Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-05-17

4
, Ole Church in the United States commence
IN Baltimore, on Sunday last. At a prelImi
nary meeting of the prelates, the iolIowin.
officers Of the Council were chosen RI
Rev. Michael Porter, Rt. Rev. John ]
Chanche Promoters.
Rev. Edward Domphaux, d. D., Rev
Francis L'homme, Secretaries.
Rev Lewis Glllct, Rev. William d. Par
sons, ChanterS.
On Sunday, about IL o'clock, the prelaies
IN grand process ion, each one wearing full
pon'lcals, left the Archepiscopal mansion
and passed directly into the Metropolitan
! Church, by the entrance in the rear of the altar
The procession was, as is usual, headed by the
magnificent gilt crLcifx, then followed the
Acolytes, bearing lighted candles, the master
OF ceremonies and his assistant, the chanters.
the theologianS, Zone to each bishop, either
brought by him from his diocese, or selected
by him from among the priests resident else
where,) then followed the Right Reverend
bishops, then the Most Reverend Archbishop
OF ST. Louis, Peter Richard Kenrick, and
lastly, the Most Reverend Archbishop of Bal
timore, Samuel Eccleston. The reverend
bishops take precedence according to priority
of conservation.
The Council was opened in due form,
according to the rites and Gus ON of the Cath.
lie Church.
Grand High mass was then executed, with
a soemnity of manner which held chained the
vast assembage, in the most unfeigned devo-
ton Tho ste doum," the "gloria in excel
cls," &c, were sung with an excellence
rarely, if ever equalled in this country
AT the conclusion of the mass, the most
Reverend Archbishop of st. Lous Peter II.
kendrlck, entered the pulpit, and taking his
text from the 18th Psalm, delivered forcibIe
and lucid discourse on the relation existing be-
tween Christ and his spouse, the Church ex-
amining, with the clearness Of master in F.,
speculative theology, the abiding influence and
necessary connection Of the attributes of the
one, with the functions and doctrines oc the
other. The style Of the sermon of the most
Reverend Archbishop was simple and lucid,
and, therefore, necessarily iorclble and com.
pact.
When the reverend gentlemen had cuncu-
dcd his discourse the episcopal body roceeded
20 sing a series of other ceremonies, chauning
the mlserere and iiauy, aud terminating with
the solemn benedlc,;on by the most ey. .,yci-
bishop EcclesIon, after "hi,h The prorcs sion
moved ON tn Cathedral. passing out by the
central aisle t, Cathedral street, and thence
by IA berry street to Charles to the rcsiledcc
OF Archbishop Eccleston, in tie ord in which
they entered
The scene presented at Tie cathedral was
of the most lHpusng character A an early
hour, Notwithstanding the lnclom"u, character
of the day, the immense building vas crowded
to overflow, wit those who had assembled to
participate III tn devOtons of the dav, or that
larger numbers attracted by curiosity tu Wit
ness them Every avenue of acccss-strec's,
yards, doorways and aislos, was throngcd bv
the living mass, pressing and eager 10 obtain
a view Off proceedings.
1t is possible that there were reasons as dc
from and in addition to The bare occasion ltsoif,
VIII ch tended to heighlen the interest of the
Catholic community IN the ceremonies attend
ing the assembling Of this counci', lis novel y.
as the first national, as well as The most impo
sing assembly Of prelates and clergy ever
by theii denomination in this coun-
try, coupled with the peculiar position Of af-
fairs in which the great heal of Catholic
Cl ristendom is at present placed-and the
rare congregation of ecclesiastical wisdom and
reputation likely to be present al helped to
elicit the profound interest which manifested
Itself.