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TO THE

VERY REVEREND FATHER VINCENT GROGAN, C.P.,

PROVINCIAL,

THE FOLLOWING WORK,

Begun under his auspices and carried on, under many difficulties, by his kind assistance, is

Affectionately and Reverently inscribed:

AS A TRIBUTE TO HIS GENTLENESS AS A SUPERIOR, HIS FRIENDSHIP AS A COMPANION, AND HIS STERLING WORTH AS A FRIEND,

BY HIS BROTHER AND SUBJECT IN THE SAME CONGREGATION,

THE AUTHOR.

ADVERTISEMENT.

It was the intention of the writer of these volumes to have published the three upon the Gospels together. Circumstances intervened which compel him to send two into the world, whilst the third is just passing through the press.

Having submitted the first two volumes to the judgment of a few prelates, whose opinions he valued, he received the following letters which he has great pleasure in prefixing to his work.

He is conscious of many faults and shortcomings in the volumes, but trusts to the charity of his readers that they will be gently passed over as they are quite unintentional.

The Archbishop of Cashel writes:

THE PALACE, THURLES,

March 31, 1884.

MY DEAR FATHER PIUS,

I have duly received the first two volumes of your work on the Gospels, and which you most appropriately designate "Auxilium Prædicatorum." It is, indeed, as far as I can judge from a partial and hasty perusal of it, all that its title proclaims it to be. Such a book must prove to be a great boon for those for whom it is intended. There are plenty of sermon books; but there are very few books merely suggestive of sermons, and this is precisely where your work comes into play.

I shall not fail to recommend it earnestly to my priests, when I get a chance of doing so with effect; and, meanwhile, I wish you personally every happiness, and your excellent work all the success that it deserves. I remain,

My dear Father Pius,

Your very faithful Servant,

+ T. W. CROKE,

Archbishop of Cashel.

vi

The Archbishop of Tuam writes :—

TUAM,

April 15th, 1884.

MY DEAR FATHER PIUS,

You will make all due allowance for this delay in acknowledging the receipt of your work on the Gospels, which you contemplate following up by Commentaries on the Epistles, Pauline and Catholic.

I am greatly obliged to you for the gift. The volumes are brought out in a superior style, and I hope they will fully answer the object you have so zealously proposed to yourself. Indeed, owing to pressure of business, I had not time to read them to my satisfaction. But, relying on the character and erudition of the author, I will have no hesitation in recommending them to such as they are intended to benefit.

I am at this moment going on a visitation tour, and write in a great hurry.

Wishing you health and vigour to follow up your useful and edifying labours,

Believe me,

Faithfully yours,

+ JOHN MAC EVILLY,

Archbishop of Tuam.

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