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They not only consulted him themselves, but they taught
their children, in every painful or delicate exigency of
their lives, to call on him for counsel and direction.
Bishop Cheverus was a good citizen of his adopted
country. He never lost an opportunity of teaching his
flock the blessings flowing from the government under
which they lived, and kept alive in their breasts a warm
and constant patriotism. In the last war with England,
when Boston was threatened with an attack from the ene-
my, and voluntary contributions of labor became neces-
sary, to make arrangements for a proper resistance, he
several times went out to work at the head of his flock, as-
sisting in building ramparts and breastworks for defence,
He was a minister of peace, but instructed his followers
that self-defence was not only a law of nature, but a dic-
encouraged them as far as his means would allow him.
When the Boston Atheneum was commenced, he assisted
the enterprise by liberal donations from his extensive
library; and at his departure from this country, that valu-
able and flourishing institution was not forgotten in the
distribution of his books.
The 19th of September, 1818, was a day of profound
affliction for bishop Cheverus; he lost his friend, Dr. Ma-
tignon. His occupations having increased, he labored in-
defatigably in the performance of his arduous duties,
and though his health was evidently sinking under his ex-
ertions, not a complaint was heard from his lips. In 1622,
when the Baron de Neuville, who had been residing in
this country, returned to France, he represented to Louis
XVIII. the impaired state of the bishop’s health; and spoke
so favorably of his virtues, his talents and amiable quali-
ties, that the king was very desirous of securing his ser-
vices in that country which had given him birth. Not long
after, he received a letter apprizing him of his nomination
to the bishopric of Montauban, and requesting him to sail
immediately for France. His family in that county
seemed to place their whole happiness on this event; but
after the first emotions of pleasure, awakened in his
breast by the kind remembrance of his transatlantic friends,
had passed away, he looked round upon his flock, and
deeply felt how hard it would be to part with them forever.
If fora moment he thought of home, his duties and at-
tachments here caused a struggle at his heart and brought
tress at losing him; influential people of the Protestant faith
joined with his own, to detain him; and after a short con-
flict within himself, he came to the determination of de-
. :
tate of religion. Friendly to our literary associations, he} :
him back to our shores. Not only his flock were in dis-}
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