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 then that the spiritual teacher has before him in trying to remove the scales from their eyes and revealing to them the truth is not easy. Half praise and moderate thanks are bestowed on men who labour, often amid perils and hardships, to wean men from error and wickedness. Sufficient recognition of their services to the world at large is lacking, inasmuch as it is to them alone that the ultimate and final end is maintained in thought, thus acting as a check to human error. But those that go forth and leave their homes cheerfully and voluntarily to convey their pious message, travelling wearily over desert sands and through leagues of bush, are the noblest of their kin and most zealous in their desire for universal good. Theirs is not the greed of gold, the love of self, but nobler far the love of human souls.

Within this narrow circle lies the name of the Reverend Father Duff. He was born in Tully, in the county of Louth—dear to every patriotic heart—Ireland, in the year 1860. He was educated at All Hallow's Missionary College, Dublin, where he went through a five years' course, graduating at the end of that term. In 1883, at the early age of twenty-three, he was ordained, and immediately afterwards sailed for Western Australia. On his arrival he acted as coadjutor to Father O'Riley—now Archbishop of Adelaide—for twelve months at Fremantle. Fremantle was then a small township, consequently his labours among the congregation were not extensive, but such an energetic nature as his could not be at rest. He interested himself in various societies, literary and artistic, and in every cause, to promote the welfare of his church. Young and energetic, with an ability commensurate with his activity, he raised these to an unexpected height. By these external and timely kindnesses he endeared himself to all. What then could have been more suitable and more expressive of their respect and admiration than the presentation to him of a handsome and costly illuminated address! With feelings of unfeigned regret he intimated the transference of his sphere of labours to Perth. Here, with Bishop Gibney, he threw heart and soul into his work for five years. Some men are pleased to perform a certain allotted task and never go beyond its bounds. But it is generally agreed that it is these extraordinary offices and services that test the merits of a man. These criteria then must give due prominence to the Reverend Father, for anything that tended to the improvement of his members he not only cherished, but personally upheld. In the Catholic Young Men's Society he was the chief, president, and enthusiastic supporter. He was the mainstay and spiritual director of many other societies.

But over and above all he found time to write that book which so favourably impressed the critic's pen and the reading public. "Landmarks," for such is its title, contains mature advice, moral and spiritual, for all. Every line breathes the sincerity of the writer and his utter abhorrence of every phase of sham. As a guide to safely steer among the rocks and shoals of life its value is great. In 1889 Bishop Gibney despatched Father Duff on a mission to the north-west provinces. He visited Kimberley, and travelled over the length and breadth of the gold fields. No great number of miners was as yet concentrated in one place, so he had to travel over scattered areas. There he gained his first experience and insight into mining life. He was present at the great Ashburton rush, and was the first cleric on the field. Miners thronged in from every quarter to the alluvial deposits. Being a scholar and a thorough student of human character, he soon fathomed and read the miner's mind with success. He preached to them around Kimberley for some considerable time, and always found a sympathetic audience. Even amid the desire for gold there was room to receive the lesson of a deeper and more ultimate kind thundered from he pulpit of Father Duff. What is more impressive than such a scene away on distant plains far from home and hearth! It was here he met Messrs. Moher and Wilson, two of the pioneer prospectors of the Ashburton, bearing in their possession the envied first fruits from the Ashburton River diggings. The extensive area of his mission precluded him from remaining any great time in one place. To the pearlers, from Sharks Bay to Port Darwin, he was commissioned to preach the gospel. His gift of adapting himself to every class was marvellous. Boats, huts, and tents were his domiciles in turn. In daily and hourly intercourse with the pearlers, he succeeded by his affability and generosity in making himself a welcome guest. With that gift of persuasion and power of convincing which is the possession of the few he opened their minds to the great beyond. Not only did he afford them spiritual comfort, but bodily remedies as well. More than once he had to combine the art of healing the body with that of the spirit. The majority of the pearlers hailed from the Philippine Islands; the remainder were composed of Japanese and Malays. The Philippine natives attended mass regularly, and it must be mentioned, to dispose of an unfair rumour, that the masters not only acquiesced in it, but took great pains to induce them to go to church. It was on this tour that he joined Bishop Gibney at Derby, whither the latter had come to establish a native mission. Warden Troy's brother, who unhappily met with an accidental death a few days afterwards, was his fellow traveller on the occasion. In the pamphlets which he wrote on this mission interesting and lively accounts are given of all his experiences, and many humorous anecdotes. In 1890 he fell in with Conelly, who showed him the first piece of gold on the Murchison. Conelly was lucky enough to pick it up on Cruickshank Station. He returned to Perth, but only to prepare himself anew for the same mission. On this second tour he visited Beagle's Bay and Murchison, and wrote an essay on the condition of the blacks. Early in 1893 he found himself among the Murchison goldfields, where he learned with sorrow that people were dying fast with that dreaded pest—typhoid fever. Rendering all the power he could to the afflicted and distressed, he went everywhere praying, comforting, and healing. On a raw Sunday morning, for the first time in the district, he held church services. The rain poured down in torrents, and the bush shed proved no match against the rain, which came lashing through every crack and crevice of the wall. There on that very spot is now the village of Cue, rearing her noble head in splendour. The tales of his wanderings here, amid some desolate waste, some unwelcome thicket, is sad and pathetic. Often reduced to want, thirsty, hungry, sore in body and mind, he wearily pursued his course. Sufferings and privations reduced his system, and miracles saved him from fever and death. Again he reached Perth, and after a short respite he went to the Katanning district, which kept him within its confines twelve months. In that time great progress was made, for in a marvellously short time two churches sprang up. Everything and everybody was in a fever of excitement; gold was being found in great quantities at Coolgardie, and miners rushed there in hundreds. Here, then, he must repair, for with this influx of population missions must be established. He set out for Coolgardie and found it, even as short a time ago as 1894, a small and unimportant place. It only boasted of two bush hotels and a few small stores. What