently, one of uninterrupted varfare with the enemies of his religion vi PREFA CE. and his countrys independence, might only have considered the militant side of his great personalitj. What strikes us and wins upon us, on a nearer and more careful survey, are the moral and intcllectual features of the man. JOHN OF TUAM w as truly a wise and a great man it is impossible to read his utterances or study his conduct amid the fearful vicissitudes of his country, without being convinced of his prophetic forethought and moral greatness. But he was also, and above all, a good man. The populations of the West of Ireland, among whom he was born, and to whose welfare his whole existence was consecrated, worshipped in him a benefactor, a protector, a parent. But they loved and revered him, because they knew him, by long and intimate experience, to be a MAN OF GOD. This, more even than his acknowledged and sterling patriotism, is the adamantine quality in his character which will defy the wear of time...Read More