most of those present, was not forgotten. At the termination of the service the Rev. Father Geoghegan ascended the altar-steps (there was no pulpit) and preached a sermon replete with thrilling eloquence, from the text, Luke, 12th chapter, v. 4 9 — " I a m come to sendfireon the earth, and what will I if it be already kindled." O n Sunday, 24th December (Christmas Eve), and the following Christmas day, the Sacrament of C o m m u n i o n was administered by Father Geoghegan to no less than 215 persons, a religious fact of sufficient import to be chronicled in some of the newspapers.
Arrival of two Bishops.
The October of 1844 was signalised by an event as gratifying as it was unprecedented, viz., the arrival, on the 15th, via Launceston, of the Most Rev. Dr. Pohlding, the Archbishop of Sydney, accompanied by the Right Rev. Francis Murphy, the newly consecrated Bishop of Adelaide, Archdeacon M'Encroe of Sydney, and the Very Rev. Dr. Ryan (the former Melbourne curate), now Vicar-General of Adelaide. T h e presence of so many dignitaries of the church in the quiet town of Melbourne created no small excitement, and the R o m a n Catholics were in a high state of jubilation. T h e aisle of the new church was now opened to the public, and on Sunday, the 20th, Mass was offered by the Archbishop, at which Bishop Murphy preached to a large audience, including many from the other religious branches of the community. At 3 p.m. the members of a Temperance Society established in connection with St. Francis', assembled, formed into procession, and escorted the Archbishop and other ecclesiastics to the (now old) cemetery, when the R o m a n Catholic compartment of the ground was consecrated. Though the day was dusty and windy, more than three thousand persons attended. Next day (Monday) there was a grand Pontifical High Mass at St. Francis, with the Bishop of Adelaide as celebrant, Archdeacon M'Encroe deacon, and Father M'Evey sub-deacon. Mr. William Clarke, a well-known music-teacher, and some members of the Philharmonic Society assisted the choir. After the services, confirmation was administered to 312 postulants of all ages. T h e following (Tuesday) morning, the prelates, accompanied by Archdeacon M'Encroe, Fathers Geoghegan and M'Evey left, per steamer for Geelong, where on Wednesday they held a confirmation, and on the same evening, the Archbishop, Archdeacon M'Encroe, and Father M'Evey preceeded overland to Portland. Dr. Murphy and Father Geoghegan returned from Geelong, and the Bishop of Adelaide, with his vicar, proceeded by the earliest sailing vessel to bis episcopate. The Archiepiscopal party came back from their trip on the 13th November, and on the 17th His Grace preached at St. Francis' a magnificent sermon upon the blessings of a good education. H e left for Sydney on the 19th, in the brig " Christina." There was a great "baby show" at St. Francis' Church, on Sunday 13th October, 1845, when twenty-seven infantile squallers were submitted to Father Geoghegan, to undergo the rite of baptism, and be so cleansed of original sin. T h e little angels bore the cold water test with anything but a heavenly temper, and the kicking and howling were literally of a " stunning " character. S o m e of the newspapers recorded the gathering as a strong indication of the procreative prosperity of the new colony. The erection of the church transepts was now urged on vigorously, and a solemn opening and dedication of the church took place on the 23rd October, 1845. T h e attendance included the mayor (Mr. H . Moor), and many other dissenters, with several of the leading Jews. T h e admittance was by cards, and a handsome sum was raised towards the building fund. High Mass was chanted by the Rev. Mr. Geoghegan, assisted by the Revs. Messrs. M'Evey and Walshe. T h e choir was reinforced by several amateurs, with Mr. Megson, the leader of the orchestra at the theatre, and Mr. Clarke w h o presided at the seraphine. Before the year terminated the diocese was deprived of the valuable services of Father M'Evey, w h o returned to Ireland for the purpose of rejoining the Order of Franciscans to which he was affiliated. In a short time some additional clergymen arrived, and were appointed to the localities most needing them. The R o m a n Catholics of Geelong strained every nerve to make a beginning of their new church, for which a splendid site had been obtained from the Government, and at length commenced the realistic portion of the work. T h e period fixed for so doing was the 19th August, 1846.
