VI ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Colonization ijrA Eepatriation Society of the province of Quebec. He 

 was very methodical, sympathetic and hard working and his useful 

 labours were continued until the last day of his life. 



The death of Archbishop O'Brien (March 9th, 1906) deprived our 

 Society of one of its most effective members. The position of pres- 

 ident, which he filled in 1896-7, testifies to the respect in which he 

 was held by the members and to the value which was placed on his 

 services. 



He was born on May 4th, 18-13, in Prince Edward Island, and his 

 early education was obtained in the schools of the island. Later, he 

 was trained for two years at St. Dunstan's College at Charlottetown. 

 Attracting the attention of Bishop Mclntyre, he was sent to Rome to 

 fill a vacant place in the College of the Propaganda, in 1864, at the 

 age of twenty. Seven years were spent in the training afi'orded by 

 that unique institution, where are to be found men of all the tongues 

 of the world. In 1871 he graduated, and was ordained priest, having 

 carried off the gold medal of the college for general proficiency. From 

 1871 to 1873 he filled the post of professor and prefect of studies at 

 St. Dunstan's College. In 1873 he was appointed principal priest at 

 the Cathedral of Charlottetown. His health bere failed; and for the 

 eight succeeding years he was parish priest at Indian Eiver, bringing 

 to the daily duties of a simple parish priest the scholarship and experi- 

 ence received at Rome. In 1880 he was invited by the late Archbishop 

 Hannan, of Halifax, to accompany him to Rome. The Archbishop 

 was then in feeble health and probably had fixed on Dr. O'Brien as 

 his probable successor. He died in 1882, and Dr. O'Brien was duly 

 appointed to succeed him by a Bull dated December 2nd, 1882. 



The twenty-four years of his episcopate were full of practical activ- 

 ities, in which he was generously supported by his people. Charitable 

 institutions, religious orders and schools all felt his creative and prudent 

 hand. His pastoral letters were remarkable for scholarly composition 

 and wise exhortation. He was wide-minded in his benevolent activ- 

 ities, and the principal public institutions in Halifax were constantly 

 objects of his care. 



Towards public affairs he had a strong patriotic inclination 

 Disposed by birth and education to sympathize strongly but reasonably 

 with the aspirations of the Irish people, he was even more strongly 

 sr advocate of Imperial unity and British interests at home and abroad. 

 In the political affairs of the Dominion he prudently took little part, 

 save on occasions when educational questions imperatively called on 

 him, as he believed, to take action. 



