During Saturday night, September 14, 1879, being sleepless and alone, he rose and lit a match to consult his watch. In a moment the netting about his bed was in a blaze, he struggled with the flame and called for aid. Beating out the flames he burned and blistered his hands badly. His associated priests rushed to his aid and carried him into an adjoining room, but in his state the shock was seriously unfavorable to him, leaving him in an exhausted condition, which lasted for the next day and undoubtedly hurried the event of his death. During his illness he had been attended by a sister of the Third Order of St. Francis from St. Mary's Hospital. The physicians being Dr. Stille of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Cruice of of St. Joseph's Hospital.

On Monday, September 16th, he sent to the church of the Gesu for one of the Jesuit priests attached to that church to come and administer Extreme Unction. Father Villiger came at once, immediately after Rev. John Wagner, assistant at the Assumption, gave him Holy Communion. During the day he rallied a little and was able to see Archbishop Wood and Bishops Lynch, James O'Connor and Shanahan, who called late in the afternoon. The next morning, however, it was seen that the end was near and Rev. A. D. Filan gave him the last Plenary Indulgence. He continued to sink rapidly and died next day, Wednesday, September 17, 1879.

He died poor, to the great amazement of the many who knew that he had inherited what would have been considered a competency. They found that but little more was left than would pay for a respectable burial. His watch he left to his nephew. His library of about six hundred volumes went to the seminary of St. Charles Borromeo at Overbrook.

To those who knew him best he was a model of charity. He gave away in charity all he had. To institutions of charity he was generosity itself as long as he had a dollar in his pocket and after his death it was said, "The Sisters have lost their best friend."

He built the pastoral residence attached to the church of the Assumption out of his private means and a great amount was spent in establishing the sisters of the Holy Child at their first home, Sharon Hill convent.

To hospitals and asylums for orphans and the poor he was unbounded in his liberality and so he expended all of the large fortune he had inherited but so reticent was he on this point that indeed it might well be said of him that "his right hand knew not the acts of the left." He was most austere in his manner and extremely frugal in his living, but none in distress ever sought him in vain for succor. Though he aided all, yet his favorite children were the sisters of the Holy Child, and at their convent, Sharon Hill he was buried on September 19, 1879.

The Requiem Mass was celebrated in his church by Archbishop Wood, having as deacon and subdeacon of honor Rev. P. R. O'Reilly and Rev. Charles P. O'Connor, D. D. deacons of the Mass Rev. Nicholas Cantwell and Rev. Michael Filan; masters of ceremonies, Rev. James E. Mulholland and Rev. A. D. Filan. Bishop O'Hara preaching the sermon. Bishops Shanahan and Quinlan were also present.

The choir was under the direction of Thomas E. Harkins ; the soloists being Madam Liebermann, Miss Deron, Mr. J. Jacobs and Mr. Quirk. Prof. Oscar Konig presided at the organ.

Father Carter was an able theologian and a forcible preacher, always aiming to correct an evil. It became a usual custom with him, even when the preacher of the day had finished the sermon to enter the sanctuary to offer a few remarks," generally, aimed at those who worshipped at fashion's shrine. It was related to the writer by an old parishioner that during the period of time when fashion decreed that feminine attire should be girded by massive buckles in gold, silver or steel, he thundered from the pulpit at the wearers, demanding that they should at least not wear them in the church. That the clatter was annoying and that the pew backs were all scratched and defaced by them, and this he continued so often that among those of the offenders against his ideas of moderation in dress these buckles became known as "The Father Carter Buckles."

His few remarks often extended themselves into a twenty minutes or even a half hour sermon. "He wanted to say a few words on the proper behavior inside the church," etc.

Then woe to the persons, who entering the church before the Mass, had paused to say a few words therein to a friend, or who had failed to genuflect before entering the pew, or worse than all, had come to Mass "too late to hear Mass at all, better stay away than annoy the faithful in their devotions."

He despised the frivolities of the world never indulged in simple amusements, and so, was to his people a seemingly rigid disciplinarian. Born and reared amid plenty, he spread his means in succoring want; the enjoyment of the good things of this life being in his hands from birth, he left them all, at an early age, to take up the life of a good priest, who faithfully for so many years followed his Master.

It was his unvarying rule to rise at five o'clock; from halfpast five till six he spent in prayer, at that hour he celebrated his daily Mass. The day was spent in reciting his office, visiting his schools and in his parochial duties. As a rule he retired early, this was especially so in the later years of his life. He never took the simplest pleasure, as he found enough pleasure in his duties to serve all his purposes.

Father Carter was fond of a joke. The following incident occurred during the time of the building of the church of the Assumption. He was a frequent caller at the store of P. Brady & Company, Front and Chestnut Streets. On one occasion he called and went into the counting-room where Mr. Daniel Brady was, the latter said, "Father Carter, ain't you ashamed to wear such a shabby, dilapitated, old high hat when you make calls?" He only smiled, but carefully placed the old hat on the rack among the others hanging there; he talked pleasantly for a while, then taking his leave left the office and put on his hat. During the same afternoon Mr. Brady having occasion to go to the Custom House, went to get his hat, but found it gone and nothing the but there greasy old "stove-pipe" of Father Carter's. He recalled the comment he had made: on it that afternoon to the owner and saw the point of the joke. He was compelled to wear an office cap on his journey to the Custom House.

EXTRACTS FROM THE

DIARY OF REV. PATRICK KENNY.

From September 3, 1821, to October 11, 1825. from these RECORDS, Vol. IX., page 342.

BY JOSEPH WILLCOX.

Continued

[NOTE. The contents of the following pages were inadvertently omitted from the regular order of dates, and they will form the concluding chapter of selections from this voluminous Diary; a large portion of which was undoubtedly written by the author as a pastime in his lonely, uneventful, country home.]

1821

September 3d

Dennis breaking stones in the new stable for the Entry floor-whilst I was standing about 5 yards from Dennis Quin, he breaking the stones, a splinter shot forth & hit me. in the centre of the right eye-exquisite pain ensued, & I have been racked this whole day.

4th

My eye a little easier this morning-I bathe it constantly with rose water & vinegar-& apply rotten apple to it. My eye became alarmingly bad this afternoon.

5th

My eye and all around inflamed-God grant me resignation & patience.

7th

My eye very bad yet-yet a little better than these days. I now can roll the ball without racking pain.

8th

M. at Wid. Donlevy's-int. of A° Carrol, & returning thanks to God for the preservation of my sight-A hard task to read my office last evening, & celebrate this morningprepare to start this afternoon for Wilmington. The sun is too powerful for my Eye to go before the Even" got in about sundown

10th

I went to meet the turnpike Company-Mess" Jas. Canby, John Lorbert, Cap' Bushe, J" Gordon &c relative to the repairing of that part of the road that runs thro' my plantation-Their offer is that the amount of the repair of the whole road, from Wilmington to the intersection with the Gap & Newport Tpike, at Mr Will Jordan's tavern, shall be taken, and the average given to me for repairing what is laid out thro' my land-The payment to be made at the end of the first year's work, & then a similar average to be struck for keeping the same in good order for 4 years. I shall reflect, consult, & perhaps come to a final conclusion with M' John Torbert. I was quickly home again— My Eye getting better, left hand uncommonly sore, has not recover'd the sun burning & poisoning of hay making in July last.

IIth

I had the best night's rest, last night, since the accident happen'd my Eye. Eternal thanks to God for having preserved my sight.

12th

After breakfast took J" Dunn up to shovel dirt from before the cow stable & Entry doors, but he was so confoundedly lazy, & worse than useless that I made him get off, & look for vitals [vittles] some where else-He freely went off, but he will surely seat himself at dinner.