The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-11

Patrick's Cathedral, yesterday-Imuosin M
Ceremonials-Sern0n OF the very Rev. DIR
Power.
The Catholic religion is certainly admirably adap
ted 10 be all but omnpoent in its appeals TO the sen
SEES the feelings, the Imagination the instructive We
herauon,or you will, the superstition of the masses
"i mankind No one who stood Yesterday within
the walls OF the magnificent Cathedral, dedicated
10 the illusrious st. Patrick, In this city, need
nave troubled himself much in hunting up, in the
regions OF his philosophy, the explanation of the
sources OF that mysterious power, which at one time
had subjugated the world, held the haughtes poten;
tates of earth in vassalage, and gave laws to power
full empires, and which still, in our day. maintains
such magnificent front in opposition to the allied
| forces OF Professionalism. 1t was indeed, a scene
alike interesting TO philosopher and painter
The interior of the magnificent ediice itselfthe
noble gothic windows, through whose stained glas-
! ses the rays OF the bright morning streamed
with subdued lustre, casting around dim religious
light, here and there lumned bya solitary beam
streaming through crevice, with all its own daz-
cling radiance, like some special messenger from
Heaven-the tall columns-the lofty vaulted roof
the altar, with all lis mysterious garniture of
cred symbOls-the vast multitude, yet so hushed
| and awe-struck-the crowd of robed and mitred
officials, arrayed in all the pomp of the "ancient
church''-the clouds of incense-the loud peal of
the organ-the slow, solemn chanting of the priests
all united in producing an impression which the
most thoughtless and profane could not altogether
resist.
Certainly none of the Protestant Churches could
get up anything like such spectacle, and as for
the new religion-the Fourierites, all their pha-
lanxes, and industrial armies" grand as they are
on paper, would not, we are sure, at all approach
this scene in imposing splendor.
The announcement of the ceremonias attracted
immense numbers of people Very soon after the
doors were opened (eight oclock), the cathedral
was densely crowded in every part-the pews-the
aisles-the organ gallery-the wndows-the ves,i-
bule--every part of the building was taken possess
sion of, and multitudes remained outside, kneeng
about the entrance. There could not have been
less than seven or eight thousand persons of all
ages, collected the occasion Admirable ar
Engagements for preventing any confusion were
made by the Bishop and his Chaplains, but they
were in some respects unavailing, owing, in some
measure, to the remissness or stupidity of some of
the doorkeepers, amongst whom we do not how
ever, include officer McGrath and his associates,
who were exceedingly active and useful IN pre-
Cathedral allowed the passages the sacrisy to be
taken possession Of by crowd of persons who
completely blocked up the way, and produced
good deal Of confusion. The aises were so dense
ly packed with human beings, that great numbers,
both men and women, became completely over
powered by the heat and the pressure, and were,
with the greatest difficulty, hustled along to the
foot of the platform, before the altar, where they
- l. 4
red along to the entrance to the sacristy,
where they had opportunity to breathe
and recover themselves. This produced, as
may be supposed, much annoyance and inter-
rupon, and should be guarded against on
future occasions, by preventing such crowds in the
aisles. Many of the persons, also, who had taken
possession Of the passages leading to the sacristy
behaved in a somewhat indecorous manner ano-
Their annoyance which should also be prevented in
future. However, it was matter Of surprise, that
Notwithstanding such a vast crowd, so little occur
red to mar the good order of the solemn and nte-
resting occasion.
At about half past nine o'clock the procession OF
the Bishops and Clergy entered the church. First,
them came great number of the inferior clergy
clothed with their "capes'' and large mantles, many
of them adorned in the most magnificent manner
then came the Bishops Elect, as they are called
the Revd Drs Quarter, Byrne, and McCoskey-
then the Bishops of Boston and Philadelphia, and
after them Bishop Hughes, in full pontificals, with
rocket, stole, cape, mtre, and crozier.
The procession having got within the railing sur
rounding the altar, those who formed it took seats,
and the services commenced.
THE CONSIDERATION
The Copsecrating Bishop vested in full pontfcals I'm
penis Pontifcab seated himself at the altar and the
Bishops elect wearing the small cap to the cler
gy led to him by the Assistant Bshops the senior
Of whom required in behalf Of the Church that the elect
he raised to the burthensome office of Bishop" The
Apostolic Commission was then called for and read and
the Oath which has been the subject Of such frequent
controversy then administered 1t is as follows:
81 Elect Of the Church shall be from this hour hence.
forward faithful and obedent to blessed Peter the Apos
tie, and to the holy Roman Church. and our Lord the
Pope and to his successors canencaiy chosen shall
not either by consent action, have any share in any
plot against their life limb arrest them unaw
fully or to lay violent hands them in any way or to
infct any injuries, under any pretext shall disclose
one to their prejudice, knowingly the counsel which
they may communicate to me- either by themselves or by
their messengers letters shall assist them to retain
and defend against any whatever, the Roman Pope.
DOM and the privileges St Peter without prejudice to
my rank shall treat honoraby the Legate of the Amos.
toc See going and returning and shall relieve him in
his necessities shall take to preserve defend in
and promote the rights honors privileges and au
thory Of the holy Roman Church. Of Lord the Pope
tcipate IN any plot or act or transaction, where
in anything unjust or prejudcial to their persons
right, honor, state ana power may be devised
against said Lord the said Roman Church.
And should know that such things are treated Of
attempted | shall hinder them to the best Of my
power; aud speedily possible shall signify our
said Lord, to another, through whom IL may to
his knowledge With my whole strength shall observe,
and caused be observed by others the rules of the holy
Fathers the DEGREES ordinances dispositions
tons provisions and mandates Of the Apostolic Ac-
cordng to nay ability shall pursue and mpugn heretcs
schsmatcs and rebels against said Lord his
cessors aforesaid When called to synod shall come
unless be prevented by canonicai impeachment shall
personally visit the Apostolic See every ten years
and render account to Lord and his
Aforesaid of my whole pastoral office and of everything
in any way appertaning to the state of my Church TO
the discipline of the clergy and people, and to the saliva
ton of the souls entrusted to my care and shall humby
receive in return the Apostolic mandates and most dill.
gently execute them But If be prevented by lawful
impeachment shall perform all the things aforesaid by
certain messenger specially authorized for this purpose
from my chapter. by other in eccles
astica dignity or otherwise in office or in failure Of both
by aprest Of the diocese should my clergy altogether
tail by other secular regular priest tried virtue
and pety well instructed all the above subjects And